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. iii. II. The State's Performance Under the Performance Accountability Measures of Section 116 of WIOA; and
Current Narrative:
Goal 1: Promoting Jobseeker Success: Provide VR participants with person-centered, quality services that result in competitive integrated employment for Minnesotans with the most significant disabilities
Strategic Priorities A. Focus on participant engagement and satisfaction Action: Enculturate Person Centered practices throughout VRS Action: Review and respond to SRC’s participant engagement and satisfaction survey recommendations B. Monitor and evaluate the quality and quantity of employment outcomes Action: Conduct qualitative statewide review process Action: Monitor quantitative statewide employment outcomes and job retention
Goal 2. Building Business Relationships — Build long-term, collaborative relationships with business partners to increase competitive, integrated employment for Minnesotans with disabilities. Strategic Priorities A. Assist VRS staff in matching qualified VRS job seekers with competitive, integrated employment opportunities. Action: Leverage Talent Pool technology to identify qualified job seekers and connect them to employers with hiring needs B. Assist Business Partners in building inclusive workplaces and developing best practices for recruitment and retention for individuals with disabilities. Action: Work with Business Partners to increase knowledge related to employment and disabilities and increase awareness and value associated with VRS’ expertise and services through education, engagement and support. Action: Develop, implement, and refine low risk hiring options such as On the Job Training, Job Try Outs, Internships and Connect 700 Program. Increase Business Partners’ use of these hiring options. Action: Create and deliver training designed to help employers facilitate, and coordinate workplace supports for employees with disabilities requiring them.
C. VRS will lead and reinvigorate Placement Partnerships by strengthening partnerships among VRS, VR Community Partners and Business Partners Action: Develop a two-year plan for Placement Partnerships focusing on assessing Employer needs and analyzing best practices in placement and employer engagement. Action: Lead efforts to provide development opportunities for placement professionals Action: Build and maintain collaborative relationships with business partners through tours, presentations and networking events.
D. VRS will measure its effectiveness in serving Employers/Business Partners Action: Expand and reissue 2017 VRS Business Engagement Survey to determine where improvements can be made to better serve Business Partners Action: Work with CareerForce System partners to develop and track indicators of effectiveness in serving employers
Goal 3: Enhancing Organization Vitality — Creating an environment for staff to be passionate about their work. Strategic Priorities A. Develop staff skills and competencies in serving Minnesotans with the most significant disabilities. Action: Provide innovative, timely, and in-depth training to VRS staff, using both internal and external learning opportunities Action: Lead initiatives to incorporate person-centered language, tools and resources into every training, project and service provided by VRS B. Offer leadership development opportunities for current and emerging leaders. Action: Utilize the Enterprise Talent Development programs to cultivate staff potential Action: Provide guidance and opportunities to apply learning and project work within a VRS context C. Develop strategies for increasing the diversity and cultural competence of VRS staff Action: Provide cultural competence training for VRS staff Action: Utilize strategies to increase diversity in staff hiring and retention D. Strengthen organizational communication internally and with system partners Action: Provide frequent VRS organizational updates to staff Action: Communicate major policy and practice decisions internally and/or with system partners E. Develop strategies for overall organizational health Action: Offer innovative workplace solutions to support organizational health Action: Improve efforts to recognize staff and provide meaningful feedback
Goal 4. Leveraging Partnerships — To convene and strengthen collaboration to better serve Minnesotans with disabilities. Strategic Priorities A. Maintain and build partnerships with community-based rehabilitation providers and advocacy organizations Action: Convene and leverage the VRS CRP Advisory Committee Action: Provide timely communication and key updates to the VR Community Action: Strengthen local relationships between VRS and community-based rehabilitation providers Action: Collaborate with advocacy organizations to advance mutual agendas. B. Expand our collaboration with other employment and disability services system partners to better coordinate and align services provided to Minnesotans with disabilities. Action: Expand key partnership work with Department of Human Services (DHS), Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), counties, local school districts, and CareerForce System partners Action: Partner with Department of Human Services (DHS) to finalize the WIOA required MOU. Action: Facilitate collaboration of field staff, Medicaid lead agency staff, and Extended Employment (EE) providers to implement policies and practices that maximize Waiver, VR, and EE funding for employment services. C. Engage the State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) for input and feedback on the vocational rehabilitation service delivery model for Minnesota Action: Work in partnership with the SRC to develop and review state goals and priorities and seek input in the development of the State Plan and Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment Action: Seek input from the SRC on substantive VR policy changes Action: Seek input from the SRC on the Comprehensive System of Personnel Development Action: Work collaboratively with the SRC to measure customer satisfaction and program effectiveness Action: Work collaboratively with the SRC to maintain working relationships between VRS and external stakeholders, including Centers for Independent Living, other state agencies and other councils to coordinate activities and avoid duplication of efforts.