Open Your Case with the DC Rehabilitation Services Administration (DDS/RSA)

Activities

A) Submit your Pre-ETS Consent

• Pick up an application at your school or by contacting RSA directly. An RSA VR Counselor will provide outreach information and applications to your school.
• Work with your school and parents to complete your Pre-ETS Consent.
• Sign a consent form to give your school permission to share the required records and documents with RSA to determine your eligibility.
• Submit your signed application and consent form to RSA. * Your school will help you submit these forms.

*If you are under age 18, your parent/guardian will need to sign the application and consent forms.

B) Apply to RSA for Services

• Pick up a referral packet at your school or by contacting RSA directly. An RSA vocational rehabilitation Specialist will provide outreach information and referral packets to your school.
• Work with your school and parents to complete your referral packet.
• Sign a consent form to give your school permission to share the required records and documents with RSA to determine your eligibility.
• Submit your signed referral packet and consent form to RSA. * Your school will help you submit these forms.

*If you are under age 18, your parent/guardian will need to sign the application and consent forms.

C) Schedule Your Intake Interview

• Within 5 days of receipt of your referral packet, RSA will assign you a Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Specialist and the specialist will work with your school to schedule your intake interview.
• The VR Specialist will conduct your intake interview at your school either in person or virtually.
• If you are unavailable for an intake interview at your school, we will schedule a time for you to meet with a VR Specialist at our office. Please remember:
  • RSA will try to call you at least 3 times.
  • If we cannot reach you, we will check back with your school about how to contact you.
  • It is your responsibility to respond so that we can schedule a time to meet.

D) Prepare Documents for Your Intake Interview

Ask your school to assist you in getting these documents. RSA staff can also help you to apply for any missing documents during your intake interview.

• Medical/Disability Report
• Social Security Card
• Government issued photo ID or a photo ID with proof of address (Driver’s License, DC Resident Card, etc.)
• SSI & SSDI Verification

E) Participate in Your Intake Interview

• Check with your school to confirm when and where you will meet the VR Specialist.
• During your intake interview, you can expect the VR Specialist to:
  • Review your assessments and discuss your strengths, interests, and abilities, and the support services that you may need.
  • Explain various RSA processes and policies including the Financial Participation, Confidentiality, Informed Choice, Ticket to Work/Benefits Counseling, and Client's Rights and Responsibilities.
• During your intake interview, you will be expected to:
  • Sign Client’s Rights and Responsibilities form.
  • Provide the requested documents and information.
  • Actively participate.
• You will develop a Next Steps Sheet with your VR Specialist so that you both know what to do moving forward.