The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission · •MRC is a state agency that provides services to...
Transcript of The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission · •MRC is a state agency that provides services to...
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Revised 1/6/2020
Massachusetts
Rehabilitation
Commission
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What Is MRC?
• MRC is a state agency that provides services to
persons with disabilities.
• Established in 1956 by an act of the
Massachusetts Legislature.
• Has three divisions:
– Community Living
– Disability Determination Services
– Vocational Rehabilitation
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Vocational Rehabilitation Mission
• To provide vocational counseling and other support
services to people with disabilities to assist them in
obtaining or retaining employment.
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What is Vocational Rehabilitation?
• Counseling and Guidance
• Interest and Aptitude
Testing
• College or Vocational
Training
• Diagnostic Evaluations
• Vehicle Modifications
• Housing Modifications
• Assistive and/or
Rehabilitation Technology
• Transitional Services for
High School Students
• Consultation to Employers
• Job Placement Assistance
• Job Coaching
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What is Vocational Rehabilitation?
• Services provided will
reflect the individual’s
unique aptitudes,
interests, needs, and
goals
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Revised 2/20/2019
Who can receive services?
Have a physical, mental, emotional or learning disability
which severely limits your ability to get and keep a job
Have motivation to work and keep a job
Be a U.S. citizen or have authorization to work
If you have a substance abuse history it is important to
have a sustained amount of sobriety and ongoing
supports before referring yourself for services.
To receive vocational rehabilitation services,
you must meet the following criteria:
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How We Are Funded
• MRC is funded by both the State of Massachusetts and
the Federal Government under the Rehabilitation Act
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Area we serve
• 23 offices throughout Massachusetts • Downtown Boston Brockton Braintree
• Cape & Islands Fall River Fitchburg
• Framingham Greenfield Holyoke
• Lawrence Lowell
• Milford New Bedford North Adams
• Pittsfield Plymouth Roxbury
• Salem Somerville Springfield
• Sturbridge Taunton Worcester
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Preparing to work with MRC
• It is important to stay connected to health care providers, for example, primary care physician, therapist, psychologist or any other supports that oversee your treatment.
• Other supports may include AA/NA (12 Step Programs), Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, speech and language therapy and any other supports you have to keep on track.
• Obtain medical and/or mental health
records if possible.
• Obtain proof of benefits if you are
receiving Social Security Benefits
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Referral Process
Contact local MRC office
Provide basic referral information
May attend an Information Session at the office
Schedule initial meeting with MRC Counselor
If possible, bring copies of :
Medical and or mental health records
Income information-
(Social Security benefits letter, tax return)
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Meeting Your Counselor
During the 1st meeting, the counselor will do an initial
interview asking for the following information:
• Education & work history
• Medical data (your disabilities, doctors, medications,
hospitalizations)
• Income sources and amount of support
• Criminal history
• Goals and services you are interested in pursuing
• General family information
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Eligibility
• After the initial interview is completed, the
counselor will determine your eligibility based
on:
– Your major barriers to employment caused by a
disability based on medical records, proof of
benefits, and diagnostic assessments.
– A reasonable expectation that a positive employment
outcome will occur as a result of receiving vocational
rehabilitation services.
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Eligibility
• The counselor has 60 days from the initial
interview to determine your eligibility using
documentation provided
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You may have difficulty in one or more of the
following categories:
• Mobility
• Communication
• Self-Care
• Self-Direction
• Interpersonal Skills
• Work Tolerance
• Work Skills
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Relationship Between You and Your Counselor
• You will work with your counselor to
create an employment plan that is in
your best interest.
• Your counselor will help you explore
appropriate employment and other
community resources.
• It is your responsibility to be active in
the vocational process and to keep
regularly scheduled appointments
with your counselor.
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Determining Your Vocational Goal
• Once found eligible for services, your counselor will work with you to develop your vocational goal and plan.
• If you have some job goals in mind, your counselor will help you explore their feasibility.
• If you do not have clear career/employment direction, your counselor may recommend that you participate in some type of vocational/career assessment.
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Your Individual Plan for Employment
• Once determined eligible, an appointment will be set up with your counselor to discuss your Individual Plan for Employment (IPE).
• You and your Counselor have 90 days from the time you are made Eligible for MRC to write your IPE.
• The IPE is a written document that outlines and reflects your vocational/employment goals and all services that will be provided to achieve your goal, such as physical and emotional treatment services, adaptive services, case management, vocational/college training, job seeking skills preparation, job placement & follow up.
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Your Individual Plan for Employment
• Your IPE is developed cooperatively between you and your counselor, and is based on your vocational goal, strengths/skills, interests and employment outlook for that job.
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Services Available
• Vocational Counseling and Guidance
• Interest, aptitude and skills assessment
• Skills Training and Education
• Job Placement and Follow up assistance
• MRC job related workshops
• Benefits Specialist consultations
• Assistive Technology and Services
• Vehicle and housing modification
• MRC can explore with you training options to assist you in preparing for employment.
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Vocational Training & Education
• If your vocational goal requires that you obtain additional training, MRC may be able to contribute toward funding for public colleges, training programs, or licensure programs.
• MRC can explore with you training options to assist you in preparing for employment.
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Vocational Training & Education
• To receive financial assistance from MRC, you must be found financially eligible for paid services.
• We require all students to apply for financial aid services.
• Paid services are subject to a maximum amount and to availability of funds at the time of service.
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Job Placement Services
• Once you are job ready
you may receive assistance
with the following:
– Resume writing
– Interviewing skills
– Developing job leads
– Employer advocacy
– Job Fairs and Hiring Events
– Job Driven Trainings
– Job coaching (if needed)
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Post Employment Services
• MRC will provide you with support, advocacy
and follow-up services for at least 90 days after
you secure employment.
• You may be eligible to receive post-employment
services after you are placed in a job and your
case is closed.
• After 3 years, your file will be destroyed if you
are not receiving services.
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For Further Information
Go to: www.mass.gov/mrc for:
Vocational,
Community Living,
Transition/Youth services
(including Pre-Employment Transition
Services, or “Pre-ETS”),
and more!
Revised 1/6/2020