Good afternoon, 

I am a vocational rehab case manager in Ohio and was recently assigned a federal WC claim that the provider would like to refer for vocational rehab services.  I would love to know if anyone has any tips, information, or advice in handling such a claim as this will be my first.  I don't even have federal provider number yet...

Thanks in advance, 

Genie

------------------------------
Vergene Braithwaite
genie1973@me.com
Columbus, OH United States
------------------------------

Good afternoon, 

I am a vocational rehab case manager in Ohio and was recently assigned a federal WC claim that the provider would like to refer for vocational rehab services.  I would love to know if anyone has any tips, information, or advice in handling such a claim as this will be my first.  I don't even have federal provider number yet...

Thanks in advance, 

Genie

------------------------------
Vergene Braithwaite
genie1973@me.com
Columbus, OH United States
------------------------------

I agree. You can't work a Federal WC case without their designated training program whether you are CRC or not.They have their own critreia and certification process.

------------------------------
John Drew
johndrew@att.net
Monument, CO United States
------------------------------

Hi John!

 I noticed you were hailing form Monument Colorado (grew up in C-Springs) and was optimistic you might share some information about federal work in your area. But it sounds as though the Red Book training isn't being offered in your geographical area either.

Dave R.

------------------------------
Dave Radecke
President/Case Manager
dave.peak@roadrunner.com
Cambridge, OH United States
------------------------------

Hi Bruce!

  Have you heard when the Red Book training will be offered again?

Dave R.

------------------------------
Dave Radecke
President/Case Manager
dave.peak@roadrunner.com
Cambridge, OH United States
------------------------------

Hi Bruce!

  Have you heard when the Red Book training will be offered again?

Dave R.

------------------------------
Dave Radecke
President/Case Manager
dave.peak@roadrunner.com
Cambridge, OH United States
------------------------------

I'm not exactly sure what you are asking Genie but Gail Schott (216-902-5666) oversees provider enrollment for this area but at last count they have not yet scheduled provider training.  Please let me know how things work out.

Dave R. 

------------------------------
Dave Radecke
President/Case Manager
dave.peak@roadrunner.com
Cambridge, OH United States
------------------------------

Genie, is the referral directly from the Department of Labor or is it from a federal worker's compensation insurance carrier/self-insured employer? 

------------------------------
Carla Seyler
Rehabilitation Counselor
carla@seylerfavaloro.com
New Orleans, LA United States
------------------------------

Thanks all for your quick responses.  I appreciate all the information.  

Thanks, 

Genie

------------------------------
Vergene Braithwaite
genie1973@me.com
Columbus, OH United States
------------------------------

I would go to your referral source and ask for the "Red Book," since if it is being referred from a company who has been deemed a provider by OWCP, it is possible you may be receiving the referral without having actually completed the Red Book training yourself.  The OWCP vocational plan documentation requirements are extensive, they have their own specific forms, you have to demonstrate that each job goal is suitable as per the claimant's work restrictions, as defined by the Classification of Jobs, they require 3 job goals, and a Labor Market Survey for each occupation, demonstrating availability in your area.  I remember when I used to do this work that my OWCP vocational plans, when adding all documents together, were 30 pages long.  Best of luck to you!

------------------------------
Michele Erbacher
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
merbacher15@gmail.com
Lockport, NY United States
------------------------------

I would go to your referral source and ask for the "Red Book," since if it is being referred from a company who has been deemed a provider by OWCP, it is possible you may be receiving the referral without having actually completed the Red Book training yourself.  The OWCP vocational plan documentation requirements are extensive, they have their own specific forms, you have to demonstrate that each job goal is suitable as per the claimant's work restrictions, as defined by the Classification of Jobs, they require 3 job goals, and a Labor Market Survey for each occupation, demonstrating availability in your area.  I remember when I used to do this work that my OWCP vocational plans, when adding all documents together, were 30 pages long.  Best of luck to you!

------------------------------
Michele Erbacher
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
merbacher15@gmail.com
Lockport, NY United States
------------------------------

Hello all,

I was browsing discussions and saw this old post. Years ago I was an OWCP provider, but it was so many years ago, I don't even recall a Red Book Training, plus have moved a few times and have long since purged those files (I'm starting to feel old!). Anyway, I'm in transition from academia and would like to request if someone can provide me with contact/website or other information for how one goes about requesting to become an OWCP provider. It sounds as though there is a specific time-limited call for providers but if I could find out where to go to watch for their next call for providers, that would be much appreciated.

Les

I have a copy of the old RED book. But the last time I spoke with OWCP folks, it is now online. Please find the web address below.  I have not read through the entire document, but looks similar.  Dasha Little

[PDF] OWCP PROCEDURE MANUAL - United States
www.dol.gov/owcp/procedure-manual/rehab.pdf
OWCP PROCEDURE MANUAL PART 3 ... The Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs ... vocational rehabilitation of permanently disabled employees, ...

Thank you, Dasha

I was previously accepted and trained for OWCP cases back in the early-90s in Phila.

I worked several OWCP cases in central PA in the mid 1990s

Then, because the company I was working for at that time was not happy with the remuneration and paper-work process for OWCP, I was forced to surrender my contract (a choice I was and still not happy about).

I agree the process to become re-certified is not evident and I would echo Leslie's request if anyone has current information on the OWCP vocational rehab counselor portal/process for becoming certified or re-certified.

I would assume there would be needs for more qualified service providers.

Thanks

Mitchell A. Schmidt, M.Ed., CRC, ABVE/D, LPC

---

Sent: Friday, November 4, 2016 9:04:10 AM
Subject: RE: [IARP Rehab and Disability Case Mgmt] : Federal claim and vocational rehab services.

I have a copy of the old RED book. But the last time I spoke with OWCP folks, it is now online. Please find the web address below. I have not... -posted to the "Rehabilitation and Disability Case Management Section" community

Rehabilitation and Disability Case Management   Post New Message Re: Federal claim and vocational rehab services. Reply to Group Reply to Sender Nov 4, 2016 9:05 AM Dasha E Little I have a copy of the old RED book. But the last time I spoke with OWCP folks, it is now online. Please find the web address below.  I have not read through the entire document, but looks similar.  Dasha Little [PDF] OWCP PROCEDURE MANUAL - United States www.dol.gov/owcp/procedure-manual/rehab.pdf OWCP PROCEDURE MANUAL PART 3 ... The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs ... vocational rehabilitation of permanently disabled employees, ... ------------------------------ Dasha Little President/CEO dasha.little@apogee.us.com Chesapeake, VA United States ------------------------------   Reply to Group Online   View Thread   Recommend   Forward   ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 11-03-2016 22:32 You are subscribed to "Rehabilitation and Disability Case Management" as m.a.schmidt@comcast.net. To change your subscriptions, go to My Subscriptions. To unsubscribe from this community discussion, go to Unsubscribe.

I have a copy of the old RED book. But the last time I spoke with OWCP folks, it is now online. Please find the web address below.  I have not read through the entire document, but looks similar.  Dasha Little

[PDF] OWCP PROCEDURE MANUAL - United States
www.dol.gov/owcp/procedure-manual/rehab.pdf
OWCP PROCEDURE MANUAL PART 3 ... The Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs ... vocational rehabilitation of permanently disabled employees, ...

Dasha,

Thank you for the link. I will look into it and hopefully find a way to re-certification.

Mitchell, if I find out anything, I will certainly let you know.

To all others reading this post, please keep us informed if you should find out anything about re/certification with OWCP.

Thanks!

Les

OWCP has not re-certified counselors for many years.  There is very little work being referred out in my area, which should have a lot of work.  We have a huge Federal employee force as well as a big port with lots of longshoremen.  I see maybe one case a year, if that.

Barbara

Hi Leslie,

I just started doing FECA work for District 1 out of Boston.  I just e-mailed the Rehab Specialist at the OWCP and told them I was interested and they set up a training for me and about 4 other people.  If you want more info you can call me at 207-232-4612 I would be happy to share my experience.  It was a difficult learning curve and lots of paperwork and forms and process but I am settling in well to it after about 9 months.

Susan Gatti

Gatti Vocational Services