DRS first assisted Ryan with getting a job. Later, DRS helped him with job retention services, which involved modifications to his wheelchair-accessible van so he could continue getting to work. Ryan is a store manager at Hampshire County Special Services Center. Hampshire County Special Services Center is a Community Rehabilitation Program, which DRS frequently utilizes…
Winters said that Keonea was involved in a high school work program, where she could work at different job sites, including a library, some restaurants and Goodwill. Her experience at the Goodwill store had been positive, and Keonea really wanted to return to work there. Goodwill Industries of KYOWVA is a Community Rehabilitation Program that…
The West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) had previously helped John address disability-related barriers so he could find work. So, John returned to DRS for assistance with finding a new job because he was determined to work. According to DRS Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Jamie Lafferty, John had previously had a functional capacity evaluation that…
According to DRS Senior Rehabilitation Counselor Kaylee Carpenter, Andrew wasn’t sure what he wanted or could do. So, she referred him to Goodwill Industries, which is a Community Rehabilitation Program that frequently provides assessment and training services to DRS consumers. Carpenter wanted Goodwill to begin with a work skills assessment to better understand Andrew’s job…
“So, in her role, she works with people through chat and text all over the nation who reach out to us for support, emotional crisis, having thoughts of suicide, in the act of suicide attempt,” he explained. “Or it can be a third party looking for emotional support for a family member or an organization…
While in high school, Jayla was referred to the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) for assistance with her transition from school to work. Jayla has Down syndrome, a genetic disorder that causes developmental delays. She was extremely shy and insecure, and she needed help with acquiring independent living and life skills and with…
Michael approached the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) several years ago because he was having trouble at his job, and he hoped DRS could help. Michael has been deaf since birth, a condition that resulted after his mother was infected with German measles during her pregnancy. As a child, Michael learned to communicate…
Joseph has Asperger’s syndrome, which caused him to have difficulty with focus, as well as with communication, organizational, socialization and interpersonal skills. According to DRS Rehabilitation Counselor Margie Cordle, after graduating in 2020, Joseph wanted to pursue a degree in business administration from Concord University. But that was during the height of the pandemic when…
While in school, Ismael was referred to the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) for transition services to help him prepare for life after graduation. Ismael has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). DRS Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Debbie Moore explained that Ismael had trouble concentrating and was easily distracted from staying on task, which could…
Ashley, a 2017 St. Albans High School graduate, has a learning disability and a speech impediment, according to DRS Senior Rehabilitation Counselor Veronica Bunch. Bunch helped coordinate work-based training to help Ashley to learn more about jobs in her chosen field and life skills training to help her to grow in her self-confidence. Ashley participated…