Located in:
- Program-Specific Requirements for Vocational Rehabilitation
The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services Portion of the Unified or Combined State Plan* must include the following descriptions and estimates, as required by section 101(a) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by WIOA:
__________
* Sec. 102(b)(D)(iii) of WIOA
- d. Coordination with Education Officials
- 2. Information on the Formal Interagency Agreement with the State Educational Agency with Respect To:
- O. State's StrategiesDescribe the required strategies and how the agency will use these strategies to achieve its goals and priorities, support innovation and expansion activities, and overcome any barriers to accessing the VR and the Supported Employment programs (See sections 101(a)(15)(D) and (18)(B) of the Rehabilitation Act and section 427 of the General Education Provisions Act (GEPA)):
- O. State's Strategies
- 2. Information on the Formal Interagency Agreement with the State Educational Agency with Respect To:
- d. Coordination with Education Officials
d. 2. O. vii. Strategies for Assisting Other Components of the Statewide Workforce Development System in Assisting Individuals with Disabilities.
Current Narrative:
DVR’s recent CSNA indicated areas of need within the Colorado workforce development system related to the delivery of effective services to individuals with disabilities. Specifically, the CSNA indicated a need for greater collaboration between DVR and Colorado’s workforce development partners. Additionally, CSNA results suggested a lack of accessibility within workforce centers and partner programs related to knowledge and awareness of disability, accessible communication, accessible programs and assistive technology. To address these issues DVR intends to implement the following strategies:
- DVR will participate in cross- training and sharing of curriculum among all core and combined plan partners. DVR will place particular emphasis on collaboration, education and cross-training related to the delivery of effective transition and pre-transition services to students, youth and young adults.
- DVR will identify core and partner program providers at the state and local levels, including contracted adult basic education providers, and will assign DVR liaisons to these programs.
- DVR will infuse disability awareness and etiquette into the cross-education of core and combined plan partners, including the sharing of best practices in serving individuals with disabilities.
- DVR will assure the participation of DVR disability subject matter experts on the committees of local workforce boards.
- DVR will, in keeping with the spirit and the letter of the law, encourage and pursue the development of all MOUs, cooperative agreements and interagency agreements required and encouraged within WIOA.
- DVR will commit to and ensure that DVR is represented and DVR staff are involved in state and local sector strategy efforts and activities.
- DVR will update our Disability Awareness Training Tool Kit and make these materials, including DVR staff subject matter expertise, available to core and combined plan partners to meet the needs of Colorado employers and promote a diverse workforce.
- DVR will provide pre-employment transition services to younger students, including work experiences, to assure that youth and young adults are better-prepared for the services they will receive through other core and partner programs.
- DVR will promote STEM awareness, activities and opportunities, particularly through pre-employment and transition services to youth.