VRP3
Vocational Rehabilitation Partners
Public and Private Partnerships
Transitioning to Employment through Vocational Rehabillitation
The Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission is the designated state agency for providing vocational rehabilitation and other services to people with disabilities.
The Mahoning/Columbiana County School Collaborative Vocational Rehabilitation Public and Private Partnership (VRP3) for Transition Age Youth is an agreement between the Ohio Rehabilitation Serices Commission (RSC) and the Mahoning County Educational Service Center (MCESC) in order to provide transition services to students that are most severely disabled.
Through the collaboration of both public and private entities, all youth in Mahoning and Columbiana Counties will have the opportunity to obtain self-sufficiency, independence and employment. Focus populations include: transition-aged youth with the most significant disabilities, enrolled in school, recently graduated or discontinued school within the past three years. Click here for brochure.
Eligibility Components
- Existence of a physical or mental impairment
- The physical or mental impairment results in a subbstantial impediment to employment
- The individual can benefit in terms of an employment outcome
- The individual requires vocational rehabillitation servicees in order to prepare for, secure, retain or regain employment.
Order of Selection
Due to limited resources, presently the Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commmission is operating under an Order of Selection. Federal regulations require that consumers be prioritized in order of significance of their disability and that consumers with the most significant disabilities are served first. A review of available information will be the basis for determining eligibility and assigning order of selection.
Planning for Employment
The Individualized Education Plan (IEP) developed bby the school system includes measuravle transition goals that are the foundation for post secondary vocational planning. Through vocational guidance and counseling, the VRP3 Coordinator and the student will develop an appropriate work goal and identify vocational rehabilitation services that are necessary to reach the ultimate outcome of employment.
Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Guidance and Counseling
Ongoing guidance and counseling is provided throughout the entire rehabillitation process.
Diagnostic Assessments
Used to confirm the presence of a disability and impediments to employment.
Comprehensive Vocational Evaluation
A vocational battery assessing interests, academic achievement, work skills and aptitudes to identify barriers, potential skills and abilities in realistic occupations.
Transition Work Training Programs
Educational, unpaid, year long community work experience. Students are accompanied to a worksite by a coordinator or job coach to learn industry practices and develop appropriate work behaviors in order to become competitively emmployed.
Summer Work Program
A work training program during the summer to evaluate work skills, provide instrution and make employmennt recommendations. Students are covered by a community rehab program's payroll, workers' compensation and are under the supervision of a job coach.
Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Community Based Assessment
An assessment of strengths and capabilities while performing a competitive job in an integrated setting. The purpose is to determine work related llimitations and readiness for employment. Students are covered by a community rehab program's payroll, workers' compensation under the supervision of a job coach.
Job Placement/Job Coaching
Includes job seeking skills training, job development, job placement and job coaching to assist students in obtaining integrated employment. Ongoing monitoring and reporting occurs to ensure success.
Post-Secondary Education
Support is provided to students whose training program is deemed suitable through diagnostic evaluations and demonstrates a financial need. Books and supplies may also be included.
Miscellaneous
Ancillary services such as work tools, clothing and transportation costs may be provided to assist students in maintaining employment.