Georgia Client Assistance Program

A teal and white promotional graphic featuring a circular headshot of Aleyda Toruno, who is smiling and wearing a dark blazer, identified as a Work Incentives Associate at the Yang Tan Institute on Employment and Disability at Cornell University.

Thinking about starting or growing a business while receiving SSDI/SSI? Understanding how self-employment can affect your benefits is an important first step.

Join NDI on 3/18 at 2PM for Part 1 of “SSDI & SSI and Self-Employment.” www.disabilitysmallbusiness.org/event/small-...

Graphic contains a picture of a braille page and a white cane. Attend in person: 4811 Waters Avenue, Savannah or via Zoom: Meeting ID: 826 2111 9637; Passcode: 375735 For more info, call 912-920-2414

Join LIFE, Inc. on 3/18 at 1PM for apresentation featuring Vanessa Meadows, Assistant Manager at the Georgia Library Service for the Blind & Print Disabled.

Attend in person: 4811 Waters Avenue, Savannah or via Zoom: Meeting ID: 826 2111 9637; Passcode: 375735

For more info, call 912-920-2414

Under 34 C.F.R. § 361.38(c), if requested in writing by an applicant or recipient of services, the State unit must make all requested information in that individual's record of services accessible to and must release the information to the individual or the individual's representative in a timely manner. Exceptions are outlined in § 361.38(c)(2) and (3), but the general rule is clear: individuals have the right to access information in their own VR records. Graphic of a stop sign. Text: An open records request is not required to obtain a copy of your GVRA case file.

Under 34 C.F.R. § 361.38(c), if requested in writing by an applicant or recipient of services, the State unit must make all requested information in that individual's record of services accessible to and must release the information to the individual or their representative in a timely manner.

Oconee Fall Line Technical College is offering a one-day Math Boot Camp for students working toward their High School Equivalency credential.

📅 March 14th – 8 AM | Sandersville
📅 March 28th – 8 AM | Dublin

⚠️ Space is limited.

📧 Email: abennett@oftc.edu
📞 Call: 478-274-7847 to register.

Event flyer contains a blue, orange and pink puzzle piece. Two photos of vendor tables with pamphlets/brochures, agency banners and seated staff. A headshot of keynote speaker, Duane M. Morrow, a Caucasian male with gray hair wearing a blue collared shirt and blazer.

The Greene County School System will host its 5th Annual Parent Expo on March 14th from 10AM-2PM at 1002 S. Main Street, Greensboro, GA 30642.

Families are invited to learn about resources that can support students & their success.

Resources Welcome to GVRA resource hub! Here you'll find valuable forms, checklist, and guides to help you get the most out of our services.

Visit GVRA's Resource Hub for important forms, checklists, & guides to help you navigate your VR services.
👤 Authorized Representative Form
💼 SAO Vendor Forms (for reimbursement)
📘 Client Services Policy Manual
🎓 Post-Secondary Academic & Vocational Training Handbook

gvs.georgia.gov/vocational-r...

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Progress towards employment shouldn't be delayed because another resource isn’t readily available. If a comparable benefit exists under another program but isn’t available at the time to keep you progressing towards your employment goal, GVRA must provide services until it becomes available.

Registration for Work Incentive Seminar Events (WISE) Attend a free Work Incentive Seminar Event (WISE) online webinar to learn about the Ticket to Work program or Work Incentives.

Have questions about Ticket to Work — the federally funded employment program that helps Social Security disability beneficiaries access the choices, opportunities, & supports they need to enter (or re-enter) the workforce?Join Choose Work! on March 25th at 3PM!
choosework.ssa.gov/wise

NRTC is conducting research to help design Be My Mentor, a new feature being developed in collaboration with Be My Eyes.

The goal is to gather feedback to shape short, one-time, career-focused mentoring sessions for people with blindness or low vision: msstate.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

📢 Did You Know? Senate Bill 96, signed by Governor Kemp in May 2025, consolidated the responsibilities of the Georgia Employment First Council with the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Services Board.

Questions about the GVRS Board’s Employment First initiatives? Contact: gvrs_board@gvs.ga.gov

Photo of a group of school-aged children seated at a table working on various STEM projects, one of which is a remote controlled car, with miscellaneous parts on the table. Photo of a black laptop with code on the screen. Graphic of a robot holding a pencil.

🤖 Georgia Tech & CVI are hosting a hands-on adaptive robotics workshop 3/14 from 9AM-12PM for students grades 1–12 with visual impairments. Siblings are welcome too!

📞 Call 404-875-9011 or click the link to register:
apps.ideal-logic.com/ceismc?key=K...

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The GCDD Dottie Adams Scholarship Fund honors the more than 30 years of advocacy & service Dottie Adams dedicated to people with I/DD.

Scholarships of up to $2,500 are available to help cover:
✔ Advocacy activities
✔ Learning opportunities
✔ Conferences that promote independence and inclusion

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A Work Eval is a short-term assessment that helps identify a person’s vocational strengths, work habits, & support needs through real-work observations or work samples. The goal is to determine vocational options & provide recs for accommodations, training, & services that support workplace success.

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The Carrollton Police Department is hosting a record restriction event on 3/14/26 from 10AM-2PM!

Do you have a criminal record that’s making it harder to get employment, housing or other opportunities? You may be eligible for record restriction. carrollcountyrecordrestriction.com

📅 The ADA State of the Science Research Conference is a 2-day virtual event happening 2/26 & 3/12 via Zoom.
🔹 Day 1: Employment, Community Living & Participation
🔹 Day 2: Health & Society, Community Needs & Access

Open to all for personal or professional development. adata.org/sos-2026

Learn with Legal Aid! Part 1: Heirs Property Join us for part 1 of a 2 part webinar series, presented by Legal Aid attorney Stacy Reynolds on heirs property & homestead exemptions.

Join Atlanta Legal Aid on 2/26 at 12PM for a free YouTube Live on:
✅ What heirs property really means
✅ How it can threaten your home ✅ Actionable steps to secure your property for future generations

Reserve your spot at: www.eventbrite.com/e/learn-with...

Join P2PGA for a free, live Zoom webinar focused on competitive, integrated employment — real jobs, real pay, & real opportunities. Youth with disabilities deserve a chance to work in their community!

📅 Choose a session:
• 2/25/26 — 6PM EST
• 2/26/26 — 6PM EST

www.tickettailor.com/events/peatc...

Checklist detailing the required documents to receive VR Post-Secondary Support found on page 14 of GVRA's Post Secondary Academic & Vocational Training Handbook.

If you’re requesting college support through GVRA, submit all required documents to your VR Counselor at least 30 days before the school’s tuition/fee due date or within 5 days after available.

Financial aid letters, FAFSA, schedule, program of study, transcripts, bills, textbook receipts & more.

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📢 Know Your Rights

Applicants to Roosevelt Warm Springs & Cave Spring Center are entitled to due process rights. If your application to either GVRA residential training facility is denied, you have the right to appeal that decision. Help & advocacy are available to support you through the process.

🎓 Apply Today for the Hamilton Relay Scholarship! This scholarship supports education inclusivity and is open to qualifying high school students who are deaf, hard of hearing, DeafBlind, or have difficulty speaking.

Deadline: 3/31
bit.ly/3Zb6u3M

#disability #college #scholarships #deaf #DeafBlind

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Did you know? GVRA is required to provide a translator, when appropriate, to ensure that applicants for or recipients of vocational rehabilitation services who are not fluent in English can fully access services. 📘 CSPM 8.5.50

#VocationalRehabilitation #disability #employment #services #Georgia

The Georgia Department of Education invites parents of students with an IEP to share feedback through the FY26 Parent Satisfaction Survey.

Your input helps the state understand how well schools are engaging with families & supporting students with disabilities.
👉 survey.gadoe.org/SPEDParentSu...

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If you’re applying for a federal job, GVRA may assist you w/ obtaining a Schedule A letter, which can help streamline the federal hiring process for individuals w/ disabilities.

🔗 Learn more about Schedule A & the federal hiring path for individuals w/ disabilities:
help.usajobs.gov/working-in-g...

GCB will award several academic scholarships of up to $1,000 through the Al & Cora Camp Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Who can apply?
✔ Students who are blind or visually impaired
✔ Students who are financially dependent on a legally blind parent

www.georgiacounciloftheblind.org/scholarships

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If you appeal a GVRA decision, the agency cannot suspend, reduce, or terminate your VR services until an impartial hearing officer issues a final decision.

Services that must continue:
• Evaluation & assessment services
• Services for developing your IPE
• Services already listed in your IPE

Erica C. Vaughns NLS Aspiring Leaders Internship Program - National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) | Library of Congress The Erica C. Vaughns NLS Aspiring Leaders Internship Program offers legally blind individuals opportunities to work at NLS in various fields

The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled is accepting applications for a 10-week paid internship focused on:
📚 Collections building
🤝 Program delivery
📊 Business oversight & management

Applications must be submitted by 3/1/26: www.loc.gov/nls/about/internship-program

Concept map with 6 boxes denoting when GVRA staff shall inform each individual of the availability of CAP and applicable policy section from the CSPM 8.1.4.

Did you know? GVRA staff are required to inform individuals about the availability of the Client Assistance Program (CAP) at key points throughout the vocational rehabilitation process.

In accordance with WIOA, the PY24-27 Combined State Plan is open for public comment thru 2/13/26.

📄 Review the updated Plan:
www.tcsg.edu/worksource/

GVRA clients, families, and advocates are encouraged to participate and help shape the future of vocational rehabilitation services in Georgia.

The Westchester Institute for Human Development is hosting a virtual National Disability Leadership Series May 2026 – February 2027.
👥 Who can participate?
• Young adults with disabilities (ages 18–30) & their family members

Limited to 100 participants.
drive.google.com/file/d/1wf11...

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📣 The Georgia State Rehabilitation Council is seeking new members who’re employers/business owners. Your voice can help increase the business community’s understanding of disability employment & reduce misconceptions, fears, & bias about hiring people w/ disabilities.
gov.georgia.gov/executive-ac...