Narrative: c. 5.

West Virginia’s State Use Program was created by the legislature in 1984 and strengthened in 1989. The program allows employment opportunities to be created for citizens with disabilities through nonprofit Community Rehabilitation Programs. The State Use Law allows these programs and their clients to produce commodities and perform services for various state agencies without requiring competitive bidding. Prices charged for these special commodities and services are established by the governor–appointed Committee for the Purchase of Commodities and Services from the Handicapped.

The Governor’s Committee consists of six (6) members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. One member is selected by the Governor to serve as chairperson. Members represent the following:

–a private citizen who is conversant with the problems incidental to the employment of persons with disabilities

–a representative of a producing nonprofit workshop

–a representative of the Division of Rehabilitation Services

–a representative of the Department of Administration who is knowledgeable in the purchasing requirements of the state

–a representative of private business who is knowledgeable in the activities involved in the sale of commodities or services to governmental entities, and

–a representative of organized labor who is knowledgeable in matters relating to employment of people with disabilities.

Members serve two year terms. There is also an ex–officio, non–voting member of the committee who is appointed by the Director of the Purchasing Division. This person serves as the Executive Secretary. There are no geographical or political party constraints on who may be appointed.

The state network of Community Rehabilitation Programs (CRPs) is critical to the effective and efficient delivery of vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with significant disabilities. As of November 2015, there are 68 DRS–acknowledged parent company CRPs in West Virginia located at 97 service sites. Many of these CRPs participate in state use contracting programs. DRS maintains working relationships with non–profit CRPs in West Virginia that provide supported and direct employment, community–based assessment, and/or work skills assessment. CRPs also provide employment readiness services such as life skills and work adjustment, job site training, and extended employment assessment. While respecting freedom of choice, DRS encourages work center programs to expand community–based programs for these individuals. Any CRP meeting the DRS acknowledgment process will be permitted under a written Vendor Acknowledgment to bill for services provided to DRS consumers. In order to become a DRS–acknowledged vendor, an applicant must request, complete, and return a Vendor Acknowledgment Packet. Upon receipt of the completed packet, a recommendation to acknowledge or not acknowledge will be made to the DRS Director.

The Vendor Acknowledgment Packet contains an application for Vendor Acknowledgment to provide supported employment services, an annual data summary that provides the agency’s name, address, contact information, a checklist of those DRS services they will be providing, and a Vendor Acknowledgment form addressing conditions of and payment for services rendered to DRS consumers.

A signed Vendor Acknowledgment indicates that the vendor agrees to follow conditions set forth regarding standards, anti–discrimination, indemnification, and conditions/standards of operation. The acknowledgment is good for one year.