Post on 19-Jan-2016
ACCES-VR TRANSITION ACCES-VR TRANSITION SERVICESSERVICES
Transition to Career80 Wolf Road – Suite 200
Albany, New York 12205-2644www.acces.nysed.gov/vr/
Telephone: (518) 473-8097 Toll Free #: 1-800-272-5448
Fax: (518) 457-4562
9 counties9 countiesAlbany, Columbia, Greene, Albany, Columbia, Greene,
Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren, WashingtonSchoharie, Warren, Washington
75 school districts 75 school districts
8 alternative 8 alternative schools/placementsschools/placements
What is ACCES-VR? What is ACCES-VR?
AdultCareer andContinuingEducationServices -VocationalRehabilitation
EMPLOYMENTEMPLOYMENT
ACCES-VR Is All About Work!
From Special Education to From Special Education to Adult Vocational Adult Vocational RehabilitationRehabilitation
When students leave high school, there are no more education entitlement programs.
Adult services are based on eligibility requirements and availability of funds and services
Transition ServicesTransition Services
ACCES-VR helps individuals with disabilities to obtain and maintain employment.Transition services specifically refers to services provided to students with disabilities in order to assist them to transition from school into the world of work.
Mission StatementMission Statement
The Mission of Transition to Career Services of the Capital District Office of ACCES-VR is to provide consumer focused, high-quality vocational counseling, consultation, and collaboration with secondary school students, parents, and staff to facilitate an understanding of and effect a seamless and timely transition through ACCES-VR services, with a goal of successful employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
When to refer studentsWhen to refer students
Interested students with disabilities should be referred within the last 2 years of high school for eligibility determination and planning purposes.
ACCES-VR funding for services is usually not initiated until the last semester of high school, but there can be individual exceptions.
Who can be referred to Who can be referred to ACCES-VR?ACCES-VR?
Any student with a permanentdisability can be referred for
eligibilitydetermination.
Who should be referred to Who should be referred to ACCES-VR?ACCES-VR?
Students who are motivated to work and who will be capable of working independently in the community
Types of Disabilities Types of Disabilities
Often obvious:– Visual impairment– Deaf or hard of
hearing– Mobility
impairment– Developmental
disability– Amputation
Often hidden– Learning disability– Medical – heart,
diabetes, kidney disease
– Alcohol or drug abuse
– Psychological & emotional conditions
Referral ProcessReferral Process Application packet with documentation of
disability is submitted to the ACCES-VR office (forms can be obtained electronically by contacting aleifer@mail.nysed.gov)
Case is registered and then assigned to the vocational rehabilitation counselor (VRC) working with the student’s home school
The VRC will work with the school transition liaison to arrange to meet with the student/parents/other interested parties for an intake interview
Referral ProcessReferral Process
Complete application packet arrives at ACCES-VR
Eligibility determination is made within 60 days
Meeting with VRC coordinated with school at any point once complete packet is receivedWork goal is identified
and IPE developed together
Services begin as agreed, dependent on type of service
Referral PackageReferral Package
Referral Cover Sheet Assets & Challenges
Checklist Current IEP/504 Psychological (if
applicable) Transcript (if post
secondary education is planned)
ACCES-VR application VR-04
ACCES-VR Information Release Authorizations
VR-21 & VR-22 Student
Questionnaire ACCES-VR Financial
Survey Other medical reports
when applicable
ApplicationsApplications
Documentation of the disability from the physician, therapist, counselor, etc. should be submitted with the application along with any school testing/records/ plans.
All Applications/releases for students need to be signed by the student.
Applications/releases for students under the age of 18 need to be signed by the student and co-signed by a parent or guardian.
EligibilityEligibility
Must have a permanent and/or progressive, documented disability
Disability must be an impediment to reaching a vocational goal
Must be able to benefit from services in terms of employment outcome
ACCES-VR services must be required to reach employment goal
The Individual Plan for The Individual Plan for Employment (IPE)Employment (IPE)
All ACCES-VR consumers develop an IPE with a specific employment goal stated
The goal must be feasible and approved by ACCES-VR
There must be a reasonable expectation that a successful employment outcome will be reached
Overview of Overview of Possible ACCES-Possible ACCES-VR SERVICESVR SERVICES Vocational Counseling Vocational
Assessments Diagnostic Vocational
Evaluations Functional Evaluations Technological
Evaluations
Vocational Training College Services and
Supports Supported
Employment Direct Job Placement Work try out On the job training Driver training
Economic NeedEconomic Need
Some services do depend on economic need: tuition and fees, books, tools/equipment, rehabilitation technology, some training programs
Some services do not depend on economic need: evaluations, tutors, note takers, some training programs, placement, job coaches, OJT, driver training
ACCES-VR SERVICES ACCES-VR SERVICES and and economic need $economic need $ Vocational Counseling Vocational
Assessments Diagnostic Vocational
Evaluations Functional Evaluations Technological
Evaluations Driver training
Vocational Training $ College Tuition, fees
and books $ Rehabilitation
Technology Services $
Academic support services
Supported Employment
Direct Job Placement Work try out On the job training
Types of Vocational Types of Vocational TrainingTraining
BOCES training programs
Private vocational school programs
Certificate programs at Community Colleges
College Training College Training ServicesServices
May include financial contribution toward:– Tuition, fees, books,
room and board– One-on-one tutors– Note takers– Travel costs to and
from school if not living on campus
– Other disability specific supports such as interpreters and aides for physical needs
Supported EmploymentSupported Employment
Job placement services through agencies on ACCES-VR contract for specific area & disability group
Intensive services– Situational assessment– Job development– Job coaching
Extended Services– On-going follow along services are funded
through OPWDD, OMH, or ACCES-VR
Job Placement ServicesJob Placement ServicesAssistance with choosing a
job goal, resume development, interviewing skills and job search
On the Job Training Work Try-Outs Occupational tools &
clothing (based on economic need and job requirement)
What services will be What services will be provided?provided?
Only the services necessary to reach the job goal identified in the IPE are provided. These services are listed as part of the IPE.
Under the ACCES-VR Under the ACCES-VR program an individual has program an individual has
the right to:the right to: Participate in the decision making
process about his or her vocational program
Receive services in a timely manner Receive services designed to assist in
preparing for & finding employment Confidential services Appeal a decision made by ACCES-VR
Under the ACCES-VR program Under the ACCES-VR program an individual has the an individual has the
responsibility to:responsibility to: Participate in the decision making process
about his or her vocational program Maintain contact with ACCES-VR counselor Provide required information in a timely
manner Contact the ACCES-VR counselor about
changes in job goal or financial status Contact the ACCES-VR counselor upon
getting a job
Follow through with the steps in your plan, assess your progress, and keep your counselor informed of how you are doing.
When you get a job….When you get a job…. Contact ACCES-VR! You will continue to work
with your ACCES-VR counselorTo identify supports that
you need to keep a job.To plan how you will get
these supportsTo maintain contact with
ACCES-VR for at least three months after you start your job.
Transition TipsTransition Tips
ACCES-VR is a voluntary, adult service; you decide if you want it.
You have rights and responsibilities
Remember to apply to ACCES-VR before your last year of school – the process takes time!
EMPLOYMENTEMPLOYMENT
Remember…
ACCES-VR Is All About Work!
ACCES-VR Transition Staff ACCES-VR Transition Staff 2010-20112010-2011
Amy J Leifer Senior VRC(518) 485-5549 aleifer@mail.nysed.gov
Veronica Nostramo VRC Assistant(518) 485-5540 vnostramo@mail.nysed.gov
Lynn Ricciardi VRC Assistant(518) 485-5348 lricciar@mail.nysed.gov
Lisa Williams Keyboard Specialist(518) 457-2097 lwillia5@mail.nysed.gov
Abby Hout VRC – Cobleskill, Gilboa-Conesville, Jefferson, Middleburgh, Schoharie, Scotia-Glenville, Sharon Springs
(518) 485-5542 ahout@mail.nysed.gov
Alexis Merrill VRC – Guilderland, Mohonasen, Niskayuna, Shaker, Shenendehowa
(518) 457-9638 amerrill@mail.nysed.gov
Bernard Mack VRC – Berkshire, Chatham, Columbia , New Lebanon, Taconic Hills, Troy (shared)
(518) 485-5510 bmack@mail.nysed.gov
Deborah Gabrione VRC – Albany (shared), Averill Park, Berne-Knox, Cohoes, Lansingburgh, Ravena, Voorheesville
(518) 485-5553 dgabrion@mail.nysed.gov
Ed Lessard VRC – Albany (shared), Charlton, LaSalle, Parsons (Neil Hellman School), Schalmont, Schenectady, School at Northeast, St Anne’s, Vanderheyden
(518) 485-5505 elessard@mail.nysed.gov
Joseph Tedesco VRC – Berlin, Rensselaer HS(518) 457-6913 jtedesco@mail.nysed.gov
Kathleen McCartan VRC - Galway, Hoosic Valley, Saratoga Springs, Stillwater, Tamarac, Troy (shared),Waterford-Halfmoon
(518) 485-5503 kmccarta@mail.nysed.gov
Kyle Ferris VRC - Germantown, Hudson, Ichabod Crane
(518) 457-7944 kferris@mail.nysed.gov
Lindsay Pirozzi VRC – Cairo Durham, Catskill, Coxsackie-Athens, Greenville, Hunter-Tannersville, Windham-Ashland-Jewett
(518) 457-9448 lpirozzi@mail.nysed.gov
Mark Rubenstein VRC - Burnt Hills/Ballston Lake(518) 485-5501 mrubenst@mail.nysed.gov
Melissa Strauss VRC - Fort Edward, Hudson Falls
(518) 485-5527 mstrauss@mail.nysed.gov
Pam Brehm-Bisaillon VRC – Argyle, Cambridge, Corinth, Fort Ann, Granville, Greenwich, Hartford, Hoosick Falls, Mechanicville, Salem, Schuylerville, South Glens Falls
(518) 457-8523 pbrehmbi@mail.nysed.gov
Rich Myette VRC – Bolton, Glens Falls, Hadley-Luzerne, Johnsburg, Lake George, North Warren, Queensbury, Warrensburg, Whitehall
(518) 457-2439 rmyette@mail.nysed.gov
Salvatore Cerniglia VRC – Maple Hill (Schodack)(518) 485-1759 scernigl@mail.nysed.gov
Sonam Ben Willow VRC – Bethlehem, Colonie Central, Duanesburg, Green Island, Scotia-Glenville, Watervliet(518) 485-5506 swillow@mail.nysed.gov
Vicki Starr VRC – Ballston Spa HS(518) 485-5551 vstarr@mail.nysed.gov
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