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. 7. Strategies for assisting other components of the statewide workforce development system in assisting individuals with disabilities
Current Narrative:
While collaboration between DVR and other components of the statewide workforce development system related to the delivery of effective services to individuals with disabilities has improved in recent years, there is still opportunity to improve these partnerships to ensure a seamless experience for job seekers with disabilities DVR intends to continue the following strategies:
- DVR participates in cross-training and sharing of curriculum among all core and combined plan partners. Several local areas have developed processes for ongoing cross-training for staff through on demand training resources, participation in staff meetings, job shadows, etc. DVR will place particular emphasis on collaboration, education and cross-training related to the delivery of effective transition and pre–transition services to students, youth and young adults.
- DVR explores opportunities to identify and assign a DVR liaison to core and partner program providers at the state and local levels.
- DVR infuses disability awareness and etiquette into the cross-education of core and combined plan partners, including the sharing of best practices in serving individuals with disabilities.
- DVR assures the participation of DVR disability subject matter experts on the committees of local workforce boards.
- DVR, in keeping with the spirit and the letter of the law, encourages and pursues the development of all MOUs, cooperative agreements and interagency agreements required and encouraged within WIOA.
- DVR ensures that DVR is represented and DVR staff are involved in state and local sector strategy efforts and activities.
- DVR ensures Disability Awareness Training is current and shares relevant materials, including DVR staff subject matter expertise, with core and combined plan partners to meet the needs of Colorado employers and promote a diverse workforce.
- DVR provides pre-employment transition services, including work experiences, to students with disabilities to assure that youth and young adults are better prepared for the services they will receive through other core and partner programs.
- DVR promotes STEM awareness, activities and opportunities, particularly through pre–employment and transition services to youth.
- DVR is piloting a collaborative program with Workforce Centers to implement Disability Program Navigators who will be responsible for helping individuals with disabilities to fully access all available programs at the Workforce Center, while also assisting them to co-enroll in other services, such as DVR.