10 VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SERVICES

The Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program delivers vocational rehabilitation services to persons with disabilities through district and branch offices located throughout the state. In addition, the Department has cooperative agreements with state and local agencies (educational, mental health, and welfare) to assure specialized services are provided to target groups within this population. The Department operates under a federal Order of Selection process, which gives priority to persons with the most significant disabilities.

The Department also provides comprehensive training and supervision to enable persons who are blind or visually impaired to support themselves in the operation of vending stands, snack bars, and cafeterias. Prevocational services are provided by the Orientation Center for the Blind to newly blind adults to prepare them for basic rehabilitation services.

Persons with the most significant disabilities who can reasonably be expected to benefit from vocational rehabilitation services are provided a full range of services, including independent living skills training, special adaptive equipment and assistive technology to maximize their ability to live and work independently within their communities.

The Department sets standards for Community Rehabilitation Programs and the services they provide. The Department certifies programs to ensure that standards are met and establishes fees for services purchased from programs. The Community Resources Development Section works with public, for-profit and not-for-profit organizations to develop and improve community-based vocational rehabilitation services for the Department's consumers.

30 INDEPENDENT LIVING SERVICES

The DOR funds, administers and supports 29 non-profit independent living centers in communities located throughout California. Each independent living center provides services necessary to assist consumers to live independently and be productive in their communities. Core services consist of information and referral, peer counseling, benefits advocacy, independent living skills development, housing assistance, personal assistance services, and personal and systems change advocacy.

The Department also serves blind and deaf-blind persons through counselor-teacher services, purchase of reader services, and community-based projects to serve the elderly blind.

40 ADMINISTRATION

The Administration Program provides overall management planning, policy development and administrative support services to departmental programs.