VR Featured Practices | State Employment Specialists in Vocational Rehabilitation

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Rehabilitation Consulting Services (RCS)

Contact:

Harley D. Engelman
Program Administrator
Business Services
1237 W. Divide Ave.
Suite 1B
Bismarck, ND 58501

Voice: 701-328-8957
TTY: 701-328-8968

Web site: www.state.nd.us/humanservices/business/rehabconsult
E-mail: soengh@state.nd.us

Rehabilitation Consulting Services (RCS) is the North Dakota Vocational Rehabilitation's Business Services program. It assists North Dakota business owners and employers in finding solutions to disability-related issues. Services are designed to maximize the productivity and potential of new hires, to help retain an existing work force and to provide research and the latest information on disability-related issues.

In July 2001, the North Dakota Department of Human Services launched this new initiative to strengthen the relationship between its vocational rehabilitation (VR) professionals and the North Dakota business community. North Dakota's VR unit instituted "Rehabilitation Consulting Services" to enhance the role of VR so that VR staff consultants assume a proactive consulting role with the business community. RCS produced professional materials, its own logo, and refers to its counselors as "consultants." Consultants focus on business needs such as staffing, financial incentives, accessibility accommodations and options, and education and awareness training.

This initiative includes a major marketing effort. Business quality materials for potential customers of VR services, both individuals with disabilities and potential employers, have been produced and distributed. The RCS strategy is to market to employers on their turf. Eight Business Services Consultants (BSCs) in the region work as partners with the regional administrator in addition to maintaining their own caseloads. BSCs were trained in marketing/sales and encouraged to get involved in business organization activities. They market through trade shows and business group presentations. VR staff training is taking place to develop the consulting skills and confidence of the VR staff directly involved in the new initiative and to inform all VR staff regarding the changes in service delivery.

Eligibility and Cost

All legally registered North Dakota businesses and for-profit and non-profit organizations can access RCS services at no cost. The only costs that may be incurred are for modifications that organizations choose to make or for any "reasonable accommodations" implemented.

Services

RCS offers services in four areas.

Education And Training Services:
Awareness and understanding are the keys to providing a positive work environment for all employees, especially individuals with disabilities. RCS helps increase understanding of today's diverse workplace through educational seminars and small group presentations. RCS provides:

• Disability awareness and sensitivity training
  
  
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) training
  
  
• ADA information
  
  
• Contact information
  
  
• Publications, videos and Web casts

Staffing Services:
RCS helps businesses and organizations access a reliable and largely untapped labor force.

• Provide pre-screened, qualified job applicants
  
  
• Arrange for or provide prospective employee testing and training
  
  
• Work to ensure proper job matches between individual clients and business

Financial Incentives:
RCS consultants provide information about how making a business or office accessible and employing individuals with disabilities can affect the bottom-line. Incentives may include:

• On-the-job training programs
  
  
• Disability Access Tax Credits for Small Business
  
  
• Work Opportunity Tax Credits (WOTC)

Application Forms, Accessibility, Accommodation, and Options:
RCS helps businesses and organizations develop progressive and proactive approaches to accessibility and accommodation issues. By working with RCS, employers can create new policies and procedures that will help to retain employees who may have become disabled, or to hire new employees. RCS offers:

• Job analysis
  
  
• Job restructuring advice
  
  
• Site evaluations
  
  
• ADA consultations and referrals
  
  
• Options for "reasonable accommodations"
  
  
• Resources and referrals on assistive technology and services