Seven Essentials to a Voc Rehab Win

Essential 7: Refine Your Presentation

"A man who is good enough to shed his blood for his country is good enough to be given a square deal afterwards. More than that no man is entitled, and less than that no man shall have." Theodore Roosevelt, 1903

You have one week left in your preparation for your first Voc Rehab meeting. This is the final Essential to complete before that meeting.

This week you will focus on Essential 7: Refine your presentation.

You now have the information you need to achieve your goal. Now, it’s time to put it together in an attractive format as if you are applying for a bank loan.

You will make your presentation to the Voc Rehab Counselor at the beginning of your first meeting. A well-crafted plan can get you past many typical hang-ups. There is a sequence to the process. And remember the honey-vinegar principle. These professionals will expect you to be courteous regardless of how you are treated.

The sequence. First, you must be approved for the first meeting. If you’re still reading this, you’ve likely been approved. Second, during the first meeting, the counselor must determine if you have an employment handicap. Refer back to the definition of employment handicap within 38 CFR Part 21. Beyond this, the counselor will ask you for some ideas pertaining to what you might like to do. Very simply present and explain the thinking and research you have done. Avoid pounding your counselor with information, because the counselor is likely following a flow chart for gathering data from you. Make a copy of your information for them to follow while you explain the case you have developed.

The model. Here is a basic format you can use for your presentation. It is a culmination of your efforts in the 7 Essentials:

            Part 1. My Situation.
                        Employment story.
                        Employment handicap.
            Part 2. My Plan.
                        My aptitudes, abilities and interests.
                        My three career choices.
                        My preferred career choice.
                        My educational requirements.
                        My college/training choice.

Type these out and edit as necessary. Print out all necessary documentation to have it on hand for the first meeting. This could include specific job research, letters from a counselor or doctor pertaining to a condition that may limit you such as PTSD or a bad back. Put these into a three ring binder or something similar.

Bill. Bill followed this type of model and had his plan in hand during the first meeting, which is something that rarely happens. This is “Bill’s” actual letter to me that you read in Essential 1:

Ben,

I just wanted to let you know that I was accepted into the program. The case worker said that I was one of the most prepared and organized applicants that she has seen. ( All thanks to you for that) She proposed that I work on researching a degree in Social work since I listed that as an interest. The VA form 28-8606 she gave me states MSW as the proposed program. I was in shock of the whole situation and did not think to ask her about how long my entitlement was. I have researched MSW before and know that it could take six years to complete.

Well, I just wanted to let you know how it went and say thank you again.

V/R

Bill

With a great deal of work and a little luck, hopefully the first part of your case will end like Bill’s.

For me, I’ve been working with VR&E for 6 years to sort my case out. Had I known the facts the first time around, I would have appealed the initial decision that pushed me into a path of Management instead of Law. But, there’s a reason for everything and paying attention to that reason has allowed me to grow and help others. For that, I am thankful.

I wish you well. Let me know how it goes!

You can review all Seven Essentials at: