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
- c. Cooperative Agreements with Agencies Not Carrying Out Activities Under the Statewide Workforce Development System
Describe interagency cooperation with and utilization of the services and facilities of agencies and programs that are not carrying out activities through the statewide workforce development system with respect to:
- c. Cooperative Agreements with Agencies Not Carrying Out Activities Under the Statewide Workforce Development System
c. 5. State use contracting programs.
Current Narrative:
The Division contracts with the University of Southern Maine/Maine Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), and Coastal Enterprise, Inc. (CEI) a private, nonprofit Community Development Corporation in assisting and supporting VR consumers who are interested in self-employment opportunities. This contractual relationship is secured through the state contracting process and payment is on a fee for service basis. The SBDC business advisor, client and their vocational rehabilitation counselor work through a self-employment process to determine if self-employment is right for the client and if the business is a viable one.
Historically, a workgroup convened quarterly and included DBVI Staff, DVR staff, SBDC business advisors, and representatives from the CAP program. Currently this process is being revamped in order to make it more accessible to all staff on a statewide basis and encourage more involvement. It is the hope that the group will continue to review processes for improvement and to ensure the success of clients of DBVI with better business plans and reaching their employment goals.
The Division follows the State of Maine contracting processes and procedures to contract with qualified organizations to provide employment support services for DBVI clients. Services procured include: Pre-Employment Transition Services, Job Seeking Skills, Job Skills Training, Job Development and Placement Services; Job Coaching and Supported Employment; and Business Engagement. These services are paid on a fee for service unit cost.