No More Waiting List for Vocational Rehabilitation

THE WAITING LIST HAS ENDED: SERVICES THE DIVISION OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AVAILABLE WITHOUT DELAY April 30, 2015 Dear Customers, Colleagues, and Community Partners, Two years ago the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) had fewer resources than necessary to serve every eligible person. Today we can serve customers without delay! That means Coloradans with disabilities seeking to secure, retain, or regain work have a powerful resource available to help them achieve their professional goals. Federal law requires vocational rehabilitation programs to prioritize who will be served when resources are insufficient. This leads to the creation of a waiting list for services and results in unfortunate delays for Coloradans with disabilities seeking assistance to be successful at work. In February 2014, 6,361 people were waiting. All those who were waiting have been, or are being served. There is no waiting list for services. “This development will greatly benefit both Coloradans with disabilities and businesses across the state,” said Reggie Bicha, executive director of the Colorado Department of Human Services of the wait list breakthrough, “as we can now better match proven, skilled workers to an already vibrant Colorado workforce.” “We’re very pleased with this milestone achievement by the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation,” added Bicha. According to Steve Anton, interim director for the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, his office eliminated the wait list through judicious management of waitlist client releases. Starting in February of last year, the division began regularly releasing groups of individuals from the wait list in intervals so that case managers could support the increased caseloads without sacrificing quality service. DVR recognizes and appreciates the patience of each person who experienced a wait. We are honored to assist customers to secure, retain, or regain employment. Doing away with delay has been our top priority. We are extremely pleased to see the end of this waiting list. We applaud the staff in the field who work directly with those we serve. Their efforts ended the wait. Since October 1, 2014 DVR has assisted 1051 Coloradans with disabilities to become employed at an average hourly wage of $11.76 statewide. If you or someone you know wants to be served by DVR, find the location nearest you, at: http://www.dvrcolorado.com/locations.php Always, Joelle Brouner Director of Community Access, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation