Located in:
- Program-Specific Requirements for Vocational Rehabilitation (Blind)
The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services Portion of the Unified or Combined State Plan [13] must include the following descriptions and estimates, as required by section 101(a) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by title IV of WIOA:
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[13] Sec. 102(b)(2)(D)(iii) of WIOA
f. Arrangements and Cooperative Agreements for the Provision of Supported Employment Services
Describe the designated State agency’s efforts to identify and make arrangements, including entering into cooperative agreements, with other State agencies and other appropriate entities in order to provide supported employment services and extended employment services, as applicable, to individuals with the most significant disabilities, including youth with the most significant disabilities.
Current Narrative:
Rehabilitation Services for the Blind (RSB) uses state contracting and procurement processes as provided under the authority of an Expenditure Registration (ER101) authority issued to the Department by the State Office of Administration to develop service agreements in order to provide supported employment services to clients. These contracts define the responsibilities of both the contractor and RSB in the referral of clients. They also delineate the requirements of the contractor in the provision of services, the expected outcomes, and the payment terms and conditions. Supported employment services and use of the grant funds are provided to individuals with the most significant disabilities and begin after job placement.
The contract specifies that the supported employment service provider is responsible for arranging for extended services, including natural supports. RSB assists the supported employment service provider in the development of natural supports away from the worksite and assists in locating funding for extended services when a resource is not readily available through the contractor. RSB may provide extended services to youth with the most significant disabilities for a period not to exceed 4 years, or until the individual turns 25 and no longer meets the definition of a youth with a disability, whichever comes first.
The cooperative agreement for supported employment services is a binding contract between RSB and supported employment service providers and includes a statement to that effect.