Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) is an agency connected with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development which provides career exploration, employment development, and employment support services to people with disabilities aged 14 and over with the intent of helping them live as independently as possible and obtain a paid employment position. As part of their mission, VRS provides funding to individuals who qualify for their services so they can participate in opportunities to build skills that will help them get and keep a job in their interest area. Our business contracts with VRS, so if you qualify for VRS services it is likely possible for you to utilize our services with VRS funding rather than paying out of pocket.
If you are already connected with a Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) counselor and qualify for services, this is how the process can work:
- Meet with an Empower Inclusion staff member to identify the services that would benefit you
- Connect with your VRS counselor to discuss what you would like to do
- VRS and Empower work together on a contract for your services
- Empower provides the services at no cost to you, VRS reimburses Empower
If you are not yet connected with a Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) counselor, this is how the process can work:
- Meet with an Empower Inclusion staff member to identify the services that would benefit you
- Visit this website to learn more about what VRS has to offer.
- Identify the VRS counselor for your area using the website’s ‘Find a Vocational Rehabilitation Services Office’ feature and set up a meeting
- Apply for VRS services
- Once you qualify for VRS services, connect with your VRS counselor to discuss what you would like to do
- VRS and Empower work together on a contract for your services
- Empower provides the services at no cost to you, VRS reimburses Empower
Vocational Rehabilitation Services is a short term agency, meaning they do not provide services for a person’s entire life. Their intent is to help a person become successful in a paid employment opportunity, and once the person demonstrates success in a job for several months, VRS closes their file. If a person needs long-term job coaching support, VRS can provide that for a few months before that person transitions to a job coach provided by waiver funding. Since our business is licensed to provide job-related services funded by waivers, we can transition with you to long term job coaching through your waiver if needed.
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