Columbus Functional Capacity Evals and Work Conditioning and Work Hardening Evaluations.

Sometimes voc rehab through Ohio BWC is just not enough for an Injured Worker seeking training and different job goals.  Ohio BWC voc rehab participants must follow BWC guidelines.  When a client, patient express interest in training, BVR may be a good option.

"Independence for Ohioans with physical or mental disabilities is the mission that unites all aspects of the Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission (RSC)."

If you are in Northeast Ohio, contact BVR at the Lakewood Office.

Cleveland  
Traci Conkling
14650 Detroit Ave., Ste. 300
Lakewood, OH 44107
Voice  216.227.3250
TTY  216.227.3292
FAX  216.227.3293
Toll-free  866.325.0026
Serving: Cuyahoga, Lake, Lorain

To find other office and locations visit http://www.rsc.ohio.gov/index/about-us/contact-an-office/bvr-offices.

Our case managers carefully review & consider all available relevant information, such as injured workers’ physical abilities and limitations, job history, wage history and need for retraining.  They may also order additional evaluative services if necessary, such as an FCE (functional capacities evaluation and/or vocational evaluation) in order to recommend the most effective rehabilitation services. 

Although, the last step in the vocational rehabilitation process is usually job placement and on-the-job-follow up, before injured workers can participate in job placement it is imperative that they have a clearly defined feasible vocational goal based on their skills and /or training, physical abilities, wage expectations, and economic conditions.  If injured workers are unable to return to any of their previous occupations, the IVS case managers offer all available appropriate services to help injured workers decide their new vocational goal and prepare for such goal.

Case managers have to follow applicable rules and laws and accordingly work together with the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) and managed care organizations who issue approvals for all services that the case managers may recommend.   The IVS case managers take great care in providing all necessary information and justification that the BWC and MCOs may need in order to approve the recommended services. 

Sheakley UniComp emailed case managers updating their document and report submission process.  For more information, check out the MCO Updates Page.

The IVS policy is to advocate for the best interest of injured workers.  We work with all injured workers who are interested & able to participate in a vocational rehabilitation program, and who meet the legal eligibility criteria for vocational rehabilitation regardless of the severity of their impairment or any other challenges in addition to their injury. 

The purpose of vocational rehabilitation services is to help injured workers return to work either with their original employer or new employer after a period of work absence due to their job injury.  In most instances injured workers experience permanent physical limitations that need to be considered when trying to return to work.  Our case managers utilize all available resources to help injured workers to overcome their physical limitations.  The examples of services that are frequently used are physical therapy, training, counseling, job placement advocacy, work site accommodations, and many others.

by K. M. Eakin.

Working with injured workers can be challenging in today’s job market and political environment.  Pat Hulec, an IVS case manager, recently shared a success.  We are so proud of our clients and admire their strength and courage.  Thanks Pat for sharing, and congratulations on your successful case closure.  

A STORY FROM CASE MANAGER- PAT HULEC
I began working with a new, young client about 3 years ago. She had recovered from the physical injury, a gunshot wound, but developed prolonged Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and depression.  She and her psychologist believed she was ready to "return to the living".  She hadn't combed her hair in a year. I gave her two choices for work adjustment locations. She visited both and chose Townsend. 

WORK ADJUSTMENT HELPS INJURED WORKERS ADAPT TO NEW ENVIRONMENTS
At Townsend, she completed 12 weeks of work adjustment.  Work adjustment gave her the opportunity to adjust to getting out, keeping a schedule and returning to a normal routine which included being around others including strangers.  I have to give great big giant kudos to Townsend.  They were of immense benefit working with the anxiety.  While at Townsend, they recognized and fostered her talent, leadership skills and smarts.

VOCATIONAL EVALUATION IDENTIFIES POTENTIAL 
After work adjustment, she worked with another vocational professional completing a vocational evaluation.  The vocational evaluation identified how bright she is and a recommendation for advanced training was obtained.  A career counselor provided guidance in identifying a new career path.  The right path for her was in health care.  Ultimately, she was provided support for LPN training. Even though she clearly had the ability to achieve RN, BSN, she agreed and pursued License Practical Nurse training because of the time limits of training.

TRAINING IN OHIO VOC REHAB PROGRAMS
I went with her to help her sign up for her classes.  A few weeks later I met with her.  She told me she had made a friend!  It was awesome. She ultimately gathered a group of high achieving single women around her as a study group.  She became their leader and is still connected with them today.  She earned nearly straight A's, was elected the student representative for the Ohio Board of Nursing, and was the valedictorian speaker at commencements. 

JOB PLACEMENT WITH A DEGREE
After her degree, she worked with a job placement specialist.  She began work this month as an LPN and plans to continue her education. She has the ability to earn a Master's Degree in Nursing and will most certainly advance into a management role of some sort.  I am preparing to close her case...maybe today! 

“The right service at the right time with the right professional is critical to success.  Vocational rehabilitation is so much more than job search- it is a collaborative effort to achieve job readiness.  It is the Vocational Rehabilitation Case Manager who pulls it all together.”  Pat Hulec

The 2012 Living Maintenance Rates were announced.

Maximum:    $809.00
Minimum:     $404.50

Living Maintenance is the compensation received by an injured worker who is participating in a qualified vocational rehabilitation program through the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation.  To be eligible for voc rehab, an injured worker must have received temporary total disability, received a permanent partial impairment award or be found MMI (maximum medical improvement).  The injured worker must also have permanent restrictions.

To learn more about voc rehab, please contact IVS at 440.786.9940.

For more information on living maintenance payments, visit the Ohio Administrative Code.

Years ago, the MCO's were trying to push a 3 strikes and you are out for case managers.  While many MCO's own a voc rehab company or work closely with a contracted company,  their case managers would likely get special treatment.  Three strikes and your out, however, would give the MCO more power to control independent providers.  Injured workers have the right to choose an independent provider to ensure the case manager's goals are aligned with the injured workers goals. 

At IVS, we insist our case managers are following chapter 4 guidelines yet still focus on doing what is best for the injured workers.  Unfortunately, that sometimes mean we disagree with MCO or BWC DMC.  This is just an idea, but unlikely to gain traction because of the unbalance of power.   Contact us if you have questions.

Welcome to the IVS blog!  So many things are happening in Ohio Voc Rehab.  If you are an attorney, physiciaion, injured worker, or case manager provider, check back regularly for good information and updates.