Well now that depends. Who is Suzi with? Autism Speaks, or Social Security? I actually used both VR and EN. As you may or will i'm sure depending on how Illinois runs things in the departments. EN stands for Employment Network and VR stands for Vocational Rehabilitation Agency.

http://ssa.gov/work/overview.html#a0=0

This paragraph basically explains it all.

The beneficiary does not need a paper Ticket to participate. Under this program, eligible beneficiaries with disabilities who are receiving monthly cash benefit payments are entitled to participate by signing up with an approved service provider of their choice. This can be an Employment Network (EN) or a State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency. The EN/State VR agency, if they accept the Ticket assignment, will coordinate and provide appropriate services to help the beneficiary find and maintain employment. These services may be training, career counseling, vocational rehabilitation, job placement, and ongoing support services necessary to achieve a work goal.

I attempted to give you this information in the past. I may have confused or lost you somewhere though. Because I was a little perplexed when you came back and told me that they couldn't help you due to their budget. Ticket to Work really does work for people, but you have to stick with it and be patient until the end. It can be a lengthy process. I don't know how they do things in Illinois's departments, but here in Virginia and in Texas the VR counselors come out to visit with you at your home and school if you're in one.

You see I went through DBVI (The Virginia Department for the Blind and Visually Impaired). That was my VR agency. They were able to get me assistance from Hired Hands which were an EN on their own and a private company. The thing is that the VR agency and the EN share some of the same responsibilities when it comes to a persons case. Meaning that they have to work together and some times they don't So depending on which way you're looking at it or which path/direction you take. EN has a broad definition. Every persons case is different.

My Hired Hands job placement coordinators or coaches were the ones who helped with the testing, job applications placement, training, and accommodations. By testing I mean they literally tested me first before anything else to see if I had the skills and abilities to do the particular jobs before even applying.

My DBVI counselor is the one who set it up with Hired Hands. She said yes or no to the Hired Hands head coordinator. When it came to doing or trying things that could or couldn't be paid for by DBVI. DHS, DRS, and DBVI only get so much grant money from the State budget every 9 months to a year. If you were here in Virginia your VR agency would be DRS.

Anyway. I hope you get in touch with a VR agency and counselor, because they are the ones that can help you the most and won't cost as much if you go that route. Hired Hands help would have costed me $20,000+ if I hadn't. Didn't you have a VR counselor back in Michigan? You can do the same in Illinois even if you're not in school any longer. You're not too old for it yet. Explain more to you later when I have more time and am not up so late.

Should add that using a VR agency and the Ticket to Work program. Doesn't really cost a thing. They only take a small small percentage from your social security for it and actually that will help you in the long run when you're old and gray.