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
p. 1. B. Describe the factors that impeded the achievement of the goals and priorities
Current Narrative:
DVR has had difficulty with maintaining a service provider network for supported employment services due to economic stress on the part of community rehabilitation programs and staffing vacancies.
Some DVR service providers have implemented waitlists for services due to capacity issues.
DVR has experienced an increased need for supported employment services due to a Medicaid initiative for funders of long-term supports that incentivizes applications for DVR services. Sometimes the applicants are not interested in DVR services.
DVR originally had 20 Business Services Consultants (BSCs) to assist in developing partnerships with employers, but in 2017, the number of positions was reduced to nine. Three additional BSC positions were recently approved, bringing the total number of DVR BSCs in Wisconsin to 12. DVR is working to expand the knowledge of the BSC's in connecting individuals in supported employment with local businesses and developing models of employer provided supports to accommodate individuals with more significant support needs.
DVR is experiencing longer case lengths for consumers, which has impacted case services and caseload management.
The long-term care system employs several different funding models, and these models do not always incentivize consumers to maximize their work hours (within their disability limitations) or provide stable funding following the close of a DVR case.
Across the statewide system of employment services for people with disabilities, different language, definitions, and service eligibility criteria are used, creating a barrier to seamless service delivery.
The need for soft skill preparation to expand employment opportunities has increased statewide.
Lack of transportation resources impacts the ability of individuals with disabilities to obtain, maintain, or advance in employment, particularly in rural areas of Wisconsin.
Increased education is needed for the business community on the many benefits of hiring our consumers and individuals with disabilities in general.
The need to share information about Employment Networks, Partnership Plus, and other work incentives and provide access to benefits counseling has increased to better address the number of consumers experiencing disincentives to full employment.
DUE TO COVID-19 THERE HAS BEEN A REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF CONSUMERS INTERESTED IN RECEIVING SERVICES FROM MARCH 2020 TO PRESENT AND THE PROVIDER NETWORK HAS ALSO EXPERIENCED ISSUE RELATED TO HIRING AND RETAINING STAFF TO PROVIDE SERVICES AND SUPPORTS TO DVR CONSUMERS.
Since the onset of COVID-19, businesses in the community were less interested in opening up their locations for use as internship/temporary worksites due to closures and reduction in business.