New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS)

Vocational Rehabilitation Services Mission Statement

The mission of the New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS) is to enable eligible individuals with disabilities to achieve an employment outcome consistent with their strengths, priorities, needs, abilities and capabilities.

What services does DVRS provide?

Any individual with a physical, mental, cognitive, or other form of disability that has a substantial impediment to employment may qualify for the following services through the New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS).

• Career Counseling

  • Counseling and guidance/information and referral: VR counselors will offer assistance and coordinate client services consistent with individual employment goals and provide information regarding other available services.

  • Job search skill development: Guidance in work-search activities, such as resume writing, interviewing, travel, and the job search.

  • Placement services: Through one-on-one assistance, customers develop job search and interviewing skills, obtain job leads, and receive support during the job search. Depending on the customer’s needs, placement services may include interviewing skills training, soft skills training, on-the-job training (OJT), supported employment (SE), or time-limited job coaching (TLJC).

• Supported Employment

  • Time-Limited Job Coaching (TLJC): One-on-one assistance in applying for jobs and/or on-the-job coaching after a job is obtained. Services are time-limited.

  • Supported Employment (SE): Customers who require an intensive level of job coaching are referred to a supported employment provider for one-on-one assistance in job searching, interviewing skills training, and applying for jobs. The supported employment provider delivers on-the-job coaching to assist the customer in learning job duties and adjusting to the work environment. SE also includes periodic follow-up to make sure the consumer retains his or her job.

  • Visit Community Rehabilitation Programs to learn more about SE.

• Evaluations and Restorations

  • Assistive technology evaluations: Assesses an individual's ability to drive, as well as determines equipment needed to drive safely.

  • Diagnostic evaluations: Evaluates medical, psychiatric, physiatric, psychological, neurological, or physical barriers to employment to determine eligibility. Evaluations may also be done to determine the client's needs throughout the rehabilitation process and to provide restorative and accommodation services.

  • Emotional restoration services: Short-term individual, group, or other counseling to reduce mental health and emotional problems and improve work tolerance and the client’s ability to get and keep a job.

  • Physical restoration: Satisfies client’s equipment or therapeutic service needs so that the client is able to work. Service addresses physical, occupational, speech therapy, or cognitive therapy needs. Physical Restoration can include helping the client obtain prosthetics or orthotics, such as artificial limbs, braces, special shoes, hearing aids, and eyeglasses (in some instances).

• Financial Assessments and Planning

  • Benefits counseling: Clients who are recipients of SSD/SSI benefits may be referred for Work Incentive Planning and Assistance counseling (WIPA) to determine how working may affect their benefits. Benefits counseling is provided through NJWI NS or Full Circle Employment Solutions.

  • Financial needs assessments: Assesses financial needs of the customer for acquisition of services. DVRS provides "Cost" and "No Cost" services.

    • ​Examples of "No Cost" services:​

      • counseling and guidance

      • job search assistance

      • job coaching

      • follow along services

      • diagnostic evaluations

      • Interpreting services for the Deaf.

    • Examples of "Cost Services:​

      • funding for post­secondary education

      • technical skills training

      • vehicle modification

      • hearing aid purchases

      • assistive technology obtainment

• Job accommodations/equipment and vehicle modifications

  • Home modifications: Finds home modification services if the modifications are needed for work purposes.

  • Job accommodations: Employer is advised on worksite accommodations for the employee or provided equipment and assistive technology that will allow an individual to do work tasks more independently, effectively, and safely.

  • Mobility equipment: Services include referral for evaluation to determine mobility needs and recommended equipment/assistive technology.

  • Vehicle modifications: Car and van equipment modifications.

• Training Opportunities

  • College training: Support for participating in a two- or four-year program that leads to a degree. Funding may include tuition, fees, books, supplies, room and board, assistive technology, interpreting services or CART services for the Deaf, and support services, depending on need and financial eligibility. Students are expected to attend school within the State of New Jersey.

  • Driver training: Helps consumers purchase driver training lessons if the lessons are needed for work purposes.

  • Skills training: Vocational school, technology or trade school, and business school training.

• Interpretation Services

  • Bilingual services: DVRS employs vocational counselors who are bilingual Spanish-speaking or fluent in sign language. DVRS also provides interpreting services to assist communication with clients and DVRS staff.

  • Interpreting services: Interpretation services for the Deaf to help with job interviews and new job orientation training. DVRS also provides job coaches who are fluent in American Sign Language.

• Small Business Funding

  • Funding startup costs for small business: Startup costs may be funded for those individuals whose vocational goal is a small business/self-employment. Funding for entrepreneur training may also be provided.

​​How do I get started?

Many people get started with DVRS services through referrals from other agencies or their schools, but a referral is not required. If you want to investigate our services, you can refer yourself! Click on the online referral form link, download the referral form, or call your local DVRS office to complete the form via telephone.