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PENNSYLVANIA OFFICE OF VOCATIONAL

REHABILITATION

Orientation to OVR

State Agency under PA Department of Labor and Industry

21 District Offices Statewide 15 Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Services

(BVRS) District Offi ces 6 Blindness and Visual Services (BVS) District

Offi ces

VR Agencies are mandated by Federal Law; every state has a VR Agency

78% Federal Funding with a 22% State match

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INTRODUCTION TO OVR

To help Pennsylvanians with disabilities to secure and maintain competitive employment and independence.

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OVR’S MISSION

OVR is NOT an Entitlement Program; rather it is an Eligibility Program. Eligibility must be determined within 60 days. 3 criteria to meet: Individuals must have a disability that interferes with their ability to get and/or keep a job

Individuals must want to become employed (competitive setting)

Expectation is that the individual will benefit from VR services in terms of a positive employment outcome

Currently on Order of Selection (MSD only) 04/19/2023 4

ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES

Mobility- physical, cognitive, & psychological ability to move from place to place inside & outside of home

Self Care- ability to plan, initiate, solve, & carry out activities related to independent living & work

Work Tolerance- endurance, fatigue, & speed Interpersonal Skills- relationships,

attendance, grooming, appropriate behaviors Work Skills- cognitive integration (processing

info visually or auditory); recall & retain of infoCommunication- safety, health, & relaying

correct info Self Direction- ability to think through

decisions

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FUNCTIONAL LIMITATION FACTORS- MUST HAVE DEFICITS IN 3 OF THESE 7 AREAS

Financial Needs Test- based on a family’s combined household income from prior year (as long as the student is a dependent of the parent).

FNT is used for at-cost services. Therefore, the family may have to pay for an at-cost service if the their income is high and there is an FNT participation amount for that year.

If there is a Financial Contribution toward the cost of services the customer is made fully aware of such costs in advance of service provision

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FINANCIAL LIABILITY

Vocational Evaluation- 20 day evaluation at HART Center, HGAC, Goodwill, etc.

Neuro Psych EvaluationCommunity Based Work Assessment Vocational Counseling and Guidance Job Readiness Training classes at District Offi ceTransitioning Services- IEP meetings, meeting with

student at school, preparing for post-secondary programs, researching job shadowing/internships

Assistive Technology Evaluation Functional Capacity EvaluationDriving Evaluation (to assess ability to drive &

needs)Referral to other community resources

(i.e., MH-IDD, Dress for Success, LIU work experience)

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OVR SERVICES THAT ARE FREE TO CUSTOMER

OVR is the recipient of a federal transition grant from the Rehabilitation Services Administration. The goal of the PAS program is to improve post secondary education and employment outcomes of youths with disabilities.

Sponsors of PAS- Offi ce of Vocational Rehabilitation, the school district, and Harrisburg Area Community College (Gettysburg, York, & Lancaster campuses)

The PAS class gives high school students the opportunity to experience a college-level course. They will learn about various learning styles, advocating for themselves, utilizing resources, and assistive technology devices. 04/19/2023 8

PROMOTING ACADEMIC SUCCESS (PAS)

Upon successful completion of the class with a grade of “C” or higher, the student will earn one college credit.

OVR is able to pay for the cost of the class including the tuition, fees, and books. These are fees that would normally be the student’s responsibility to pay if they were taking a class at HACC.

Transportation depends on either the school district or the student/family.

Once the student has an open case with OVR, he or she is able to complete the HACC application packet in order to be signed up for the class.  

The class lasts for 8 weeks (1 day a week for 2 hours) and is usually offered both semesters.

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PROJECT PAS (CONTINUED)

Financial Aid for College/Training- a 169 form (used by FAFSA/PHEAA) is used to see if the customer is able to receive funding for the school year.

Hiram G. Andrews Center Assistive Technology devices & trainingTherapy (psychological, vision, physical,

occupational, speech) Behind-the-wheel driving lessons Van/home modifications Job Coaching (Supported Employment)

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AT-COST SERVICES (AVAILABLE AFTER GRADUATION)

If a student seems like an appropriate referral to OVR and would benefit from services, please have them get an OVR application from your school’s representative during their senior or junior year (preferably their 2nd semester)

The student will fi ll out the application and then give it back to either the school’s rep (who will forward it to me) OR mail it directly to the York District Offi ce (address is on the application)

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HOW TO APPLY FOR OVR AS A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT:

My secretary puts the application in our computer system and then will send a letter to the student’s mailing address .

Once the student gets that letter, they will CALL ME WITHIN 30 DAYS to set up the intake appointment.

This appointment can either be at the high school or at a satellite location (i.e., Hanover CPC offi ce, Adams County Career Link, or York District Offi ce). If the student is under 18 years of age , a legal guardian must attend the meeting

Things to bring to intake appointment: copy of last year’s W2 form; a copy of student’s driver’s license OR state photo ID OR copy of a birth certificate AND school ID.

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HOW TO APPLY FOR OVR AS A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT (CONT’D):

I will request medical, school, or counseling records in order to obtain diagnoses (60 days to do this).

IF the student is eligible for OVR services, I will contact them to schedule the Individualized Plan for Employment meeting (status 17 while in high school).

As long as OVR customers keep in contact with their counselors and are still interested in obtaining employment, the case stays open until they have obtained and maintained a job (according to their job goal) for at least 90 days. 04/19/2023 13

AFTER INTAKE APPOINTMENT:

Bermudian Springs High- Jackie Norpel & Holly Wallen

Gettysburg High- Joe Pecaitis & Nicole LeGore (Autistic Support class)

New Oxford High- Lori Althoff Brethren Community Home (LIU)- Leann StarnerLIU Life Skills Support class- Rose MooreheadLIU Outlets class- Lorrie HyrcekDelone Catholic High- Robert LesterLittlestown High- Michelle RodriguezParadise School for Boys- Cynthia SchrumFairfield High- Jodi WaltersBiglerville High- Brad Showers

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ADAMS CO. SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVES FOR OVR

OVR York District Offi ce (covers Adams, Franklin, Lancaster, and York Counties) 2550 Kingston Road, Suite 101York, PA 17402

(800) 762-6306 Toll Free (717) 771-4407 www.dli.state.pa.us

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OVR CONTACT INFORMATION