Rehabilitative Services & Vocational Placement, Inc.

Oftentimes, our clients have questions regarding the services they will receive from R.S.V.P., Inc. and the jobs R.S.V.P., 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. WHEN WILL I BE CONTACTED BY R.S.V.P., INC.?

A. An R.S.V.P., Inc. Employment Specialist will contact you within 24 to 48 hours of receiving authorization from your Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) Counselor or other referral source that R.S.V.P., Inc. has been chosen to work with you.

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, R.S.V.P., Inc. Employment Specialists are able to find appropriate positions for our clients within 30 to 90 days, sometimes sooner.

Q. WHO WILL WORK WITH ME INITIALLY?

A. Your R.S.V.P., 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. WILL I HAVE DIFFERENT EMPLOYMENT SPECIALISTS?

A. You will primarily work with the one assigned R.S.V.P., 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. WILL MY EMPLOYMENT SPECIALIST WORK WITH OTHER PEOPLE?

A. Yes. The number of people with whom your R.S.V.P., Inc. Employment Specialist works during a given week depends on how many hours he/she needs to spend with each of the people on his/her caseload. The number of hours your R.S.V.P., 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 of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) Counselor or other referral source.

R.S.V.P., Inc. has been accredited by CARF for its Community Employment Services: Job Development, Job Supports, and Job Site Training and its Employment Planning Services. CARF is a national accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Rehabilitation Facilities.

COMMON CLIENT QUESTIONS ABOUT JOB INFORMATION

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:  Nurse's Aide, Wood Worker, Secretary, Custodian, Landscaper, Mailroom Clerk, Pet Shop Assistant, Sales Clerk, Dishwasher, Grocery Bagger, Lobby Porter, and Laundry Aide.

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. 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 $5.85 to $12.00 per hour.

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. For information specific to your individual case, you and your family should contact your local Social Security Administration office, or call 1-800-772-1213.

Q. WHAT KIND OF BENEFITS WILL I RECEIVE?
A. Each job is unique. Your R.S.V.P., 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. The 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. 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 R.S.V.P., 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. 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 R.S.V.P., Inc. Employment Specialist will contact your Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) Counselor, your Community Service Board (CSB) Case Manager, or other referral source for assistance.

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 R.S.V.P., 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 of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) Counselor, your Community Service Board (CSB) Case Manager, or other referral source for assistance, if needed.

Q. WHAT CAN I DO IF I NEED HELP UNDERSTANDING MY RIGHTS OR SPEAKING UP FOR MYSELF?
A. R.S.V.P., 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 Virginia Office of Protection and Advocacy (VOPA) by calling (804) 225-2042 or TDD (800) 552-3962, or you may become involved in a professional organization such as the Association of Persons in Supported Employment (APSE). An application, along with information about APSE, is included in the R.S.V.P., Inc. Consumer Handbook.