Narrative: d. 2. O. iii.

The DVR will continue to make this target group a priority for outreach and service delivery. In addition, DVR data as calculated by RSA indicates that the success rate for this group of consumers currently lags behind the success of non–minorities. There is an acknowledged discrepancy in the numbers calculated by RSA and the numbers calculated by WIDVR. The DVR will work with RSA to make a determination about the accuracy of the currently used calculation to determine the level of minority consumers in the WI DVR system. To increase the service delivery rate and successful employment outcomes for DVR minority consumers served, the DVR will use the following strategies:

Increased emphasis in the identification, referral and provision of effective vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities who are also a member of a minority group in the following geographic areas: Milwaukee, Madison, Wausau, and the Native American tribal communities. These areas represent significant population concentrations of individuals with disabilities who are African American, Hispanic, Hmong and Native Americans.

The DVR will maintain a focus on multicultural service and training and linguistic access to DVR information and services. The DVR has identified its vital documents and these are available in Spanish and Hmong, as well as alternate formats, including large print, audio tape and Braille. The DVR has a contract with a vendor that can provide translation of documents and program information into many languages (i.e. Russian, Albanian, Italian, etc.) The DVR continues to monitor its publications and other information to ensure that the list of vital documents remains current and that information that is needed to access services is available in other languages and in alternate formats. Training of DVR Counselors in trauma–informed care will also help with minority populations to succeed in employment by better customizing sequencing of services.

DVR will continue to provide revenue identified in the State budget to the Great Lakes Intertribal Council (GLITC) under a memorandum of understanding for the improvement of VR services to Native Americans with disabilities in Wisconsin. The agreement will identify the activities and services supported by the funding as well as outline the collaborative partnership parameters between WIDVR and the Section 121 programs for serving Native American tribal members who are eligible for VR services. IPE’s may be jointly developed with the input of the consumer, Native American workers and DVR staff. The DVR employs staffs who are Native American tribal members including one manager in the Northern Wisconsin counties a consumer case coordinator in Milwaukee County and a VR Program Specialist in the Central Office.

The DVR has undertaken initiatives to serve the state’s rapidly increasing Latino/Hispanic populations. In Milwaukee, the DVR is co–located in a job center operated by United Migrant Opportunity Services (UMOS), a Latino human service organization. The DVR and UMOS staffs collaborate in areas of service provision to welfare–to–work recipients with disabilities and on disability related access issues to the unique services provided by each agency. Other DVR offices have hired bilingual counselors. These efforts are aimed at increasing and improving outreach and service delivery in three of the largest Latino/Hispanic communities in Wisconsin. When the DVR does not have access to a staff member who is fluent in the native language of the consumer, the DVR also utilizes language translation services. Key applicant and participant information brochures and frequently asked questions posting are available in Spanish and Hmong through print and website publications.

The DVR agrees that language barriers pose a challenge to the delivery of DVR services and that staff must take the time and make the effort to surmount language barriers and achieve a full understanding of the DVR process. The DVR uses the Spanish version of the Client Assistance Program DVR process chart to assist consumers in understanding the DVR processes and where their responsibilities lie.

The DVR acknowledges the requirements of the General Education Provision (GEPA) Section 47 and the need to have equitable access and participation in the DVR program service delivery system for individuals with special needs. In addition, the DSA has a statewide work group with representation from the DVR to provide services to Limited English Speaking individuals who are often unserved or underserved due to language barriers.

The DVR will continue to strengthen employment linkages for high school students in Milwaukee by continuing the local employment–focused collaboration between the Milwaukee Public School District, the local workforce investment system, private sector employers and community rehabilitation programs. This collaboration was a former innovation and expansion project that has converted to a fee–for–service arrangement. Milwaukee is the highest population center in Wisconsin and also the highest population center of minority groups a high number of minority high school students with disabilities have been served in this project.