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. 4. How the funds reserved for innovation and expansion (I&E) activities were utilized
Current Narrative:
Support of the State Rehabilitation Council (SRC): For PY2020, funds were reserved for SRC to complete its mandated functions, complete necessary travel, and meeting expenses, including contracted services. During PY2020, the SRC expended $27,396.
Support of the State Independent Living Council (SILC): For PY2020, the SILC had an operating budget of $48,000. The budget was developed to be used for professional services, SILC travel, meeting accommodations, operating costs, conference calls, membership dues and fees, and the State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) needs assessment. During PY2020, the SILC expended $548,0195.
As discussed in section o.8.B., DVR's Office of Independent Living Services is responsible for overseeing and coordinating independent living by working in close partnership with each of the Centers for Independent Living (CIL) in Colorado. The support available from the Office has enhanced independent living services available throughout the state and assisted the CILs to identify innovative and promising practices that can be adapted to meet the needs of various communities in Colorado, including expanding the services provided to students and youth with disabilities. Developing and implementing innovative approaches to support the CIL system are incorporated in ongoing administrative activities of this unit; as such, associated costs have not been explicitly identified as innovation and expansion.
Employment First Initiatives: DVR reserved Innovation and Expansion funds to support Employment First Initiatives as recommended by the SRC through the EFAP, consistent with DVR’s identified goals and strategies in the 2020 State Plan. This included funding 4.0 FTE to support Employment First within DVR through an IDD Supported Employment Trainer/Coordinator, a Behavioral Health Supported Employment Trainer/Coordinator; a Benefits Planning Trainer/Coordinator; and a State Advisor on Disability Employment. These positions each facilitated and furthered Employment First Initiatives within DVR. DVR also entered into an interagency agreement to support the development of the Colorado Office of Employment First. The Colorado Office of Employment is developed with the goal of improving and expanding services to individuals with significant disabilities to achieve competitive integrated employment. The key functions of the Colorado Office of Employment First are to coordinate, evaluate, and monitor EFAP recommendations across state agencies to increase CIE; to be the primary source of training across Colorado communities in the area of Employment First policy and practices; to provide technical assistance to employers and state agencies for developing and implementing supported employment models; be the focal point for Employment First communications; and develop sustainability of the COEF.