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:
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* Sec. 102(b)(D)(iii) of WIOA
d. 2. L. ii. Identify the Goals and Priorities in Carrying Out the Vr and Supported Employment Programs.
Current Narrative:
Goal 1 - DVR will increase outreach and vocational rehabilitation services to communities and cultures throughout Colorado, with emphasis on underserved populations
Strategies:
1. Establish partnerships with community partners, workforce centers, educators, business and other community resources to identify and connect with underserved populations and potential applicants for VR services.
2. Explore the expansion of technology and social media to provide better access and information to Coloradans.
Goal 2 - DVR will expand transition services to Colorado’s youth with disabilities, including pre-employment transition services, to Colorado’s students with disabilities
Strategies:
1. Develop and update cooperative partnerships with Colorado school districts/BOCES, education providers and core workforce development programs to encompass pre-employment transition services requirements.
2. Create a youth transition unit within DVR to expand and innovate excellent transition services throughout the state.
3. Explore the provision of transition services to groups of youth with disabilities who may have not yet applied or been determined eligible for vocational rehabilitation services and if feasible, develop policies and processes to provide these services.
Goal 3 - DVR will increase the skills of DVR staff and service providers to assure a 21st century understanding of the labor market and the provision of quality services that meet the needs of Coloradans with disabilities
Strategies:
1. Implement integrated professional development for DVR staff with WIOA partner programs to elevate internal expertise and equip them with the tools necessary to operate a comprehensive, holistic approach to talent development for business and industry. Put particular emphasis on leveraging the synergies resulting from the merger of DVR and CDLE.
2. Develop processes to ensure a statewide cadre of qualified vendors able to meet the requirements of working with disability-related issues.
3. Implement the Colorado LEAN process to assure a customer-focused, continuous improvement culture of operational excellence.
GOALS 4 - Build and strengthen stakeholder relationships to increase employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities
Strategies:
1. Expand the involvement of DVR staff in regionally-focused sector partnerships to champion career pathways within business and industry for individuals with disabilities.
2. Align business outreach efforts with partner agencies to leverage the identification of employment opportunities and expand awareness of disability employment competency within the business sector.
3. Explore the provision of technical assistance to businesses that are seeking to employ individuals with disabilities and as feasible, develop policies and processes to provide these services.