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
- o. State's Strategies
Describe the required strategies and how the agency will use these strategies to achieve its goals and priorities, support innovation and expansion activities, and overcome any barriers to accessing the VR and the Supported Employment programs (See sections 101(a)(15)(D) and (18)(B) of the Rehabilitation Act and section 427 of the General Education Provisions Act (GEPA)):
- o. State's Strategies
o. 1. The methods to be used to expand and improve services to individuals with disabilities
Current Narrative:
All strategies identified to achieve goals and priorities, support innovation and expansion activities and overcome barriers to accessing the VR and the supported employment programs in this plan period are listed below and are current. The following strategies have been developed and reviewed by MVR and the State Rehabilitation Council:
VR Program
Goal 1: Increase the number of participants receiving training services.
Baseline data: PY 2019: 7,359 PY 2020: 6,993
Objective: Maximize the potential of those we serve.
Strategies:
1. Emphasize career pathways, ensuring integration in staff training.
2. Expand middle skills pilot program for training services in collaboration with the Office of Workforce Development and Career and Technical Education.
3. Simplify postsecondary training authorization process.
Goal 2: Increase the number of students with disabilities who access VR services.
Baseline data: PY 2019: 18,760 PY 2020: 17,128
Objective: Make pre-employment transition services and traditional VR services available to Missouri students with disabilities.
Strategies:
1. Increase number of high schools that VR and its providers engage.
2. Expand pre-employment transition services to justice and foster care involved and homeless or housing insecure students with disabilities in pilot locations.
3. Develop regional interagency partnerships focused on agencies serving youth.
4. Coordinate services with workforce development programs that target youth.
Goal 3: Strengthen relationships with employers across Missouri.
Baseline: MVR is currently developing a system to capture employer services.
Objective: Provide more opportunities to those we serve.
Strategies:
1. Connect candidates to employers recruiting for apprenticeship opportunities.
2. Identify and connect with businesses offering career pathways paying above median wage.
3. Expand Nexus groups across the state to strengthen WIOA partnerships and gain access to employers.
4. Utilize the Talent Acquisition Portal (TAP) to connect candidates to employers.
Supported Employment Program
Goal 1: Maintain high quality supported employment services.
Strategies:
1. Identify and share best case practices around providing supported employment services.
2. Continue to provide training through annual CRP Summits.
Goal 2: Implement collaborative programs to promote braiding of services within the statewide workforce development system.
Strategies:
1. Continue to provide and expand IPS services statewide in partnership with the Department of Mental Health - Behavioral Health Division.
2. Pilot Customized Employment service delivery in partnership with the Department of Mental Health - Developmental Disabilities Division.
All of the above strategies will be used to expand and improve services to individuals with disabilities.