Considering working with CARS Employment Services? Here's what you need to know:

Our Employment Services team aims to empower individuals with the skills to be comfortable in their community. 

CARS Employment Consultants are trained professionals who can assist you in every step of your job search and will also be there after you find your job to ensure your success!

Step #1 Apply for Services Through Vocational Rehabilitation

What is Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)?

Vocational Rehabilitation helps individuals with disabilities achieve employment. Services are offered locally in 25 Area Offices throughout Indiana, and Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors provide services in each county. Income or financial resources do not determine eligibility for Vocational Rehabilitation.

If you are facing difficulties in obtaining, maintaining, or advancing in employment due to a disability, Vocational Rehabilitation can help you in the following ways:

1. Explore your employment interests and skills through the Discovery Phase
2. Help you find your first job, or re-enter the workforce after a period of not working
3. Provide assistive technology and other services to help you keep your job 
4. Train for a new career due to factors related to your disability
5. Provide services for career advancement

The process begins when you fill out an application for Vocational Rehabilitation (VR). Once VR finds you eligible, your VR Counselor will meet with you and give you contact information for Employment Service providers in your area.

Step #2 Choose a Provider for Employment Services

When you opt for CARS, you will work with your VR Counselor and Employment Consultant to create an Individualized Plan for Employment and Supports (IPES). This plan empowers you to decide your employment goals and helps you achieve them.

Step #3 Develop Your Plan

The plan is based on your employment wants, needs, and desires. It includes your desired pay, work hours, type of work, location, and what you need to reach those goals.

You must actively participate in this meeting because it is for you. We are searching for long-term employment for you, and we want your job to be something you are interested in and enjoy doing.

Step #4 Put Your Plan into Action

Once you have agreed on your plan, your Employment Consultant (EC) will meet with you to work with you toward achieving your goal. Your EC is there to help you as much as you want during your job search. Here are some of the ways your EC is available to support you:

• Building your resume
• Developing your interviewing skills
• Searching for the job 

You set the level of involvement you want from your EC.

Other Helpful Information

If you have Social Security Income or other benefits, CARS can help you balance your resources with your employment desires.

Our Employment Service Staff is available to help whether you are starting your first job or returning to the workforce. We have certified Benefits Information Networking Specialists. (BINS Liaison) 

A BINS Liaison can help create a personalized plan to provide you with the knowledge of how going to work will coincide with your current benefits.

CARS responsibilities as a part of your team include:

• Assisting you in selecting a vocational goal of your choice. 
• Matching your skills and abilities with the needs of employers in your community. 
• Helping you find a job that will work for you. 
• Providing training and support on the job, as needed. 
• Designing our program around your needs to help you succeed. 
• Providing Employment Services Staff members to answer questions that you may have.

We encourage you to talk freely about your employment goals. We are here to make you successful!

What Happens After You Find Employment?

Your EC will be available to continue supporting you for up to 4 months if needed. In some cases, even longer supports are available.

Reference

FSSA: DDRS: Vocational Rehabilitation / Employment.