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. 6. Strategies to improve the performance of the State with respect to the performance accountability measures under section 116 of WIOA
Current Narrative:
MVR developed strategies to improve the agency’s performance with regard to the performance accountability measures under section 116 of WIOA.
With staff input, MVR created Program Year Priorities to align with the performance accountability measures. The priorities focus on individuals with disabilities achieving long-term retention and higher wages by (1) utilizing a career pathways approach to vocational planning, promoting opportunities to access postsecondary training services, (3) serving potentially eligible students, (4) engaging in continuous outreach efforts, (5) documenting the provision of VR services accurately, and (6) creating employment opportunities through strong community partnerships.
These priorities guided the development of the strategies listed below.
1. The MVR Business Team is strengthening relationships with employers across Missouri by
- connecting candidates to employers recruiting for apprenticeship opportunities;
- identifying and connecting with businesses offering career pathways paying above median wage;
- expanding Nexus groups across the state to strengthen WIOA partnerships and gain access to employers; and
- utilizing the Talent Acquisition Portal (TAP) to connect candidates to employers.
2. Training Initiatives
MVR focuses training efforts on capturing the services it provides in its case management system for accurate reporting to the Rehabilitation Services Administration and to reflect staff’s work to improve data entry performance.
3. Usage of Data
- MVR is utilizing a data interface for secondary education information to assist in capturing all education data.
- MVR is analyzing a data interface to capture postsecondary data.
- MVR’s data interface with the state’s Unemployment Insurance wage allows access to post wage data.
- MVR tailors its internal data management reports to generate information on its performance with regard to section 116 of WIOA.
4. Expanding work-based learning opportunities to include progressive employment.
MVR is expanding its work-based services to include the progressive employment model. This model provides participants paid work experiences in a supportive environment by offering supports to both the participant and the employer. It utilizes labor market information to assure the vocational goal is in a stable and/or growing occupation, is above minimum wage, and has the potential for career pathways and credential attainment. In addition to the paid work experience, this model continues to support the participant and help with job development, placement, and retention services.
MVR is collaborating, cooperating and coordinating with WIOA partners to work on methods to align data systems, share referrals and determine common intake practices. It will review the performance of the state with respect to the performance accountability measures with WIOA partners to ensure measures are consistent throughout the core programs. Efforts will be directed at cross training to educate partner staff on each other’s programs. MVR will be analyzing methods to work with partners on braided services among programs.