Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS),
New Jersey Department of Labor, 921 Elizabeth Avenue, 3rd Floor, Elizabeth, NJ 07201, (908) 965-3940
To complete DVRS application, please contact Sarah McCulloh, Transition Coordinator at UHS (908) 851-4431; she may refer current students in district, with completed DVRS Referral Packet and signed/notarized Authorization to Release Information. The DVRS Lead Transitional Counselor-Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 2 who is assigned to work with our students is Ms. Leila Molaie, email: (if the student is deaf/hard of hearing, they will, most likely, be assisted by Mr. Edward Faver, email: ).
DVRS assists students with disabilities who will require services in order to prepare for, get, and keep a job. The ultimate goal is to create a smooth transition from school to work, so that upon graduation, a student is prepared to begin work and/or postsecondary training that lead to employment. Updated testing (Psychological and Educational evaluations) is required within two years of graduation to determine the student’s current interests and abilities. Once found eligible, DVRS may provide counseling/guidance to current high school students, as well as help the student/family develop goals and objectives for an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE).
DVRS Services Offered to Eligible Adults:
*Vocational Counseling & Guidance: Provides assistance to the consumer in handling the job search issues that impact employability, job maintenance strategies, and developing the overall techniques needed to be successful in a work environment.
*Placement Services: Develops job leads both with/for the consumer and provides support during the job search; could include On the Job Training (OJT), Supported Employment (SE) or Time Limited Placement and Coaching (TLPC).
*Job Seeking Skills: Offers guidance in work search activities such as resume writing, interviewing skills, and job search organization.
*Supported Employment: Through referral to an SE provider, provides one-on-one assistance in job searching, interviewing, applying for jobs, followed by coaching on-the-job to facilitate learning job duties and adjusting to the work environment; followed by periodic follow-up to ensure job retention.
*Time Limited Placement and Coaching: The first two categories of Supported Employment Services without periodic follow-along.
*Job Accommodations: Provides guidance on changing the worksite's physical environment or adding equipment that will allow an individual to do more work tasks independently, effectively, and safely.
*Skills Training: Supports vocational school, technology or trade school, business school, etc.
*College Training: Supports 2- or 4-year programs leading to a degree.
*Physical Restoration: Provides equipment/therapies which improve physical or cognitive functioning so that a person is able to work; examples could be physical, occupational, or speech therapy, cognitive therapy which includes those modalities, and/or prosthetics/orthotics such as artificial limbs, braces, special shoes, hearing aids, and eyeglasses (in some instances).
*Emotional Restoration Services: Provides short-term individual, group or other types of counseling to reduce symptoms of mental health problems and improve work-tolerance and the ability to get and keep a job.
*Mobility Equipment
*Driver Training: Offers assessment of driving ability and equipment needed to drive safely; assistance in purchasing driver training lessons if needed to reach a specific work goal.
*Vehicle Modification
*Home Modifications
**Please Note: Expenses for medical services, training, supplies, tools, and/or equipment are based on the individual’s income/ability to pay. In some cases, DVRS may be able to assist the student in funding their college/vocational school education, paying for books, and/or providing a monthly reduced-fare bus pass.