Bureau of Vocational
Rehabilitation Services
Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
OVR and the Early Reach Initiative
Amanda Smith, MSW, LSW
Early Reach Coordinator
What Do You Know About OVR?
Today’s Topics
• OVR’s Mission
• OVR Process
• Service Provision
• Early Reach Initiative
OVR’s Mission
To assist Pennsylvanians
with disabilities secure
and maintain
employment and
independence
What Disabilities Might Be Eligible?
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Autism
ADHD
Anxiety
Cerebral Palsy
Depression
Diabetes
Dyslexia
Epilepsy
Hearing Impairments
Intellectual Disability
Learning Disability
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Multiple Sclerosis
OCD
Physical Disabilities
Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder
Speech Impairment
Skeletal and Joint
Disease
Substance Use Disorders
Traumatic Brain Injury
Visual Impairments
OVR Process
Set Job
Goal
Eligibility
Assessment
Application
Referral
& Review
Develop
plan to
obtain
goal
Referral
Application
Assessment &
Review
Eligibility
Counselor should ask:
 Does this individual have an impairment, and
does it constitute a substantial impediment to
employment?
 Does this individual require vocational
rehabilitation services to maintain employment
or become employed?
 Is the individual able to benefit from OVR services
to achieve employment?
Eligibility
The individual must have physical, mental, or sensory
impairments that seriously limit three or more of the
individual’s functional capacities:
 Mobility
 Self-Care
 Work Tolerance
 Interpersonal Skills
 Work Skills
 Communication
 Self Direction
Set Job Goal
Develop plan
Service Provision
• Diagnostic Services
• Vocational Evaluation
• Counseling & Guidance
• Training
• Restoration Services
• Placement Assistance
• Assistive Technology
Early Reach Initiative
• Outreach
• Education
• Consultation
Early Reach? How early? Am I
eligible?
Early Reach Initiative
• Assist youth with a disability in
preparing for their transition
into the world of work and
independence
• Reach individuals at age 14
• Provide outreach through
group presentations
• Prepare youth for their work
with a vocational rehabilitation
counselor
Who Could Benefit From
Group Outreach?
• Students/Classrooms • IU Meetings
• Teachers
• Career/Health Fairs
• Supports
• Medical Specialists
Coordinators
• Disability Organizations
• Children and Youth
• County MH/ID
Services Employees
• Blended Case Managers
• Support Groups
• Students with IEPs or
• Trauma Centers
504s
• Pediatricians
Who Could Benefit from
Individual Outreach?
• Youth with a disability who:
• Would like to learn more about OVR services
• Are14 and up and may not be ready to work
with an OVR counselor
• Youth who have dropped out
• Youth without natural supports
• Individuals in the foster system
• Homeless youth
• Youth involved in the criminal justice system
• Youth with mental health concerns
• Youth without services or without appropriate
services
Presentation Topics
Getting
Soft
Skills
What
is
Advocacy
OVR
Interviewing
Exploring
Career
Skills
& Self
&Skills
Hard
Ready
for
Transition
Exploration
Basics
Colleges
Determination
Skills
?
Work
>
Goals and Outcomes
1. Cohesiveness & collaboration
2. Community members will have an accurate
understanding of OVR Services
3. Increase of appropriate referrals for service
4. Customers will come to OVR prepared for
services
5. Increase of customer investment
6. Empowerment & Self-Advocacy of customers
>
Early Reach Initiative
Providing outreach to students, families &
community organizations
Reaching out PURPOSEFULLY &
CREATIVELY
Whaaaaaat?
Early Reach Coordinators
>
THANK YOU!
Referrals can be made in person or by calling
the Washington Office of Vocational
Rehabilitation
201 W. Wheeling Street
Washington, PA 15301
724-223-4430
Amanda Smith, MSW, LSW
Early Reach Coordinator
724-223-4430, ext. 238
amandsmith@pa.gov