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
- q. Quality, Scope, and Extent of Supported Employment Services
Include the following:
- q. Quality, Scope, and Extent of Supported Employment Services
q. 1. The quality, scope, and extent of supported employment services to be provided to individuals with the most significant disabilities, including youth with the most significant disabilities
Current Narrative:
DSB remains committed to increasing the quality, scope and extent of Supported Employment Services to eligible consumers. During PY 2018, DSB used vendors to provide comprehensive supported employment services to youth and adults identified as blind or visually impaired.
Supported employment services are based on a determination of the needs of an eligible individual as specified in the individualized plan for employment (IPE), and are provided by the VR agency for a period of not more than 24 months, unless under special circumstances the eligible individual and the rehabilitation counselor jointly agree to extend the time to achieve the employment outcome identified in the IPE. Prior to job placement in supported employment, individuals with the most significant disabilities receive VR services identified in the IPE, and which the VR counselor and the individual have determined will lead to achievement of the supported employment outcome. Supported employment services, also identified on the IPE, begin at the time of the individual’s job placement. Ongoing services are furnished by the VR agency, using funds under the Supported Employment program and/or the VR program, from the time of job placement until the transition to extended services, and thereafter by one or more extended services providers, including the VR agency, in accordance with 34 CFR §363.4(a)(2), throughout the individual’s term of employment in a particular job placement.
During PY2018, DSB increased the number of individuals who received supported employment services by increasing the number of providers. Some of our providers include: Goodwill, World Services for the Blind, Sources, Arkansas Support Network, Building Bridges, Ed Davis Inc. Easter Seals, and S.W. Chance.
DSB participated with trainings in which DOL ODEP Subject Matter Experts provided on supported employment with providers. These trainings also included state leaders in a planning session in which our Director and Field Administrator attended.
DSB continued to utilize a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Arkansas Rehabilitation Services, Division of Workforce Services, Arkansas Department of Education-Special Education Unit, Division of Developmental Disabilities Services, Division of Adult Services and Behavior Health Services. This MOU defines each agency’s roles and responsibilities toward competitive integrated employment for individuals with most significant disabilities. This partnership also supports on-going Employment First activities for the state.
Arkansas Rehabilitation Services, provides training Supported Employment providers, along with certification of Job Coaches. DSB supports these trainings rather than duplicating.
DSB are members of Arkansas APSE and the Field Administrator serves on the Board of Directors. We supported the bi-annual statewide APSE conference.