North CarolinaDivision of Vocational Rehabilitation Services

A Kaleidoscope of Services

Transition for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Late Deafened & Deaf-Blind Services in VR

Kevin Earp, MAStatewide Coordinator Deafness and Communicative Disorders805 Ruggles Drive2801 Mail Service CenterRaleigh, NC 27699Kevin.earp@dhhs.nc.gov 919-324-1500

Mission of Vocational Rehabilitation

“To promote employment for Persons with disabilities through customer

partnerships and community leadership”

NC Division of Vocational Rehabilitation ServicesInterim Director – Elizabeth Bishop

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services is an agency under the Department of Health and Human Services

33 Vocational Rehabilitation offices 16 Independent Living Offices 9 Assistive Technology Sites Disability Determination Services Client Assistance Program

NC DVRS – Not in Order of Selection 60,450 Eligible Consumers served 10.399 Consumers received services from CRP 4,382 Received Supported Employment Services 6,758 Successful closures

1,625 MSD * 3,725 SD * 1,408 Not SD 11,385 Students were provided services in 356 high schools

Earnings At case opening - $45 Average At case closure - $282 Average

Race and Ethnicity 02 26 Race/Ethnicity

1184 3,347 White 1104 3,035 Black or African American 58 180 Hispanic or Latino 36 95 American Indian/Alaska Native 38 66 Hawaiian, Multiple Race, Asian

Statistics – Federal Year 2011-12

Oct 1, 2012 - Sept 30, 2013 825 New Applicants 2,500 consumers received services 796 case closures

353 status 26 outcomes 219 status 28 outcomes $328 Average weekly pay rate $10.75 Average Hourly pay rate $6,020 Average Total case cost

2,240 Total Eligible Clients Served

Statistics for the D/HH program

VR Counselors for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Scotland

Guilford

Rockingham

Moore

AnsonUnion

Richmond

Mecklenburg

CabarrusStanly

SurryAshe

WilkesYadkin

Forsyth

Stokes

DavidsonRandolphRowan

Lincoln

ClevelandGaston

Iredell

CaldwellAlexander

Catawba

Burke

McDowellBuncombe

Rutherford

Polk

Madison

Yancey

Watauga

Cherokee

Graham

Clay MaconJackson

Swain

Avery

Davie

Montgomery

Mitchell

Henderson

Transylvania

Haywood

Wake

GranvillePerson

Orange

Lee

Hoke

Robeson

Columbus

Brunswick

PenderBladen

Sampson

Duplin

Onslow

Jones

LenoirWayne

Johnston

Harnett

Carteret

CravenPamlico

BeaufortHyde

TyrrellDare

Gates

Hertford

Bertie

Martin

Pitt

Greene

Wilson

NashFranklin

Warren

Halifax

Northampton

Edgecombe

Vance

DurhamAlamance

Cumberland

Washington

CurrituckCamden

Pasquotank

Perquimans

Chowan

NewHanover

Chatham

CaswellAlleghany

VR Process

ReferralReferral

EligibilityEligibility

IPEIPE

ServicesServices

ClosureClosureClosureClosure

Our School Partners

CTE

Coordinator

special educators

Nurses

regular educators

Principals

Autism Specialists

Psychologists

Behavioral support specialists

counselors

counselors

cte teachers

Physical Therapists

Students

Eligibility Criterion

-Individual must have a disability that presents employment barriers

-Can Benefit from VR services in order to achieve employment outcome

-Requires VR services in order to obtain, maintain or retain employment

Note: Some services are financial needs based…

Hearing Disabilities – In a nutshell

VR Policy 40 dB loss or more in both ears in 500, 1000, 2000

dB 20 dB in one ear

80 dB in other ear Chronic Ear Disease 75% Speech Discrimination Score (50-60 Db

Hearing Level) Rapidly Progressive hearing loss Cochlear implant with impediments

THEY MUST HAVE AN IMPEDIMENT TO EMPLOYMENT!

Transition Services

No Cost Services• Assessment• Vocational Counseling

and Guidance• In School Work

Adjustment• Job Readiness Training• Job Placement • Job Coaching• Benefits Counseling• Referral Services

Cost Services

• College Expenses• Assistive Technology• Medical and

psychological services• Transportation,

Interview and work clothing

• Home and Vehicle Modifications

• Occupational licenses

Examples of impediments to employment

Lack of work history and job skills Difficulties understanding spoken instructions Poor self concept Difficulties interacting with others due to hearing barriers Limited access to communication techniques Require Sign Language interpreter Limited transportation Require on the job training Require Communication Access/equipment Limited Reading and Writing skills Misconceptions within the workforce Co-existing disability Unable to hear audible signals

VR Transition Services “School to Life” Collaboration with Community and State

organizations, DPI and local School systems Work closely with Transition teams for disabled

students Assist with In-school work adjustment and transition

needs Joint participation in IEP Sharing of Information Incorporating ITE info into the IPE Shared funding and Administrative Support (3rd party) Serve more clients with significant and most

significant disabilities

www.SERID.org

October 27 – 30, 2014University Hilton Hotel8629 JM Keynes DriveCharlotte, NC 28262704-547-7444

Concurrent workshopsKeynote Speakers

SERID 2014 – Welcome to Charlotte

Any Questions?