With Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the holiday shopping season on the horizon, stores are busy merchandising their spaces with festive displays. In addition to holiday presentations, “now hiring” signs are a common feature on store doors, windows, and websites. Messages such as “join our team” are an invitation and reminder that the holidays are a great time to find employment. Though finding employment can be challenging for job seekers with disabilities, the Tennessee Department of Human Services has programs, services, partnerships, and staff that are ready to help Tennesseans with disabilities find the confidence, purpose and elevated independence that comes through employment.
The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) is comprised of multiple programs and divisions that empower Tennesseans to reach their full potential, however, the department’s Rehabilitation Services Division includes subdivisions solely dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities find employment consistent with their strengths, priorities, and resources. These subdivisions include Vocational Rehabilitation and Transition Services that utilize Community Tennessee Rehabilitation Centers and other resources. Many of which have no cost to eligible participants. Here’s a brief overview of how these supports can help a Tennessean you know begin their journey to employment and elevated independence this season.
The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program provides a variety of individualized services to persons with disabilities in preparation for their employment in the competitive labor market. VR advocates employment outcomes for customers that are consistent with their strengths, resources, abilities, capabilities, and informed choice.
Services Available to Eligible Individuals:
- Counseling and guidance
- Training
- Maintenance and transportation
- Personal care assistance
- Rehabilitation technology services
- Job placement
- Post-employment services
- Supported employment
- Independent living services
How to Get Started and What to Expect
Individuals with disabilities can apply directly to the Vocational Rehabilitation program or be referred by an individual or agency. After a referral is received, a VR counselor will work with the person to determine if the applicant is eligible for services. Eligibility is decided by qualified personnel and based on three conditions: 1) the applicant has a physical, mental, or sensory impairment 2) the impairment constitutes or results in a substantial impediment to employment for the applicant and 3) an illustrated need for VR services to prepare for, secure, keep, advance in, or regain employment.
Once eligibility is determined, a VR counselor will decide priority for services and an employment plan will be developed. Each individual is unique in their experiences. Consequently, the combination of tools and services featured in an individual’s employment plan will reflect that individual’s strengths and projected outcomes based on the person’s employment goals. Plans may include training at Community Tennessee Rehabilitation Centers or connecting participants with community partners or education services. Still, the goal for each VR participant is the same: to achieve employment and elevated independence.
Starting early is the best way for young Tennesseans with disabilities to smoothly transition from high school to the workforce. The Transition Services subdivision at the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) specifically focuses on helping Tennessee students between the ages of 14 and 22 transition from school to work.
Services Offered
Working with school teachers, counselors, family members, and partners, the Transition Services team facilitates the following services based on individual needs:
- Transition School to Work
- Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS)
- Counseling and guidance from a vocational rehabilitation counselor*
- Vocational assessment*
- Assistive technology evaluation*
- Postsecondary training on a job site, Tennessee Rehabilitation Center-Smyrna, college or university.*
- Job placement*
*These services are available for students that qualify for Vocational Rehabilitation offered through TDHS.
How to Get Started and What to Expect
The Transition Services program is free of charge and open to students enrolled in private or public middle and high schools across the state and welcomes students enrolled in homeschool or non-traditional education settings. Eligibility is based on participation in Special Education, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, medical diagnosis, and parental consent. The Transition Services team has relationships with schools in each of the state’s 95 counties and schools often make contact on behalf of students. However, parents and advocates may contact the Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) supervisor in their region directly. Each school district and/or school will be assigned a Pre-ETS Specialist and/or Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor and once eligibility is established, an individualized employment plan will be formed based on the student’s age, interests, needs, and abilities. The hope for each student is to progressively build self-advocacy and work readiness skills that culminate in training that allows them to join the 21st-century workplace and elevate their independence.
Beyond the TDHS Transition Services program, students with disabilities and their advocates can also find valuable support through Transition Tennessee, a training and resource hub that offers free video-based lessons, family resources, and other tools for educators, providers, and students. Visit transitiontn.org to learn more.
How to Get in Contact with the Vocational Rehabilitation and Transition Services Programs
Call: (615) 313-4891, TTY# (615)313-5695 or TTY# (long distance) 1-800-270-1349.
Visit tn.gov/humanservices/ds/office-locator-trc-ttap.html to find the regional offices servicing your county.
Reach out through our Facebook or Twitter pages @TNHumanServices.
Information on TDHS resources for individuals with disabilities is also available online at tn.gov/humanservices/disability-services.html.
Hear or Watch Success Stories
To discover personal stories from Tennesseans who found training, employment, independence, and confidence through Vocational Rehabilitation, Transition Services, or the Community Tennessee Rehabilitation Centers managed by the Tennessee Department of Human Services, check out the department’s YouTube page to learn about the experiences of students, education partners, program staff and Vocational Rehabilitation participants.