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:
- H. Interagency CooperationDescribe how the designated State unit will collaborate with the State agency responsible for administering each of the following programs to develop opportunities for competitive integrated employment, to the greatest extent practicable:
- H. Interagency Cooperation
- 2. Information on the Formal Interagency Agreement with the State Educational Agency with Respect To:
- d. Coordination with Education Officials
d. 2. H. ii. The State Agency Responsible for Providing Services for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities; and
Current Narrative:
Minnesota’s Olmstead Plan supports freedom of choice and provides a framework and a series of key activities that must be achieved to ensure Minnesotans with disabilities have the opportunity to live, learn, work, and enjoy life in the most integrated setting desired by the person. Governor Mark Dayton appointed an Olmstead Subcabinet to develop and implement this plan. The Subcabinet consists of representatives of the MnSIC agencies listed above, the Housing Finance Agency, the Department of Transportation, the ombudsman for mental health and developmental disabilities, and the executive director of the Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities.
VRS is involved in several joint projects with the above agencies:
• Way to Work Pilot Project: VRS placed vocational rehabilitation counselors in a sheltered workshop to assess individual strengths and needs and develop strategies to move the employees from segregated employment to competitive integrated employment. The successful pilot project sunset in 2017 and all participants — VRS, Dakota County, and the Department of Human Services — are now implementing statewide the lessons learned to provide training, supports and benefits planning to assist people transition into the community.
• SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) Employment and Training: The Departments of Human Services and Employment and Economic Development are currently studying opportunities to blend SNAP funds with other anti—poverty funding to help move more people out of poverty.