Attorney Steve Pennington has been serving as the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Client Assistance Program since 1986. He has extensive experience in the development and implementation of training for Client Assistance Programs and has served on the NAPAS CAP Training Advisory Committee and the NATCAP CAP Training Advisory Committee. Mr. Pennington is an active lecturer and regularly conducts training seminars for advocacy programs on disability issues. He has written many articles relating to employment law and is a member of the National Employment Lawyers Association. Mr. Pennington is an active member of the Pennsylvania and Philadelphia Bar Associations and serves on various committees concerned with the delivery of legal services to persons with disabilities. He is also a member of the Plaintiffs Employment Panel for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Mr. Pennington graduated from Temple University in 1979 and is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania.

Francella Porter works for the Pennsylvania Client Assistance Program as an Administrative Assistant.She maintains the client files and provides all individuals that seek CAP services with the information that they need to get connected to CAP services.

Margaret Passio-McKenna is an Senior Advocate for the Client Assistance Program. Ms. McKenna is a 1991 graduate of the Temple University School of Law. She was admitted to the practice of law in 1992. Ms. McKenna has an undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education and is working toward a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology. She is a member of the National Who’s Who and the National Honor Society. In addition to her work as an attorney/advocate, Ms. McKenna tutors elementary-aged children.

Lannette brings over 15 years of experience in social work and case management. She was also employed as an elementary school teacher for the School District of Philadelphia. In addition to her professional experience, Mrs. Suarez has a Master’s degree in Education from Lincoln University and a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from West Chester University. 

Extremely! It is essential for successful vocational rehabilitation. It is helpful to remember an OVR counselor has on average about 150-160 clients. It is very helpful for each and every client to keep in contact with their counselor as to their progress.

How important is it for a client to maintain communication with his/her counselor?

This is a crucial step in the VR process. In this information age, there are a lot of options for investigating about your goal. The internet can provide some good information. A few helpful websites are: bls.gov, Bureau of Labor Statistics; Dictionary of Occupation Titles, dot; Occupational Outlook Handbook, ooh; and o’net. These websites will provide specific information on the choice of goal such as the job tasks, education required, and job potential. Also, it is helpful if the client takes some time to do a Labor Market Survey, which basically entails contacting potential employers in the client’s chosen field and ask them some specifics about the job and the labor market potential.

It is sometimes difficult for clients to choose a specific realistic vocational goal, which must be consistent with the client’s abilities and capabilities, and it must be available in today’s labor market. What are some tips on researching information on a client’s goal, training required, job prospects, etc. so a client can make more of an informed choice?

What are some of the best ways for clients to maintain contact with their counselor?

It cannot be emphasized enough how important client/counselor contact is to the VR process. The method or style of contact is not as important as the actual act of communication. Any method that is comfortable, clear, consistent, and convenient for the client is good:
Phone (specify specific times of availability so phone tag and ongoing voicemail is not as frustrating), a phone appointment can even be arranged (I will be available to speak to you on this date/time, is this convenient for you, counselor.

Schedule a face-to-face meeting for more detailed discussion as needed.

And, of course, contact by e-mail.

Does a client need to be working before he/she receives any physical/ mental restoration and/or assistive technology?

No, however, the First Step in receiving cost services is the development of their Individualized Plan for Employment, IPE. The client and counselor need to develop an IPE which specifies an agreed upon realistic vocational goal and details the services required for the client to achieve their goal. If a hearing aid, wheelchair, CCTV, etc. are necessary to allow the client to do his/her job search or be successful in their needed schooling, these types of services can be provided before the client actually finds a job.