1. Self-Determination……………… A Path to Success! Robyn Stawski - Self Advocate Rockne Lee - Vocational Rehabilitation Consultant Ryan Chandler - Waiver Support Coordinator ------- Denise Arnold – Moderator Agency for Persons with Disabilities iBudget Florida - Family Café 2017

2. Agenda for Today • Insights and experiences : • Robyn Stawski • Rockne Lee • Ryan Chandler • Questions and Answers iBudget Florida - Family Café 2017

3. iBudget Florida - Family Café 2017

4. Flexibility and Self Direction • Services can change and evolve – dynamic process • Funding under iBudget waiver is flexible • You need to know the program rules and flexibility – ask questions and be persistent • Work closely with your WSC – you should work in partnership – the WSC works for you! • Know who to call at the regional office – ask for the “Waiver Work Stream Lead” or the “Regional Operations Manager” iBudget Florida - Family Café 2017

5. Self Advocates • Explain how and what • explain what is going on inside your body • you are the one living it • explain or show what you mean • explain why it is important • Educate employers and providers on your needs and preferences – take responsibility for your part • Explain yourself and your circumstances –everyone is different! iBudget Florida - Family Café 2017

6. Rockne’s Perspective - VR What is Vocational Rehabilitation? • VR is a Federal-State program that provides services to people with disabilities to help them obtain and maintain employment • Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) is created for every client based on unique strengths, abilities, capabilities, skills, and interests • Program Steps: (1) Initial Intake, (2) Eligibility, (3) Rehabilitation Planning, (4) Service Provision, (5) Job Placement, (6) Job Retention & Closure iBudget Florida - Family Cafe

7. VR Services – Primary Services • Career counseling • Rehabilitation counseling • Work experience while in high school • Medical and psychological assessments • Vocational evaluation and planning • Training and education after high school • Job site assessment and accommodations • Auxiliary aids and devices • Job placement and job retention support • Community referrals iBudget Florida - Family Cafe

8. VR Services – Secondary Support Services • Time-limited medical or psychological treatment • Transportation assistance • Rehabilitation technology and devices • Orthotics and prosthetics • Mobility aids iBudget Florida - Family Cafe

9. VR Discovery Program • Creative strategy and assessment tool designed to determine the strengths, needs, and interests of people with the most significant and complex disabilities • Discovery provides 16-24 hours of direct service time and requires an average of 4-14 weeks to complete • Incorporates interviews with the individual, family members, and advocates • Discovery providers observe the individual in the home and in a variety of community settings • Overall goal is to capture strengths, abilities, and interests that a traditional paper-and-pencil assessment may not identify iBudget Florida - Family Café 2017

10. On-The-Job Training Program • Opportunity for people with disabilities to receive a temporary work assignment, interact with employees who do not have disabilities, receive payment of no less than minimum wage, and gain valuable work experience • Average length of an OJT ranges from six to eight weeks and is based on employer needs, difficulty of the job, etc. • Similar to a paid internship • Possibility to receive a job offer at the end of the OJT, although employers are not required to retain permanent employment, as it is considered a short-term training program • VR provides reimbursement to the employer for all wages and taxes paid to the customer throughout the OJT iBudget Florida - Family Café 2017

11. iBudget Florida - Family Cafe

12. Robyn’s Perspective • How have I used the iBudget flexibility? • What qualities are important in a service provider? What are the keys to finding and keeping good providers? • How do I engage my employer in understanding accommodations I may need? • How to be a “do-er” and not a bystander • Learning to do for yourself – taking the fall • Making a move and exploring the options iBudget Florida - Family Café 2017

13. Ryan’s Perspective • What is my role as a WSC? What do I need to hear from the person I serve? • What flexibility in the iBudget has done for those I support? • How do you “work the system” to get what is needed for an individual? • What’s works to get things moving along with VR and others… • How do I get self advocates involved in the decision making? iBudget Florida - Family Café 2017

14. QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION! iBudget Florida - Family Café 2017

15. Let's Not Forget….. • iBudget - flexibility with budgeting • Self-advocacy – your words matter • Working with VR and APD is real • How WSC can help you • Know the rules of the program • Think ‘outside the box” iBudget Florida - Family Café 2017

16. APD Resources for You • iBudget Florida • Website: ibudgetflorida.org OR http://apd.myflorida.com/ibudget/ • Contact us emailAPD.iBudget.Contacts@apdcares.org • Resource Directory http://resourcedirectory.apd.myflorida.com/resourcedirectory/ iBudget Florida - Family Café 2017

17. APD – Getting Connected • Family Care Council http://www.fccflorida.org/ • Florida Self Advocacy Networked (FLSAND) http://flsand.org/ http://apdcares.org/selfadvocacy/ • Subscribe to APD news http://apdcares.org/ iBudget Florida - Family Café 2017