The Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facility (CORF) provides a variety of services that help individuals assess their abilities and limitations so they can decide on the best employment or independent living goals and prepare to reach those goals. CORF is a CARF accredited program and licensed by the State of Maryland, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Case managers and therapy managers coordinate services, which can be performed at work, at home or at the WTC. The core group of services is:
CORF can help individuals with disabilities and their referring counselors make good decisions about future goals with these services:
Medical Functional Evaluations
A Medical Functional Evaluation (MFE) is a comprehensive assessment that provides objective information regarding a consumer’s strength’s and limitations related to employment. The MFE is a 3 to 5 day multidisciplinary assessment coordinated by a Nurse Case Manager. Depending on their needs, consumers participating in a MFE will be assessed by a Physiatrist (physician specializing in rehabilitation), Audiologist, Occupational Therapist and/or Physical Therapist. Additional assessments may include: Speech-Language Assessment, Rehabilitation Technology Services (RTS) assessment, Office of Blind and Visually-Impaired Services (OBVS) assessment, and Pre-Driving assessment.
At the conclusion of the assessment, the Nurse Case Manager arranges a team conference, which includes the referring DORS counselor. The consumer and family (if appropriate) is encouraged to be an active participant in the team conference. Recommendations are provided at the team conference to assist with the consumer’s return to work plans, vocational plans, or alternative employments.
Functional Capacity Evaluations
A Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) is a comprehensive assessment that provides objective information regarding a consumer’s maximum physical capabilities to perform work safely. The assessment is utilized to determine if a consumer will be able to perform a specific job, specific job tasks, as well as the ability to perform a specific job over the course of a full day. The physical capabilities that a consumer demonstrates during the FCE can be compared to the physical requirements of a job when establishing an employment plan or pursuing employment. At the conclusion of the FCE the consumer will know his/her physical capabilities for working at a safe level. Recommendations included in the FCE may include suggestions for maximizing safety and physical performance for work. Back Injury Prevention Class
Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists from the Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facility (CORF) provide a Back Injury Prevention class to consumers participating in the Auto Mechanics training program, Food Service training program, and Environmental Services training program. The Back Injury Prevention class is also offered on an individual basis to consumers who are not participating in one of the designated training programs. The Back Injury Prevention class facilitates the preparation of DORS consumers for employment and also provides valuable information for consumers currently employed. The class includes a lecture as well as a material handling lab. The lecture includes basic anatomy of the back, facts about back injuries, back injury prevention tips, and proper body mechanics for material handling and job tasks. Students are provided the opportunity to practice proper body mechanics with various material handling activities and job specific tasks.
Workstation Comfort Class
Occupational Therapists and Physical Therapists from the Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facility (CORF) provide a Workstation Comfort class to consumers participating in the Office Technology training program and the Computer Assisted Drafting and Design training program. The Workstation Comfort Class is also available to individuals who are not enrolled in one of the designated training programs. Individuals that are pursuing employment or who have obtained employment and are working at a computer workstation could benefit from the Workstation Comfort class as the class promotes good health and long term employment. The class focuses on the benefits of good sitting posture, the importance of changing positions periodically throughout the day, exercises that can be completed at a computer workstation, and low tech ergonomic solutions that an individual can implement at a workstation without any specialized equipment.