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Love means believing in someone, in something. It supposes a willingness to struggle, to work, to suffer and to rejoice. Satisfaction and ultimate fulfillment are byproducts of dedicated love. They belong only to those who can reach beyond themselves; to whom giving is more important than receiving.
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Transition
Transition from School to Adult Life Plan and Prepare Now for Life After High School Planning your adult life is like painting a picture. First you have to imagine how you want it to look and then you create it. For most students, having a job after high school is part of that picture. Deciding what to do after high school isn’t always easy. Everyone can use help to plan the move from school to work or training. Students with disabilities may be able to get this help from the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS). DRS counselors know about disabilities and what it takes to enter the world of work. Who can get vocational rehabilitation services? You may be able to get vocational rehabilitation services if you have a disability that makes it hard for you to get training or find a job. To find out if you can get services, a DRS counselor will look at reports from your doctor and at your school records. First, DRS will ask you (or your parent or guardian) if it’s okay to do this. If DRS can’t assist you. DRS will tell you about other people who can. What can DRS do? You and your DRS counselor will talk about what you’re good at, what you like and what you need. This is part of choosing a good job or career. Together you will set up a plan to meet your work goals. This plan is called an Individualize Written Rehabilitation Plan (IWRP). DHS has many services. You and your counselor will pick the ones that are best for you. Some of them are:
Your DRS counselors can be part of your transition planning team if you have one, and will assist you in carrying out your plan even after you are done with school. DRS will work with you until you have a job that is right for you. When should I apply? Call DRS when you are ready to plan what you will do after high school. Your junior year is usually a good time to start. What will it cost? There is no cost for counseling or job placement services. If you need services that cost money, your counselor will know about ways to pay for them. DRS can also pay for some services. If you can afford to pay part of the cost of some services you need to. What will DRS ask me to do? You will be asked to work with your counselor to make and follow your Individualized Written Plan. Your ideas about what you want to do and what you need are important. Feel free to ask questions. if you think your plan should be changed, let your counselor know. If you wish, your family or someone else you choose can work with you and DRS to plan what’s right for you. How do I find out more? You can call DRS yourself, or a teacher, counselor, nurse or parent may talk to DRS first. Ask your school counselor or nurse for the name and phone number of a DRS counselor. Or you can call 651-296-5616 in the Twin Cities metro area or 1-800-328-9095 in Greater Minnesota and ask for the office closest to you. The TDD/TTY number to call is 1-651-296-3900. Minnesota Department of Education VR will look at how well you do in seven areas.
People who have serious limitations in these areas will get services first. This is called “Order of Selection.” How long will it take? A VR counselor will tell you within 60 days after you apply if you can get services. Sometimes we can’t get all the information we need that fast and still make a good decision. If we need more than 60 days, your counselor will tell you why and ask if its okay with you to take longer. If it’s not okay, then the counselor will have to decide without all the facts. If VR can’t help you, we will tell you about other people who can. What can VR do? VR has many services. You and your counselor will pick the ones that are best for you. Some of them are:
1. Counseling VR Counselors know about disabilities and what it takes to enter the world of work. You and your counselor will talk about what you are good at, what you like, and what you need. This is your first step in choosing a good job career. Together you will set up an Employment Plan to meet your work goals. You and your counselors will meet from time to time to see how things are going. Your ideas are important. Feel free to ask questions. If you think your plan should be changed or you run into problems, let your counselor know. If you want to, you can choose other people to work with you and your counselor. We want the plan to be right for you. 2.Training If you don’t have work skills, you may need some training. This may be at school or on the job. Your counselor will know what programs there are and can tell you how to find what you need. 3.Finding VR will work with you until you have a job that is right for you. Your counselor will be sure you know how to look for a job. This will include what to say when you talk to someone who might hire you and how to fill out a job application. Your counselor can set up extra job search help if you need it. 4.Keeping a Job Your counselor will also talk with you after you are working to be sure everything is going the way you want it to. If you and your counselor decide you need extra help to keep your job, we can set that up. 5.Assistive Technology Sometimes there is equipment that can make it easier to do a job or to get the training you need. Other times a change in how a job is done may be a good idea. Talk to your counselor about what could work for you. What will it cost? There is no charge for counseling or job placement services. If you need other services that have a cost, your counselor will know about ways to pay for them. VR can also pay for some services. If you can afford to pay for part of the cost of some services, you will be asked to do so. If your income is above a certain level, then there s a sliding scale based on your income and family size. This is called Consumer Financial Participation (CFP). You will need to show your counselor proof of your income. This may be your income tax form, a pay stub, or a copy of a check. What do I have to do? You will be asked to fill out some paper work. VR will help you with that if you need it. You will meet with your counselor to choose a plan. You should let your counselor know if you move or if your plans change. Be sure to call VR when you find a job. How do I find out more?
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Foster and Adoptive Care Association
of Minnesota |
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