This document discusses strategies for returning to work after a vocational rehabilitation in Vermont. It recommends early intervention by filing forms at 90 days of disability and referring clients to vocational rehabilitation counselors. It emphasizes collaboration between counselors, adjusters, attorneys, employers, and medical providers. The document outlines services to assist clients during treatment or recovery like education and skills programs. It discusses work capacity evaluations and return to work plans that include options like light duty, different jobs or employers, retraining, and self-employment. Follow through support is provided after job placements.

1. Strategies for
Return To
WORK
Vocational Rehabilitation in Vermont

2. Panel Members
• Vocational Counselor: Donna Curtin
• Adjuster: Mary Sorrentino
• Defense Attorney: Wesley Lawrence
• Plaintiff Attorney: Bill Skiff
• Employers: Lynn Dupuis (SB Collins) & Michael Flora
(Burlington Electric)

4. Early Intervention
WORKS!
Mandatory at 90 days Temporary Total Disability:
1. File a 25 Memorandum of Payment (25M: date disability
payment began, weekly amount of the payment, total
amount of indemnity paid to date.)
2. File a referral to VR:
• Choose a VR Counselor and File a VR1 Referral Form
Certified counselors are listed on the DOL website:
www.labor.vermont.gov/workers-compensation
• If a VR1 is not assigned by the adjuster at 90 days, a
screening is triggered with the filing of the 25 M.

5. Collaboration
“Five guys on the court working together can achieve
more than five talented individuals who come and go
as individuals.”
Kareem Abdul- Jabbar
• Refer Early!
• Choose a counselor!
• Maintain communication through accessibility and
responsiveness!
• Strategize together and stay involved in the VR
process from referral, through eligibility status, RTWP
development and job search efforts!

8. EDUCATE
Medical Providers
• Nurse Case Managers collaborate to ensure
prompt treatment for better outcomes.
• Nurse Case Managers assist in obtaining projected
work release dates and work capacity for
employment planning with employers and VR
counselors.
• Nurse Case Managers team with VR Counselors and
employers to discuss light duty options for earlier
RTW.
• Nurse Case Managers and VR Counselors working
together assign responsibilities so as not to duplicate
services.

9. EDUCATE
Medical Providers (Cont.)
• VR counselors attending work hardening team
meetings.
• VR counselors forwarding Work Capabilities Form at
every medical appointment.
• Some states mandate Work Capabilities Forms are
completed at every appointment prior to payment
for visit by carrier.
• VR counselors review Job Goals with medical
providers during RTWP development.

10. Some of us get stuck…

11. Services for consideration
During Treatment/Recovery/Suspension
• General Equivalency Diploma/ Adult Diploma Program
(often no cost)
• ESL course
• Governor’s Career Readiness Program (prepaid)
• Basic Computer Class (often no cost)
• Attend job fairs
• Develop resume
• Register with job sites
• Attend Department Of Labor sponsored workshops
• Progressive Goal Attainment Program: 10 weeks of
weekly goal setting and accountability.
• Volunteer

12. Work Capacity
• Job Analysis
• Job Description: Obtain for FCEs to discuss with
doctors for RTW options
• Ergo Assessments
• Nurse Case Managers
• Functional Capacity Evaluations

13. Ergo Assessments
• An ergonomic analysis of a worker’s job duties with
recommendations for modifications in the way the worker
performs tasks, or with physical changes to the work
environment, or both.
• Analysis of the worker’s body mechanics and instruction in
correct posture and corrective exercises
• Recommendations for adaptive equipment, if needed.
Various options for adaptive equipment are given to help
carriers/insured’s contain costs.
• An objective, detailed summary report of the evaluation is
provided to employer, claim manager, and worker. In the
instance of an existing claim, the report can also be provided
to medical providers and other involved parties

14. RTW with Employers
1. Include assistance from NCM and medical
providers.
2. Utilize Job Analysis, Ergo Assessment, Job
Descriptions.
3. Light duty options, part-time and graduated RTW
options.

15. RTW: Different
job/Different employer
1. Register clients, educate on web search: Indeed,
Careerbuilder, VermontJobLink, Care.com,
Linkedin.
2. Register with employment agencies: Westaff,
Spherion, Manpower, Kelly Services, etc.
3. Interviewing skills
4. Resume drafts: educate on resume building, cover
letter development.
5. Monitor job log activity.

16. RTW through Retraining
1. On The Job Training
2. Apprenticeships
3. Certificate Programs
4. Employer-offered Training Programs (ex, hospitals)
5. VT HiTech

17. RTW: Self-Employment
Self Employment allows for RTW with consideration to
modified scheduling, self-pacing and controlled
environment.
• Home Businesses
• Work as consultants

18. RTWP
Return To Work Plan
• Law states the counselor must provide an
opportunity in writing to the adjuster/employer to
participate in RTWP development.
• The RTWP is most successful when collaboration
occurs from the beginning and is ongoing.
• The VR Counselor assists injured workers’
understanding and follow-through of job logs.
• A RTWP lists a goal and services needed to
complete the goal.
• A RTWP has a completion date. Paid services must
be confirmed by the adjuster in the RTWP.

19. RTWP
(Cont.)
• VR ends unless another RTWP is in place or an
extension is requested.
• In place of another RTWP, a letter with change of
dates may be submitted with all parties’ signatures.
• Plan Development fees are capped at $2000.
Counselor must request costs exceeding $2000.

20. Follow-Through
VR Counselors follow successful placements through
the 60 days of transition.
• VR Counselors coach clients through RTW transition.
• VR Counselors are available to employers for
communication through RTW transition.