The State Fiscal Year 2022/23 Q4 Report required by the Work Experience for High School Students With Disabilities Act (Act 26 of 2016) is now available. A copy of the report can be viewed here, and it can also be found on the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation’s (OVR) website under the Act 26 Information tile.
Thursday, September 14, 2023
Start time: 10:00 am
End time: 3:00 pm
Break: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
This meeting will be held at the Sheraton Pittsburgh Hotel at Station Square. A virtual option will also be available via Zoom. The public is invited to attend in person or call in to this meeting using the following information:
Join the webinar: State Board Zoom Meeting
Passcode: 860094
Or One tap mobile :
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Or Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
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Webinar ID: 839 7578 6874
Passcode: 860094
International numbers: International Zoom Numbers
CART and sign language interpreters will be available during this meeting. Those using a screen reader can connect via CART. Additional auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Please send your request via email.
The agenda for this meeting can be found on the State Board’s web page. Anyone who would like to make a public comment prior to the meeting may submit their comments via email.
This is a reminder that the Request for Proposals (RFP) for a statewide contract with Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) for the PA SWTCIE Grant’s InVEST Project has been reissued. Interested parties should access information regarding this opportunity on the PA eMarketplace website.
Any questions regarding the RFP and/or BDISBO requirements must be submitted in writing via JAEGGER. Responses will be posted in writing via JAEGGER.
The deadline for proposal submission is Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at 3:00 pm.
The Request for Proposals (RFP) for a statewide contract with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation for its PA SWTCIE Grant InVEST Project has been re-issued. Interested parties should access information regarding this opportunity here.
The InVEST Project is seeking to increase competitive integrated employment outcomes for individuals who are engaged, or are considering engagement, in subminimum wage employment. The project is funded through the Disability Innovation Fund (DIF) — Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment Grant, a federal model demonstration grant from the Rehabilitation Services Administration (PR Award # H421D220003).
Please note that the deadline for proposal submission has been extended to Wednesday, August 23, 2023.
The Information Sharing and Advisory Committee for the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) met this week. Brief updates were given regarding the employment symposiums that were held in coordination with ODP and the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) in April and May as well as Selective Contracting proposal activities. Reports were also given for ISAC Recommendation #10 Expand Options for Community Living, and for ISAC Recommendation #14 Promote Racial Equality.
It has come to RCPA’s attention that individuals with disabilities lack choice and providers lack referrals due to the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) confusing service description for Benefits Counseling. In September of 2022, ODP sponsored 25 Pennsylvania employment support professionals representing 18 providers (five of whom are RCPA members) across the state to take part in training through Cornell University’s Work Incentive Practitioner Credential Program, which was facilitated by the K. Lisa Yang and Hock E. Tan Institute on Employment and Disability. Of the participating providers, only one is an Employment Network, suggesting that, once certified, 17 providers would be relying on referrals from ODP and the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) to provide the Benefits Counseling service.
Although ODP offers the service to Pennsylvanians in the Community Living, Consolidated, and PF/DS waivers, Benefits Counseling remains an underutilized service across the Commonwealth. This is not due to a lack of certified counselors, however. Since approximately 2008, language in the Benefits Counseling service description has stipulated the following rule:
“Benefits Counseling may only be provided after Benefits Counseling services provided by a Certified Work Incentives Counselor through a Pennsylvania-based federal Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) program were sought and it was determined and documented by the Supports Coordinator that such services were not available either because of ineligibility or because of wait lists that would result in services not being available within 30 calendar days” (ISP Manual updated 08/09/2022).
Please view the following document for more detailed information about this issue. Additionally, if any providers are also experiencing barriers to accessing the Benefits Counseling service due to ODP’s conditions, or for anyone interested in advocating for program participants to receive this valuable service in the manner of their choice, please reach out to Eileen Campbell, Benefits Counselor & Special Projects Coordinator at Lighthouse Vocational Services, via email or at (717) 354-0355.
The OVR State Board of Vocational Rehabilitation will hold its next quarterly meeting on Thursday, June 8, 2023, from 10:00 am – 2:30 pm. This meeting will be held virtually via Zoom. Please see the announcement and agenda for more information as well as instructions on how to connect.
Due to additional public comments and questions, the PA Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) has developed an updated draft of the Driving & Vehicle Services policy. This updated draft will be posted on OVR’s website for public review beginning May 19, 2023, through June 2, 2023. Comments may be sent via email through June 2, 2023.
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