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The Waiting List

The Division of Rehabilitation Services does not have sufficient resources, both funding and staff, to provide services to all individuals determined to be eligible for vocational rehabilitation services. 

When the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program was reauthorized by Congress in 2014, they made a major change, creating a second program that DORS administers called Pre-Employment Transitioning Services (Pre-ETS), which is focused strictly on students with disabilities who are between the ages of 14 and 21. Congress also mandated existing resources be shifted, including funding and staff, to administer Pre-ETS.

As a result of the tremendous growth of Pre-ETS since 2014, DORS has had to shift staff from the VR program to the Pre-ETS program. As such, we no longer have the human resources available to manage both programs.  

Therefore, DORS has a Waiting List for the VR program.
 

How DORS decides who gets services first

Federal law requires that DORS’ VR program must serve people with the most significant disabilities first. To comply with this law, DORS counselors determine the severity of the disability of individuals who are eligible for services, as follows:

Category 1: Most Significant Disability
Category 2: Significant Disability
Category 3: Non-Severe Disability

DORS is required to make an eligibility decision on everyone who applies for services, regardless of whether they have a disability or not. Unfortunately, that does not mean we have the capacity to provide services.

If you are eligible for services and have a “most significant disability” (Category 1): you can begin your rehabilitation program without delay.

If you are eligible for services and have a “significant disability” (Category 2): You will be placed on the waiting list. DORS will serve persons on the waiting list as soon as resources are available. Individuals on the waiting list the  longest will be served first. DORS is actively working to reduce the waitlist.

DORS does not expect to provide services to eligible individuals with “non-severe disabilities" (Category 3) in the foreseeable future.

If the severity of your disability changes, or if you have additional information regarding your disability, please discuss this with your counselor.

We will continue to work with community, state and federal partners to explore all possible ways to increase funding and reduce the waiting list.
 

Availability of Services 

PRIOR to applying for vocational rehabilitation services, students with disabilities between ages 14 and 21, may receive Pre-ETS while they are enrolled in high school or post-secondary education, and may participate in these services.
 
All other youth and adults who are interested in DORS vocational rehabilitation services, should apply so that we can determine if you meet the eligibility requirements. We will then also determine if you have a “most significant,” “significant” or “non-severe” disability.
 

Other Workforce Resources

If DORS cannot assist you at this time, an American Job Center (a.k.a. One-Stop) and/or community college may have programs and services that could help you become employed.
 
To learn more about how American Job Centers may assist you, visit www.dllr.state.md.us/county/
 
Ticket to Work recipients (or Social Security Disability beneficiaries) can also receive services to assist in returning to work from private entities known as Employment Networks (ENs).
 
The following Employment Networks work closely with DORS:
EN
  
Region
  
Coordinator
  
Phone
  
Email
  
Website
  
ENAmerican Dream Employment Network (ADEN)
RegionStatewide
CoordinatorKevin Nickerson, ADEN Co-Director
Phone202-798-1691
Emailknickerson@ndi-inc.org
Websitewww.americandreamen.org
 
ENAnne Arundel Workforce Development Corp. (AAWDC)
RegionAnne Arundel County
CoordinatorLisa Dunaway, CPWIC, Disability Navigator
Phone410-766-5212
Emailtickettowork@aawdc.org
Websitewww.aawdc.org/programs/individuals-disabilities
 
ENBest Buddies Maryland
RegionEntire State
CoordinatorKarla Schroeder, Program Supervisor, Jobs
Phone410-327-9812
EmailKarlaSchroeder@bestbuddies.org
Websitewww.bestbuddiesmaryland.org
 
ENCommunication Service for the Deaf, Inc. (CSD Works)
RegionStatewide
CoordinatorSusan Greene
Phone512-646-4102
Emailsgreene@csd.org 
Websitewww.csdworks.org
 
ENCoppin State University
RegionBaltimore City/Central Maryland
CoordinatorDr. Janet Spry, Coordinator, Rehabilitation Counseling
Phone410-951-3574; 800-635-3674
Emailjspry@coppin.edu
Websitewww.coppin.edu
 
ENThe Choice Group
RegionCharles, St. Mary's, Talbot, Dorchester, Wicomico, Somerset and Worcester Counties and the Washington Metro area
CoordinatorSherman Gifford
Phone804-278-9151x121
EmailSherman.Gifford@TheChoiceGroup.com 
Websitewww.TheChoiceGroup.com
 
ENDidlake, Inc.
RegionMontgomery County
CoordinatorMichelle Howard-Herbein, Director, Employment Services
Phone703-361-4195x1418
Email
Websitewww.didlake.org/
 
ENEastern Shore Business Leadership Network
RegionEastern Shore
CoordinatorJackie Gast, Director
Phone410-749-0144
Emailjackie@esbln.org
Websitewww.esbln.org
 
ENFreedom Center
RegionFrederick & Carroll Counties
CoordinatorNadine Autry
Phone301-846-7811
Emailnadineautry@thefreedomcenter-md.org
Websitethefreedomcenter-md.org/
 
ENFull Circle Employment Solutions, LLC
RegionEntire State
CoordinatorAmy Wallish, Executive Director
Phone240-478-8436
Emailamy.wallish@fullcircledc.com
Websitewww.fullcircledc.com
 
ENIndependence Now
RegionMontgomery & Prince George's Counties
CoordinatorDenise Sosbe
Phone240-898-2183
Emaildsosbe@innow.org
Websitewww.innow.org
 
ENThe League for People with Disabilities
RegionCentral Maryland
CoordinatorChad McCruden
Phone410-323-0800x313
Emailcmccruden@LeagueforPeople.org
Websitewww.LeagueforPeople.org
 
ENMaryland Employment Network
RegionEntire State
CoordinatorStacy Seymore, Program Director
Phone855-384-2844
Emailstacy.seymore2@maryland.gov
Website
 
ENPride Industries
RegionPride Industries consumers only
CoordinatorMichelle McKnight, Ticket to Work Administrator
Phone877-860-3011
Email
Websitewww.prideindustries.com
 
ENService Source
RegionMontgomery & Prince George's Counties
CoordinatorMelissa Affrunti, Rehabilitation Division Manager
Phone703-970-3686
EmailMelissa.Affrunti@servicesource.org
Websitewww.servicesource.org
 
ENTransCen, Inc.
RegionStatewide
CoordinatorAndrea Cetera-Jines
Phone505-803-7437
Emailaceterajines@TransCen.org 
Websitewww.TransCen.org
 
ENWork Opportunities Unlimited
RegionAnne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Charles, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George's and St. Mary's Counties and Baltimore City
CoordinatorRyan Mountain, Vice President
Phone603-767-6946
Emailrmountain@workopportunities.net
Website
 

Additional Employment Network options may be found at: www.chooseworkttw.net/findhelp/