^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ [#1] Web Site: http://www.state.nj.us/labor/dvrs/vrsindex.html DIVISION OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SERVICES It is the mission of the New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (NJDVRS) to enable eligible individuals with disabilities to achieve an employment outcome consistent with their strengths, priorities, needs, abilities and capabilities. If you expect your disability will interfere with your getting or keeping a job that matches your strengths and capabilities, contact the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services. A counselor will meet with you, and if you are eligible, will work with you to develop a step-by-step plan that will result in appropriate employment. To learn more about how DVRS can help, call the office nearest your home. CENTRAL OFFICE: Thomas Jennings, Dir. Div. of Vocational Rehab. Services NJ Dept. of Labor, 135 East State Street, CN 398, Rm. 612, Trenton, NJ 08625-0398 (609)292-7318 or 609-292-5987; (609)292-8347 (Fax) dimjdvr@concentric.net Or NJ Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services 28 Yard Avenue. Trenton, NJ 08625 (609) 292-2940 Hours: Mon - Fri: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ [#2] NJ DVRS - Confidential Referral Form http://www.state.nj.us/labor/dvrs/vrsrefer.html ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ [#3] NEW JERSEY DEPT. OF LABOR, DIVISION OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SERVICES WHAT IS DVRS? The New Jersey Department of Labor's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS) provides services that enable persons with disabilities to find jobs. We also offer assistance to persons with disabilities who are having problems keeping their jobs. DVRS is staffed by experience rehabilitation counselors who provide valuable services to people who, as a result of physical, learning, mental or emotional difficulties, need assistance in obtaining or keeping employment. Directions to our office. SHOULD I APPLY TO DVRS? You should apply if: 1. You have a disability, and 2. Your disability causes problems in preparing for, getting or keeping a job. 3. You want to work. WHO QUALIFIES FOR OUR SERVICES? Any physical or mental impairment that is a substantial impediment to employment may qualify an individual for DVRS vocational rehabilitation services. Each person is evaluated individually for eligibility and needed assistance. We do, however refer individuals who are blind or have a serious visual impairment to the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired. WHAT KIND OF SERVICE DOES DVRS PROVIDE? Our counselors provide services that can help you lessen the effects of your disability or directly help you to prepare for a job. The services you receive will be arranged to meet your individual needs. Not everyone will need every service and not everyone is eligible for every service. We offer: DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION: [DVRS workers] DVRS will determine the extent of the disability, the presence of any other conditions, and the need for treatment. The client may choose his/her own physician for these examinations. INDIVIDUAL VOCATIONAL COUNSELING & GUIDANCE: The client and the DVRS counselor work together towards a suitable vocational objective and plan the steps leading to successful employment. JOB SEEKING SKILLS, TRAINING, AND JOB PLACEMENT: We provide people with the tools to find employment and will work to place them in a job within their physical and mental abilities. This may include supported employment. FOLLOW-UP SERVICES: We track the progress of our clients to ensure employment success. Job modification consultation may also be provided. POST-EMPLOYMENT SERVICES If needed, a former client may return to DVRS for supplemental services to keep his/her pre- sent job. PHYSICAL RESTORATION: To improve your ability to work, DVRS may provide medical or surgical treatment and physical therapy as well as psychiatric treatment, assistive technology prosthetic and orthopedic devices including artificial limbs, braces, eyeglasses, hearing aides, etc. VOCATIONAL, PROFESSIONAL, JOB COACHING, OR ON-THE-JOB TRAINING: By providing our clients with the right skills training, we can enable individuals to secure employment consistent with their strengths, priorities, needs, abilities and capabilities. Other goods and services may be provided when they are essential to preparing our clients for employment. WHO DECIDES WHAT KIND OF PROGRAM AND WHICH SERVICES? The client and the counselor jointly develop an Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plan (IWRP). This sets forth exactly what services will be provided and what is expected of both the client and the agency, including responsibilities and costs, if any. WHAT ARE THE COSTS FOR DVRS SERVICES? Diagnostic evaluation, counseling and guidance and job placement services are provided at no cost to our client. Expenses for medical services, training, books, supplies, tools, equipment, etc., are based on the individuals ability to pay. DVRS financial criteria are less restrictive than those of many other agencies. Our counselors are required to utilize "comparable benefits," that is, identical services available from other sources. For example, those seeking training will be expected to apply for a Pell Grant, and those who receive medical services will first utilize their insurance coverage. WHAT ABOUT COSTS ALREADY INCURRED? DVRS cannot pay for services and costs incurred prior to acceptance as a client of DVRS. Once a client is accepted, DVRS can pay only for those services authorized in advance. WHAT ABOUT CONFIDENTIALITY? DVRS records are confidential and no information will be given out without the client's consent. There are restrictions on what can be released and to whom. HOW SHOULD I GET STARTED? Our experienced staff can provide the assistance you need to achieve independence! Call today for an appointment. Tell our staff you want to apply. If you are already working with another agency, ask them to help you with a referral to the DVRS. Professionals and counselors from other agencies may contact us directly to make referrals. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ [#4] NJ DVRS http://www.lpinj.com/dvrs_overview.htm NEW JERSEY DIVISION OF VOCATION REHABILITATION SERVICES The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS), within the Department of Labor, helps people with disabilities to prepare for, obtain and keep a job. DVRS has offices throughout the state staffed by experienced rehabilitation counselors who help thousands of persons who have physical, mental, emotional or learning disabilities and need assistance obtaining or maintaining employment. WHO QUALIFIES FOR OUR SERVICES? They have a disability a physical or mental impairment that is a substantial impediment to employment may qualify an individual for vocational rehabilitation services. The disability makes it hard for them to get and keep a job without DVRS' help. The counselor determines there is a reasonable expectation that DVRS services will help him or her become employed. DVRS refers individuals who are blind or have a serious visual impairment to the NJ commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Some services can help a person lessen the effects of his/her disability; others can directly help one to prepare for a job. The services received will be arranged to meet individual needs. Not everyone will need every service and not everyone is eligible for every service. Unlike the entitlement to free and Appropriate Education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, services from the division of Vocational Rehabilitation have eligibility requirements that one must meet to qualify for services. SERVICES OF DVR Diagnostic Services - DVRS will determine the extent of a person's disability, the presence of any other conditions, and the need for treatment. Medical, psychological, specialty exams and tests are used to determine eligibility and the need for specific types of services. Vocational Evaluation - Aptitude, interest, general ability, academic tests, work tolerance, and "hands on" experience are used to assess one's vocational potential. Counseling - This assistance helps an individual throughout the rehabilitation program from the first meeting with a counselor to getting a job and keeping it. Counseling helps one to understand and adjust to their disability, rely on their abilities, set realistic vocational goals, change them when necessary, develop successful work habits and therefore gain-permanent employment. The counselor may also refer an individual to other community resources that may provide additional help. Placement - The agency provides counseling and advice as well as practice in the areas of finding job leads, completing job applications, getting job interviews and conducting oneself properly on an employment interview. These may include a job seeking program, job clubs, job coaches and job development to increase the ability to get a job. The counselor will help the individual locate job leads, explain to employers about tax credits, and on-the-job training possibilities. The client is responsible for following up on job contracts and looking for jobs. Follow-up services: We track client's progress to ensue employment success. We may also provide job modification consultation. Post-employment services: If needed, former clients may return to DVRS for supplemental services to keep a job. Physical restoration: to improve a client's ability to work, DVRS may provide medical or surgical treatment and physical therapy as well as psychiatric treatment; assistive technology; or prosthetic an orthopedic devices including artificial limbs, braces, eyeglasses, hearing aides, etc. Job coaching; vocational, professional or on-the-job training: By providing the right skills training, DVRS can enable eligible individuals to secure employment consistent with their strengths, priorities, needs, abilities, and capabilities. Other goods and services may be provided when they are essential to preparing an individual with a disability for employment. Creation of the Individually Written Rehabilitation Plan (IWRP) A client and DVRS counselor jointly develop an Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plan (IWRP) that is goal oriented and based on the client's need for services leading to employment. The IWRP sets forth exactly what services will be provided and what is expected of both client and agency, including responsibilities and costs, if any. COST FOR DVRS SERVICES Diagnostic evaluation, vocational counseling and guidance, job placement, supported employment services, on-the-job training, job coaching, and work adjustment training in a community rehabilitation program are services provided at no cost to the client. Expenses for medical services, training, books, supplies, tools, and equipment are based on an individual's ability to pay. DVRS financial criteria are less restrictive than those of many other agencies. DVRS counselors are required to locate "comparable benefits" - that is, identical services available from other sources. For example, those seeking training will also be required to apply for a PELL grant, and those who receive medical services will first utilize their insurance coverage. What about costs already incurred? DVRS cannot pay for services and costs an individual has incurred prior to being determined eligible by DVRS. What about confidentiality? DVRS records are confidential and shall be used only for purposes directly connected with the administration of the vocational rehabilitation program. Information will be given out only with the client's written consent, if required by law, or for the safety and protection of the client or other individuals. Vocational rehabilitation counselors work with the individuals and their families to develop and carry out a plan for training and placement. Their services include the following: Promote employment outcomes for all people with disabilities Provide advocacy for consumer choice/empowerment Provide information to students and family member on NJDVRS Technical Assistance on ADA, Section 504, Rehabilitation Act and Amendments, FLSA, and JTPA Technical Assistance on Social Security Work Incentives Source of labor market information Review existing assessments Help design career exploration, assessment, & training programs Help design career/employment goals and objectives (including post secondary education and training) through a Individually Written Rehabilitation Plan (IWRP). Provide information on community resources Help with referrals to adult service providers Advise on assistive devices and adaptations Provide information on assistive technology and rehabilitation engineering ACCESSING DVRS SERVICES Direct Contact - An individual or parent can call one of the DVRS offices listed in this report. DVRS will send you an intake application. Mail the application along with any medical or psychiatric records to the nearest DVRS office (see list below). If you can provide the results of a recent physical examination, the rehabilitation process will be expedited. Your application will result in an interview usually conducted in a DVR regional office; if the client cannot travel, the counselor will visit him at home or at a hospital. Two weeks after mailing the application the DVRS counselor should have contacted the applicant. If there is a problem, please telephone the DVRS counselor or supervisor. Advisors are encouraged to keep in regular touch with the client and the counselor to assist with the process. Education Referrals - NJDVRS will distribute to each school district information on transition services, referral requirements, and the specific NJDVRS local office individual who will be responsible for coordinating and assigning referrals and technical consultations. School Districts are encouraged to contact that person, even before referral or request for a technical consultation, for preliminary discussion, technical assistance and advice on the timing of NJDVRS involvement. Steps in the Education Referral Process of DVRS: As early as age 14, DVRS will act as technical consultants to the school transition team, whether as informally as answering general questions, or as formally as a telephone consultation following a review of records, an interview of students parents, and/or participation in an IEP meeting. 1.. The agency records these "formal" contacts in a computer database, so that they can report on the real changes we are making. 2.. They will open cases as early as two years from planned graduation, as appropriate, and proceed with a determination of eligibility. Prior to graduation, we will develop an Individual Written Rehabilitation Program (IWRP), to be implemented as soon, after graduation as suitable. 3.. They will identify a rehabilitation counselor to be the primary contact for each school system in the state. They will become outreach agents to school systems, offering our services and encouraging referrals that are early enough to develop plans which we are ready to implement at graduation. Goals and objectives related to enabling a student to live independently before the student leaves a school setting, to the extent the goals and objectives described in clause C (i) through (iii) are included in an individualized education program of the student, including the specification of plans for coordination with the educational agencies in the provision of transition services; 2.. facilitate the transition from the provision of a free appropriate public education under the responsibility of an educational agency to the provision of vocational rehabilitation services under the responsibility of the designated State unit, including the specification of plans for coordination with educational agencies in the provision of transition services authorized under section 103(a)(14) to an individual, consistent with the individualized written rehabilitation program of the individual; and 3.. provide that such plans, policies, and procedures will address 1.. provisions for determining State lead agencies and qualified personnel responsible for transition services; 2.. Procedures for outreach to and identification of youth in need of such services; and 3.. a time frame for evaluation and follow up of youth who have received such services (Sec. 101(a)(24)). Technical Consultation: A request by the local school system for technical assistance from NJDVRS personnel for a student with a disability for whom an exit date of more than two years is projected; A technical consultation will be initiated by the school system only after consultation with the student or if a minor, with the student's parent or guardian. Referral information, as described under the referral segment of this document, is required prior to NJDVRS staff participation in any technical consultation or IEP meeting. Following a review of this information, DVRS staff will contact the referral source and either consult and offer technical assistance at that time, arrange to meet with the student, or arrange to attend an annual review of the transition component of the IEP. What other programs does DVRS sponsor? DVRS has an arts program and also supports independent living centers. In addition, DVRS sponsors supported employment programs and specialized deaf employment programs. You can find out more about these programs through your local office. Post-employment services may also be available if a former client needs help in order to keep a job ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ [#5] http://www.mercercountycareercenter.com/onestopcenters_dvrs.htm Mercer County One-Stop Career Centers Home > One-Stop Career Centers > DVRS Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services 28 Yard Avenue - P.O. Box 959 - Trenton, NJ 08625-0959 Voice (609) 292-2940 TTY (609) 984-1568 FAX (609) 984-3553 Mission: It is the mission of the New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (NJDVRS) to enable eligible persons with disabilities to achieve an employment outcome consistent with their strengths, priorities, needs, abilities and capabilities. The DVRS offers eligible persons with disabilities services and opportunities to become independent through employment. The DVRS also offers free consulting services to businesses who employ persons with disabilities. What is DVRS? The New Jersey Department of Labor’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS) provides services that enable persons with disabilities to find jobs. We also offer assistance to persons with disabilities who are having problems keeping their jobs. The Mercer County Office of the DVRS is staffed by experienced rehabilitation counselors who provide valuable services to people who, as a result of physical, learning, mental or emotional difficulties, need assistance in obtaining or keeping employment. Directions to our office. Should I apply to DVRS? You should apply if: 1. You have a disability, and 2. Your disability causes problems in preparing for, getting or keeping a job. 3. You want to work. Who qualifies for our services? Any physical or mental impairment that is substantial impediment to employment may qualify an individual for DVRS vocational rehabilitation services. Each person is evaluated individually for eligibility and needed assistance. We do, however refer individuals who are blind or have a serious visual impairment to the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired. What kind of service does DVRS provide? Our counselors provide services that can help you lessen the effects of your disability or directly help you to prepare for a job. The services you receive will be arranged to meet your individual needs. Not everyone will need every service and not everyone is eligible for every service. We offer: DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION: DVRS will determine the extent of the disability, the presence of any other conditions, and the need for treatment. INDIVIDUAL VOCATIONAL COUNSELING & GUIDANCE: The client and the DVRS counselor work together towards a suitable vocational objective and plan the steps leading to successful employment. JOB SEEKING SKILLS, TRAINING, AND JOB PLACEMENT: We provide people with the tools to find employment and will work to place them in a job within their physical and mental abilities. FOLLOW-UP SERVICES: We track the progress of our clients to ensure employment success. Job modification consultation may also be provided. POST-EMPLOYMENT SERVICES: If needed, a former client may return to DVRS for supplemental services to keep his/her present job. PHYSICAL RESTORATION: To improve your ability to work, DVRS may provide medical or surgical treatment and physical therapy as well as psychiatric treatment, assistive technology prosthetic and orthopedic devices including artificial limbs, braces, hearing aides, etc. VOCATIONAL, PROFESSIONAL, ON-THE-JOB TRAINING, OR JOB COACHING: By providing our clients with the right skills training, we can enable individuals to secure employment consistent with their strengths, priorities, needs, abilities and capabilities. Other goods and services may be provided when they are essential to preparing our clients for employment. Who decides what kind of program and which services? The client and the counselor jointly develop an Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plan (IWRP). This sets forth exactly what services will be provided and what is expected of both the client and the agency, including responsibilities and costs if there are any. What are the costs for DVRS services? Diagnostic evaluation, counseling and guidance and job placement services are provided at no cost. Expenses for medical services, training, books, supplies, tools, equipment, etc., are based on the individuals ability to pay. DVRS financial criteria are less restrictive than those of many other agencies. Our counselors are required to utilize "comparable benefits," that is, identical services available from other sources. For example, those seeking training will be expected to apply for a Pell Grant, and those who receive medical services will first utilize their insurance coverage. What about costs already incurred? DVRS cannot pay for services and costs incurred prior to acceptance as a client of DVRS. Once a client is accepted, DVRS can pay only for those services authorized in advance. What about confidentiality? DVRS records are confidential and no information will be given out without the client’s consent. There are restrictions on what can be released and to whom. How should I get started? Our experienced staff can provide the assistance you need to achieve independence! (609) 292-2940 (609) 984-1568 (609) 984-3553 Tell our staff you want to apply. If you are already working with another agency, ask them to help you with a referral to the DVRS. Professionals and counselors from other agencies may contact us directly to make referrals. This document is available in braille, large print, or audio cassette. Call the Office of Publications and Special Projects at 609-292-3221 or NJ Relay (TTY) 1-800-859-7899. When hiring persons with disabilities use DVRS. At the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, we’ve had over 75 years of experience assisting employers and persons with disabilities. Let us help you meet the challenge and show you the benefits of hiring persons with disabilities. OUR FREE CONSULTATIONS INCLUDE: UNDERSTANDING THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) DVRS will assist you in making "reasonable accommodations" in the workplace. JOB MODIFICATION & MODIFICATION/BARRIER REMOVAL CONSULTATION: DVRS will assist you in looking at your worksite to identify possible barriers and propose solutions which will benefit not only employees with disabilities, but also your customers with disabilities. HELP IN IDENTIFYING FEDERAL INCOME TAX INCENTIVES: DVRS will show you how to take advantage of tax credits when accommodating persons with disabilities. ASSISTANCE IN DEALING WITH TROUBLED EMPLOYEES: DVRS will provide counseling services for employees with disabilities who are experiencing problems. ON THE JOB TRAINING: DVRS will pay up to half of a trainee’s salary while enabling the individual to obtain the entry level of knowledge and skill required for the job. PLACEMENT SERVICES: DVRS will provide you with pre-screened, trained, motivated, qualified workers. We will work to identify your needs and match the right worker to the right job. FOLLOW-UP & ADJUSTMENT SERVICES: DVRS counselors maintain close contact with employees to ensure that they are adjusting to the job and that both the employer and employee are satisfied. For additional information on how our experience can work for you, contact: Rebecca Shulman, M.A., C.R.C. 135 East State Street CN 398 Trenton, NJ 08625 Telephone: 609-292-7936 Fax: 609292-8347 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ [#6] Division of Vocation Rehabilitation District Offices DVRS Atlantic Office 1125 Atlantic Avenue, 5th Fl Atlantic City, NJ 08401-5471 Telephone: 609-441-3080 TTY: 609-441-3091 FAX: 609-441-3284 DVRS Burlington Office K-Mart Plaza, Route 541 Burlington, NJ 08016-4795 Telephone: 609-387-7600 TTY: 609-387-1856 FAX: 609-239-0313 DVRS Cape May Office 3810 New Jersey Avenue 204 Wildwood, NJ 08260 Telephone: 609-523-0330 FAX: 609-523-0212 DVRS Essex Office 124 Halsey Street, PO Box 226 Newark, NJ 07101 Telephone 973-648-3494 TTY: 973-648-3494 FAX: 973-648-3902 DVRS Gloucester Office 438 Summit Avenue Jersey City, NJ 07306-3187 Telephone: 201-217-7180 TTY: 201-217-7290 FAX: 201-217-7287 DVRS Hudson Office 438 Summit Avenue Jersey City, NJ 07306-3187 Telephone: 201-217-7180 TTY: 201-217-7290 FAX: 201-217-7287 DVRS Hudson Office 438 Summit Avenue Jersey City, NJ 07306-3187 Telephone: 201-217-7180 TTY: 201-217-7290 FAX: 201-217-7287 DVRS Mercer County Labor Station Plaza, PO Box 959 28 Yard Avenue Trenton NJ 08609-0959 Telephone: 609-292-2940 TTY: 609-984-1568 FAX: 609-984-3553 DVRS Middlesex Office 506 Jersey Avenue, PO Box 2672 New Brunswick, NJ 08901-2672 Telephone: 732-937-6300 TTY: 732-545-8147 FAX: 732-937-6358 DVRS Monmouth Office 60 Taylor Avenue Neptune, NJ 07753-4844 Telephone: 732-775-1799 TTY: 732-775-1711 FAX: 732-775-1666 DVRS Bergen Office 60 State St., Hackensack, NJ 07601-5471 Telephone: 201-996-8970 TTY: 201-487-6348 FAX: 201-996-8880 DVRS Camden Office 2600 Mt. Ephram Avenue Camden, NJ 08104-3290 Telephone: 609-757-2781 TTY: 609-756-2369 FAX: 609-365-5963 DVRS Cumberland/Salem 40 East Broad Street, Suite 204 Bridgeton, NJ 08302-2881 Telephone: 609-453-3888 TTY: 609-453-3923 FAX: 609-453-3909 DVRS Morris Office 7 Sussex Avenue, 2nd Floor Morristown, NJ 07960-3886 Telephone: 973-631-6304 TTY: 973-539-3665 FAX: 973-631-6309 DVRS Ocean Office 1510 Hooper Avenue, Suite 120 Toms River, NJ 08753-2225 Telephone: 732-225-0836 TTY: 732-255-0873 FAX: 732-255-0899 DVRS Passaic Office 370 Broadway Paterson NJ 07501-2195 Telephone 973-977-4285 TTY: 973-977-4297 FAX: 973-279-5895 DVRS Somerset/Hunterdon Office 75 Veterans Memorial Drive, Suite 104 Somerville, NJ 08876-2952 Telephone: 908-704-3030 TTY: 908-545-8147 FAX: 908-704-3476 DVRS Sussex/Warren 223 Stiger Street, Suite A Hackettstown, NJ 07840-1217 Telephone: 908-852-4110 TTY: 908-852-0213 FAX: 908-813-9745 DVRS Union Office 65 Jefferson Avenue, 4th Floor Elizabeth, NJ 07201-2306 Telephone: 908-820-3112 TTY: 908-820-3132 FAX: 908-965-2976 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^