Philadelphia Community Services for Children and Adolescents

III. Vocational Education

As the parent of a child with an emotional disorder, you probably worry about the future and how to prepare your child for as independent a life as possible. This chapter describes services that are available while your child is in school and opportunities for vocational rehabilitation thereafter.

A. Philadelphia School District Services

The School District of Philadelphia offers a wide array of instructional programs and support services designed to prepare youth with disabilities for employment and/or post-secondary education.

1. Comprehensive High Schools

Each comprehensive senior high school is comprised of multiple small learning communities. They are designed and led by interdisciplinary teacher teams. There are a variety of small learning community configurations including: Academies, Communities in Schools, Motivation, and School-to-Career. Some small learning communities have admissions criteria while others are open to all interested students for whom they have space. Grades 9-12 are included in the small learning communities.

2. Area Vocational Technical Schools (AVTS)

A vocational-technical school is a specialized high school that integrates academic and vocational education courses and develops attitudes and work habits in students to prepare for entrance into their chosen occupation.

Vocational education prepares students for employment and/or higher education at business, trade, and technical schools or two-year and four-year colleges. There are a variety of vocational curricula from which your child may choose a program of study. They are:

Agriculture Science
Business Finance and Marketing
Construction
Communications
Health Technology
Manufacturing
Personal Services
Transportation

3. Philadelphia School District's Admission and Transfer Policy for High School Students

Philadelphia's high schools provide a continuum of programs and services to meet the needs of students with mild to moderate disabilities, seeking to place each student in the least restrictive learning environment in which his/her special needs can be met. Students with disabilities may apply to any high school, high school program, or small learning community available to regular education students, including special admissions schools, and those with criteria. Students should apply by completing the regular high school admissions form.

Completed applications are usually due to the counselor or the main office at the student's current school in the middle of November for the transfer in the fall of the following year. Notification of acceptance will be mailed by spring.

For more information, contact the Special Education staff at the Area Academic Office (AAO) of which your child's school is a member. You may also contact:

School District of Philadelphia
John F. Kennedy Center
Office of Special Education
734 Schuykill Avenue, Room 681
Philadelphia, PA 19146
215-875-3674

B. Community Vocational Education Services For School-Age Children and Adolescents

C. Office Of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR)

The Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) is a state agency that helps disabled persons help themselves to prepare for, get, and keep a job.

If your child will soon be graduating from school, or has already graduated, he or she may be eligible vocational rehabilitation services from OVR. Contact the Philadelphia Office.

An applicant or client of OVR may not be discriminated against. If you have questions on this topic, contact the OVR compliance officer.

The vocational rehabilitation services depend on an individual's vocational needs and can include:

Job readiness training, to help people develop the skills and attitudes necessary for working.
Counseling.
Guidance referral.
Resume writing.
Placement services.
Training services to provide new employment opportunities.
Job search techniques.

1. Eligibility

To be eligible for vocational rehabilitation services, an individual with a disability must:

have a physical or mental impairment that constitutes or results in a substantial impediment to employment, and
be able to benefit in terms of an employment outcome from vocational rehabilitation services.

It shall be presumed that an individual can benefit in terms of an employment outcome, unless the agency can demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that the individual is incapable of an employment outcome.

2. To Apply

You may apply for services for your children from OVR even if he/she is still in school (for example, during his/her final year of special education).

When you apply to OVR for help, a vocational rehabilitation counselor will be assigned to work with your child. The counselor will meet with your child to determine how the OVR can best help. The counselor will arrange an evaluation to determine whether your child is eligible for services.

3. Evaluation

OVR is required to establish eligibility through medical documentation. When possible, eligibility will be established by a review of existing data and information. If such documentation is not available, examinations and other medical diagnosis can be requested and paid for by OVR. For applicants with mental or emotional disorders, a psychiatric and/or psychological examination may be done. A comprehensive assessment may also include an evaluation of factors relating to your child's vocational potentials and needs, including the provision of rehabilitation technology services.

OVR is required to determine whether an individual is eligible for vocational rehabilitation services within a reasonable period of time, not to exceed 60 days from the date of application.

4. Individualized Written Rehabilitation Program

An applicant has the right to receive a written determination of eligibility or ineligibility. If found to be eligible, a plan of rehabilitation will be developed. This plan is called an individualized written rehabilitation program (IWRP).

The IWRP lists the long-range employment goals of the individual, the intermediate rehabilitation objectives, the specific services to be provided in order to attain the goals, the duration of the services, and any terms or conditions on the receipt of the services - including any cost to the individual or his/her family. The plan must be reviewed at least once a year and changed, if necessary, at a meeting of the OVR counselor and the client.

5. Services Available

Some services can help your child overcome or lessen his or her disability; others can directly help him or her prepare for a job. The services your child receives will be arranged to meet his or her individual needs. Not everyone will need every service. OVR services include:

Diagnostic Services
Vocational Education
Counseling Restoration Services
Training
Placement

6. Fees

Evaluation, referral, and placement services are provided without charge. Other services may involve a fee, depending on the resources of the child and family.

7. Ineligibility

If your child is found ineligible for OVR services, a Certificate of Ineligibility will be issued. You can appeal this, and any other decision made by the OVR agency, by writing to the Director of Program Operations. Your letter should state the reason for the appeal and the requested remedy. The Center for Disability Law and Policy can provide you with additional information and assistance on the appeal process.

Center For Disability Law and Policy
1617 JFK Boulevard, Suite 800
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-557-7112
888-745-2357
www.equalemployment.org

D. Community Vocational Rehabilitation, And Employment Services For Older Adolescents And Young Adults

There are other community organizations that will help your child get a job. Some help young adults to prepare for work. Others offer training and/or job placement. Still others offer information and referral. Call for more information on eligibility, ages served, etc.

1. Bureau of Employer and Career Services

The Bureau of Employer and Career Services offers a broad range of employment services, including special services to disabled people who are ready for work. Its offices are located throughout the city; apply to the one nearest to where you live.

When going to the employment office, your child should have a Social Security card, a history of his or her past employment, and service record and discharge papers if he or she is a veteran. The employment interviewer may want to see your child's doctor's report, if there is one. Your child should also bring any letters from counselors and references about any previous work he or she has done.