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
n. 2. A. The provision of extended services for a period not to exceed 4 years; and
Current Narrative:
DBVI uses Title VI – Supported Employment funds primarily for job coaching for youth with most significant disabilities with vision impairment and mental illness. DBVI will continue to work with relevant stakeholders, i.e., consumers and CRP's, to expand the availability of supported employment services.
DBVI continues to identify more diversified employment opportunities in the supported employment Title VI program. The division places a small number of consumers who are blind or visually impaired in supported employment settings. Many clients are able to work in the competitive labor market without supports, due to the increased availability of technology, technology adaptations and both technological and natural supports available in today’s market.
DBVI is not currently funding any provision of services for youth with most significant disabilities under extended services. However, DBVI has developed guidance for staff on the use of extended services for youth with most significant disabilities. This guidance states that DBVI will make available extended services for youth with most significant disabilities in supported employment for a period not to exceed four years or until such time that a youth with a most significant disability reaches the age of 25 and no longer meets the definition of a youth with a most significant disability. Extended services are defined as ongoing support services and other appropriate services that are needed to support a youth with a most significant disability in supported employment. During the comprehensive assessment of rehabilitation needs, and participation in Pre-Employment Transition Services, it may be determined that a youth with a most significant disability will benefit from extended support services.
If the youth with a most significant disability does not have access to extended support services through a comparable benefit, and other supports are not available or do not meet the client's needs, the VR counselor will work with the client and guardian such that there is agreement that the employment placement and extended services with or without assistive technology and accommodations will enable the youth with a most significant disability to develop adequate natural supports such that other supports are not needed or will connect them with other sources of support.
DBVI will authorize one year of extended supports at a time. In limited individualized circumstances, the plan may be updated for an additional time period, up to one year at a time but under no circumstances for longer than four years or after the youth with a most significant disability turns 25.