REFERRAL PROFESSIONALS > SERVICES & INFO >
Please review the following documents for more information and assistance:
A Team Approach To Vocational Rehabilitation
Services funded by Alberta Employment, Immigration and Industry (AEII)
- FAQ's for services funded by AEII
Who is eligible for services under funding by Alberta Employment, Immigration and Industry?
Only individuals considered eligible can receive VR services. Eligibility criteria require than an individual be at least 16 years old, unemployed or underemployed, and have a physical or mental disability that results in a substantial barrier to employment, such as psychotic disorders, mental and emotional disorders, physical or sensory disabilities. Formal documentation of the client’s diagnosis or disability must be provided (by the referring professional or we can request directly from the client’s General Practioner and/or main medical support). An individual must also need help to prepare for, find, and/or succeed in paid employment.What is the screening interview for people funded by AEII?
Clients with disabilities complete an application form from Alberta Employment Immigration and Industry for services. Eligibility for services is determined in this interview. The client’s primary and any secondary disabilities are identified. Barriers to employment are identified. The client is assessed for job readiness. Clients who have physical disabilities must be able to work a minimum of 20 hours per week; clients who have psychiatric disabilities must be able to work a minimum of 15 hours per week. A justification for services is determined and a decision is made regarding client eligibility based on the information provided. The counselor conducting the screening interview may call the referral source for more information If the information is unclear and with the client’s consent. Principles of workplace safety provided under the provisions of the Occupational Health & Safety Act are reviewed and discussed. At the end of the interview, the client will typically be informed of acceptance into the appropriate Vocational Rehabilitation program. Two of the programs we offer are: The Physical Disability Vocational Rehabilitation Program and the Psychiatric Disability Vocational Rehabilitation Program. Both include phases of progression in the vocational rehabilitation process. If they are determined to be ineligible, they will be informed why they do not qualify.What are some instances in which a client is viewed as ineligible for services?
A client who has disabilities may be ineligible if they are currently working in a suitable job, e.g. managing well in their current job and earning a viable income. However, if the client is underemployed or needs a job change for medical reasons, then services will be considered. A client who is receiving Medical Employment Insurance benefits is ineligible. Clients may only require parts of our programs, e.g. perhaps only assistance with resume development. Individual needs are identified and services delivered based on these needs. Occasionally, the screening interview may take more than one meeting to determine justification for services. A client who is currently working but the job is considered to be unsuitable may require approval to proceed from the contract manager with Alberta Human Resources & Employment. If the client is unable to obtain medical confirmation of diagnosis, services are delayed.Why is a medical confirmation of diagnosis required?
A medical confirmation of diagnosis on file is required to justify services. It provides proof of eligibility. Most importantly, it is used in the vocational assessment process, in suitable job targeting and determination of accommodation needs. It provides for continuity of care and collaboration amongst all service providers. The medical confirmation of diagnosis form is available for completion on this website. With the patient’s/client’s consent, It can be completed by the patient’s/client’s family physician, medical specialist, psychologist, psychiatrist, mental health therapist, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, or chiropractor. Medical reports are most helpful, e.g. EMG studies, MRI/CT scan results, psychological assessments, functional capacity evaluations, hearing tests, medical specialist reports, etc. Including these expedites the process and helps greatly in providing a high quality service to the client. A form letter to physicians addressing the requirement for a medical confirmation of diagnosis may be found on this website. We operate and are bound by patient/client privacy legislation. The information you submit on behalf of your client is respected and confidentiality is maintained.What do the Vocational Rehabilitation Programs involve?
There are five steps to our programs: Screening, Assessment (including on-site work assessments), Job Search and Job Maintenance Training, Job/Education Placement, and Follow-along support services (typically 6 to 8 months). The length of time the client participates in these steps depends on the individual client need and his/her Client Investment Plan.Explain your Vocational Assessment process
Following acceptance into one of the programs, a Vocational Assessment is completed. A holistic approach is used understanding that in addition to their primary and secondary disabilities, many factors may interfere with an individual’s ability to secure and maintain suitable work long term. Comprehensive information is gathered including the client’s current circumstances and barriers to employment encountered, results of any independent job search strategies, history of disabilities, therapies participated in, other agency involvement, functional abilities, work readiness and work motivators, work interests, work history, educational background, aptitudes, attitudes, work ethics and values, social history, current sources of support, family and social issues, legal background, financial issues, volunteer work history, associated skills identification, hobbies and leisure activities, availability of good work references, preliminary job targeting, preliminary vocational goals identification, and completion of a client investment plan. Transferable skills are identified. Psychiatric Disability program clients then proceed to Career Exploration. Previous job maintenance issues are identified and dealt with by providing counseling in job maintenance skills. Work interest inventories and aptitude testing may be completed to assist with suitable job targeting. The client is assisted with suitable job targeting and short, intermediate and long term vocational goals are identified. Clients are encouraged to identify at least 3 suitable job targets to ensure an adequate employer base. A client may be placed in a work assessment program where their on-the-job skills can be more closely monitored and evaluated. Further counseling may be required based on the results of the workplace assessment. Clients in the Physical Disability program do not typically participate in this phase unless their disabilities are complex, e.g. they present with both physical and psychiatric primary disabilities, or their disabilities are profound.How do you approach your Job Search and Job Maintenance Training?
Employment/Job Search Services are delivered once the Vocational Assessment and/or the Career Exploration phase(s) are completed. In this phase of the program, the client is provided with a comprehensive Job Search Manual for their reference that is reviewed and discussed at length with them. The client is assisted with resume and cover letter writing, writing thank you letters, interviewing skills training including conducting informational interviews, how to access advertised and hidden job markets, job lead generating, how to stay positive, disability disclosure decisions, conducting warm and cold employer contacts, planning and organizing their job search efforts, using the internet as a job search tool, using R. Work Group’s extensive employer data base, identifying assistive technology/resources/services if required, and implementing effective job search strategies. Clients are encouraged to use R. Work Group office space as their “Job Search Office”. Numerous software programs are available such as Typing Tutor and interactive interviewing skills training for clients to use. Job search efforts are monitored and evaluated on an on-going basis. Clients are encouraged to complete a coached job search. One of the goals of the Vocational Rehabilitation program is to achieve or restore independence and to teach the client how to proceed independently once the program is completed. It is hoped the client will then know what to do when faced with any future job searches.When is a client considered employed? How do you support him/her while they are employed?
A client is considered to be placed in a suitable job once they have maintained this job for 14 days. Usually within that period of time, suitability can be determined. The Follow-Along phase then begins. It is considered a vital part of the program. Job-placed clients are followed up for a period of at least six months. Off-site or on-site counseling services are delivered to the client and to the employer if and when required. Clients are assisted with challenges encountered on-the-job, changes in disability status are monitored as well as ability to adequately maintain the job. At the end of six months, their ability to proceed independently is determined. If they are deemed able to proceed independently, the client is advised and their file is closed. If more assistance is required, the follow-up phase is extended on a month to month basis after that.What are your selective job placement services?
Occasionally, a client is deemed unable to conduct an effective coached job search for various reasons. This client would be referred to our Job Developer for selective placement. The Job Developer works with the client and counselor, makes employer contacts on the client’s behalf and acts as the client’s advocate.Do you assist clients with returning to school?
Some clients may be encouraged to upgrade their educational background and continuing education options are researched. Grants from Alberta Employment, Immigration and Industry may be available to assist financially. Funding may be available through their Disability Related Employment Support Program for assistive technologies/resources and/or continuing education.Besides formal education what other training options do you access?
Some clients who have major barriers and are unable to or have no desire to participate in continuing education to upgrade their skills may qualify for a Workplace Training Program through Alberta Employment, Immigration and Industry. The policy for this program may found on the AEII website. In this program, employers agree to provide on-the-job training for approximately 26 weeks. In return the employer is reimbursed for their training costs on a sliding scale. The goal of this program is to enhance the employee’s current skills and the expectation for the employer is to continue to employ the individual once the program is completed. The procedure for this program involves a proposal submission to AEII for consideration for approval. The proposal is completed and submitted by one of the counselors at R. Work Group following consultation with the client and the employer. It is important to note that the client and employer cannot enter an employment relationship until program approval is received. Turn around time is typically 3 weeks from proposal submission to approval/disapproval.What happens when a client is unable to complete your services?
Occasionally, a client may have to discontinue the program. This can happen if their health status deteriorates. In this case, the client would be referred to the appropriate service or agency for alternate assistance if necessary. Client’s can be re-apply for services at a later date, when appropriate.- AEII Referral: Confirmation of Disability and Service Planning
- Interagency Agreement
Services offered for Insurance Companies
- Clients Receiving Disability Insurance Benefits
- Insurance Referral Form
- Map of R. Work Group Service Areas
- R Work Group Brochure
- Cost of Services - Call for current rates and service quote
Services offered for Legal Firms
- Vocational Evaluation for Legal Purposes
- Referral Form - Legal Purposes: Online Form or Paper Form
- Map of R. Work Group Service Areas
