Apply for Services
Vocational Rehabilitation is a process that involves application for services, eligibility determination, vocational counseling and the development of an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) to provide services leading to employment.
There are three ways you can access services in the VESID Hempstead District Office. You can be referred by your treating physician, program or treatment center, you can apply yourself, or, if you are a high school student, your high school liaison can refer you.
Application for services
The Garden City District Office has a group orientation session two days per week on Monday and Wednesday. Please call (516) 227-6839 or e-mail Rita Kneller at rkneller@mail.nysed.gov to request an appointment.
During the orientation you will learn about VESID services and what you need to do to apply for services. If you decide that you want to apply, you will complete an application and other required forms. You will be asked to send us medical information regarding your disability. If you cannot obtain medical information, VESID will help you to obtain the information at no cost to you.
Treating physician or treatment center
The Garden City District Office has a liaison relationship with many treatment programs in Nassau County. If you want to be referred for VESID services through you treatment program, you can ask your therapist, doctor, social worker, psychiatrist or other health care professional to send us a referral. They should include as much information about you as they can, especially your diagnosis or disability and how your disability affects your ability to work. If our office has a liaison counselor assigned to your treatment program, you will be assigned directly to a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor here at VESID who works with your program, once we receive a complete referral packet from your treatment program. If your program does not have a VESID liaison counselor, you will receive an appointment to come to our office for a group orientation.
High School Student
Most high schools in Nassau have an assigned VESID Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor who receives referral of high school students nearing graduation. The liaison at the high school, usually the guidance counselor, with the student’s permission sends the VESID counselor information about the student. Appointments are arranged for the student to meet the VESID counselor before graduation to begin vocational planning. If you have a disability and are not sure that your school will refer you, you can either ask your guidance counselor to refer you or apply yourself. For complete information about school transition click here Services for High School Students.