VR&E Update
So... I had no idea that this process was so difficult. It’s a promising program BUT they need to stop treating Veterans like criminals. Seriously. Most of us truly need the help. I understand there’s the few that do take advantage, but how is that my fault?! My VRC (Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor) said to ask my school to back-up the need for the items I requested, which are not “required”. Of course, since I’m taking online classes, I didn’t think it would be this much of a hassle to get a computer approved. Anyone, regardless of how they attend college (online or on-campus) will require a computer... ESPECIALLY in a degree for graphic design. Anyway, my school counselor was super helpful and did what he could. My VRC still refuses to answer any of my emails. Today, over a month of working with her, she calls to tell me she got my email. Is it really that difficult? Apparently her “Admin.” day is Monday so I’m guessing only reads emails on Monday. Is that appropriate? I would think that a counselor, who needs to be up to date on a student’s situation, would need to check her email more than once a week. Keep in mind, all my other emails and those of my school counselor have been ignored for over a month. My first meeting with her was December 18, 2015 with a follow up on January 12, 2016. During the follow up meeting, she “officially” submitted my paperwork... supposedly. It’s impossible to get that woman to email me. So much so that her supervisor had to get involved. On February 12, 2016, a month after my VRC assured me everything was good to go, we had to have another meeting. She was so upset that her supervisor had to get involved. I signed a form to request the required items that my school counselor approved. The VRC says I should receive everything in 5 days and to let her know if there’s anything else she can do. As a matter of fact, Yes! How can I request items NOT required? According to Voc. Rehab regulations, it’s up to the VRC to use her best judgement to approve these items. According to the VRC, I have to submit a letter of justification. Really?! Ok, so I did. No word on that yet. Today, February 22, 2016 I receive 2 of the 4 items from the list she submitted. Class began February 8, 2016 and still have to keep begging for the supplies I need. To make matters worse, I get a confirmation email on February 19, 2016 that my paperwork had just been submitted. A week after she got in trouble AND a month after she assured me everything was turned in. She seems to ignore that when paperwork is involved, there is always a paper trail, and paper trails always have dates. I don’t even know who to turn for help since her supervisor considered it “unnecessary” for me to be assigned a different VRC.










