Medium

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation (AIVR)

Common Ground - A Journey to Understanding Disabilities (115.21 Mb WMV)

The American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation (AIVR) and DVR seek to bridge cultural traditions and values to expand opportunities for employment and self-support. The AIVR Projects offer a greater understanding of the local, cultural, and familial needs of the Indian Nation while DVR offers a broad understanding of the business and college environment off the native lands.

Together, We Share a Philosophy Of:

  • Respect for individual dignity, personal responsibility, self-determination, and the pursuit of meaningful careers.
  • Respect for the privacy, rights, and equal access of the individual.
  • Inclusion, integration, and full participation of the individual.
  • Support for the involvement of an individual's representative if requested, desired, or needed.
  • Support for individual advocacy, systemic advocacy and community involvement.

The American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation (AIVR) and DVR Share Compatible Core Services Like:

  • An assessment for determining eligibility and vocational rehabilitation needs.
  • Counseling and guidance, including information and support services to assist an individual in exercising informed choice.
  • Referral and other services to secure needed services from other agencies.
  • Job-related services, including job search and placement assistance, job retention services, and follow-up services.

There are Four Common Eligibility Criteria Questions Shared by Both of Our Programs:

  1. Does the applicant have a physical or mental impairment?
  2. Is the physical or mental impairment an impediment to employment?
  3. Is there a reasonable expectation that the applicant will benefit in terms of an employment outcome from VR services?
  4. Does the applicant require VR services in order to achieve a successful employment outcome?

To receive services from an AIVR Project, the individual must have an official tribal enrollment and must live on or near a tribal reservation.

The AIVR Projects and DVR assist in creating an Individualized Plan for Employment, or IPE. This is a plan of services to help the individual reach their employment goal. As part of this process, the programs:

  • Provide for the IPE to be developed in partnership with the client.
  • Provide the client with the opportunity to exercise informed choice.
  • Has the IPE approved with a client's signature
  • Give full consideration of comparable services and similar benefits.
  • Provide a substantial service according to an IPE and wait at least 90 days after the client begins working before closing the case.
  • Make post-employment services available, if they are needed.

North Dakota American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation (AIVR)

  • Spirit Lake Nation Vocational Rehabilitation Project
    PO Box 519
    Fort Totten, ND 58335
    Phone: (701) 766-4446
    Fax: (701) 766-1310
  • Standing Rock Vocational Rehabilitation Services
    Sitting Bull College
    9299 Highway 24
    Fort Yates, ND 58538
    Phone: (701) 854-8110
    Fax: (701) 854-3267
  • Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa
    Vocational Rehabilitation
    Turtle Mountain Community College
    PO Box 110
    Belcourt, ND 58316
    Phone: (701) 477-5998
    Fax: (701) 477-0235