VOC, often called Voc Rehab or VR, stands for Vocational Rehabilitation. In Utah, Vocational Rehabilitation is a program through the Utah Department of Workforce Services. The program helps people with varying disabilities prepare for work, find a job, keep a job, or become more independent.
Many people think “disability” only means a serious physical condition. However, the definition can be much broader. A disability may include a physical condition, a mental health condition, anxiety, depression, a learning disability, chronic pain, a history of substance use that creates a barrier to work, and more.
It’s free to apply, so all it takes is some time from you to open the pathway to greater help and resources on your job-search journey.
The goal of VOC is simple. Like Rasa, VOC helps people remove barriers. With VOC, the focus is on medical-related limitations that make it harder to get or keep a job.
Why does VOC exist?
The origins of VOC go all the way back to World War I. Many soldiers returned with disabilities and the need for work. Over the past century, what started as a federal act has developed and expanded to meet new needs and help more citizens.
VOC exists because many people with disabilities want to and can work, but they need support to get there. Utah Vocational Rehabilitation’s mission is to help eligible people with disabilities prepare for and obtain employment and increase independence.
This matters because work can affect almost every part of a person’s life. A steady job can help someone pay bills, support their family, access housing, build confidence, and move forward after a difficult season.
Who can VOC help?
VOC may help people who have a physical or mental impairment that creates a barrier to employment. This can include conditions that are visible, invisible, temporary, long-term, physical, mental, or behavioral.
ADA.gov defines disability as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Examples include: anxiety, depression, PTSD, chronic pain, mobility issues, learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, vision or hearing loss, a history of substance use, and other physical or mental health conditions that affect work.
If you have a history with any of these things, it’s worth checking if you’re eligible. If a health condition, disability, or history of treatment makes it harder to get or keep a job, VOC assistance might help.
How can VOC help you?
VOC can connect eligible people with many free services and support. The program is designed to help people build a real plan for employment and staying employed. That means a VOC counselor may help identify what is getting in the way and what services could help remove those barriers.
Support from VOC can look like: counseling, job placement, training, assistive technology, transportation, licenses, fees, tools, equipment, medical or psychological evaluations, and other employment-related services. The exact help depends on the person’s needs, work goals, and employment plan.
For someone with a criminal record, VOC may be helpful if the record is creating a barrier to work. In that situation, you can ask your VOC counselor if record clearance support can be part of your employment plan. If this is the case, that’s where Rasa comes in.
VOC and Rasa
A criminal record can make it harder to get hired, pass a background check, qualify for certain licenses, or move into better work. If a record is creating a barrier to employment, record clearance may support a person’s job goals.
If someone is enrolled in Utah Vocational Rehabilitation and has an assigned case manager, VOC may fully cover Rasa’s record clearance services for that person. The person must already be enrolled, and Rasa must be able to coordinate with their VOC case manager.
In other words, VOC may be able to help pay for record clearance when the record is connected to the person’s employment barriers and goals.
How to enroll in VOC
To enroll, start by applying for Vocational Rehabilitation services.
In Utah, the basic steps are:
- Find a local Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) office to get connected to and call them.
- Here’s the map to quickly find a location that’s most convenient for you.
- The general Utah VR number is 1-866-454-8397.
- Attend a welcome session and complete the application.
- You can schedule this in-person over the phone, or find the welcome session and application online.
- Meet with a VR counselor.
- For this step, bring disability-related records if you have them, plus identification and your Social Security card. You’re also welcome to bring one support person.
- The goal of this meeting is for the counselor to determine if you have a disability-related barrier to work that they can help you overcome.
- Wait for an eligibility decision.
- Generally, the counselor has 60 days to decide if you are eligible and qualify to use VOC services. Occasionally, cases may take longer.
- If it’s decided you’re ineligible, you can reach back out to the office to ask for a file review.
- Make an employment plan.
- If eligible, a VR counselor will work with you to create a plan tied to your job goal.
- Your case will stay open for 90 days after initial employment for VOC to continue working with you. This ensures their services have benefited you correctly from both sides.
Once enrolled, ask your case manager whether record clearance can be included as part of your employment plan.
What should you tell your VOC case manager for record clearance?
If you want to see if VOC can help cover the cost of record clearance for you, be direct with your case manager.
Let them know you have a criminal record, and if it’s making it harder for you to get a job or move forward at work. Make sure you support this with evidence.
You can tell them what jobs you are applying for, whether background checks have been a problem in the past, whether your record affects licensing for your career path, and whether your record affects promotions or better pay. Then, ask if record clearance can be a part of your employment plan.
If your case manager agrees that record clearance supports your employment goals, Rasa can coordinate with them.
The bottom line
VOC, or Vocational Rehabilitation, is a Utah program that helps people with disabilities overcome barriers to employment. The definition of disability is broader than many people realize. Mental health conditions, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, learning disabilities, and a history of substance use may all be relevant if they affect someone’s ability to work.
For people with a criminal record, VOC may be a powerful resource. If the person is enrolled in Utah Vocational Rehabilitation and has a case manager, the program may be able to cover Rasa’s record clearance services.
If you think VOC could help you, contact Utah Vocational Rehabilitation and ask about applying.
Start finding the pathway to employment and record clearance through Utah VOC and Rasa today.