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The Department of Labor and Industry’s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) is issuing a Request for Information (RFI) to seek input from its stakeholders as it prepares to apply to the Rehabilitation Services Administration for a competitive discretionary grant through the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Pub. L. 116-260).

The grants are intended to support innovative activities aimed at increasing Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE). The priority of the grant is the “Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment (SWTCIE) Innovative Model Demonstration Project.”

Details on submitting responses for the RFI can be viewed here.

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

The Statewide Provider Partnership (SPP) shared feedback gathered from providers regarding the Pre-ETS provision throughout the Commonwealth. We would like to thank Joe Michener, Director of Employment Services at the Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living (LVCIL), for coordinating this response advocating for improved OVR services.

We would also like to congratulate Joe as the recipient of this year’s Pennsylvania Rehabilitation Association’s Philadelphia Founders Award for demonstrating an outstanding community leadership role by supporting activities that have a far-reaching impact and that have made a contribution toward the rehabilitation of a considerable number of citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

You are an inspiration to all. Thank you, Joe!

The Eastern PA Special Needs Association (EPSNA) will be hosting their next meeting TOMORROW, Thursday, March 31, 2022, from 10:00 am–12:00 pm.

Their presenter, Jill Grossberg, will be presenting on Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) 101. Per the PA.gov website:

“The Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, or OVR, provides vocational rehabilitation services to help persons with disabilities prepare for, obtain, or maintain employment. OVR provides services to eligible individuals with disabilities, both directly and through a network of approved vendors. Services are provided on an individualized basis. The OVR counselor, during face-to-face interviews, assists customers in selecting their choice of vocational goals, services and service providers. An Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) is developed, outlining a vocational objective, services, providers and responsibilities. Certain services are subject to a Financial Needs Test (FNT) and may require financial participation by the customer. Counseling and guidance, diagnostic services, assessments, information and referral, job development and placement, and personal services such as readers or sign language interpreters are provided at no cost to the individual.”

Join TOMORROW to learn more about how OVR can assist the lives of persons with disabilities!

This EPSNA meeting is open to caregivers and professionals interested in learning more about navigating the PA Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) system.  This is a PA statewide training! This meeting will be held via Zoom.

Please feel free to share the attached Save the Date and forward the Zoom link for the EPSNA meeting. RSVPs are not mandatory but welcomed.  If you have any questions, please reach out to Missy Modesti.

Pennsylvania’s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) is committed to assisting individuals with disabilities find competitive integrated employment in the community. OVR is looking for feedback to strengthen agency partnerships and enhance employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities in PA. OVR is outreaching to individuals working in 14(c) facilities (sheltered employment/subminimum wage employment) and their support networks to learn more about how OVR can provide services effectively. If you would like to provide feedback to us, we invite you to complete one of the surveys below:

  • You can access the Individual Survey here.
  • You can access the Support Networks Survey here.

Kim Robinson, MS, CRC | Division Chief, Transition and 511
Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry
Office of Vocational Rehabilitation | Bureau of Central Operations
531 Penn Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
o: 412-209-4524 | c: 412.932.6149 | f: 412.565.7587

Learn more about OVR.