Mission:
The California Department of Rehabilitation works in partnership
with consumers and other stakeholders to provide services and advocacy
resulting in employment, independent living and equality for individuals with disabilities.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Who Should Apply?
How To Apply
Assessment Process
Eligibility
Receiving Services
Individualized Plan for Employment
Employment Services
Consumer Responsibilities
Counselor Responsibilities
Case Closure
Client Assistance Program
Administration Review & Mediation
Fair Hearing
Confidentiality
Disclosure
Discrimination
Contacts
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Introduction
The Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) is here to help you fulfill your employment goals and achieve independence. This booklet will serve as a guide to DOR and the services we provide.
As a consumer of the Department, your rehabilitation program will be tailored to your particular goals and developed by you and your counselor.
The most important person in the process is you. You have the lead role in making your plan for employment a reality. Your counselor works with you toward your goal, informs you of the services DOR can provide and directs you to other agencies for additional services you may need.
If you can't find answers to your questions in this booklet, please talk with your counselor.
Who Should Apply?
-- Do you have a disability?
-- Are you having trouble getting or keeping a job because of your disability?
-- Do you believe vocational rehabilitation services would help you obtain or retain a job?
-- Do you want to work?
If you answered "yes" to all these questions, you may be eligible for DOR services. If you want to learn more about the Department, a counselor at your local DOR branch office can answer your questions.
How To Apply
Here's how to request services from your local DOR office:
1. Come to the office in person and complete an application.
2. Call us and request an application, then mail us the completed form.
3. You can apply on-line at www.dor.ca.gov or download an application from our website and mail us the completed form.
4. Give us information needed to start the assessment process in another reasonable format.
You will be given an appointment with a counselor for an interview to begin the assessment process.
Assessment Process
Your application is considered officially submitted when you have:
1. Requested services.
2. Provided information that helps us start an assessment process to determine your eligibility and priority for services. You may be asked to share information about your disability.
3. Set a date to complete the assessment.
You and your counselor will learn more about your eligibility and your vocational needs through the assessment process.
Eligibility -- You and your counselor will carefully evaluate information about your disability and your employment situation. Your counselor will determine your eligibility for our services.
Significance of Disability -- How your disability affects your capacity to function in employment will be reviewed.
Vocational Rehabilitation Needs Assessment -- You and your counselor work together to decide what you will need to become employed.
You will be given information and encouraged to make choices throughout the vocational rehabilitation process. At your request, information will be given to you in your preferred or native language or other appropriate alternative format, if needed, so that you can fully understand the process.
The process moves more quickly if you stay involved and provide the information we need as soon as you can.
How can you help with the assessment process?
1. When you come to your first interview bring:
-- Any documents you have about your disability.
-- Recent records or award letters from SSI or SSDI, if you receive benefits, or your Ticket from the federal "Ticket to Work" program.
-- A list of names, addresses and telephone numbers of doctors, professionals and organizations you have consulted regarding your disability.
2. Find out all you can about the rehabilitation process.
-- Read the literature provided on the program.
-- If you don't understand something, ask your counselor to explain.
3. Keep your appointments, and come on time.
-- Call our office if you can't keep an appointment.
-- Let us know if you move or change your phone number.
4. Follow through and complete your part of any actions you and your counselor agree upon.
Eligibility
After you have submitted your application, your counselor will determine if you are eligible for DOR services. You will be notified of your eligibility determination in writing within 60 days. To extend that time period, you and your counselor would need to discuss and agree on a specific extension date.
If you are an SSI recipient or SSDI beneficiary, and want to work, you are presumed to be eligible for DOR services (unless your disability is so severe that our services would not be helpful for you.) If you have a valid Ticket to Work, you are also presumed eligible for services.
If you do not receive SSI or SSDI, your eligibility is based on the following factors:
1. You have a physical or mental impairment,
2. Your impairment constitutes or results in a significant impediment to employment for you, and
3. You require vocational rehabilitation services to prepare you to secure, retain or regain employment.
In other words, you must have a disability that affects you so greatly that you need DOR assistance to get and keep a job.
If there is evidence that you might not be able to benefit from our services, you and your counselor will assess your ability to work.
You will be given a chance to try working in a realistic work setting. You may receive some DOR services during the trial work experiences. If there is clear and convincing evidence that our services would not benefit you in achieving employment, your case will be closed.
Receiving Services
If you are eligible for services, you and your counselor will talk about the ways your disability affects your ability to work. This assessment, called the significance of disability score, or SOD score, will usually be completed within 90 days after your first interview.
Level of Significance of Disability
Based on your application and assessment, your counselor will determine how much your work life is affected by your impairment. You will be placed into one of three categories: 1) disabled; 2) significantly disabled; or 3) most significantly disabled.
These are called "priority categories." If you receive SSI or SSDI, you are considered to be at least significantly disabled.
These category assignments are necessary for DOR to serve consumers through an order ot selection process.
Order of Selection
When the department does not have enough funds to serve all applicants who are deemed eligible for our services, the federal government requires that we use an order of selection process. DOR must serve people with the most significant disabilities first. Placing you in a priority category provides a fair way to serve all applicants in the correct order.
All those in the "most significantly disabled" category will be served first, followed by everyone in the "significantly disabled" category and then the "disabled category."
Within each category, we serve people according to date of application. The person who applies first is served first, the person who applies second is served next, etc., until everyone in that category has been served.
Waiting List
If DOR does not have enough funds to serve your category, you will be placed on a waiting list until your turn comes. If you are on the waiting list, we will send you a letter every 90 days to tell you which category we are currently serving. As soon as we are able to serve your category, we will let you know. You will then be served in order of the date you submitted your application.
Information and Referral Services
If you are on our waiting list, we can still provide information and referrals to other community services that may be able to help you pursue your employment goals until you receive DOR services.
Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE)
|
|