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Plan: Virginia PYs 2016-2017
Combined Plan C

Section: Vocational Rehabilitation Program (Combined or General)

Narrative: d. 2. E.

Published
Located in:

d. 2. E. Cooperative Agreements with Private Nonprofit Organizations

(Formerly known as Attachment 4.8(b)(3)). Describe the manner in which the designated State agency establishes cooperative agreements with private non-profit VR service providers.

Current Narrative:

Private non–profit VR service providers apply to become DARS service providers. Applicants’ qualifications are evaluated based on services to be offered and criteria in the standard vendor agreement. DARS and each qualified Employment Service Organization (ESO) establish a written vendor agreement. This agreement provides assurances to DARS that each organization complies with federal and state requirements for a community rehabilitation program. By clearly defining roles, expectations, and evaluation criteria, it protects the agency, the service provider, and customers.

Other mechanisms to cooperate with private non–profit VR services providers include: (1) receiving and utilizing stakeholder input from the ESO Steering Committee that provides the DARS Commissioner counsel on funding and policy issues related to community rehabilitation programs and the allocation of Long Term Employment Support Services state funds; (2) fostering close working relations between agency staff and ESOs; and (3) utilizing the ESO Outcome Report to assist ESOs, VR counselors and VR consumers in ensuring appropriate service provision.