Vocational Rehabilitation
What should I know about Vocational Rehabilitation?
The Vocational Rehabilitation Program (VR) provides a variety of individualized services to persons with disabilities in preparation for competitive, integrated employment. VR advocates employment outcomes for customers that are consistent with their individual strengths, resources, abilities, capabilities, and informed choice.
VR can provide a multitude of services based on individual needs and eligibility ranging from Pre-ETS to Career Counseling, Job Placement, Supported Employment, Transportation, Postsecondary Training Support, and much more. Tennessee VR is committed to helping people with disabilities find meaningful careers.
Common Terms/Acronyms
IPE: Individualized Plan for Employment
VR: Vocational Rehabilitation
Pre-ETS: Pre-Employment Transition Services
What should students know about Vocational Rehabilitation?
While VR can provide many services to promote a seamless transition into post-school employment for those who have applied and been found eligible, they can also provide Pre-ETS to students with disabilities who are in school and within the age range of 14-22.
Students do not have to apply and be found eligible to receive Pre-ETS, but to become a VR customer, even if receiving Pre-ETS already, a student must apply directly with VR. VR recommends those who are interested in VR services after high school should apply within 18-24 months prior to leaving high school.
Where do I find more information about Vocational Rehabilitation?
- Visit the Tennessee Vocational Rehabilitation website by clicking here.
- For information specific to Transition Services and Pre-ETS, click here.
How can I partner with Vocational Rehabilitation for Pre-ETS?
Tennessee VR uses a large network of providers to provide Pre-ETS to students all across the state, in all 95 counties. A school system can partner directly with VR through Transition School to Work and Project SEARCH to provide Pre-ETS and VR services, while independent contractors can partner with VR to provide Pre-ETS as a community rehabilitation provider (CRP) and then develop agreements with local school systems to provide Pre-ETS.
Applications to become a Pre-ETS CRP occur once a year and general CRP information and points of contact can be found by clicking here. If interested in being a Pre-ETS provider, make sure to contract VR.Contracts@tn.gov to express intent and learn more about the roles, responsibilities, and timeline.
How do I contact Vocational Rehabilitation?
VR office locations and phone numbers can be found by clicking here or going to https://www.tn.gov/humanservices/ds/office-locator-trc-ttap.html.
Additional contact information is found below:
Vocational Rehabilitation Services
James K. Polk State Office Building, 15th floor
505 Deaderick Street
Nashville, TN 37243-1403
Telephone: (615) 313-4891
TTY: (615) 313-5695
TTY (Long Distance): 1-800-270-1349
FAX: 615-524-3093
