Rich & Tim Meet

Tim: Hi Rich, come on in!

Rich: Hi.

Tim: How have you been doing?

Rich: Pretty good, I guess.

Tim: Well, as I mentioned on the phone, we finally got your medical records in a few weeks ago and that let me go ahead and establish eligibility for you.  So now we can finally get to talking about some specific services for you. Now, if I remember right, you are interested in finding a job and... well, why don't you tell me again what you are thinking about.

Rich: Well, I don't know.  I'd like to be working, to do something, you know, useful. It's been a couple of years since I've had a real job, and I think I'm ready to try it again. Before, I was taking all this medicine because I've got a bipolar disorder. And we didn't have the dosage worked out, so it kind of messed things up.  But my doctor thinks we've got my medications under good control now.

Tim: What kind of job were you thinking about?

Rich: I don't know.  I think something with computers would be interesting.

Tim: What sort of computer work?

Rich: Well, I haven't ever really worked with them a whole lot, so I'm not sure.  My friend Alfred has one, and he showed me some things on it.  And sometimes, when I worked at Discount Mart, my boss used one... And then I also thought that maybe something in sales would be good.  I think I would like selling.  I can talk to people, you know?

Tim: So a sales position might be a possibility... there are lots of options there and that can sometimes involve computers.  Anything else?  Have you thought about office jobs? Would you rather work inside or outside?

Rich:  Oh, inside I think.  I have some allergies, so inside would be better.  Yeah, an office job could be good. I can't always sit for a real long time, because my hip gets to hurting some... but as long as I could move around some, that would be good.

Tim: That's right... we had a doctor look at that for you while we were establishing eligibility. And we decided that it wasn't a significant disability for you, but it certainly is something we need to keep in mind. Overall, it sounds to me like you aren't real sure what kind of job might be best for you and what your vocational strengths are.  Is that a fair statement?

Rich: I guess so..

Tim: Well, let's think about maybe doing a Vocational Evaluation for you.  There is a place in town called Medallion that will spend about 2 weeks with you to look at your vocational skills. They will have you try out some different tasks, like the kind of things that might go with an office job like we were just talking about.  They will show you some new skills and see how well you pick up new things. They will talk to you about different kinds of jobs and see what might interest you.  And they can run some basic cognitive and learning tests to get some formal evaluations.  Then they will write it all up in a report and make some recommendations on the kinds of jobs we might look at for you. I think that will give us a much stronger base of information about you upon which to make some decisions. Does that sound OK?

Rich: Sure.

Tim: All right.  Well, let's talk for a minute about expenses.  VR will pay for the Voc Eval and possibly some basic expenses that you might incur while you are there.  Now, according to your VR application, Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) is your main source of income, so there shouldn't be any problem with justifying that VR should cover basic expenses.  This would include things such as, maybe, room and board if you were going to have to stay at Medallion.  But you live here in town, so that won't be an issue.  What about transportation? How will you get there?

Rich: I don't know.  On the bus, I guess... I'll have to see if the bus goes out there...

Tim:   I'm pretty sure we have had some other folks who have used the bus to get out there.  So we will reimburse you for that at, say, two dollars... Is that about right?

Rich: Yeah, that should cover it.

Tim: Plus, you will be out there for lunch, so we should cover that.  Medallion has a cafeteria service, and I'll look up what that costs when we are done and write it in here.  I can't think of any other extra expenses that you will need to cover, can you.

Rich: No.

Tim: Well, Rich, I think that will get us started on the first stage here.  Is there anything we need to schedule around for this evaluation, or can I just call Anna at Medallion and get you signed up as soon as possible?  Will next week work?

Rich: Sure, that should work fine. I... I don't think anything will be going on.

Tim: OK.  And let's go ahead and schedule a meeting for after that.  Today's the 14th they should probably be finished with you by the middle of next month. Then there will be a week or so until I get the report, so we are probably looking at some time in early July to review those results.  I have July 11th open. Will that work for you?

Rich: Sure.

Tim: OK.  I'll get all the paperwork started on this and send you a confirmation letter reviewing what we have decided. It's been good seeing you again, Rich.  I'm glad we are finally able to get some services going for you.

Rich: Me, too.

Tim: I'll see you in July.

Rich: Good bye.

Report of Contact: 5/14/96

Name of Client: Richard Marks
Contact made: [_] Home [X] Office [_] Phone [_] Other
Date: 5/14/96
Contact with: Rich

PURPOSE:

Case discussion/development

ACTION TAKEN:

VRC met with client to discuss his current VR case. The client was recently determined medically eligible for VR services based on post-traumatic stress disorder, bi-polar and dissociative disorder. The client is presently participating in a Temporary Services Program (TSP) day program in which he receives individual and group therapy and his life is basically monitored by the Department of Mental Health. The client seems to be doing very well in this program and he has expressed an interest in seeking competitive employment. The client does have a good work history in that he spent six years as an employee of Discount Mart and he has worked at various other places. He does have some problem with job tasks requiring eye/hand coordination and manual dexterity and speed, however, VRC believes that the client is competitively employable. VRC suggested to client that he would benefit from participating in a vocational assessment at Medallion to determine his current level of skills, abilities, capabilities, aptitudes, interests and limitations. Client was very receptive to this idea, therefore, VRC contacted Anna George at Medallion and scheduled the client to begin a two week vocational assessment on Monday, May 20, 1996 at 9:00 a.m.. VR will provide the client with daily transportation assistance to enable him to pay for his bus fare both to Medallion and in the evening home. VR will also provide client with daily noon meal maintenance so that he may buy his lunch while he participates in the 10 day assessment. It should be noted that the client does not own his own transportation, nor does he drive, and therefore he relies on public transportation. Client is a good candidate for an assessment because he has expressed an interest in obtaining competitive employment, however, he is uncertain what kind of work he can or wants to do.

NEXT ACTION:

VRC will initiate authorization to provide the vocational assessment. VRC will send confirmation letter to client.

Signed: TIM STOCKNER

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