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Voc Rehab Can Show You $$$$$Sep 22 '00 Write an essay on this topic.I work at a great job. I help people pay for their college education and get to work! I help people who may never have had the opportunity to finish or begin any vocational or college program because they lacked the money to do so. I help people make a better life for themselves. What do I do? I am not talking about the well known pell grant. Everyone has been down that path or knew they shouldn't bother. I work for Vocational Rehabilitation. VR is an agency in every state and it is designed to help those with disabilities to prepare for, obtain, retain OR regain employment. WHO WOULD QUALIFY FOR VR SERVICES? VR's "clients" are individuals with disabilities that prevent them from working, or results in a substantial IMPEDIMENT to employment. You must also be able to benefit from our program, meaning if there is no hope that you will ever be able to return to work or work in the first place, you would not qualify (you probably wouldn't be reading this either.) Huh? What did you say? An example: You injured your ankle playing baseball and now can no longer stand on your leg all day as a store clerk. You have decided to return to school so you can retrain in computer networking. Your ankle is a disability because it keeps you from performing your past employment. Another example? Okay. You were diagnosed in school (grade school, high school) to have ADD or ADHD or chronic depression. This would constitute a disability which limits you in your ability to retain, enter into, and prepare for substantial employment. SO HOW DOES THIS ALL WORK? Let's say after reading this first you think you may have a qualifying disability. You find the local Vocational Rehabilitation office in the phone book under state agencies. The offices are staffed with Vocational Rehabilitation counselors (yes, they have an actual degree in that) that will speak to you about why you feel you have the disability. If they do not feel that your disability would qualify you for VR services they will not waste your time further and you will go merrily on your way. Otherwise: You and your counselor work as a team in making decisions concerning your rehabilitation plan. Medical information is requested from your doctor, hospital or therapist. If the counselor feels more testing is needed he will make arrangements for such evaluations, and yes, VR pays for that. From there the counselor will determine your eligibility. This may take a few days or a few months. Your counselor will discuss your abilities, limitations, interests, needs, special skills, schooling plans, etc. Together you will talk about your financial situation and determine your school related expenses. They will take into account your income, other scholarships and pell grant before offering up VR funding to help you. If there is a deficit (meaning you still have more expenses than money) VR funding can be used to offset those expenses. You will never be expected to repay this money. It is like a grant or scholarship. You will set up a plan and the counselor will expect you to follow your plan. This usually includes a certain grade point average, good attendance, supplying grade reports and class schedules and keeping the counselor informed of your situation. The end goal of Vocational Rehabilitation is EMPLOYMENT. It is not just a means of getting money to go to school for as long as you like. It is to help people gain successful employment outcomes. VR uses both federal and state monies to fund its programs. Vocational Rehabilitation is often overlooked and is a well kept secret but shouldn't be. Most college and technical school counselors know about VR services and can provide you with more information or you can contact an office directly. Note: I am not a vocational rehabilitation counselor but am employed by Idaho Vocational Rehabilitation. Each state has slightly different guidelines so check it out in your area! Good luck!  |
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