Located in:
- Program-Specific Requirements for Vocational Rehabilitation (Blind)
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
- c. Cooperative Agreements with Agencies Not Carrying Out Activities Under the Statewide Workforce Development System
Describe interagency cooperation with and utilization of the services and facilities of agencies and programs that are not carrying out activities through the statewide workforce development system with respect to:
- c. Cooperative Agreements with Agencies Not Carrying Out Activities Under the Statewide Workforce Development System
c. 1. Federal, State, and local agencies and programs;
Current Narrative:
FDBS has agreements with the following agencies and other entities that do not conduct activities under the workforce system.
- Agencies for Persons with Disabilities (APD) – FDBS collaborates with APD to coordinate services for consumers with visual impairments and other developmental disabilities.
- Department of Children and Families (DCF) – DCF is a required partner under the Employment First Act.
- Florida Independent Living Council (FILC) – FILC is a federal and state-mandated council that collaborates with FDBS on planning and evaluating independent living services, preparing annual reports and conducting public forums.
- Florida Rehabilitation Association (FRA), State Chapter of National Organization – FRA works to advance rehabilitation of all persons with disabilities.
- Vispero – An assistive technology provider for blind and visually impaired consumers.
Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology (FAAST) provides free access to information, referral services, educational programs and publications on extensive topics related to disability rights, laws/policies and funding opportunities for assistive technology.
FDBS does not collaborate with the Department of Agriculture on a routine basis. Staff are aware of the Rural Development Program and can provide this resource to clients who are interested in homeownership.
FDBS has contracts with 20 CRPs and values the services they provide to our clients. FDBS’ CRPs directly provide and facilitate vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with blindness and low vision to enable clients to maximize their opportunities for employment and career advancement. The CRPs collectively have 14 contracts for pre-employment transition and transition services, 16 contracts for vocational rehabilitation, and 1 contract for supported employment. The CRPs provide education; independent life skills; job training; and job development, retention, and placement services to clients who participate in vocational rehabilitation programs.
To increase accountability, ensure quality services, and drive outcomes, FDBS incorporated common performance measures (or a variant thereof) prescribed by WIOA to determine the effectiveness of CRP performance. The CRPs are responsible for tracking and reporting the number of consumers who obtain employment as a result of receiving their services as well as those still employed in the second and fourth quarters. The contractor receives additional payment for clients who remain employed beyond the fourth quarter. The contractor provides a Performance Measure Proposal to FDBS on a semi-annual basis. The proposal must clearly define a minimum of five (5) performance measures and the methods used to track performance. FDBS withholds payments until the contractor submits the Performance Measure Proposal and required reports.
The Division has a state use contracting agreement with RESPECT to provide cleaning services at the Residential Rehabilitation Center.