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
- l. State Goals and Priorities
The designated State unit must:
- l. State Goals and Priorities
l. 3. C. Other available information on the operation and effectiveness of the VR program, including any reports received from the State Rehabilitation Council and findings and recommendations from monitoring activities conducted under section 107.
Current Narrative:
DSB has not been monitored since 2011 but is scheduled for a monitoring visit in 2020. DSB has worked with RSA and WINTAC to improve effectiveness in serving participants. Under guidance from RSA and WINTAC, DSB has changed the manner in which it provides Pre-ETS services to both eligible and potentially eligible consumers. DSB has 7 counselors who serve all students with a disability, and youth age 14-16. These 7 counselors are overseen by the new Pre-ETS Manager to ensure that those who are VR eligible receive VR and Pre-ETS services as appropriate while those who are potentially eligible receive all applicable Pre-ETS services. These counselors manage a VR caseload and a separate Potentially Eligible consumer caseload to ensure that these services are received, and funds are expended correctly. As part of DSB’s work to better meet RSA guidance our Pre-ETS counselors have been trained on and implemented a time allocation system.
DSB counselors have received intensive on-site training at selected training centers for the blind and visually impaired. Training is provided on-the-job and monthly meetings are held with the Field Administrator regarding best practices, outreach, and locating work experience locations for the students. Monthly quality assurance reporting forms are turned in regarding each student and the 5 authorized PETS activities to verify that VR counselors are meeting the goals and objectives set forth in monthly meetings and so that ongoing supports can be arranged as needed.
Additionally, DSB has received intensive feedback on both our VR and Vending Facility Program (VFP) policy from RSA and WINTAC. This feedback has been used to improve and revamp DSB’s policy manual with several chapters being prepared to move forward in the promulgation process. DSB continues to draft new policy based on provided feedback and work to ensure that all new policy meets the guidance and recommendations provided by RSA.