What are the benefits of Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) services?

If your teen is at least 16 years old and hasn't already enrolled in Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) services, it's highly recommended. The benefits would be different for every person, but for young adults, the benefits tend to include:

• Staffing and financial supports in accessing programs for training in technical schools or programs that DOR already has relationships with
• Education (help with college or trade schools)
• Help with technology (from training to the expense of it) and skills to help navigate other programs (such as SSI or Medi-Cal eligibility)

These services are available at no cost to the individual as long as they are approved to meet the goals of the Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE).

For those who are Regional Center clients, DOR counts as a generic resource that Regional Center wants you to access. The departments work collaboratively, and DDS is working to improve the way the agencies serve clients together.

Transition Consultant Joanna Kent says, "The biggest issue I have been seeing recently is that families are struggling with staff changes, having to redo paperwork multiple times, many people appealing decisions, and waitlists. But the question is, is it worth it? I truly think it is always worth it because when these programs are completely utilized, the outcomes can be so much better."

Kent says that the DOR has many contacts and opportunities for training that you might not even know exist. She recommends that you always confirm whether an opportunity is a one-time-only event, such as an internship or training, so if your young adult is not ready at that point, ask whether there is flexibility in the schedule for when they could possibly use that opportunity.

DOR is designed to be temporary. If an individual utilizes services, and then those services are no longer needed, they can fade out support. An individual can always reapply if it is needed again later. Families can also decide now is not the correct time and choose to apply later.