Department of Rehab/DOR – Student Services What do they provide
The Department of Rehab/DOR is California’s Vocational Rehab service agency. If you need a primer on voc rehab it is a program that’s available nationwide, but how it’s delivered in each state is different. Voc rehab is a policy, set of services, process, and agency to support people with disabilities to overcome disability related barriers to accessing, maintaining, or returning to employment. These disabilities can be medical, psychological, developmental, cognitive, and/or emotional in nature. This does not mean that all issues someone might have in these categories will qualify them for services so consult the DOR website for information on eligibility requirements.
DOR has two separate main programs, Student Services and Employment Services. See my blog “Department of Rehab/DOR – An Overview” for more information on these programs.
But for this blog I am focusing on Student Services, or the Potentially Eligible/PE services, and what supports DOR says are available.
Student Services serves youth from age 16 – 21. Youth with a school district provided Individual Education Plan/IEP or a 504 are eligible for this service. In addition, if a youth does not have a district issued IEP or 504 (say they are home schooled) they can qualify if they have a qualifying disability that would normally qualify them for an IEP or 504.
For the most part the supports/goals outlined by DOR for Student Services consists mostly of career counseling and exploration. There is one program, called Paid Work Experience/PWE, which offers the youth100 hours of PAID internship job experience. Other than this the service are non-funded service. But what are they?
The DOR DR205A
There is a DOR form that seems to be non-existent on the internet, even being absent from the DOR website. This is the DR205A, which works in conjunction with for DR 205, which is found on the website.
But unlike the DR205, the DR205A outlines several categories of services and gives examples of each. But this is your lucky day. Here are the categories of support DOR states that a youth can have access to through Student Services**** (see below for caveats), as outlined by the DR205A.
Job Exploration and Counseling: Explore Career Options and Find the Job that Fits You
Job exploration counseling offers ways to learn about the different kinds of jobs and which ones are best for your strengths and interests.
Explore Career Options
• Learn about the jobs and job families in the labor market
• Understand what jobs and industries are popular right now (i.e., “in-demand”)
• Find out what jobs pay good wages
• Learn what jobs lead to better jobs
• Learn about career pathways in your local area
Find the Jobs that Fit You Best
• Explore career interests through assessments, conversations, and labor market research
• Discuss different kinds of work, including self-employment, supported employment, and nontraditional employment
• Understand what you need to do to get the career you want
Work-Based Learning Experiences: Real-World Work Experiences and Research & Connections
Work-based learning experiences offer a variety of ways to connect with local professionals and get real-world work experience.
Real-World Work Experiences
• Work experiences
• Internships (paid or unpaid)
• On-the-job training
• Apprenticeships (informal)
• Volunteer opportunities
Research & Connections
• Informational interviews to research employers and different kinds of jobs
• Work site tours to learn about industries, companies, and job skills
• Job shadowing
• Mentoring opportunities
Post-Secondary Counseling: Postsecondary Options and Resources to Support Your Success
Postsecondary counseling helps you learn about different educational programs available and resources to support your educational success.
Postsecondary Education Options
• Learn about different kinds of academic and occupational training
• Explore career options available with different programs
• Discover what programs are connected to career pathways
• Find out what classes or credentials you need for the career you want
• Learn which schools offer the programs and supports you want
Resources to Support Your Success
• Get advice on educational programs and course offerings
• Learn about the admissions process at college, technical, and trade schools
• Discover resources and disability support services to help you succeed in school
• Identify options to pay for school
• Get support in completing the financial aid application (FAFSA)
Workplace Readiness Training: Good Work Habits & People Skills and Financial & Independent Skills
Workplace readiness training helps you prepare for employment by learning good work habits and interpersonal skills, and developing independent living skills.
Good Work Habits & People Skills
• Practice interviewing
• Understand employer expectations
• Strengthen communication and other soft skills needed for work
• Develop social skills for work
Financial & Independent Living Skills
• Learn to search and apply for jobs
• Learn ways to get to work
• Develop money management skills
• Learn what happens to SSI/SSDI benefits when you go to work
• Find out how to live independently
Self-Advocacy Training: Build Knowledge & Confidence and Build Connections & Leadership
Self-advocacy training helps you build leadership skills, gain confidence in professional environments, and understand what you need to succeed in the workplace.
Build Knowledge & Confidence
• Understand your rights at work
• Learn your responsibilities at work
• Learn about accommodations and supports and how to request them
• Practice communicating thoughts, needs, and concerns
Build Connections & Leadership Skills
• Participate in mentoring opportunities with educational staff or employees of businesses, boards, associations, or organizations
• Participate in leadership activities
• Conduct informational interviews
****But here are the caveats.
Does DOR do all these things well?
It does not.
Is it proactive and deliberate in what to provide, how, and to whom?
Ehhhhhhh….this is highly variable and depends on the DOR office and case manager.
Is the delivery of service effective for all clients? Um, usually not.
Is what DOR provides in Student Services effective to meet the goal it has set for itself in form DR205A?
No, and…..it can be. But this will take knowledge in how to navigate the agency effectively and strategic assessment of what it can do well and what it just wont be able to do well, and choosing where to place your advocacy energy.
So do your homework, seek guidance and advocacy, and while it’s unlikely that your youth will be able to access all of the above, there is a path to success in utilizing DOR services.