The Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, or OVR, provides vocational rehabilitation services to help persons with disabilities prepare for, obtain, or maintain employment. OVR provides services to eligible individuals with disabilities, both directly and through a network of approved vendors. Services are provided on an individualized basis.

State and county agencies and entities providing publicly funded education, training, employment and related services and long-term services and supports for working-age Pennsylvanians with a disability shall review their respective policies relating to payment of service providers, including supports coordinators, to align payment policies with the requirements of Employment First. Financial incentives, when allowable under Federal funding rules for employment services, shall be granted to providers who support the placement and continued employment of individuals with a disability in competitive integrated employment. -Act 36 [Public Law 229] Signed into Law June 19, 2018

The following are a selection of annual outcomes of services provided by the Pennsylvania's Department of Labor & Industry's Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. Outcomes include applicants and case outcomes including employment and wages.

Key Footnotes:
1) Employed in Competitive Labor Market means employment at or above the minimum wage in settings where most employees do not have disabilities.
2) Estimated Taxes Paid are based on a standard deduction for the year, annual tax brackets and rates established by the IRS, and flat-rate FICA, state, and local taxes.
3) Estimated Total Government Savings are estimated federal, state, and local taxes paid plus annualized public support dollars at closure.
4) Average per Person Cost for a Competitive Employment Placement is the average individual "life of case" cost for all persons having a competitive employment outcome regardless of total number of years receiving services.
5) Average per Person Cost of Services is the average individual "life of case" cost for all persons having an employment outcome regardless of total number of years receiving services.
6) Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2016 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, Pennsylvania, https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_pa.htm#00-0000.

OVR’s goal is to place customers into the mainstream workforce. This is referred to as “Competitive Integrated Employment” (CIE) in regulatory terminology. The chart below shows the number of individuals placed into CIE in each state fiscal year and the average salary of those placements.

The following are a selection of annual outcomes of services provided by the Pennsylvania's Department of Labor & Industry's Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. This chart represents individuals engaged with OVR during the program year.

All counties. Individualize Education Program (IEP) that Include New or Significantly Modified Goals and Specific Steps Toward the Attainment of Competitive Integrated Employment.
Successful transition of high school students with disabilities into competitive integrated employment.

Top 10 Counties. Individualize Education Program (IEP) that Include New or Significantly Modified Goals and Specific Steps Toward the Attainment of Competitive Integrated Employment.
Successful transition of high school students with disabilities into competitive integrated employment.

The number of students with disabilities who received Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) including by the type of service provided by Program Year. Program Year is the same as the state fiscal year beginning July 1st and ending the following June 30th.

Note: With Pre-ETS, for Total Pre-ETS Services provided by program year, "The Sum includes potentially eligible students and students with OVR cases, both purchased and staff provided services.
What is Pre-ETS?
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) amends the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and now requires vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies to set aside at least 15% of their federal funds to provide Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) to "Students with Disabilities who are eligible or potentially eligible for VR services." Pre-ETS offer students with disabilities an early start at career exploration and preparation for adult life.

High school students who have an Individualized Educational Program (IEP), Section 504 accommodation Plan, or who are involved with a school's Student Assistance Program may be appropriate referrals to OVR.

Beginning at age 14, students with disabilities can connect with OVR for Pre-ETS. OVR works with students, their families, their schools and community partners to enrich transition planning and support students with gaining knowledge and experiences necessary so they may make informed decisions about their future.

Pre-ETS help students with disabilities learn about themselves, understand work requirements, practice work skills, choose a career, and explore training options. Pre-ETS are meant to supplement, not replace, Transition Services a student may be receiving through a school or service provider.

Number of unique cases requesting transportation from the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) and how many are funded during previous year.