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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.

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OVR is seeking information to refine its “Request for Proposals” for the InVEST (Integrated Vocational Engagement & Support Team) Project.

Pennsylvania’s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) would like to hear from interested parties about the management of services delivered through the Integrated Vocational Engagement and Support Team (InVEST) Project. The goal of the InVEST Project is to provide services and supports to individuals and their families, community businesses, and providers in successfully transitioning individuals receiving subminimum wage to competitive integrated employment (CIE). Additionally, the InVEST Project aims to address barriers to CIE for individuals with disabilities in a person-centered, strengths-based and community-integrated approach by using the Charting the LifeCourse (CtLC) Framework and tools.

One step in achieving this goal was issuance of a “Request for Proposals” in March 2023 for the Disability Innovation Fund (DIF) 84.421D Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment Grant (SWTCIE). The “Request for Proposals” sought an entity to manage the delivery of services included in the InVEST Project throughout the 5-year term of the project.

Please, join us on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at 9:00 am for a Supplier Forum. Registration is required; please use this link for additional information. An RSVP to the supplier forum is due via email to Nicole Moyer by COB Monday, May 15, 2023.

Questions: Contact Nicole Moyer at 717-346-7667 or via email.

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Folders with the label Applications and Grants

The date of submission for the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation’s (PA OVR) statewide Request for Proposals for the InVEST (Integrated Vocational Engagement & Support Team) Project, PA OVR’s Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment (SWTCIE) Model Demonstration Grant, has been extended until Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at 2:00 pm. Interested parties should inquire through eMarketplace.

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The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry’s (L&I) Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) seeks collaborative opportunities with qualified entities in meeting the needs of the Disability Innovation Fund (DIF) Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment (SWTCIE) Grant Award PR# H421D220003.

OVR is seeking a single entity to manage the delivery of grant services identified as the “InVEST” (Integrated Vocational Engagement & Support Team) Project at six district project sites throughout the 5-year term of the grant (date upon award of contract — 9/30/27). Interested parties should access information regarding this opportunity here.

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Image by Markus Winkler from Pixabay

The PA Department of Labor & Industry’s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) has developed a draft of the Employment Supports Policy. The draft will be posted on OVR’s website for public review beginning March 13, 2023. Virtual meetings will also be held via Zoom at 10:00 am and 3:00 pm on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, to provide an overview of the policy and take questions and comments (content will be the same in both meetings).

The public is invited to comment on the draft policy for 30 days. Comments may be directed via email through April 11, 2023.

Meeting information:

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. CART and sign language interpreters will be available for these meetings via the Zoom link. Additional auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Please send your request electronically.

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Thursday, March 2, 2023
Start time: 10:00 am
End time: 3:00 pm
Break: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

This meeting will be hybrid, with the in-person portion held at the Best Western Premier in Harrisburg (800 E. Park Dr., Harrisburg, PA) and the virtual portion held via Zoom. The public is invited to attend in person or connect to this meeting using the following information:

You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
When: March 2, 2023, 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: PA State Board of Vocational Rehabilitation Quarterly Meeting
Please visit this link to join the webinar.
Passcode: 210559
Or One tap mobile:
US: +19292056099,,85656724729#,,,,*210559# or +13017158592,,85656724729#,,,,*210559#
Or Telephone:
Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: 1-929-205-6099 or 1-301-715-8592 or 1-305-224-1968 or 1-309-205-3325 or 1-312-626-6799 or 1-646-931-3860 or 1-669-444-9171 or 1-669-900-6833 or 1-689-278-1000 or 1-719-359-4580 or 1-253-205-0468 or 1-253-215-8782 or 1-346-248-7799 or 1-360-209-5623 or 1-386-347-5053 or 1-507-473-4847 or 1-564-217-2000
Webinar ID: 856 5672 4729
Passcode: 210559

CART and sign language interpreters will be available during this meeting. Those using a screen reader can connect via the following link: CART.

The agenda for this meeting can be found on the State Board’s web page. Anyone who would like to make public comment prior to the meeting may submit their comments via email. Additional auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Please send your request electronically.

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The PA Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) has developed a draft of the Driving & Vehicle Services policy. The draft will be posted on OVR’s website for public review beginning January 30, 2023. Virtual meetings will also be held via Zoom at 10 am and 3 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2023, to provide an overview of the policy and take questions and comments (content will be the same in both meetings).

The public is invited to comment on the draft policy for 30 days. Comments may be directed via email through February 28, 2023.

Meeting information:

  • Register in Advance for One of the February 16, 2023 Meetings:

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. CART and sign language interpreters will be available for this meeting via the Zoom link. Additional auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Please send your request electronically.

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) and the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) invite provider agencies enrolled to deliver the following services to complete a survey on employment services:

  • Supported Employment;
  • Advanced Supported Employment/Customized Employment; and/or
  • Pre-Employment Transition Services.

Information gathered from the survey on staffing, training, service options, and coordination may influence the provision of employment services funded by ODP and/or OVR for people with disabilities.

This approximately 10 minute survey is voluntary. Responses may be submitted anonymously. The survey should be completed by provider staff responsible for hiring, training, and programmatic decision-making.

This survey will remain open until close of business February 10, 2023. You can complete the survey here.

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