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. 8. B. Support innovation and expansion activities; and
Current Narrative:
MVR continues to support innovation and expansion activities through its commitment to supported employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. MVR, in partnership with Missouri Rehabilitation Services for the Blind and Missouri Department of Mental Health – Division of Developmental Disabilities (DMH-DD), collaborated to develop a customized employment pilot program. It is a cross-agency delivery model that focuses on an individual’s unique strengths, needs and interests. The pilot promotes the specific abilities of the individual and meets employer needs through flexible strategies. MVR is paying for staff training and technical assistance.
MVR is also supporting innovation and expansion activities through its work on multiple pilot programs designed to provide peer mentoring for students with disabilities involved in the justice and foster care systems and homeless or housing insecure youth. The pilots include a focus on increasing family engagement. MVR is working with local juvenile justice centers or the family court system and the Missouri Department of Social Services Children’s Division to provide services for this underserved population. Through these programs, MVR is partnering with CILs, the University of Missouri’s College of Education, Missouri State University, the Office of Workforce Development and an employer mentor.
MVR will utilize innovation and expansion funds to support activities of the Missouri State Rehabilitation Council and the Statewide Independent Living Council pursuant to 34 CFR section §361.35.