1. Collaborating on Vocational
Rehabilitation
“Nothing will work unless you do.”
Maya Angelou

2. Panel Members
• Vocational Counselor: Donna Curtin
• Adjuster: Mary Sorrentino
• Defense Attorney: Wesley Lawrence
• Plaintiff Attorney: Jim Mackall
• Injured Worker, Successfully RTW: Ed Davis

3. The VR Process
Early Intervention Makes a Difference!
• Screening/ Entitlement Assessment
• Choosing a VR Counselor
• Entitlement Assessment
• Return to Work Plan
• Communication and Status Updates
• Closure

4. VR1 (VR Referral Form)
• The adjuster assigns a VR1 to a counselor after 90 days
and before 97 days of temporary total disability.
• Counselors are listed on the DOL website in VR section,
under “Change of VR provider.”
• Attach a 25 Memorandum of Payment to the VR1. (25 M:
date disability payment began, weekly amount of the
payment, total amount of indemnity paid to date.)
• If a VR1 is not assigned by the adjuster to a counselor at
90 days, a screening is automatically triggered with the
filing of a 25 M.

5. VR Counselor/ Employer Contact
• The RTW Hierarchy dictates a VR Counselor
attempts a RTW effort with the employer.
• The VR Counselor will discuss RTW options:
light duty, modified work stations, etc.
• VR Counselor encourages ongoing
communication between employer and
Injured Worker.
• The VR Counselor may assist employers with
drafting RTW job offer letters.

6. Entitlement Assessment (EA)
• The EA determines eligibility for services.
• Eligibility is based on the ability to RTW to a
suitable wage with consideration to work
capacity, transferrable skills, and the labor
market.
• The counselor contacts client, adjuster,
attorneys, employers to complete the EA
within 30 days or requests extension.

7. 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, follow-through of Job Logs.

8. RTWP (cont.)
• A RTWP lists a job goal and services needed to complete
the goal.
• The RWTP is a COLLABORATIVE effort with IW, Counselor,
Adjuster, Attorneys, Employers, DOL.
• A RTWP has a completion date. Paid services must be
confirmed by the adjuster in the RTWP.
• 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.

9. VR8 (Change of Counselor Form)
• An IW may file a VR8 requesting a change of
counselor at anytime.
• By law, an IW may change counselors ONCE.

10. Screening
• If a VR1 assigning a Counselor is not filed at 90 days, a
screening is automatically triggered by filing a 25 M.
• Once triggered, the Adjuster receives an email from
Muriel at DOL requesting med file be uploaded to the
website.
• Once medical documents are uploaded, State of VT
Division of VR conducts screening.
• Screenings are $160.
• If the screening recommends an EA, Adjuster is
required to file a VR1.
• If the Adjuster disagrees with the screening’s findings,
file a supported denial within 21 days (VR227)

11. Update Reports
• Progress Reports are completed as agreed
upon by Adjuster and Counselor.
• Typically reports are submitted at 21 or 30
days.
• Suspensions and Extension periods generally
result in less reporting.

12. VR5 Closure
• A VR5 Closure Request is submitted when:
– An IW RTW for the employer at a suitable wage.
– An IW RTW with a different employer at a suitable
wage.
– An IW is not interested in participating in VR.
– An IW is non-compliant.
– A settlement is reached to include VR.