Narrative: d. 2. O. vii.

Goal 4 Maine DVR will partner with the larger workforce development system to improve opportunities and access for DVR clients as measured annually by documented collaborative activities, technical assistance, and training. Objective: Maine DVR will continue to partner with Maine’s Disability Employment Initiative (DEI) Grant to include 50 non–VR CareerCenter customers with disabilities in Career Exploration Workshops Strategies in FFY 2016 Strategies: a. The DEI team will include one VR Rehabilitation Counselor I who will assist in piloting a jointly–delivered Career Exploration Workshop b. DVR will participate in DEI Integrated Resource Team meetings c. DVR will work with the DEI team and others in the Bureau of Employment Services to ensure accessibility in Maine’s CareerCenter network d. DVR will partner with DEI staff in the delivery of an asset development summit in FY 2016 Objective: DVR will work with the Maine Department of Labor’s Center for Workforce Research and Information to maintain a triennial snapshot of the employment status of people with disabilities in Maine as well as a webpage where disability data can be easily accessed. Strategies: a. DVR will engage CWRI to offer training to DVR staff on use of current labor market information and tools b. DVR will work with CWRI to develop a triennial snapshot of the employment status of people with disabilities in Maine as well as a webpage where disability data can be easily accessed. Objective: DVR will develop strategies with WIOA core partners to provide referrals to workforce services for individuals found eligible for DVR under Category 3 but unable to be served by DVR due to waitlist. Strategies: a. DVR will attend regular LWIB and One Stop partnerships with the goal of developing specific cross referral and common intake processes across core partner agencies and organizations. b. Processes developed will be piloted in all areas of the state to be vetted and finalized before being adopted statewide. Objective: Maine DVR will continue implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding with the public Worker’s Compensation system. In order to better serve injured Maine workers who are in need of rehabilitation services DVR will increase the number of individuals served through a referral from the Workers’ Compensation Board from 65 in FFY 2015 to 75 in FFY 2016. Strategies: a. DVR will meet at least annually with the Workers’ Compensation Board to assess the success of the MOU initiative. Objective: DVR will explore opportunities for new grants to support the mission of BRS. During 2015, DVR will apply for at least two new grant opportunities. Strategies: Goal 5 Maine DVR will partner with Adult Education, the SWIB, and the larger workforce development system to incorporate and apply the new rules related to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Objective: To learn, and apply all rules of WIOA with the DVR program, including drafting a unified state plan, adopting new performance measures and continued collaboration with the One–Stop system. Strategies: a. New rules will be reviewed and adopted by DVR within the time frames given in the new law. A steering committee has been formed with all affected partners and a project plan developed to address the changes agencies face with the advent of WIOA