Department of Human Services

The Department of Human Services is pleased to announce that it has selected Albert Perez to be the Administrator for the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) effective August 15, 2013.

Mr. Perez has devoted 29 years of his career to the DVR.  Most recently, he served as the DVR Oahu Branch Administrator in Kapolei for 5 years where, among other duties, he oversaw programs that helped high school graduates transition into the workforce.  While at the helm of the Oahu Branch, Albert also established a DVR office to serve West and Leeward Oahu clients and created a new unit that focuses on employment for disabled individuals.  Prior to that position, Albert served as the Oahu Branch Supervisor for 20 years and 9 years as a vocational rehabilitation specialist providing direct services to clients.

“As the DVR Administrator, I will remind staff that DVR’s mission is to move forward,” Albert says.  “The best way to predict the future is to invent it.  Active participation is the key.”

Mr. Perez will oversee and manage the Division’s three programs that have separate but related functions, which are to provide rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities to secure employment, enable economic self-sufficiency, and to promote independence and inclusion within the larger community.

In FY 2012, the DVR served 5,903 individuals with disabilities. During that same period 241 individuals achieved successful employment outcomes, an increase of 12% over FY 2011.

Future plans and goals for the DVR include: implementation of an Automated Case Management System to improve efficiency, accuracy, and transparency in DVR services; increased training and placement opportunities for clients with the most significant disabilities including placement in “High Tech” industries;  increasing the number of deaf, hard of hearing and deaf-blind individuals participating in post-secondary education;  and continued accurate and timely medical determinations on disability claims filed with the Social Security Administration.  In a key initiative, the DVR is also moving forward with development of a comprehensive service center for the deaf.