Will VR place me into a job? Does VR have many connections with employers in Massachusetts?
While VR staff do their best to connect individuals with job leads that they know about, they are not headhunters or recruiters and cannot simply place individuals into their desired positions. There are some employers with which VR agencies may be connected. However, even in these limited situations, VR staff do not affect the hiring decisions made by employers. In addition, participants have to learn what the VR agencies’ job search processes are and decide if they are willing to go through them. For all of these reasons, if you can look for a job on your own, then you may decide that you prefer not to work with a VR agency. Alternatively, you may find it helpful to work with a Career Center.
Are VR counselors and job placement specialists aware of every job lead?
VR staff are not aware of every job posting and do not have connections with all employers across the state. VR agencies may have connections with certain employers that they have cultivated over time, including government agencies and some large private employers. In these limited situations, they may be able to inform individuals about job postings they may be a good fit for. However, for the most part VR staff are working with the same job boards as the general public.
Can VR give me a menu of services to choose from?
There is no menu of services for VR participants to choose from. The services that VR provides depend on many different variables, including your Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE), disability-related limitations, skills, strengths, capabilities, aptitudes, and experience. So, it is important to know what employment goal and services are listed in your IPE. If have questions about your IPE, you can ask your counselor or contact CAP.
Can VR provide me with anything I ask for?
VR counselors are not case managers. In other words, they do not provide comprehensive support across all housing, healthcare, legal, and social systems. VR only provides what is necessary for the individual to get a job. Before you ask VR for something, ask yourself whether it is necessary for your specific job goal and why, and be prepared to explain that to your counselor.
I’ve decided that I want to go to school but the VR agency has determined that I have the skills to get a job.
VR agency provides support related to your employment goal. If going back to school does not align with your current goal, then you need to have a discussion with you counselor to request a change in your employment goal.
Can VR help me with my side job while paying for me to go to college?
VR will only support one job goal at a time, and all services must be tied to that goal. They will not support multiple tracks at the same time. If they are paying for you to go to school, all services must be tied to that same goal. You cannot receive services toward a different kind of job.
Is my IPE a contract between myself and the VR agency to provide the services I need?
While the IPE (Individualized Plan for Employment) is something you have agreed upon with your counselor, VR services are provided subject to budgetary and staffing changes, as well as factors out of the VR agency’s control like issues with third party vendors. The IPE is not a contractual agreement.