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. 2. Q. i. The Quality, Scope, and Extent of Supported Employment Services to Be Provided to Individuals with the Most Significant Disabilities, Including Youth with the Most Significant Disabilities.
Current Narrative:
Title VI funds are used to secure supported employment (SE) services for consumers. Some of the services may include:
• discovery and exploration;
• community–based assessments;
• job supports;
• surveying businesses for potential community–based exploration, assessments and work sites suited to the needs of the consumers;
• analysis of all relevant job–related variables, (e.g., transportation, job restructuring, tax credit for employers, etc.);
• providing long–term, extended services support with the consumer or employer; a minimum of twice per month; and
• customized employment for individuals and employers.
MVR is committed to providing greater access to SE services. The scope of SE services reaches throughout the state. All counties in Missouri are being served by CRPs that provide SE services.
During FY2015, 1,234 MVR consumers with the most significant disabilities who received SE services successfully achieved their employment goals. 62.7% of the SE consumers who exited the program were successfully employed in competitive jobs. SE consumers worked an average of 24 hours per week and earned an average of $8.61 per hour. There were 640 youth with disabilities that received SE services and exited the system successfully.
MVR district offices meet with local CRPs to outline joint activities to assist mutual consumers reach employment outcomes. MVR and CRP staffs both offer input on service delivery processes during partnering meetings and develop action plans to improve those processes. Other collaborative activities involve joint training programs. Last year, 20 joint trainings were held for MVR and CRP staff on supported employment.
One of the methods that MVR uses to continuously improve SE services and the service delivery process is through the use of a strategic team. The CRP–MVR steering committee meets regularly to improve services, review feedback, monitor progress and to discuss current and future issues warranting attention.
MVR and the CRPs developed an outcome–based service model that emphasizes quality employment outcomes and retention. The model was implemented FY2013.
The Department of Mental Health (DMH), Division of Behavioral Health Services and MVR have been working to increase access to evidence–based supported employment, also known as IPS, for adults with serious mental illnesses who are interested in improving their work lives. Missouri has 12 Community Mental Health/Treatment Centers participating in this implementation collaborative. DMH and MVR are implementing IPS for youth with serious mental illnesses in one current site with more to come.
To assist in determining the quality and effectiveness of SE services, MVR surveys its consumers. The FY2015 Customer Satisfaction Survey results indicated that 96 percent of SE clients, who left services both successfully and unsuccessfully, felt MVR staff were available when needed and treated them with respect.