The smell of roasted turkey filled the house, with just a hint of sage lingering in the air. Sweet potatoes, homemade rolls, and pumpkin pie lined the kitchen counter, waiting for the meal to begin.
I was sitting on the couch, enjoying a conversation with my brother, Dr. Jared C. Schultz. He and his family were in town for our annual Thanksgiving dinner, a tradition that has become one of my favorite parts of the holiday season.
My brother, Dr. Jared C. Schultz, is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Rehabilitation Counseling at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Throughout his career, he has focused on rehabilitation counseling, disability services, counselor education, and helping individuals with disabilities prepare for meaningful employment and independent living.
My own career has included nearly thirty years working in addiction counseling, residential treatment, and mental health services. While our professional paths have been different, they have often intersected around a common goal of helping individuals and families navigate difficult life transitions.
My other brother, Scott Schultz, is an estate planning and elder law attorney in Eugene, Oregon. Much of his work involves helping families prepare for the future by creating plans that protect loved ones with disabilities, mental health concerns, substance use disorders, or other circumstances that may require long term support. As parents approach retirement, thoughtful planning becomes increasingly important, not only to preserve family assets but also to ensure continued care for vulnerable family members.
My oldest daughter, Dr. Stephanie L. Mattson, has devoted her career to serving children with developmental disabilities. She earned degrees in both Elementary Education and Special Education before completing her doctorate and becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst at the doctoral level (BCBA-D). She is currently an Assistant Professor in the Applied Behavior Analysis Program at Mississippi State University, where she prepares future behavior analysts and conducts research focused on improving outcomes for children with autism and other developmental disabilities.
During a recent family gathering, Stephanie made an observation that caught my attention. Referring to the young people I work with, she smiled and said,
"You know, I'm working with the same population...just at a slightly younger age."
Her comment led to a fascinating conversation around the dinner table.
I mentioned to Jared that, regardless of the diagnosis or disability, many parents seem to share the same underlying concerns. They want to know how to help their son or daughter become a self supporting, responsible, and productive adult. For many families, that journey is interrupted by years of mental health treatment, substance use treatment, developmental challenges, or educational struggles. While they are understandably focused on stabilizing those immediate concerns, career development, vocational planning, and independent living skills often take a back seat.
When treatment is finally no longer the primary focus, many young adults discover they feel behind their peers socially, educationally, and vocationally. That discouragement can become another obstacle to overcome. Many of the young adults described as experiencing "failure to launch" find themselves in exactly this position.
Historically, families have had two primary avenues for vocational and career related services. While both provide valuable support, they can also involve significant bureaucracy, leaving many parents feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about where to begin.
A General Overview of State Vocational Rehabilitation Services
State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) programs are available throughout the United States to individuals with disabilities who:
- Meet their state's eligibility criteria for having a qualifying disability.
- Have a disability that presents a barrier to employment.
- Are expected to benefit from vocational rehabilitation services.
Vocational evaluations typically focus on identifying an individual's interests, aptitudes, abilities, and vocational strengths. Depending on the state and the counselor, additional assessments of work values or family considerations may also be included. However, comprehensive family consultation and individualized recommendations for long term support are generally not a primary component of the public VR system.
Federal law provides access to vocational rehabilitation services for eligible individuals. At the same time, school districts have separate responsibilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), including providing special education services and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) through age twenty two when appropriate.
Unfortunately, families frequently find themselves caught between these two systems. School districts and vocational rehabilitation agencies may each view certain services as the responsibility of the other, creating delays and frustration during a time when young adults most need coordinated transition planning.
Because vocational rehabilitation agencies are public systems serving large populations, families should also understand a few practical realities:
- Rehabilitation counselors often manage very large caseloads, limiting the amount of individualized attention they can provide.
- Many direct services are contracted through community providers whose qualifications and available resources vary considerably by region.
- The rehabilitation process is intentionally centered on the individual. Family involvement often depends on the style and experience of the assigned counselor.
- Eligibility, funding priorities, and wait times can differ significantly from state to state, particularly when agencies operate under an Order of Selection because of limited resources.
Another Option for Families
For some families, a private career evaluation can complement the work already being done through treatment, education, or public services. When emotional, behavioral, developmental, or substance use concerns have delayed a young person's progress toward adulthood, a comprehensive career evaluation can help identify strengths, interests, barriers, and realistic pathways toward education, employment, and greater independence.
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