Narrative: c. 1.

Cooperation, Collaboration and Coordination

MVR has long–standing working relationships with partner agencies both inside and outside of the statewide workforce development system. The first part of this section will focus on those relationships and activities within the SWDS.

Cooperation with the Statewide Workforce Development System (SWDS)

The SWDS of services are provided through the Division of Workforce Development’s (DWD) 14 workforce regions in Missouri. MVR is a key partner and works closely with the job centers to provide vocational rehabilitation services to eligible persons with disabilities. MVR has appointed a state liaison to collaborate with DWD, and MVR staff serves as active members on all 14 local Workforce Development Boards (WDBs). MVR district supervisors participated in the development of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with all fourteen WDBs. These MOUs direct and explain how partners work together to deliver services to persons with disabilities in the local community.

Through the MOUs with job centers, MVR is the primary referral source from job center partners for people with disabilities. MVR counselors visit various Missouri Job Centers (both full service sites and satellites) frequently to provide services to consumers in a timely fashion. One Missouri Job Center location (where all partners, including MVR, are co–located) has an intra–building electronic linkage which has been effective.

MVR also provides ongoing cross–training and technical assistance to job center staff regarding rehabilitation technology and accommodations in the workplace. An MVR director works with partner agencies to facilitate collaboration with workforce development agencies and ensure that all federal regulations pertaining to Title IV of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act are followed.

MVR has access to DWD’s statewide case management system. Many MVR counselors and business outreach specialists have been given access to this system known as Toolbox. This arrangement helps strengthen MVR’s and DWD’s partnership and improves the sharing of resources for individuals with disabilities.

Both MVR and DWD are using Missouri Connections as a vocational guidance tool for their clients. DWD and MVR have collaborated by integrating MVR offices into each of the 14 workforce regions and creating mutual login passwords to access Missouri Connections. This eliminates the duplication of clients’ records and allows for more efficient and effective services for mutual clients.

Public Institutions of Higher Education (IHE)

In collaboration with the Missouri Rehabilitation Services for the Blind, MVR has written cooperative agreements with all 34 public IHEs in Missouri. These agreements outline the responsibilities of each entity regarding the provision of services pursuant to the regulations specified in 34 CFR 361.53(d)(1).

Client Assistance Program (CAP)

MVR and CAP management staff meet on a quarterly basis to discuss important issues such as order of selection, new policies, best case practices, due process hearings and mediation, performance indicators, joint training activities and public hearings. The CAP is a frequent participant and presenter at MVR–sponsored training sessions. The director of advocacy services with Missouri Protection and Advocacy Services, which CAP is a part of, is a governor–appointed member of the State Rehabilitation Council and sits on the Council’s Planning Committee, which reviews the state plan, and also on the Impartial Hearing Officer and Program Evaluation Committees.

Missouri Department of Mental Health (DMH)

MVR has appointed a state liaison to collaborate with DMH and the governor’s office in a variety of projects and activities. The Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council has active and cooperative participation with MVR, DMH, the governor’s office and other agencies.

MVR has active participation in the following DMH programs:

• Division of Behavioral Health – Psychiatric Services State Advisory Council

• Division of Developmental Disabilities State Employment Leadership Network

• MVR/Division of Behavioral Health Individual Placement with Supports Evidence–Based Supported Employment Program implementation

• The Healthy Transitions Initiative (Transition Youth Behavioral Health)

• Show Me Careers: Missouri’s Transition to Employment Collaborative Grant (Transition Youth – Developmental Disability)

MVR is collaboratively funding Disability Benefits 101 with DMH’s Division of Behavioral Health Services.

Missouri Rehabilitation Services for the Blind

MVR and Missouri Rehabilitation Services for the Blind (RSB) have a cooperative agreement for serving individuals who are Deaf–blind. Individuals who meet the Helen Keller definition of Deaf–blind may receive services from both agencies. MVR and RSB staff participated in joint training to discuss the cooperative agreement and best case practices developed to outline coordination of services from both agencies. The cooperative agreement provides an opportunity for each agency to serve individuals with multiple disabilities by taking advantage of the skills and expertise within each agency, while at the same time, utilizing the resources of MVR and RSB to the best advantage.

Missouri Reentry Process

MVR participates in the Missouri Reentry Process, which encourages collaboration between state and local agencies to improve the transition of offenders leaving prison and returning to Missouri communities and work. State and local agencies include the Departments of Corrections, Mental Health, Revenue, Social Services, Economic Development, Public Safety, and Health and Senior Services; Elementary and Secondary Education; Missouri Board of Probation and Parole; and Office of the State Court Administrator. Local community representatives include law enforcement, the faith–based community, crime victims and service/treatment providers.

Centers for Independent Living (CILs)

There are 22 Independent Living Centers in Missouri. MVR and the CILs work together on a regular basis to routinely share referrals and provide services to mutual clientele. A number of the CILs have MVR district staff as active board members.

MVR continues to collaborate with the Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) and the CILs to provide direct services to people with disabilities. The state plan developed by MVR and SILC details the tasks necessary to accomplish the delivery of independent living services that will assist consumers with disabilities to achieve their goals. MVR and SILC utilize an outcome–based measurement tool for the CILs. This tool measures consumer satisfaction using a telephone survey method rather than previously used mail–out surveys. MVR has also developed cross–trainings with the CILs to improve the provision of services. A transition toolkit was developed through the collaboration of MVR, the CILs and local education agencies.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Compensated Work Therapy Program

MVR has a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Compensated Work Therapy Program (CWT). MVR and CWT are mutually committed to promoting and enhancing competitive employment opportunities for veterans, enabling every individual to reach his or her life’s potential. MVR and CWT are prepared to work together in bringing enhanced employment opportunities to veterans with disabilities leading to greater individual and family economic stability and security.