PARTNERSHIPS
THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
The Division of Rehabilitation
Services (DORS)
Maryland State Department of Education
(MSDE)
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Division of
Rehabilitation Services is to provide
leadership and support in promoting the
employment, economic self-sufficiency, and
independence of individuals with
disabilities.
DORS provides public
rehabilitation services through two
programs:
• Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
• Independent Living (IL)
Vocational Rehabilitation vs.
Independent Living
Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VR):
• The VR program, the primary rehabilitation program offered
through DORS, provides programs and services that assist
persons with disabilities who want to work or need services to
keep their current jobs.
Independent Living Services (IL):
• The smaller IL program, provides assistance to persons who
do not have employment goals. This program helps
individuals with significant disabilities achieve greater
independence in their homes and/or communities.
WHAT IS THE VR PROCESS?
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Referral
Application/Initial Interview
Gathering existing records/eligibility assessment
Eligibility/Order of Selection
Comprehensive assessment of skills and abilities
Development of an Individualized Plan for Employment
(IPE)
Service Provision
Job Development/Placement
Case Closure
Post-Employment Services (if needed)
REFERRAL
• DORS develops and maintains relationships with
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organizations, agencies and persons in the community to
obtain appropriate and timely referrals
Referrals can come from any interested party
Referrals can be made online at www.dors.state.md.us
Referrals can also be mailed, faxed, phoned, or dropped off at
a local office
DORS will respond within 10 days of referral
An individual will be scheduled for an initial interview within
30 days, to meet with a counselor and informed of what to
bring to the appointment
APPLICATION/INITIAL
INTERVIEW
The counselor/consumer discuss:
• The consumers disability and how it affects work
• The VR program, process, and available services
• Non-discrimination
• The consumers goals, needs, concerns & options
• Rights and responsibilities to include: the Appeal Process, the
availability of the Client Assistance Program, and
confidentiality
• Eligibility/Order of selection
• Comparable benefits/Financial participation
• Preferred mode of communication/alternate format needs
• The consumers assistive technology needs, if necessary
HOW IS ELIGIBILITY FOR VR
DETERMINED?
A consumer may be eligible if:
• The consumer has a physical, mental,
cognitive, or sensory impairment that results in
a substantial impediment to employment
• The consumer requires vocational services to
prepare for, secure, retain or regain
employment consistent with their strengths,
interests, and abilities
• The consumer is presumed eligible if they
receive SSI or SSDI
ELIGIBILITY/ORDER OF
SELECTION ASSESSMENT
Includes:
• Reviewing existing medical or educational
records, determinations made by other
agencies, information provided by consumer,
and counselor observations
• Providing medical assessments at no cost, if
needed
DORS may provide a comprehensive
assessment to:
• Identify interests, strengths, and needs
• Assist in development of vocational goal
Comprehensive assessment includes career
decision making, counseling and referral for other
needed services.
INDIVIDUALIZED PLAN FOR
EMPLOYMENT (IPE)
• An IPE identifies employment goal consistent with
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strengths, resources, abilities, interests and informed
choice. The plan lists the steps and services necessary
to achieve the goal, and who will provide those
services.
The IPE identifies how the financial contribution, if
any, will be applied to services.
A consumer may draft an IPE or have help from
others, including the counselor.
The IPE must be approved prior to implementation.
DORS provides and/or
arranges personalized support
and employment services so the
consumer can plan and follow
a path to success.
SERVICE PROVISION MAY INCLUDE:
• Career Assessment
• Career Guidance and
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Counseling
Prevocational Services
Vocational Training/Higher
education
Supported Employment
Services
Self-Employment Services
• Medical Rehabilitation
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Services
Transitioning Services
Services to the Blind and
Vision Impaired
Services to the Deaf and
Hard of Hearing
Job Development and
Placement Services
Assistive Technology
Celebrating Employment
• Once the consumer begins working, keeping in touch with the
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DORS counselor to discuss the progress and job satisfaction is
essential
DORS can provide services to assist the consumer with
maintaining employment as needed
Once the consumer has worked at least 90 days, they become
a DORS success story and the case is closed
Post-Employment Services can be requested as needed
following case closure
If the consumer needs services again in the future, they may
reapply for DORS services
DORS also operates the Workforce
and Technology Center (WTC).
WTC is one of nine state-operated comprehensive
rehabilitation facilities in the country.
WTC provides a wide range of services to individuals
with significant disabilities.
WTC offers participants the skills and information
needed to move into today’s competitive workplace,
along with the individual attention that participants
need to learn at their own pace.
WTC services include:
Career Assessment Services (CAS):
• Provide information about strengths, capabilities,
priorities, concerns, and interests
• Are systematic and organized
• Are flexible and customized
• Requires collaboration
• Requires several sources of input
• Are used to make decisions
• Are used to develop plans
Rehabilitation Technology Services
Provides professional consultations,
assessments and training in the use of assistive
technology, designed to enable individuals
with disabilities to be successful in the areas of
work, education, independent living and
personal care.
Comprehensive Outpatient
Rehabilitation Facility Program:
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Medical-Functional Evaluations
Functional Capacity Evaluations
Individual Therapy Assessments
Physical Restoration Services
Equipment Recommendations
Home Assessments
Workplace Assessments
Case Management Services
VR Policies and Procedures
• Overview of Self-Employment
• RISE Program
• Role of Division
Overview of Self-Employment
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services may be provided to individuals with a
vocational goal involving development and
management of their own businesses.
Structure and extensive assessment and planning are
required in order to provide the individual with
information needed to make decisions which will
lead to successful employment outcomes.
RISE Program
• Self-employment services are provided through the
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RISE program (Reach Independence through SelfEmployment), which is designed to promote and
facilitate self-employment.
The RISE program involves partnerships with
community providers and agencies, and provides
participants with market information critical to
selection of an industry/business and assist in the
identification of financial resources.
Role of Division
The primary role of the Division in assisting an
individual with a vocational goal of selfemployment is to provide support and
information throughout the assessment,
planning and implementation process,
including assisting with the identification of
community resources.
What if a consumer is unable to work,
but still needs some type of assistance
to increase independence at home or
in the community?
DORS Independent Living
Services
A consumer may be eligible if:
• The consumer has a significant physical, mental,
cognitive or sensory impairment which substantially
limits the consumers ability to function independently
in their family or community
• It is determined that IL services will improve the
consumers ability to function, continue functioning,
or move toward functioning independently
INDEPENDENT LIVING PLAN
(ILP)
• An ILP is developed in collaboration with the
consumer to achieve the IL goal.
• The ILP includes the independent living goal,
services, providers and projected time frames
for services, and information regarding
financial participation.
Case Studies. . .
Mr. P
• A 54 year old who had his right leg amputated, eight inches
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below the knee. Owned 250 acres of land which he grows
corn, soybean, wheat, barley and hay. Has 50 head of cattle,
which he grows for meat and breeding.
Referral received from the Delaware-Maryland AgrAbility
Project with supporting documentation
AgrAbiity, DORS, WTC and Center for Independent Living
representatives visited the consumer at home for the initial
intake
Consumer received worksite modifications, vehicle
modifications and home modifications
Mrs. L
• A 54 year old poultry grower diagnosed with Fibromyalgia,
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Lupus, Disc Disease and Depression which hindered her
ability to perform her job
Referral received from Delaware-Maryland Extension Center
Delaware-Maryland Extension Center, DORS, Easter Seals,
Choptank Electric, RISE Program and WTC involved in the
initial intake
Consumer received services and funding from the Design Unit
at WTC, funding for simple modifications from Choptank
Electric Cooperative Grant, and evaluation of the business
through the RISE program for DORS funding
Mrs. F
• A 50 year old poultry grower who has been dignosed with
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arthritis in her hands,arms, back, knees, and hips.
Referral received from Delaware-Maryland AgrAbility Project
with documentation
Easter Seals, Extension Center, WTC, RISE Program and
DORS involved in initial meetings
Consumer unable to perform functions without extreme strain
on her body joints
Consumer received services through WTC and funding
through DORS
Questions and Answers
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An online referral form is available at
www.dors.state.md.us. This form can also be
mailed, faxed or taken to a DORS office.
Call the nearest DORS office. To find your
nearest office, call toll-free
1-888-554-0334 or visit www.dors.state.md.us
E-mail: dors@dors.state.md.us