Located in:
- Program-Specific Requirements for Vocational Rehabilitation (Combined or General)
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:
__________
[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:
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 (SE) services and extended employment services, as applicable, to individuals with the most significant disabilities, including youth with the most significant disabilities.
OVR has coordinated with other State Offices such as ODP, OMHSAS, Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL), and other entities to provide SE services and extended services. In February 2019, a joint bulletin between OVR and ODP was issued outlining referral processes for SE cases in which a customer is eligible for OVR services and waivers through ODP. OVR will continue to communicate and collaborate with these Offices to provide quality SE services and provide referrals and information regarding mutual customers. OVR will provide current information and training to State Offices and other entities to ensure the provision of services and extended services.
OVR will continue to support the provision of quality supportive employment services by adequately trained and properly credentialed staff either directly, through other state and local government agencies, or private service agencies, as appropriate.
DLI and DHS are in the process of developing an MOU for SE Services. The MOU for SE services will guide a partnership to establish the collaborative framework for OVR and DHS to develop, expand, and improve opportunities for competitive employment for individuals with disabilities, including individuals with the most significant disabilities. OVR and DHS will fund SE services, including Customized Employment, by committing to the implementation of complementary programs to assist with the provision of these services to individuals with the most significant disabilities, including youth with the most significant disabilities, to enable them to achieve an employment outcome of SE in competitive integrated employment. This MOU will ensure a smooth transition from SE services to extended services.