Aboutthecover

TheS.C.VocationalRehabilitationDepartment isreachingouttoyouthswithdisabling conditionsbyexpandingtheservicesthatwill helpthemmakethetransitionfromschoolto productivecareers.Weveaddedresources targetedtotheirneedsandweofferseveral programsthatprovideinsightintoemployment opportunities. Our HighSchool/HighTech (HS/HT) programprovidesopportunitiesforyoung peoplewithdisabilitiestoexplorejobsorpost secondaryeducation leadingtotechnology relatedcareers. HS/HTlinksyouth betweentheagesof16 and22toabroadrange ofacademicandcareer developmentresources andexperiences, includinginternships,thatwillenablethemto meetthedemandsofthe21stCentury workforce.

A stateWorkforceInvestmentBoardgrant providesfundingassistanceforHS/HT.

startonthefuture.

HS/HTcoordinatorsarelocatedatSCVRD officesinAnderson,Charleston,Florence, Gaffney,Greenville,Greenwood,Richlandand Sumter. Formoreonthisexcitingprogram,turntopage4 forthestoryofparticipantSeanDarcy. Anotherprogramforyouthintransitionisthe S.C.Youth LeadershipForum (YLF),anannual careerleadership programforhigh schooljuniorsand seniorsbetweenthe agesof17and21.

StudentsattendingtheYLFlearnabout disabilityhistory,communityandacademic resources,careeroptionsandresourcesthat canhelpthemfacechallengesmaythatariseas theybecomeparticipatingmembersoftheir communities. YLFsgoalistoimprovetheparticipationof youthwithdisabilitiesinemploymentrelated activities.YLFfocusesonbuildingselfesteem, developingpersonalleadershipskillsand preparingyoungadultswithdisabilitiesfor lifebeyondhighschool.

Foremployers,HS/HTisasourceof employeeswhohavealreadyprovedtheyare preparedtoapplytheirabilitiesandexplore theirpotential.

Studentslearnabouttransitionoptionsforlife afterhighschool,suchascollege,technical training,employmentandvolunteer opportunities.

Forstudents,itsanopportunitytoparticipate inauniqueexperiencethatwillprovideahead

DisabilityMentoringDay providesanother opportunityforhighschoolstudentstoexplore potentialcareersbyshadowingpeople workinginprofessionsthathaveanappeal. DMDisanationaleventandSCVRDsponsors itinSouthCarolina.

Theforumistheresultofaninteragency partnershipcalledPartnersinTransition. MembersincludetheDevelopmental DisabilitiesCouncil,stateDepartmentof Education,stateDepartmentofHealthand EnvironmentalControlChildrens RehabilitativeServices,TheContinuumof CareintheGovernorsOffice,Proparents,the CenterforDisabilityResourcesatthe UniversityofSouthCarolina,LexingtonSchool DistrictFour,MidlandsTechnicalCollegeand theS.C.VocationalRehabilitationDepartment.

Introduction

Ourmission

hankyouforyourinterestintheSouth CarolinaVocationalRehabilitation Department.Werehereforonevery simple,yetcritical,purposetobringourstates peoplewithdisabilitiesandemployerstogether. ThisissueofBreakthrough isfocusedona preciouscommodity,ouryouthwithdisabilities, andtheprogramsandservicesweprovideto helpthemremaininschool,graduateandmove intocareersoftheir interest.

DonnieAbrams

Electricalengineer,NanYaPlastics,LakeCity ChristyCrochet,VRCounselor,Florence

Whenwesucceed,everyonebenefits.Peoplewith disabilitiesgetachancetousetheirconsiderable skillstoearnaliving;theiremployerstapagreat resourcethattoooftenisoverlooked;andthe publicatlargecantakesatisfactioninknowing thatthesenewemployeesbecometaxpayers themselvesandoftenendtheirrelianceon disabilitybenefits. Whateveryourinterest,theresasectioninthis publicationforyou;betteryet,takealookatall ourservices.Youwillseeanagencythatis committedtomakingthemostofourresources andmakingadifferenceinthelivesofour customers.

Wearecommittedto providingthehighest qualityandlevelof servicesnecessaryto prepareallofour clientstosuccessfully achievetheir employmentgoals. Regardlessofthe natureoftheir disabilitiesorwhether theyaretransitioning LarryC.Bryant fromschooltowork, Commissioner gettingtheirfirstjob orretrainingfor anothercareerafteranaccident,ourmissionisto readythemforajobthatbestsuitstheirabilities andinterests.

BrittanyFoster

Greeter,FatzCaf,Greer SallieFoster,VRCounselor,Greenville

Services

I
Gettingstarted

Theroadtoemployment startshere!
fyouhaveadisablingconditionthatkeeps youfromgettingorholdingajob,ourstaff wantstohearfromyou.Togetherwecanseek solutionstoyouremploymentneeds. Ifyouhaveaphysicalormentaldisabilityand areofworkingage,youmayapplyforvocational rehabilitationservicesbycontactingyournearest SCVRDareaoffice.Youwillmeetwitha counselortodiscusswhatmightbepreventing youfromgettingorkeepingajob,andlearn aboutVRservicesthatmightbeavailabletoyou.

suitsyourabilitiesandinterests.Thiscanbedone inseveralways. Youmaybenefitfromacommunitywork experience,whichmightinvolveshadowinga personwhoisperformingthejob;workingon thejobundertheguidanceofamentor;or actuallytryingoutthejob.

Onceyouhavechosenavocationalgoal,itstime foraplanofaction.Thisiscalledan IndividualizedPlanforEmployment(IPE).You haveachoicetocompleteitwiththehelpofyour counselor,doityourselforgethelpfrom someoneelse.Whenyouandyourcounselor agreeontheservicesyouneedandsigntheIPE, itwillbeyourguideasyoupreparefor employment.

Informedchoice

Eligibility

TobeeligibleforVRservices,youmusthavea physicalormentalimpairmentthatsubstantially interfereswithyourabilitytowork.Youmustalso requireandbeabletobenefitfromVRservicesthat wouldleadtopermanent,competitive employment. Whenyouapplyforservices,ateamofvocational rehabilitationspecialistswillhelpdetermineyour eligibilityandthenhelpyouunderstandthe optionsyouhaveinsettingandreachingyour goals.Yourmedicalrecordswillbeusedtohelp determineifyouareeligibleforservices.

Youareatthecenterofthechoicesmadetoreach yourgoals.SCVRDstaffwillworkcloselywith youtoprovidetheinformationyouneedtofully participateinthedecisionsthatwillbemade duringyourrehabilitation.

Restorationservices

Thedepartmentmayprovidemedicalorother servicestohelpmeetphysicalormental disabilityneedsthatrequireattentionbeforeyou canreachanemploymentgoal.Theseservicesare basedonindividualneed.

Planningyourrehabilitation

Insomecases,individualizedtestingmayhelp youlearnaboutyourstrengthsandabilities.Itis importanttoselectanemploymentgoalthatbest

2

Onceyourcounselorhasestablishedyour eligibility,itistimetodeterminewhatservices areneededtoputyouonapathtoemployment. YouwillworkasapartnerwiththeCareer PlanningandEmploymentteam,yourcounselor andotherstaff.

MichelleWest

Doggroomer,BenjisBed&Breakfast,PawleysIsland JohnathanGreene,VRcounselor,Conway

Classes

Instructionalclassesareofferedtoallclientsas theyprepareforemployment.Theseinclude: classesthataddressspecificdisabilitiesand howtheyaffectyourabilitytowork; preemploymentclasses(fillingoutjob applications,developinginterviewskills,basic computerskills);and/or employmentclasseswhenyouarejobready, includingjobseekinggroups,advanced interviewskillsandothertopics.

stocksandsupplies;and/or technicalassistanceandconsultationabout selfemploymentortheestablishmentofa smallbusiness.

Jobplacement

Training

Anyjobrequiresspecificknowledgeandskills, butcertainbehaviorsaredesirableinalljobs. Jobreadinesstraininghelpsyoudeveloppositive workbehaviorsandthephysicalstaminaneeded forsuccessfuladjustmenttoanewjob.This trainingmayincludeperformingwork outsourcedtoanSCVRDworktrainingcenterby areabusinessesandindustries. Yourindividualplanmaycallfortrainingor courseworkprovidedbySCVRDstafforthrough anoutsideprogram.

Everyserviceyoureceivewhileyouareaclientis foronepurposetoprepareyouforemployment. Asyouapproachtheendoftheservicesonyour plan,yourcounselorsandothermembersofyour VRteamwillfocusonthejobplacementprocess. Ourmissionisnotcompleteuntilyouareina suitablejob. Manyclientscananddofindtheirownjobs. Othersmayneedsomeonetoassistthem. Whateveryoursituation,thestaffisreadyto makeyourtransitiontoemploymentsuccessful.

SupportedEmployment

Otherservices

Basedonindividualneeds,servicesmight include: interpreterservices;

transportation;
occupationallicenses,tools,equipment,initial

Itspossiblethatyoumayneedalittleextrahelp gettingstartedonajob.Someofourclients qualifyforsupportedemploymentservices,in whichastaffmemberworkssidebysidewith youatyourjobsiteandtrainsyoutoperformthe jobduties.Theemployerpaysyouduringthis periodandsoonyoucanperformthejobby yourself.

FollowUp

Servicegoesbeyondjobplacement.VRstaff providefollowupservicesasneededtoclients placedincompetitiveemploymenttomakesure theclientandtheemployeraresatisfied.

EllisLeeDiggsJr.

Taxidriver,RedRoseCabCompany,Lancaster GaryConrad,VRcounselor,Lancaster

ConnieAull

Behavioralinterventionist,SCYouthAdvocateProg.,Aiken ShantayEvans,VRcounselor,Aiken
3

WhenSeanDarcyrolledintotheNational WeatherServiceofficeinGreerlastsummer,he didntknowmuchabouttheweatherexceptthat ithappenseveryday. ThenarisingsenioratHillcrestHighSchoolin nearbySimpsonville,Darcywastheofficesfirst HighSchool/HighTech(HS/HT)studentand thefirstpersonwithadisabilitytoworkthere. Injuredinacaraccidentin2003whenhewasjust shyof15,hesustainedaspinalcordinjurythat keepshiminawheelchair.Computersarehis passion,soinanofficedependentonthem,hes notdisabledatall,saidVinceDiCarlo,warning coordinationmeteorologistandDarcysmentor. Hesagoodfitforthe(HS/HT)program,said KerryReece,careerplanningandemployment specialistwiththeS.C.VocationalRehabilitation DepartmentwhereDarcyisaclient. HS/HTprepareshighschoolstudentswith disabilitiestomakeresponsiblecareerchoices andmotivatesthemtograduateandeithermove intopostsecondaryeducationoratechnicaljob intheirinterestarea. Darcyworkedabouteighthoursaweeklast summer,learningtheropes,doingcallbacksto

NOAAexperiencebrightensDarcysforecast

verifytheaccuracyofwarningsandevenputting outasevereweatheralertortwo. DiCarlo,whobelievesincapitalizingon potential,askedhimtodevelopaprogramon lightningsafety.TheresultisaPowerPointslide showthatDarcywillpresenttoschoolsinthe Greenvillearea. Lightningsafetysbeenonthebackburner recently,DiCarlosaid.Thiswillhelpraise awareness. DiCarlowassoimpressedwithDarcysworkhe foundsomemoneyintheNationalOceanicand AtmosphericAdministrationsstudenttemporary employeeprogramtohirehimforthespring semester.Thissummer,Darcysworkingonan internshipfundedbytheNationalCollaborative onYouthwithDisabilitiesthatwasnegotiatedon behalfofHS/HTwithNOAA. TheprogramalsobenefitsNOAA,DiCarlosaid, byprovidingasourceoffutureemployees. NOAA isalargeorganization.Weemploy oceanographers,hydrologists,climatologists, meteorologistsandawiderangeofotherskills, hesaid.Mosthighschoolkidsarenotthinking alongthoselines. Darcysinterestedinengineeringand hopestogotoGreenvilleTechbefore possiblymovingontoClemsonUniversity. Idrecommendthisprogramtoanybody, Darcysaid.Itgetsyououtthereandgives yourealjobexperience.Yougetmoreofa pictureofarealjobthanyouwouldina fastfoodplace.Andyoumeetgreat people. DarcysfatherDanisenthusiasticabouthis sonsopportunity. DanDarcyisassemblymanageratCompX SecurityProductsinGreenville.CompX employsabout10formerSCVRDclients whoaredeafandalsohadaboutfive HS/HTstudentsinitsplantlastsummer. SeanDarcyrealizedhehadsomeexcitingcareer Icantsayenoughabouttheprogramor optionsthroughhisHighSchool/HighTechinternshipat thepeople,hesaid.Seansbeenthrough theNationalWeatherServiceinGreer. alotanditsgoodtoseehiminvolvedin this.

SamuelWakefield JohnBeatty

Materialhandler,Electrolux,Anderson RichardPoole,VRcounselor,AndersonArea

Auditor/evaluatorforMarketResearch,Gaffney LoraChavis,VRcounselor,SpartanburgArea

DixieOrr

FreddieMorton

Teacher,SouthwoodMiddleSchool,Anderson PatCrotwell,VRcounselor,OconeePickensArea

Dispatcher,ParrisIslandFireDepartment,ParrisIsland TonyaMiller,VRcounselor,BeaufortArea

SeanCarroll

Prepchef,
SodexhoCampusServices,
PresbyterianCollege,Clinton
RichardCobb,VRcounselor,
LaurensGreenwoodArea

SheltonChristopher

HomeDepot,Charleston JakkiDeas,VRcounselor,CharlestonArea

Specializedservices

meetingindividualneeds

heVocationalRehabilitationteamis uniquelyequippedtoprovideafullrange ofservicesbasedonindividualneeds. Somespecializedareasofserviceare:

CardiacRehabilitationProgram

CertifiedbytheSouthCarolinaMedical Association,cardiacrehabilitationprograms includeVocationalRehabilitationDepartment counselorsandotherstaffwithexpertiseinthe effectsofcardiacdisabilitiesonemployment.VR staffhelpcardiacpatientsmaintainjobstability, identifyalternativejobopportunities,recognize stressfactorsonthejob,andmakedietaryand otherlifestylechangeswhichenhance employmentopportunities.

SubstanceAbuse/DependenceRehabilitation

Thedepartmentoperatestwovoluntary admissiontreatmentcentersforclientsneeding inpatienttherapyforthechronicabuseofalcohol and/orotherdrugs.HolmesviewCenterin GreenvilleandPalmettoCenterinFlorence provideafullrangeofpersonal,social, vocationalandfamilyservicesforpeoplewhose employmentispreventedorjeopardizedby substanceabuseordependenceproblems. ReferredtothecentersbytheirVRcounselors, theseclientsreceivefollowupservicesoncethey returntotheircommunities.

JoneekaRicereceivedservicesthroughSCVRDs
programforpeoplewithdeafness.Ricenowworksasa
dishwasheratPresbyterianHomeinClinton.HisVR
counselorwasRichardCobbinLaurens.

Deaf andHardof HearingProgram

Throughoutthestate,SCVRDhasstaffspecially trainedintheaudiological,psychological, vocationalandcommunicationproblemsof peoplewhoaredeaforhardofhearing.The departmentprovidesservicesthroughlocal speechandhearingcentersandwithinthe medicalcommunity,resultingincompetitive employmentforhundredsofclientswithhearing problemsannually.

JobRetentionServices

StatewidePartnerships

Increasinglypopularamongthestates businessesandindustries,theJobRetention Servicesprogramprovidesvocational rehabilitationservicestoemployeeswhosejobs arejeopardizedbydisablingconditions.These confidentialserviceshelpemployeesidentify disabilityrelatedimpedimentsthataffecttheir jobperformanceandenablethemtomake changesneededtoavoidlosingtheirjobs. Employersbenefitthroughreducedturnoverand trainingcosts,andbetteremployeeperformance.
6

Thedepartmentspartnershipswithother agenciesandcommunityorganizationsprovide specializedvocationalrehabilitationservices(see page16).

PathwaysTowardEmployment

SCVRDadministerstheSouthCarolinaPathways TowardEmploymentprogram,fundedbythe SocialSecurityAdministration.Disabilitybenefits recipientswhowanttoworkbutareconcerned aboutlosingbenefitsandhealthcarecoverage canlearnaboutworkincentivesandreceivehelp inmakingplans,accessinglongtermsupports andsolvingproblemsalongtheway.

CenterforComprehensivePrograms
Buildingafoundationforworklife.
disabilitiesincomputersystemstechnologyand programming,computeraideddraftingand design,businessapplications,andpersonal computerrepairandhelpdesk.

heVocationalRehabilitationDepartment offersspecialized,innovativeservicesto clientswithsignificantphysicaldisabilities throughitsCenterforComprehensivePrograms onitsmainWestColumbiacampus.Clientsfrom throughoutthestatearereferredtothecenterif thoseservicesareneededtopreparethemforthe workforce.

EvaluationCenter

BarrierFreeModelHome

AsthefocalprogramoftheCenterfor ComprehensivePrograms,theEvaluationCenter provideseachclientwithanevaluationto determineemploymentpotential.Career planningandemploymentservices,occupational therapy,andmedicalandnutritionalservicesare availabletohelpclientsexploreanddeveloptheir vocationalstrengthsandabilities.

Technologicalandstructuralfeaturesofthis homebuiltontheSCVRDcampusillustratehow carefulplanningandattentiontodetailduring constructioncanresultinalivingenvironment thatistrulyuserfriendlyforpeoplewith disabilities.

RehabilitationTechnologyProgram

PainManagementProgram

Clientslearntocopesuccessfullywithchronic orthopedicpain.Thefourweekprogramexamines therelationshipbetweentensionandpain.Clients learnassertivenessandrelaxationskillsthatreduce stress.Theyalsolearnspecialexercisesandlifting techniquestostrengthenmusclesanddecreasethe possibilityofadditionalinjury.

Thisprogramlooksatthephysicalbarriers encounteredbypeoplewithdisabilitiesanduses anengineeringapproachtohelpovercomethose barriers.Basedonindividualneed,theprogram providesservicessuchasjobaccommodation; computeraccess;mobility,seatingand positioning;telecommunication,sensoryaidsand devices;vehicle/drivingmodification;home assessment;andaidsfordailyliving.

MuscularDevelopmentProgram

AtthefullyaccessibleMuscularDevelopment Center,clientsachievetheirphysicaland vocationalpotentialthroughmuscularexercise, aquatictherapy,physicaltherapyandtherapeutic recreation.Thecenterscaringspecialistsworkin teamstohelpclientsachievethestamina requiredtocompeteforandobtaingoodjobs, andretaintheiremploymentaftertheyarehired.

InformationTechnologyTrainingProgram

Thisnationallyrecognizedprogramspecializesin trainingclientswithsignificantphysical

StudentsintheInformationTechnologyTraining Centerreceivehighleveltrainingforcareersin technology,includingverymarketablePCrepairskills.

7

Employers

Needreliable,wellprepared workers?Wecanhelp!
mployerscontinuallyvoiceconcernoverthe lackofsufficientjobcandidates.Various surveysshowthat50to70percentof employersfinditdifficulttorecruitqualified employees. VocationalRehabilitationprovidesananswerto thoseneeds.Peoplewithdisabilitiesrepresentthe singlelargestminoritygroupseekingemployment intodaysmarket.Ifyoureanemployer,theSouth CarolinaVocationalRehabilitationDepartmentcan provideyouwithjobcandidateswhoaretrainedin awidevarietyofskillsandhavelearnedthegood workhabitsthatyourequire. Usingnonprofitpartnersisaprovenwaytohelp reducerecruitingcosts,andourstaffcanhelpyour businessachieveitscompetitiveadvantageby providingasteadysupplyofqualifiedworkers. Ourclients(peoplewithdisabilities)alsohavea goodjobretentionrate,whichreducestraining coststhatcomewithturnover. Ifyoureworriedaboutthecostsinvolvedtomake theworkplaceaccessibleforemployeeswith disabilities,keepinmindthatthreefourthsof employeeswithdisabilitiesdonotrequireany accommodationsatall.Whenaccommodationsare required,theyusuallycostlessthan$500. Inadditiontohiringourclients,employershave theoptionofutilizingothervaluableVocational Rehabilitationservices: JobRetentionServices helpemployeeswhosejobs arejeopardizedbydisablingconditions.The employerholdsontogoodemployeesandavoids retrainingcosts.Theseservicesareconfidential. SubstanceAbuseTreatment isprovidedatVR operatedcentersinGreenvilleandFlorence. Employersfromthroughoutthestatemake referralsthroughtheirlocalVRofficestohelp employeeswithaddictionproblemsgettheirlives turnedaroundandgetbacktowork. Supportedemployment specialists,paidbyVR, worksidebysidewithanewworkerwhoneedsa littleextrahelpgettingstarted.Thesupported

Ourclientscometoyouwellprepared.Theyve

WhydoesitpaytohireVRclients?

hadcounselingandguidancetounderstandwhat isexpectedofthemandtodevelopgoodwork habits. Peoplewithdisabilitiesoftenpossessvaluable problemsolvingskillsbecausetheyare accustomedtofindingcreativewaystoperform tasksotherstakeforgranted.Thebestpersonfor thejobmightbesomeonewhohasshownagreat dealofmotivationandresponsibilityjustto becomeemployable. Employeeswithdisabilitieshaveproventobe
dependable,driventosucceed,loyaland
productive.
Ourstaffwillworkwithyoutoidentifythetraitsyou arelookingforinanemployeeandtomatchthose skillswiththoseofpotentialapplicants. Ourstaffwillfollowupwithyouafteremployment tomakesureeverythingisgoingsmoothly,andto helpyouandtheemployeewithanyconcerns. Taxcreditsareavailabletobusinesseswhotap intothedisabilitycommunity.Twotaxincentives smallbusinesstaxcreditandarchitecturaland transportationtaxdeductionareavailableto employers.
employmentspecialisttrainstheemployeeto performthejobatnocosttotheemployer. Communityworkexperiences giveVRclientsjob tryoutsatnocosttotheemployer,whocanassess thepersonspotentialwithnoobligationtohire. Thisalsoexposesclientstorealworksituations andhelpsthemsetcareergoals.

EdwardJackson

MaterialHandler,JBEInc.,Hartsville JoniWilliams,VRcounselor,MarlboroArea

SouthCarolinaispoisedtobecomeashowcase fortheemploymentofpeoplewithdisabilities whenWalgreensopensitsnewdistribution centerinAndersoninearly2007. TheDeerfield,Illinoisbaseddrugstorechain planstohire850workersbythetimethestateof theartcenterisfullyoperational.Thirtypercent, or255,ofthoseworkers,willbepeoplewith disabilities,accordingtoRandyLewis,Walgreens seniorvicepresidentofdistributionandlogistics. Thecompanyisprimarilyfocusingonhiring youngpeoplewhohavecognitivedisabilities, suchasattentiondeficitdisorderandlearning problems,saidRickPoole,aS.C. VocationalRehabilitation Departmentcounselorin Andersonwhohasbeenworking closelyontheWalgreensproject. Hesaidalargenumberofthem willcomefromSCVRDsschool toworktransitionprogram, whichhelpsstudentswith disabilitiesmoveinto employment. Lewis,whohasanautisticson, saysincludingpeoplewith disabilitiesintheworkforceisa
soundbusinessdecision.
Thedisableddon'twalkthroughourdoors,he
said.They'reinvisibletomostemployers.A lot
ofthemhavegivenup(tryingtogetajob)
becausetheydon'thaveaccess.
Ibelieveweneedtotakeadvantageoftheirgifts.
Mysonwillhavetocompeteinaworldwhere
peoplehavelotsofadvantagesoverhim.Ifwe
can'tdosomethingaboutthat,whocan?hesaid.
Jobcandidateswithdisabilitieswillcomefrom
SCVRD,theS.C.DepartmentofDisabilitiesand
SpecialNeeds,theVeteransAdministration
RehabilitationProgramsandtheS.C.
CommissionfortheBlind.
Andersonwaschosenforthe700,000squarefoot
centerbecauseofitsproximitytothemarketsit
willserveandalsobecauseoftheservices
availabletopeoplewithdisabilities.Thesizeof
10footballfields,thecenterwillserve800stores
ineightstatesthroughouttheSouthandMid
Atlanticarea.A 10storytowerinthemiddlewill
accommodatemerchandisestorageand42
computeroperatedcraneswillretrieveproducts

Walgreens, SCVRDfocusonability
tostaff newdistributioncenter

fromthetower.
Walgreensisinvestingmorethan$175millionin
theproject,whichwillincludeequipment
speciallydesignedforusebypeoplewith
disabilities.
Wefeellikewe'retheluckiestpeopleinthe
worldtohavefalleninwithVR,Lewissaid.It
wasamatchmadeinheaven.They'veworked
withushandinhandtomakeourdreama
reality.
InadditiontoSCVRD,we'vealsoreceived
strongparticipationfromAndersonCountyand
otherstateandlocalagencies,whichhavecreated
asolidbusinessenvironment, Lewissaid. Walgreensstoreshavenostorage space.Thecompanyusesa computerizeddistributionsystem thatrecordseachitemasitis sold.Thatinformationissentto thedistributioncenterandtwicea week,theitemsarerestocked. Thelogicalconclusionisthat automationwillenableagroupof peoplewhomightnototherwise haveanopportunitytowork, Lewissaid.Ourexperiencehasbeenthattheyre averyloyal,committedgroupofpeoplethat otherslikeworkingwith. Theirspiritmakesusfeellikewe'repartofa biggercommunity,hesaid. Walgreenswilltrainpeoplewithdisabilitiesto checkinmerchandise;unpackandcategorize items;andpickordersforaspecificstore.They alsowillbeencouragedtoapplyformanagerial, supervisory,professionalandauxiliarysupport positions,Poolesaid. LewissaidultimatelyallWalgreensstoreswill employpeoplewithdisabilities. It'stakenalotofeducationandalotofchanges inattitudeforemployerstorealizethepotential ofpeoplewithdisabilitiesandbenefitsofhiring them,saidSCVRDCommissionerLarryC. Bryant. Walgreensisaleaderinthiseffortand wereproudtobeassociatedwithsucha progressivecompany,Bryantsaid. Lewissaidthatthreeyearsago,wecouldn'tfind anybodywhothoughtthisprojectwouldbea success.Today,everybodybelieves.

BusinessPartners

VRhasyouranswer!

TheSouthCarolinaVocationalRehabilitation Departments24communitybasedworktraining centersofferagreatoutsourcealternativetomore than400businessesandindustriesstatewide. Wecandojobsthataretoolaborintensiveand costlytodoinhouse.Wecanassemble,bundle, collate,fold,inspect,mail,package,paint, salvage,saw,shred,sortandjustaboutanyother similartaskyourbusinessmayrequire.

WorldrenownedfiltermanufacturerWIXdiscoversthe benefitsof outsourcingtoVRtrainingcenters

WhenSCVRDbusinessdevelopmentspecialist CindyHillandFlorenceWorkTrainingCenter managerDavidWigginswalkedintotheWIXplant inDillon,thetimingwasperfect. personneltookitonestepfurther.

Ourworktrainingcentersmeetyour needsbyproviding: Commitmenttoquality; Costefficientlabor; A flexibleworkforce; Pickupanddeliveryservices;and Quickturnaroundtime!

TofindinformationaboutyournearestSCVRDWorkTraining Center,visitwww.scvrd.netandclickonForBusinesses.

WIX,whichmakesautomotiveair,oilandcabin filters,hadjustpartneredwithaplantinGermany torepackagecabinfiltersandwewereinstantly overloaded,saidTommyBuckman,manufacturing manager.

VRhasdoneagreatjob.Theyvegotagreat qualitysystemandtheyvedevelopedtheirown policiesandprocedures,Buckmansaid.In repackagingfiltersfromoverseas,theyre handlingproductswenevertouch.Theyvebeen veryresponsive. Frominspecting,packagingandlabelingair filters,theWIXcontracthasexpandedtoinclude puttingtogetheroringassembliesforoilfilters. The450,000squarefootWIXplantinDillonhas about475employeeswhohandleeverystageof filterproduction.Theplantshipsabout800,000 filtersaweek.

Wemetwiththemanagers, pitchedourcaseandtheyagreedtogiveusatry, Hillsaid.

Oringassembly

Theneedfortemporarylabor coupledwithatighteconomy andtheneedtokeepthe numberoffulltime employeesfromincreasing madeVocational Rehabilitationtheideal solution.

QualitycontrolisextremelyimportanttoWIX,
whosecustomersincludeFord,GMandChrysleras
wellasNAPA andCarQuest.WIX,adivisionofthe
AffiniaGroup,alsoistheofficialfiltersupplierto
NASCAR.
TheinitialcontractwiththeFlorenceWorkTraining
Centerwassmall,Buckmansaid.
Upuntilthen,welikedtokeeptheoperationin
house,sowehadcontrol,hesaid.Butinthis
instance,wehadlimitedtimeandspace.
Notonlydidclientsatthetrainingcenterpassthe
qualitycontroltestinfilterrepackaging,center

Ourproductioniscommodityoriented, Buckmansaid,sowedonthireunlesswehave to.Muchofthemanufacturingprocessis automatedandupto20percentofthestaffis temporarybecauseoffluctuationsinsales.VR clientsalsohelpfillthegaps,especiallywith tasksthatrequirehandsonattention. SusanUrquhart,actingcentermanagerin Florence,saidthe trainingcenter handled23,300air filtersand60,000 oilfiltersinMay 2006. Werebuildinga strong,ongoing relationshipwith WIX,Hillsaid.

A VRclientlabelsairfiltersforWIX

10

Networktakesbusinesspartnership opportunitiestoanewlevel

Businessleadersinterestedinsavingtimeand moneywhileexpandingtheirbusiness opportunitiesandcustomerbaseareinvitedto jointheVocationalRehabilitationBusiness PartnershipNetwork(VRBPN). Thenetworkisajointeffortofpublicandprivate employersandtheS.C. VocationalRehabilitation Department. TheVRBPNsmissionis toprovideleadershipin disabilityemployment awareness.Itsgoalsareto introducebusinessesto thestatesmostsignificant employmentresource, highlighttheadvantages ofhiringpeoplewith disabilitiesanddispelthe WillieFuller,areahuman mythssurroundingthe resourcesmanagerfor worddisability. Lowes,speaksata Itisaforumfor DisabilityMentoringDay addressingdisability kickoffevent.Fulleris relatedissuesinthe presidentoftheSCVR workplace. BusinessPartnership. Membershipinthe Network. VRBPNcanhelp employers: Improvecustomerserviceandexpandtheir customerbasetoincludemorepeoplewith disabilities,theirfamiliesandfriends. Identifypeoplewithdisablitiesreadyfor employment. Returninjuredworkerstotheworkplace. Accessinformationonlowtech,lowcostjob accommodations. UnderstandADA compliance,including interviewingtechniques. Shareinformationandnetworkwithother employers. FormoreinformationabouttheVRBPN,contactBrenda Williamsat(803)8966582ortollfreeat18008327526. Or,emailheratbwilliams@scvrd.state.sc.us

AblestStaffing
AlcoaInc.
AlfmeierCorp.
AndersonAdultEducation
Center Aprons,Etc. ARAMARK ArvinMeritorInc. ArvinMeritorHeavy VehicleSystems,LLC BlueCross/BlueShield ofSouthCarolina BritelineExtrusionsInc. CalcinaAgency CeramTecofNorthAmerica CharlestonMarine ContainersInc. CharlestonSpecialtyFoods CityofGreenville CMMC,LLC ColonialLifeandAccident InsuranceCo. CompactAutomation Products,LLC CPT MEDInc. Crabco DeRoyalTextiles DurotechInternationalInc. ElectroluxHomeProducts North Emitec,Inc. ExtendedStayAmerica EzellHardware GirlScoutCouncil ofthePeeDeeArea GoodSuccessConsulting Group,LLC HawthorneServicesInc. HomeBuildersInstitute

MembersoftheVRBPNinclude:

KarstInc.
KellyServicesInc.
KimlorMills
KMSInc.
Lowe'sCompaniesInc.
MarlboroCountyEconomic
DevelopmentCommission McCroryConstruction MissScarlett'sPetBakery Nestl NorthAmericaRescue ProductsInc. OrangeburgCountyDevelopment Commission PalmettoRuralTelephoneCoop ParkerManagementCo. ParkwayProductsInc. RichardM.CampbellVeterans NursingHome RitchcoInc. RitchieEngineering Roylco SaludaCountyPlanningand EconomicDevelopment SCANA Sodexho SourceSubstrates TheSpinxCompanyInc. ThriftyCarRental UniversityofSouthCarolina VanguardCarRental Wachovia Walgreens WestinghouseSavannah RiverSite WholesaleGlassDistributors andgrowing!!

CharlesWinchell

Salesassociate,Lowes,Orangeburg BessieDowling,VRcounselor,Orangeburg
11

OutsourcePartners

A.O.Smith ABBInc. AccuPad AccuTrexInc. AdluhFlour ADOCorporation AdvancedGlassfiberYarns AdvertisingAuthority AGFA Corporation AlaglassPools Albemarle AlcoaHomeExteriors AlfmeierCorporation AllenPlasticsRepair TheAlumniGroup AluminumLadder AmericanBodyBuilding AmericanLaFrance AmericanSpeedyPrinting Amspak AndersonBrass AndersonIndependentMail AndyEnterprises Antley'sBarbecue Anvil AplixInc. ApronsEtc. ArvinMeritor AstenPress AtlanticShutter AtlasCopco AVX B&GLieberman Baker&Baker BallewsAluminumProducts BartlettServices BauerCorporation BayerCorporation BectonDickinson BerlinPackaging BetrasPlastics BeverageAir BICCorporation BiddieBanquet BKI BlueRhino BMCManufacturing BoatlifeIndustries BonnettLithographics BoschBrakingSystems BowaterofCarolina BoydCorporation BrainsonFire BritelineExtrusions BrookviewHealthcareCenter BroTex ByProductsRecoveryCorp. C&CRecycle C.R.BardInc. Caddyrack(Swingyde) Cambridge CapsugelPfizer Carlisle

SCVRDhasmorethan400 businesspartnerswho outsourceworktoour24 communitybasedwork trainingcenters.Hereare manyofthem:

CarlisleTireandWheelCompany CarolinaClassicRecipes CarolinaCustomBlinds CarolinaFlyingDiscs CarolinaRecyclingGroup Caterpillar CEEUS CelgardInc. CentralLabelProducts CentralPackaging&Crating CentralPark CenturyFastenersCorp. CeramTec Ceratizit CharlestonMarineContainersInc. Charleston'sSpecialtyFoods CherawYarnMill TheChurn Clean&Safe CliffstarCorp. CMMC,LLC CoastalCarolinaUniversity Coats&Clark CogsdillToolProductsInc. CokerCollege CompactAutomation CompXNational ConbracoIndustries Conbraco/ApolloValveCo. ConsolidatedSystemsInc. ConsumerProductsEnterprises CooperStandardAutomotive CooperTools CortekInc. CPP International Crabco CrenloInc. CrownCorkandSealInc. CrowsonStonePrinting CustomCorrugatedContainer Cyrovac DAKAmerica Dana DanielsScientific DareFoods(Southland)Inc. DarlingtonCountySchoolDistrict DaycoProductsInc. DecolamInc. Delavan DeltaMills DelTec Dennys DeRoyalTextiles DetyensShipyard DiamondHillPlywood DillonFurniture DinaIndustries,Inc. DisabilityDeterminationServices DitmanEnterprises DiverscoIntegratedSystems DiversifiedPlastics Duke'sBarbecue Dunlop DuracellInc. Durotech EatonElectrical EBRON EdwardsEnterprises ElectricCityPrinting Electrolux Emitec Emphasis

EMSChemie(NorthAmerica) EntertainmentDistributionServicesInc. EnvironmentalExpressInc. EnvironmentsInc. EquineAmerica/EquipetInc. ESAB EvansRuleCompany Eventelope ExcellFlexibleFilms ExpressLane FallonLuminousProducts Fastenal Faurecia FBJohnstonGraphics FederalMogul TheFeltersGroup FergusonBox&SupplyMfg. FiltroniaExtrusions FloralifeInc. FNManufacturingInc. FoodLion ForbesCompanies FortStewart(GA)ArmyBase FortifiberCorporation FourOaksFarm FreightlinerCustomChassisCorp. FriendsofCongareeSwamp Frye'sDriveIn FTZIndustries FWFInc. FurrGradingandPaving G&GBarbeque G&HMailService,LLC G.E.Medical G.E.Supply GarnayInc. GatesRubberCompany GeorgiaPacific GlenRavenCustomFabricsLLC GlobalRecovery,LLC GoldenPinesGardens GrandIllusions GreenvilleFulfillmentCenter GreenvilleMagazine GreenvilleMentalHealthCenter GreenvilleRecycling GreenwoodChamberofCommerce GreenwoodFabricating&Plating GreenwoodPackingPlant GreenwoodParks&Trails GreenwoodPlasticInjectors GTP GreenvilleInc. HaddenHouse HagermeyerNorthAmerica HarmannConco HBDThermoidIndustriesInc. HealthcareServices HessAmerica HokeInc. HolopackInc. HomestyleKitchen HoodPackaging HorryTelephoneCooperative HorryGeorgetownTechnicalCollege HouseofPizza HubbleHubbellPowerSystems ILPEA Inc. ILS ImageNetwork INA Bearing INA USA Corporation IndexxInc. IndustrialManufacturing IndustrialPackagingSystems InergyAutomotive InsulfabPlasticsInc. InternationalCupCorporation

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InternationalPaper InterstateServices JBE JBoyEnterprises JoslynClark Jostens KawashimaTextilesUSA Inc. KaydonCustomBearings Kennametal/IPG KeysPrinting KimlorMills KingElectronicsCompany KleerdexCompany Klerk'sPlastic KMSInc. Koyo Kwikset,aDivisionofBlackandDecker Lamson&Sessions LawEnforcementTechnology LeCreusetofAmerica Lifetec Lifttec LindeLiftCorporation LINQIndustrialFabricsInc. LittleBrownie Lizard'sThicket Lowe's LoxcreenCompany MarMacWire MarleyElectric Mayer McClancySeasoning McKechnieVehicleComponents McKinleyCrating McPhersonManufacturing MedalsofAmerica Metglas MichelinTireCorporation MidwestStamping Missco MohawkIndustriesInc. MoldwoodProducts MoonshineCustomLogoProducts MPISouthernFineblanking Mr.J'sCaf MTUDriveshaft MuellerDieCutSolutions,Inc. MyrtleBeachRVResort MyrtleBeachTravelPark TheNationalBetaClub NestlUSA NewYorkWireofWalterboro Nextou.com Nibrol NISH(U.S.PostalService) NISHGeneralServicesAdministration NorthAmericanRescueProducts NorthTridentRegionalMedicalCenter NutripackLLC OakMitsuiInc. OceanLakesCampground Okonite Ongweoweh OrangeburgCashandCarry OrianRugsInc. OrrLyonsIndustries OverlandTradingCompany OwensCorning OxBodiesInc. PackagingCorporationofAmerica PaddockPool ThePalladianGroup PalmettoMint PalmettoPackaging PamFasteningTechnologyInc. PanolamIndustries,NevamarHampton Plant

PaperStockDealers ParkwayProductsInc. PBRColumbia PeachyKleenDryCleaning&Laundry PennVentilation PerfectingCouplingCompany PerformanceFriction PerrigoofSouthCarolina PhoenixSpecialty PMR PontiacFoods PowerlinkManufacturing PrattIndustries PrecisionConverters PrecisionSoutheastInc. PremierGraphics PrettlElectricCorp. PrimeOutletsofGaffney PrysmianCables&Systems QS1 QuakerChemical Racor RBCLinearPrecisionProducts RedBoneAlley RegentMedical RelianceTradingCompany RenfroBrothersAssembly Reynolds&Reynolds RichloomFabricGroup RichloomHomeFashions RicoTagExpress RieterAutomotiveNorthAmerica Ritchco RobertAllenGroup RobertBoschCorporation RocheCarolina RockwellAutomation RollerBearingCorp. RoylcoInc. RQLaser S&WManufacturing S.C.AdjutantGeneralOffice S.C.DepartmentofSocialServices S.C.DepartmentofTransportation S.C.StateHousingAuthority S.C.YutakaTechnologiesInc. Salisbury SanteeCooper SaraLeeBakeryGroup SassyTails SCA NorthAmerica ScabbardTechnology Schlegel SealedAirCorporation SealedAirCryovac Sears ShakespeareMonofilament SidHarvey's SiemensEnergy&AutomationInc. SiemensWestinghouse Signode Silstar SilverStarTrailers SkamperIndustries SLILighting SmurfitStone Solectron Soliant SolutiaInc. SonocoProducts Sopakco SourceSubstratesInc. SoutheasternAluminumSourcing SouthernFabricator SouthernPackaging SouthernStates SpanAmerica SpectAL Industries

SpiraxSarcoInc. SpringsGlobalInc. SPXFiltran SquareDCompany SSL America Stafast StanleyTools SteeRike3 StewartFastener&Tool StretchAssociates SummitRubberCompanyInc. SumterPackaging TheSunNews SunPrinting SunbeltComputerFormsInc. SunbeltMarketingGroup Supreme&CompanyInc. SweetMagnoliaCatering SyncotFibers SynstrandInc. SynteenTechnicalFabricsInc. TangerOutlet TeijinMonofilamentU.S.Inc. TempleInland ThomasandHuttonEngineering ThomsonPlasticsInc. Timken TQuilts TrademarkCorporation TransBulkSystems Trayco TriStatePallets Tupperware TycoElectronics U.S.Army,Philadelphia U.S.AutoseatCoversLLC U.S.DefenseDepartmentFt.Jackson Commissary U.S.JusticeDepartmentNational AdvocacyCenter U.S.MarineCorps,ParrisIsland U.S.TextileInc. UlbrichPrecisionFlatware UnicornPrintingCompanyInc. Unifirst UniforBrass UnitedStatesGypsumCompanies UniversalComponents,Inc. UpstatePackagingInc. USAluminum USA Lease USCLettermenAssociation USCOA InternationalCorporation V.A.OutpatientClinic,Greenville ValleyForgeFlag Valspar VeluxAmerica VeluxGreenwood WalMart WalMartDistributionCenter WamplerEngineering Westinghouse WashingtonSavannahRiverCompany, SavannahRiverSite WatermarkSports WeatherfordLandscaping WestCambridgePark WhimsicalGrace WhiteHorsePackaging WholesaleGlassDistributing WildDunes WoodsidePlantationCountryClub WorldWideWelding ZBeckyBrownInc. Zeus ZmanFishingInc. ZZorcoConsulting

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Thebottomline

VRbythenumbers
Rehabilitationsper100,000population
SCVRDrehabilitatesmorecitizenswithdisabilitiesinto employmentper100,000populationthananyother stateintheU.S.

223

VRpaysoff forclientsandforSouth Carolinasinvestment!

98
SCVRD
Southeast Average

72
USA Average

Costperclientserved

VocationalRehabilitationclientsbecome taxpayersinsteadoftaxconsumers whentheybecomeemployed.They reducetheirrelianceongovernment disabilitybenefitsandmanyreceive healthinsurancecoveragethroughtheir newjobs,sotheynolongerrelyon Medicaid. Taxpayersgetagreatreturnontheir investmentbecause: Successfullyrehabilitatedclients

SCVRDsintegratedservicedeliverysystemhelpsthe departmentachieveoneofthenationsbestcost efficiencylevels.SCVRDranks#9innation.

$1,504

$2,134

$2,159

vocationalrehabilitationdollarspenton them.
USA Average

willpayback$2.89 forevery

SCVRD

Southeast Average

Costperclientrehabilitated

Employedclientswillrealizean $11.75 increaseinearnings forevery dollarofvocationalrehabilitationfunds investedinthem. Itwilltakeonly5.4years forthose clientstorepaythecostoftheir rehabilitation.

SCVRDstotalexpendituresrevealafarlowercostper clientrehabilitatedthannationalandregional averages.SCVRDranks#1inthenation.

$7,486
SCVRD

$12,462

$14,981

$13,286.
Southeast Average USA Average

Taxpayersrealizea netprofit of

14

(Thesefiguresarefrom2004,thelatestyearforwhich nationalfiguresareavailable.)

Thatsan18.4percentannual return onthetaxpayerinvestment,a bargainbyanystandard!

20052006Facts

Whattypesofjobsdoourclientsget?
Service Clerical/Sales Professional/ Management/Technical Manufacturing Construction Agricultural Miscellaneous 26% 17% 14% 14% 13% 3% 13%
$105

Totalrehabilitated(employed): 8,475 Servedinworktrainingcenters: 6,243

* Sincerehabilitationisacontinuousprocessthat oftentakesaperiodofyears,thedepartmentserves someofthesameclientsinsuccessiveyears.

Totalclientsserved: 43,922* Newreferrals: 18,095

Meanweeklyearningsatreferral: (72%havenoearnings)

Meanweeklyearningsafterrehabilitation: $361

Topline:countyname Middleline:clientsservedfiscalyear20052006 Bottomline:clientsrehabilitated20052006

SCVRDservicesbycounty

15

Agencypartners

workingtogethertoward
employmentoutcomes

spiritofcooperationamongpublic
agenciescangoalongwaytoward
expandingtheopportunitiesfortheir
respectiveclients.
SCVRD'spartnershipswithmanyotheragencies
andorganizationspayoffwithbetter
employmentoutcomesandnewfound
independenceforpeoplewithdisabilities.The
departmenthas455cooperativeagreementswith
organizationsthroughoutthestate.
SCVRDandtheDepartmentofMentalHealth
(DMH)partnerstatewideandalsosharethe
servicesofemploymentcoacheswhoidentify
personswithsevereandpersistentmentalillness
whocouldbenefitfromvocationalrehabilitation
services.Theagenciesthenjoinforcestoget
thoseclientsontheroadtoemployment.The
SCVRDandDMHpartnershipgreweven
strongerwhentheyreceivedagrantfrom
Johnson&Johnsontodevelopapilotprogramto
helppeoplewithmentalillnessreturntothe
workforcethroughsupportedemployment
services.Duetoitssuccess,thisinitiativehas
nowgrowntoinclude11collaborativeteams
statewide.
Thedepartmentworkscloselywiththe
DepartmentofCorrections (SCDC)toconnect
personsnearingreleasefromcorrectional
facilitieswithlocalVRstaffintheirhome
communitieswhowillhelpthempreparefor
employment. Asaresultofthelongstanding
partnershipbetweenSCVRDandSCDC,SCDC
nowallowsSCVRDstafftohavedirectaccessto
informationthatspeedsuptheprocessand
resultsinmoreefficientservicedelivery.
A closeworkingrelationshipwiththe
DepartmentofJuvenileJustice enablesSCVRD
stafftoworkwithtroubledjuvenilestohelpthem
followapositivepath.Inaddition,manyDJJ
youthreceiveVRserviceswhichhelpthemmake
thetransitionfromaninstitutionalsettingto
employment.
Personswhoareonparoleorprobationandhave
disablingconditionsbenefitfromSCVRD's

partnershipwiththeDepartmentof Probation, ParoleandPardonServices.VRliaisonshelp themwithemploymentissuesandinmeeting theirresponsibilitiesinthecommunity. SCVRDcollaborateswiththeDepartmentof DisabilitiesandSpecialNeeds toserveeligible individualslivingwithbraininjury,spinalcord injury,ormentalretardationandrelated disabilitieswhoareseekingtoenterorreturnto competitiveemployment. AllofSouthCarolina'shighschoolsareassigned VRcounselors,thankstoapartnershipwiththe DepartmentofEducation andlocalschool districts.Studentswithdisabilitiesreceive servicestohelpthemmakethetransitionfrom schooltoemployment.Thispartnershipincludes agranttopromoteimprovementinliteracyskills amongVRclients;cofundedtransition employabilityspecialistsinsomedistricts;anew initiativetoprovideWorkKeysassessmentsand trainingtoVRclients;andatransitioninitiative, HighSchool/HighTech,whichissupportedin partbyagrantfromtheStateWorkforce InvestmentBoardthroughtheDepartmentof Commerce. TheEmploymentSecurityCommission helps pavethewayforemploymentofpeoplewith disabilitiesthroughanagreementthatprovides SCVRDwithinformationneededtohelpidentify jobopportunitiesforclients. SCVRDalsoprovidesservicestopeoplewith disabilitiesthroughagreementswiththe Workers'CompensationCommission, DepartmentofSocialServices,Commissionfor theBlind,countycommissionsonalcoholand drugabuse,andotheragencies.

RosalieMurdaugh

ClericalAssistant,UnitedWayofWalterboro KimberlyWhiteFootman,VRcounselor,WalterboroOffice

16

heS.C.VocationalRehabilitation DepartmentsDisabilityDetermination Services(DDS)processesSocialSecurityand SupplementalSecurityIncomeclaimsunderthe provisionsoftheSocialSecurityAct.Individuals receivebenefitsfromtheseprogramswhena physicalormentalimpairmentpreventsthemfrom reachingtheirfullemploymentpotential. Inbothprograms,benefitsnormallycontinue untiltheindividualmedicallyrecoversorreturns towork.Underworkincentiveprovisionsof SocialSecurityregulations,however,an individualwhosemedicalconditionhasnot changedsubstantiallybutwhoisattemptingto returntoworkmaycontinuetoreceivemonthly benefitpaymentsandmedicalinsurance coverageforanextendedtime. Thedeterminationastowhetherapersonmeets disabilityprovisionsofthelawismadebyateam consistingofadisabilityexaminerandastate agencymedicalconsultant.Theseprofessional personnelaretrainedinthecarefulandobjective evaluationofmedicalandvocationalfactors undertherequirementsoftheSocialSecurityAct. Itistheirresponsibilitytoensurethatsound medicalevidenceisobtained,thatvocational factorsareconsideredwhenappropriate,and thatthedecisiontoallowordenybenefitsmeets allrequirementsofSocialSecuritylawand regulations. DDSoperatesfromregionalofficesinCharleston,

DisabilityDeterminationServices
Providingqualitydisability determinationservices inaresponsive,timely andcosteffectivemanner.

WestColumbiaandGreenvilleandaLexington office.TheWestColumbialocationalsohouses theadministrativestaffandtheappealsandstate claimsteam.Theappealsandstateclaimsteam coordinatesmedicaldevelopmentsonclaims pendingbeforeadministrativelawjudgesin SocialSecurityAdministrationofficesofhearings andappealsand,throughanagreementwiththe S.C.StateRetirementSystems,claimsfortotal andpermanentdisabilityfiledbystate,county andmunicipalworkers. Inaddition,hearingofficersassignedtotheunit conductfacetofacehearingsincasesinvolving potentialterminationofbenefits.Thisunit handlesallclaimsbeingprocessedunderspecial provisionsresultingfromU.S.DistrictorCircuit courtdecisions. TheLexingtonStateClaimsofficehandles MedicaidclaimsfordisabilityfortheS.C. DepartmentofHealthandHumanServices. Inall,DDSisexpectedtoreceiveandactonmore than84,000claimsinthecurrentfederalfiscal year.

AngelaTidd

DataEntryClerk,Wachovia,Columbia StacyLever,VRcounselor,RichlandOffice

WayneStudemeyer

Sales,HooverDodge,Summerville BarbaraBoland,VRcounselor,BerkeleyDorchesterArea
17

Leadership
SCVRAgencyBoard

LarryC.Bryant

Columbia SCVRDCommissioner AgencyBoardSecretary

DerleA.LowderSr.
Sumter 5thCongressionalDistrict AgencyBoardChairman

H.LuciusLaffitte,M.D.
Allendale Memberatlarge AgencyBoardViceChairman

JosephA.Thomas
Conway 1stCongressionalDistrict

RhondaJ.Presha

Elgin 2ndCongressionalDistrict

TimothyW.Evatt

Pendleton
3rdCongressionalDistrict

RoxzanneB.Breland,D.C.
Greenville 4thCongressionalDistrict 18

AleaseG.Samuels
Walterboro 6thCongressionalDistrict

TheSouthCarolinaStateAgency ofVocationalRehabilitationboard setspolicyunderwhichthe VocationalRehabilitation Departmentoperates.The members,appointedbythe Governorandconfirmedby theSouthCarolinaSenate, servesevenyearterms.

Contactus

Aiken

IfyoureinterestedinreceivingVocationalRehabilitation services,oryoudliketohireaclientoroutsourcea contract,pleasecontacttheofficenearestyou.

JanetC.Westmoreland ServingAiken,Barnwelland Edgefieldcounties 855YorkSt.N.E. Aiken,S.C.29801 (803)6417630(Voice/TDD) (800)8619410(Tollfree) aiken@scvrd.state.sc.us

BerkeleyDorchester

BenElstad

ServingBerkeleyandDorchester counties 2954S.LiveOakDrive MoncksCorner,S.C.29461 (843)7616036(Voice/TDD) (866)2976808(Tollfree) berkeleydorchester@scvrd.state.sc.us

TechnicalSupport,CallTech,Columbia TracyBrasher,VRCounselor,LexingtonArea

Anderson

RhondaPonce ServingAndersonCounty 3001MallRoad Anderson,S.C.29625 (864)2246391(Voice/TDD) anderson@scvrd.state.sc.us

Charleston

ServingDillonCounty 309N.FirstAve. Dillon,SC29536 (843)7743691 florence@scvrd.state.sc.us

ConstanceGardner ServingCharlestonCounty 4360DorchesterRoad NorthCharleston,S.C.29405 (843)7401600(Voice/TDD) charleston@scvrd.state.sc.us

ServingWilliamsburgCounty 405MartinLutherKingJr.Ave. Kingstree,S.C.29556 (843)3545252(Voice/TDD) florence@scvrd.state.sc.us

Greenville

ServingOconeeandPickens counties 1951WellsHighway

Seneca,S.C.29678
(864)8826669(Voice/TDD)
(866)3130082(Tollfree)
oconeepickens@scvrd.state.sc.us

Conway

Beaufort/Walterboro

PennyBethea ServingHorryCounty 3009FourthAvenue ConwayS.C.29526 (843)2482235(Voice/TDD) conway@scvrd.state.sc.us

Dr.KathleenB.Brady ServingGreenvilleCountyandthe EasleyresidentsofPickensCounty 105ParkinsMillRoad GreenvilleS.C.29607 (864)2973066(Voice/TDD) greenville@scvrd.state.sc.us 195A CommerceCenter Greenville,S.C.29615 (864)2549798(Voice/TDD) greenville@scvrd.state.sc.us 202VictoriaSt. Greer,S.C.29651 (864)8012010 greenville@scvrd.state.sc.us

SallyDaniel ServingBeaufortandJasper counties 74RobertSmallsParkway Beaufort,S.C.29902 (843)5221010(Voice/TDD) beaufort@scvrd.state.sc.us

ServingGeorgetownCounty 1777N.FraserSt. Georgetown,S.C.29440 (843)55462595(Voice/TDD) conway@scvrd.state.sc.us

Florence

ServingAllendale,Colleton andHamptoncounties 919ThunderboltDrive Walterboro,S.C.29488 (843)5383116(Voice/TDD) walterboro@scvrd.state.sc.us

CarolAnderson ServingFlorenceandMarion counties 1947WestDarlingtonStreet Florence,S.C.29501 (843)6628114(Voice/TDD) florence@scvrd.state.sc.us

LaurensGreenwood

RichardCain ServingLaurensCounty 22861Highway76East

Clinton,S.C.29325
(864)9846563(Voice/TDD)
(866)4430103(Tollfree)
laurensgreenwood@scvrd.state.sc.us

19

ServingNewberryCounty 2601EvansSt.
Newberry,S.C.29108
(803)2768438(Voice/TDD)
laurensgreenwood@scvrd.state.sc.us
ServingAbbeville,Greenwood, McCormickandSaludacounties 2345Highway72/221East Greenwood,S.C.29646 (864)2295827(Voice/TDD) (866)4430162(Tollfree) laurensgreenwood@scvrd.state.sc.us

Orangeburg

IvoryCanty ServingBamberg,Calhounand Orangeburgcounties 780JoeS.JeffordsHighwayS.E. Orangeburg,S.C.29115 (803)5344939(Voice/TDD) orangeburg@scvrd.state.sc.us

ServingLancasterCounty 1150RoddeyDrive Lancaster,S.C.29720 (803)2856909(Voice/TDD) rockhill@scvrd.state.sc.us

Spartanburg

Richland

Lexington

RoyHewett ServingLexingtonCounty 1330BostonAvenue WestColumbia,S.C.29170 (803)8966333(Voice/TDD) (866)2065184(Tollfree) lexington@scvrd.state.sc.us

MartinA.DruBeckham ServingRichlandandFairfield counties 516PercivalRoad Columbia,S.C.29206 (803)7824239(Voice/TDD) (866)2065280(Tollfree) richland@scvrd.state.sc.us 201CorporateParkBlvd. Columbia,S.C.29223 (803)7860495 (866)2065280(Tollfree) richland@scvrd.state.sc.us 1430A ConfederateAve. Columbia,S.C.29202 (803)898886 richland@scvrd.state.sc.us

JennieThomas ServingSpartanburgandUnion counties 353SouthChurchSt. Spartanburg,S.C.29301 (864)5853693(Voice/TDD) (866)4511480((Tollfree) spartanburg@scvrd.state.sc.us

Marlboro

ServingCherokeeCounty 364HuntingtonRoad
Gaffney,S.C.29341
(864)4899954(Voice/TDD)
(866)4511481(Tollfree)
spartanburg@scvrd.state.sc.us

GeorgePullie ServingChesterfieldandMarlboro counties 1029Highway9West Bennettsville,S.C.29512 (843)4798318(Voice/TDD) (800)8494878(Tollfree) marlboro@scvrd.state.sc.us ServingDarlingtonCounty 2413StadiumRoad Hartsville,SC29550 (843)3322262(Voice/TDD) marlboro@scvrd.state.sc.us

Sumter

RockHill

KathyBrownlee ServingChesterandYorkcounties 1020HeckleBlvd RockHill,S.C.29730 (803)3277106(Voice/TDD) rockhill@scvrd.state.sc.us

JohnnyDewese ServingClarendon,Leeand Sumtercounties 1760N.MainStreet Sumter,S.C.29150 (803)4692960(Voice/TDD) sumter@scvrd.state.sc.us

ServingKershawCounty 15BattleshipRoadExt. Camden,S.C.29020 (803)4321068(Voice/TDD) sumter@scvrd.state.sc.us

Forthelatestinformationonourprograms, servicesandevents
pleasevisitourwebsiteat

www.scvrd.net

20

TheSouthCarolinaVocationalRehabilitationDepartmentprinted7,000copiesofthisemployer recruitingmaterial.Moneyearnedbythedepartmentfromoutsourceagreementswithemployers paidfortheprinting.Thetotalcostofprintingthispublicationwas$4,397.40,orabout$0.63per copy. Inaccordancewithfederalandstatelaw,theSouthCarolinaVocationalRehabilitationDepartment doesnotdiscriminateagainstanyrace,color,religion,sex,nationalorigin,ageordisabilityin employmentorinprovisionofservices.