Welcome to Vocational Rehab Services. The following is to inform you about the services, process and requirements of our program. If you have any question please contact us with the information at the bottom of this page.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS IS IN ACCORDANCE TO THE 1998
AMENDMENT OF THE REHABILITATION ACT.
1. Applicant must be a member of a State or Federally Recognized Indian Tribe. Before initiating application, consumer must provide a copy of CDIB (Certificate Degree of Indian Blood), Social Security Card, Picture ID & Proof of Residency.
2. Applicant must reside WITHIN the Apache Tribe Voc. Rehab. Program Service area: Caddo, Comanche, Grady, Kiowa, Tillman & Cotton counties.
3. An individual is eligible for services with the ATVR Program when:
A. He/she has documentable physical or mental disability which constitutes or results in a substantial impediment to employment;
B. There exists a reasonable expectation that the person would benefit from services in terms of employability or self-sufficiency. “ASSUMED”
According to the 1998 amendments.
C. Require ATVR Services to prepare for, enter in, or retain gainful employment.
Similar benefits and referral to other agencies will also be used to assist consumers in meeting their Individual Plan of Employment.
4. The ATVR Program serves members of other State or Federally Recognized Indian Tribes residing within the ATVR’s (7) county service area.
VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SERVICES
PHYSICAL & MENTAL RESTORATION SERVICES:
In addition to standard physical and psycho-logical treatment, the use of traditional Native medicine and healing of the physical and mental disabilities at the request of the will be incorporated into the IPE.
Training may be provided for eligible consumer who:
1. Desires to pursue a course of training.
2. do not possess vocational skills which can be utilized for suitable employment within the disability limitations;
3. are determined to have reasonable opportunities for obtaining employment in the chosen vocation, or achieving self- sufficiency.
The Four types of training provided are:
1. VOCATIONAL: such knowledge and skills that may be acquired through training from an institution, on the job, tutors, or combination of these methods.
2. PRE-VOCATIONAL: includes any form of academic or basic training provided for the preparatory skills needed for entrance into a vocational training program or employment.
3. PERSONAL or WORK ADJUSTMENT: includes any training given for one or more of the following:
a. To assist the individual in developing personal habits, attitudes, and skills enabling the individual to function effectively in spite of disability.
b. To develop or increase work tolerance prior to engaging in pre-vocational or vocational training or in employment.
c. To develop work habits and to orient the individual into the world of work.
d. To provide skills or techniques enabling the individual to compensate for the loss of sensory function.
4. COLLEGE: consumers may establish a vocational goal that requires a degree of certificate earned at a college or university.
ILLUSTRATIONS OF PERSONAL OR JOB ADJUSTMENT TRAINING:
1. Conditioning or work hardening;
2. occupational therapy;
3. lip reading;
4. speech training and speech correction;
5. auditory training;
6. adjustment services for the blind;
7. driver’s education;
8. gait training, and
9. Cognitive retraining.
FACTOR AFFECTING ELIGIBILITY
A. AGE: There is not an upper or lower age limit; however, if the consumer has not yet completed high school, and is still in high school, the consuer will receive transitional services as outline in individual education plan (IEP) & the individual plan of employment (IPE).
Persons retired may be accepted for rehabilitation services if the services to be provided will enable the applicant to obtain, retain, or re-enter gainful employment.
B. CITIZENSHIP: Any individual who resides in the state and ATVR seven county service area.
C. DISABLED VETERANS: Are eligible for rehabilitation services on the same basis as other individuals with disabilities subject to the following restrictions:
1) Disabled veterans are not provided services, which can be secured from the Veteran’s Administration (VA), unless use of VA services will cause a substantial delay in services.
2) Veterans receiving additional benefits under the GI Bill or the War Orphan Act may be provided services if such services do not duplicate those being received from the VA.
D. Services when consumer is employed: An individual who is regularly employed in a job commensurate with their abilities is not considered eligible for rehabilitation services. Employed persons who meet basic eligibility requirements may be provided services when:
1) The employment aggravates the consumers disability as confirmed by a physician’s statement or a review by a medical consultant or;
2) Services are necessary for the consumer to retain employment or;
3) The employment currently held by the consumer is part time, seasonable, or unstable.
E. Services provided after alleviation or removal of the disability: When physical restoration services can result in the removal or alleviation of the disability, services will be limited to the recommended physical restoration services, counseling, guidance and placement only.
F. Sports Participation: Individuals with disabilities have a right to participate in sports. If the consumer plans to participate in an athletic activity at the varsity level where the physical demands are in direct conflict with the functional limitation imposed by the disability, the case is to be reviewed by the medical consultant. If the athletic activity is not detrimental to the consumer’s health, physical well being, general safety or the safety of others, an opportunity to participate in sports or receive an athletic scholarship will not be the basis for denial or vocational rehabilitation services.
MEET THE STAFF
Director: Tanner Mahseet
Vocational Rehab. Cultural Services: Darrin Cisco
Vocational Rehab. Counselor: Mosiah Ware
Vocational Rehab. Counselor: Pamela Keeton
Vocational Rehab. Counselor: Vacant
Vocational Rehab. Technician: Rena Tiger
Receptionist: Valorie Coe
Contact Vocational Rehab Services
Telephone: (405) 247-7494 or 7495
Fax: (405) 247-9872
E-Mail: apachendnvr1@yahoo.com
THIS IS NOT THE ENTIRE VR APPLICATION FILE, BUT WILL HELP SPEED THE PROCESS UP WHEN A CLIENT COMES IN FOR ASSISTANCE. BECAUSE OF THE CONFIDENTIALITY AND THE TIME RESTRAINTS, CLIENTS STILL NEED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE VR OFFICE.