Oftentimes, our clients have questions regarding the services they will receive from RSVP, Inc. and the jobs RSVP, Inc. can assist them to find. Following we have compiled some of the most frequently asked questions about our services and about jobs in general.
If you have questions in addition to those that follow regarding our Supported Employment services, please call us at (804) 288-6272 or 1-800-636-0415 or email us at rsvpinc@rsvprehab.com.
COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROCESS AND CLIENT EXPECTATIONS
Q. WILL MY EMPLOYMENT SPECIALIST WORK WITH OTHER PEOPLE?
A. Yes. The number of people with whom your RSVP, Inc. Employment Specialist works during a given week will depend on how many hours the Employment Specialist needs to spend with each of the individuals on his/her caseload. The number of hours your RSVP, Inc. Employment Specialist works with you each week will depend on your specific needs as well as the amount of hours authorized by your Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) Counselor or other referral source.
Q. WILL I HAVE DIFFERENT EMPLOYMENT SPECIALISTS?
A. You will primarily work with one assigned RSVP, Inc. Employment Specialist during your participation in the Supported Employment Program; however, it may be necessary at times for you to work with other members of our team to ensure you have the support you need to locate and train in your new job.
Q. WHO WILL WORK WITH ME INITIALLY?
A. Your RSVP, Inc. Employment Specialist will work with you throughout the process, beginning with helping you to find a job, training you on the job to help you learn the job duties, and then providing you with support once you have learned to do your job well.
Q. WHEN WILL I BE PLACED IN A JOB?
A. Job placement depends on your participation in the job search activities, whether you have transportation or live near a bus line, the type of job you want, and various other factors. Generally, RSVP, Inc. Employment Specialists are able to find appropriate positions for our clients within 30 to 90 days, sometimes sooner.
Q. WHEN WILL I BE CONTACTED BY RSVP, INC.?
A. An RSVP, Inc. Employment Specialist will contact you within 24 to 48 hours of receiving authorization from your referral source confirming that RSVP, Inc. has been chosen to work with you. The various Referral Sources who may authorize your services include a Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) Counselor, a Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI) Counselor, a Community Services Board (CSB) Case Manager, a Medicaid Waiver (MW) Support Coordinator, you or your family as a Private Pay client, an employer, or another agency.
COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT JOBS (TYPE, PAY, BENEFITS)
Q. WHAT CAN I DO IF I NEED HELP UNDERSTANDING MY RIGHTS OR SPEAKING UP FOR MYSELF?
A. RSVP, Inc. staff will review all of your rights, responsibilities, confidentiality and privacy issues with you. You may also get help from advocacy groups such as the disAbility Law Center of Virginia (dLCV) by calling (804) 225-2042 or TDD (800) 552-3962, or you may become involved in a professional organization such as the Association of People Supporting EmploymentFirst (APSE). An application, along with information about APSE, is included in the RSVP, Inc. Consumer Handbook.
Q. IF I NEED SPECIAL EQUIPMENT TO DO MY JOB, HOW WILL I GET THIS?
A. You may need special equipment, tools, or devices to help you to perform your job. Your RSVP, Inc. Employment Specialist will help you and your employer to identify what you need. Many times, you Employment Specialist will be able to customize the tools you will need or make recommendations to your Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) Counselor, your Community Service Board (CSB) Case Manager, or other referral source for assistance, if needed.
Q. DO I NEED SPECIAL CLOTHING OR UNIFORMS?
A. For certain positions, you may need a uniform. this type of information is usually discussed when you are hired. If your position requires a uniform, work shoes, or other special equipment, and either you or the employer are unable to provide it, your RSVP, Inc. Employment Specialist will contact your Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) Counselor, your Community Service Board (CSB) Case Manager, or other referral source for assistance.
Q. HOW WILL I GET TO MY JOB?
A. You may use personal transportation, the bus (as available in your area), ride sharing, or other resources in your community. Employers will often ask if you have dependable transportation. Your RSVP, Inc. Employment Specialist will discuss which type of transportation is most appropriate and dependable for you. Every effort will be made to locate work within an easy commuting distance.
Q. WHAT KIND OF BENEFITS WILL I RECEIVE?
A. Each job is unique. Your RSVP, Inc. Employment Specialist will work with you on obtaining all pertinent information when you are offered a job. The Employment Specialist will discuss it with you, your family, and your rehabilitation team prior to accepting the offer. Part-time employees usually do not begin work with benefits. An employer may offer benefits such as paid vacation days to employees who have worked for a year or longer. Typically, full-time employment offers more complete benefits.
Q. WILL MY SSI OR SSDI BENEFITS BE AFFECTED BY MY WAGES?
A. Depending on your specific Social Security benefits, there may be special incentives that can allow you to continue receiving some or all of your check and/or Medicaid coverage for a period of time while you are working (and as long as you have a disability). This may also depend on the number of hours per week you work and your monthly earnings. You may be referred to an RSVP, Inc. Work Incentive Specialist Advocate (WISA) to review the potential impact that work may have on your benefits. For information specific to your individual case, you and your family can contact your local Social Security Administration office or call 1-800-772-1213.
Q. HOW MUCH WILL I EARN?
A. Your income will be at least minimum wage and will depend on the hourly pay rate and the number of hours you work. Currently, those we have placed earn in the range of $7.25 to $17.00 per hour.
Q. WILL MY JOB BE FULL-TIME OR PART-TIME?
A. This depends on what type of job is appropriate for you. We have helped people find both full-time and part-time positions. Sometimes people start in part-time work and transition into full-time hours.
Q. WHAT KIND OF JOB CAN I EXPECT?
A. You can expect work that matches your interests, knowledge, skills and abilities. The positions are as varied as the individuals who work in them, but following is a list of some of our recent placements: IT Support, Nurse's Aide, Wood Worker, Administrative Support, Secretary, Custodian, Landscaper, Mailroom Clerk, Animal Care Attendant, Sales Clerk, Dishwasher, Grocery Bagger, Lobby Porter, Stocker, Processor and Laundry Aide.
