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. Coordination with Education Officials
- 2. Information on the Formal Interagency Agreement with the State Educational Agency with Respect To:
- O. State's StrategiesDescribe the required strategies and how the agency will use these strategies to achieve its goals and priorities, support innovation and expansion activities, and overcome any barriers to accessing the VR and the Supported Employment programs (See sections 101(a)(15)(D) and (18)(B) of the Rehabilitation Act and section 427 of the General Education Provisions Act (GEPA)):
- O. State's Strategies
- 2. Information on the Formal Interagency Agreement with the State Educational Agency with Respect To:
- d. Coordination with Education Officials
d. 2. O. iii. The Outreach Procedures That Will Be Used to Identify and Serve Individuals with Disabilities Who Are Minorities, Including Those with the Most Significant Disabilities, as Well as Those Who Have Been Unserved or Underserved by the Vr Program.
Current Narrative:
Goal 3
To ensure that individuals with disabilities who may be unserved or underserved or who have minority status have access to DVR services.
Objective: Maine DVR will work closely with Maine’s Section 121 VR Grant — Wabanaki Vocational Rehabilitation, to increase co—enrollment to 10 individuals in FFY 2016
Strategies:
a. Maine DVR will include Wabanaki Vocational Rehabilitation in training and technical assistance opportunities.
b. Wabanaki VR will provide technical assistance to Maine DVR on issues related to cultural competency and best practices in Native employment supports.
c. According to the joint MOU, Maine DVR and Wabanaki VR will meet at least annually to review the agreement.
Objective: Maine DVR will collect data on the numbers of individuals served — belonging to the following categories in FY 2012 to establish a baseline and future goals:
a. individuals involved with the correctional system
b. individuals who are veterans
c. individuals who are “older workers”
d. individuals who are “New Mainers”
e. individuals who have dual sensory impairments (Deaf/Blind)
Strategies:
a. DVR will develop and utilize special indicators in its case management system to track individuals who belong to one of the above groups.
b. DVR will ensure that all materials distributed or published by the agency will be accessible and demonstrate cultural competency.
c. To promote more efficient use of resources and increase access for individuals who use ASL, DVR will explore the benefits of hiring staff interpreters versus contracting for ASL interpreting services.
Objective: Maine DVR will develop new strategies to increase the employment of people with mental health disabilities
Strategies:
a. DVR will partner with the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services to explore opportunities available through the I SPA b. DVR will work with the Department of Corrections through its quarterly joint meetings to identify effective practices in referring and supporting individuals for whom mental health is a barrier to employment.
Objective: Maine DVR will maintain statewide consistency in its practices with regard to “Clubhouses” offering services to DVR clients as measured by client case review.
Strategies:
a. DVR will maintain a liaison to the local Clubhouse in each office.
b. DVR will invite Clubhouse program staff to participate in DVR training opportunities.
Objective: In keeping with WIOA legislation, ensure individuals working at sub—minimum wage are aware of and have access to DVR services
Strategies:
a. DVR will partner with the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Aging and Disability Services(OADS) and the Bureau of Labor Standards (BLS) to identify individuals who are currently working at sub—minimum wage
b. DVR will develop an outreach strategy to these workers in collaboration with OADS and BLS
c. DVR will develop procedural guidance and training for staff on conversion of workers from sub—minimum wage settings to competitive, integrated employment