What is Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)?
Should I Apply for VR Services?
Who is Eligible for Services?
How Do I Get Started?
Should I Bring My Medical Information
What Services are Available to Me?
Is there a Charge for VR Services?
What is an Employment Plan?
What are My Responsibilities?
What are My Counselor's Responsibilities?
Will My Case Record Be Kept Confidential?
Will My Counselor Stay In Contact with Me After I Become Employed?
Can I Still Receive Services After My Case Is Closed?
What Is Client Assistance Program (CAP)?
What Are My Rights?
Where Does VR Money Come From?



What is Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)?

New Hampshire Vocational Rehabilitation (NHVR) is an agency that helps persons with disabilities help themselves to get a job, keep the job, and develop a life time career. NHVR has seven regional offices throughout the state designed to assist persons who have physical, mental, emotional and learning disabilities.

Should I Apply for VR Services?

If you have a disability, you want to work, and you believe that you need help preparing for, getting, or keeping a job, NHVR encourages you to apply for services.


Who is Eligible for Services?

You will be eligible if:

You have a disability, and
Your disability creates substantial problems in preparing for a job, getting a job, or keeping a job, and
You require VR services to become employed or to stay employed.

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How Do I Get Started?

If you are interested in applying for VR services, call your local VR office, tell them you have a disability and need help getting a job. You will get some initial information about VR and an appointment date.  At this first appointment you will learn more about VR and we will start the process for determining eligibility.

Should I Bring My Medical Information

With current medical information documenting your disability, a determination of whether you are eligible for VR services may be made at our first meeting. For this reason, it would be helpful if you could bring in any medical records that would assist in this process.

What Services are Available to Me?

You will meet with a counselor to develop an employment plan designed to meet your specific needs. Each one of the services in the employment plan should move you one step closer to a chosen job. Not everyone will need every service. Some of the services provided are:

Primary VR Services:

Diagnostic Testing: This involves, if necessary, medical or psychological exams. These exams may be used to determine your eligibility for VR services and your needs for specific types of services.
Vocational Evaluation: This involves aptitude, interest and other specific tests to assist in planning for the right job.
Vocational Counseling: Your counselor will help you decide which work opportunities are best for you. This may lead to training, including On-the-Job Training, Technical Training, and Academic Training.
Job Placement: These services help you learn the skills to find and keep the right job, and may include training in writing a resume, practicing in doing interview, and following job leads.
Special Services:

Physical and Mental Restoration: If you need medical treatment to correct, improve or prevent deterioration of your disability, this service may be provided so you can work.
Transition From School to Work: Transition services refer to the services disabled children require in order to make a successful adjustment to work and community living.
Assistive Technology: VR will supply appropriate application of technological devices to support you in performing in a job situation.
Supported Employment: These programs are designed for persons who need long-term support to hold a job in the community. Persons in supported employment are placed in competitive jobs with workers without disabilities and receive ongoing support services.
Independent Living Services: Information and Referral, Advocacy, Peer Counseling, Personal Care Attendant Coordination, and Assistive Technology may be available for individuals with severe disabilities.
Support Services:

Interpreter Services - may include foreign language, sign language or oral interpreters.
Transportation - as needed during the VR program for completion of the employment plan.

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Is there a Charge for VR Services?

No. However, customers may be required to financially participate in certain services in their Rehabilitation Program. Customers are also required to take advantage of any insurance or other programs for which they may be eligible.

What is an Employment Plan?

You and your counselor will work together to develop a cooperative plan of action focused on a specific job goal. This plan of action is called an Employment Plan. [It may also be referred to as an Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plan (IWRP)].

This plan is designed to answer four major questions:

What is your job goal?
What steps do you need to take to reach this goal?
What services do you need to accomplish this goal?
How will you know when you've accomplished those steps?

What are My Responsibilities?

You and your counselor are partners in planning your program. The counselor will expect you to do all you can to help to prepare for a job. You should keep appointments, work hard on tests and in training, join fully in the Employment Plan and its development, keep in touch with your counselor, and discuss problems as they come up.

What are My Counselor's Responsibilities?

Your counselor understands how disabilities can get in the way of working. It is your counselor's responsibility to help you understand your strengths. Your counselor will help you decide on a job that builds on your strengths; give you information, options, and support; and will help you to receive the services you need to prepare for, get, and keep a job.

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Will My Case Record Be Kept Confidential?

All information in your case record is kept confidential. Information about you will be released only to further your vocational rehabilitation and only with your written consent.

However, VR is required by state and federal law to release information about you without your consent in connection with law enforcement, fraud, abuse, if the court orders, or for protection if you are a danger to yourself or others.

Will My Counselor Stay In Contact with Me After I Become Employed?

Your counselor will remain in contact with you until you have been successfully employed for at least two months. When you and your counselor agree that your employment plan is complete, you will sign a document noting that you have completed your plan.

Can I Still Receive Services After My Case Is Closed?

After your file is closed, post-employment services may be available to help you keep a job without having to re-open your file. However, if you are in need of a number of services because your situation has changed, your file may be re-opened.

What Is CAP?

The Client Assistance Program (CAP) can help you if you have questions about your rights and responsibilities in the VR system. CAP helps persons with disabilities receive the vocational services they need from VR. Its staff can explain how the VR system works, advise you about your rights and responsibilities, suggest ways to work more successfully with your counselor, and help you prepare for any appeals or hearings.

The Governor's Commission on Disability
57 Regional Drive
Concord, New Hampshire 03301
(603)271-2773 (VOICE/TTY)

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What Are My Rights?

In your Vocational Rehabilitation Program, you have a right. . .

to a fair and complete evaluation to determine your eligibility.
to know why you are ineligible for VR services, if you are.
to confidentiality of your records.
to be a partner in the planning of goals and services.
to counselor involvement throughout your vocational rehabilitation program.
to appeal decisions through an administrative review.

Where Does VR Money Come From?

Most of the money VR receives comes from tax dollars. For each dollar the state of New Hampshire puts in from state taxes, the federal government puts in nearly four dollars from federal taxes.

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