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:
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[13] Sec. 102(b)(2)(D)(iii) of WIOA
j. 1. B. Who are minorities;
Current Narrative:
DRS reviewed data, inquired through the DRS Board and surveyed staff regarding possible underservice for individuals with disabilities with particular attention on assessing any unmet needs of individuals who are members of minority communities.
| 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | State Pop | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White | 77% | 75% | 76% | 85% |
| American Indian or Alaska Native | 14% | 15% | 14% | 9% |
| Black or African American | 4% | 4% | 4% | 2% |
| Two or more races | 4% | 4% | 4% | 8% |
| Asian | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% |
| Did not self-identify race | 1% | 1% |
The surveys/interviews conducted for the CSNA surfaced these needs and concerns:
- Language Culture and Public Education: While data revealed a proportionate response to population, narrative responses emphasized the need for staff, employer and public education activities and events that addressed language and communication, cultural sensitivity and training. Also described were immigrant attitudes and fears regarding ‘government services’ and the difficulty previous immigrant experiences presented in referral finding and service. Significantly this set of responses regarding minorities is become more diversified particularly in larger communities such as Sioux Falls with growing immigrant communities. In the data sets many immigrant groups are likely to be statistically underrepresented. Respondents expressed an increased awareness that the success of VR services is contingent on public awareness and willingness to work with minorities and immigrants.
- Behavioral Health and services to very rural communities combined created a perception at different levels of the assessment that individuals in rural communities were likely to be underserved based on the lack of specialized supports. Human services management/leaders expressed a particular desire to strengthen the response for this group. This need interacts in the responses with cultural sensitivity and the desire to better serve Native Americans in the rural reservations in the area of behavioral health.