Narrative: d. 2. L. ii.

Goal 1: Increasing the number of Minnesotans with the most significant disabilities working in competitive, integrated employment

VRS and the VR Community are committed to expanding job opportunities and improving employment outcomes for Minnesotans with the most significant disabilities.

Strategic Priorities

A. Increase consumer engagement and satisfaction Action: Survey customer engagement and satisfaction after plan development and at case closure Action: Conduct customer focus groups on an annual basis B. Increase the number of employment outcomes Metric: The number of successful employment outcomes per federal fiscal year C. Increase education, credentials, and skill gains Action: Establish baselines for secondary and post-secondary credentials and for measurable skill gains Metric: WIOA Common Performance Measure 4: The percentage of participants who obtained a recognized post-secondary credential or a secondary school diploma, or its recognized equivalent during participation in or within 1 year after exit from the program Metric: WIOA Common Performance Measure 5: The percentage of participants who are in an education or training program that leads to a recognized post-secondary credential or employment and who are achieving measurable skill gains D. Increase job retention Action: Establish a job retention baseline Metric: WIOA Common Performance Measure 1: The percentage of participants, who are in unsubsidized employment during the second quarter after exit from the program Metric: WIOA Common Performance Measure 2: The percentage of participants who are in unsubsidized employment during the fourth quarter after exit from the program Metric: WIOA Common Performance Measure 3: Median earnings of participants who are in unsubsidized employment during the second quarter after exit from the program Goal 2: Increasing Pre-Employment Transition Services VRS, schools, and the VR Community will focus on increasing vocational exploration and work based learning experiences for high school students with disabilities. Strategic Priorities A. Develop strategies to implement the PETS requirements stipulated in WIOA Action: Track required and authorized services and monitor expenditures and fiscal impact B. Increase VRS outreach on the responsibilities under WIOA to provide pre-employment transition services for students with disabilities Action: Develop and implement a WIOA pre-employment transition services communication and outreach plan designed for school staff Action: Track the number of schools with VRS time and expenditures devoted to WIOA required and authorized pre-employment transition services C. Increase the number of work based learning experiences prior to graduation for VR eligible students in high school Action: Establish a baseline and track the number of VR students with paid and unpaid work based learning experience prior to graduation Goal 3: Enhancing Organizational Vitality VRS will hire, develop and retain staff who will provide the best possible services to Minnesotans with the most significant disabilities. Strategic Priorities A. Develop staff skills and competencies in serving Minnesotans with the most significant disabilities. Action: Provide relevant training for VRS staff, including training on person-centered thinking and planning B. Maintain a leadership development program for current and emerging leaders. Action: VRS will conduct a leadership development program for approximately 10-15 current and emerging leaders on a biannual basis Action: VRS will evaluate the participant experience in the leadership development program to inform program design C. Develop strategies for increasing the diversity and cultural competence of VRS staff Action: Provide cultural competence training for VRS staff Action: Develop strategies to increase diversity in staff hiring and retention D. Strengthen organizational communication internally and with system partners Action: Provide monthly VRS organizational updates to staff Action: Communicate rationale for major policy and practice decisions internally and/or with system partners Goal 4. Leveraging Partnerships VRS will provide leadership in convening and strengthening system-wide collaborative partnerships that expand and fully use resources to serve Minnesotans with the most significant disabilities. Strategic Priorities A. Engage the State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) for input and feedback on the vocational rehabilitation service delivery model for Minnesota Action: The SRC works in partnership with the DSU to develop and review state goals and priorities and assists with the development of the State Plan and Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment Action: The SRC produces an annual report, conducts public forums, and coordinates its activities with other councils. Action: The SRC provides input on substantive VR policy changes Action: The SRC works collaboratively with the designated state agency to measure customer satisfaction. B. Maintain and build our partnerships with community-based rehabilitation providers and advocacy organizations Action: Continue to convene and leverage the VRS CRP Advisory Committee Action: Convene statewide meetings of community partners on an annual basis Action: Maintain collaborative agreements with the Centers for Independent Living (CILs) Action: Collaborate with advocacy organizations to advance mutual agendas. C. Expand our collaboration with other system partners to better align and fulfill the requirements of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and Minnesota’s Olmstead Plan. Action: Expansion of key partnership work with Department of Human Services (DHS), Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), the Olmstead Plan interagency efforts, counties, local school districts, and WorkForce Center System partners. D. Expand access to ongoing employment supports through county, state and federal programs Action: Partner with Department of Human Services (DHS), counties, and Medicaid providers to increase resources for support of integrated, competitive employment Action: Partner with VRS Extended Employment (EE) providers to transition and increase state resources for support of integrated, competitive employment Goal 5. Engaging Employers VRS and the VR Community will continue to embrace employers as key customers resulting in increased employment outcomes for Minnesotans with disabilities Strategic Priorities A. Develop a robust system to assist VRS staff in matching qualified VR jobseekers with competitive, integrated employment opportunities. Leverage the Workforce One case management and/or Minnesota’s internet based labor exchange system rewrite initiatives to fund, develop, and implement the system. Action: Secure approval and resources for a VR client talent pool structural framework as part of future application development priorities for the Workforce One system and/or other Minnesota systems. B. Develop and implement Low Risk Hiring and Retention options designed to increase employment outcomes and workforce diversity. Action: Track participation and employment outcomes in low risk hiring and retention options on a quarterly basis. Options are anticipated to include On the Job Training, Job Try Outs, Internships, 700 Hour Program, and Schedule A Hiring. Action: Create and deliver training designed to help employers identify, develop and sustain natural workplace supports for employees with disabilities. C. VRS will lead and convene Placement Partnerships focused on developing, maintaining, and strengthening relationships among VRS, VR Community Partners and Employers Action: The VRS Placement Specialist team will develop and disseminate a quarterly report on the major activities and outcomes for active placement partnerships. Action: Work with partners to implement WIOA Common Performance Measure 6 focused on effectiveness in serving employers.