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:
__________
[13] Sec. 102(b)(2)(D)(iii) of WIOA
p. 3. The VR program’s performance on the performance accountability indicators under section 116 of WIOA
Current Narrative:
(3) The Division of Blind Services Performance on the Performance Accountability Indicators under Section 116 of WIOA
FDBS tracks its performance on the accountability measures outlined in Section 116 of WIOA via the Aware case management system. The following table illustrates performance on these measures for the previous program years.
| Successful VR Closures | Number Found Employed 2nd QTR after Exit Date | Percent Found Employed 2nd QTR after Exit Date | Median Earnings for Clients Found Employed 2nd QTR after Exit Date | Number Found Employed 4th QTR after Exit Date | Percent Found Employed 4th QTR after Exit Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FFY 2018-2019 | 878 | 508 | 57.86% | $21,132 | 443 | 50.46% |
| FFY 2019-2020 | 832 | 462 | 55.53% | $22,698 | 365 | 43.87% |
| FFY 2020-2021 | 781 | 86 | 11.01% | $24,474 | 0 | 0.00% |
| Median Earnings for Clients Found Employed 4th QTR after Exit Date | Number Obtained Postsecondary Credential while in Program or within One Year after Exit Date | Percent Obtained Postsecondary Credential while in Program or within One Year after Exit Date | Number Found Employed by Same Employer One Year after Exit Date | Percent Found Employed by Same Employer One Year After Exit Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FFY 2018-2019 | $22,816 | 10 | 1.14% | 352 | 40.09% |
| FFY 2019-2020 | $23,824 | 4 | 0.48% | 270 | 32.45% |
| FFY 2020-2021 | $0 | 0 | 0.00% | 0 | 0.00% |
*Note: The 2020-2021 data is incomplete as this information is not available yet.
Figure 10.13
Additional Standards Outlined in FDBS’s Long-Range Program Plan
| Approved Performance Measures | Approved Standard SFY 2019-2020 | Actual Numbers SFY 2019-2020 | Approved Standard SFY 2020-2021 | Actual SFY 2020-2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number/percent of rehabilitation customers gainfully employed at least 90 days (regardless of wage earned) | 747/68.3% | 888/63.16% | 747/68.3% | 822/59.83% |
| Number/percent rehabilitation customers placed in competitive employment (at or above minimum wage) | 654/64.3% | 881/99.21% | 654/ 64.3% | 814/99.03% |
| Projected average annual earnings of rehabilitation customers at placement | $16,500 | $23,588 | $16,500 | $26,911 |
FDBS shifted priorities in 2021 based on new legislation – most notably HB 1507. While the four main goals remain the same, FDBS, in collaboration with core partners, developed strategies to guide activities of HB 1507 that support requirements prescribed by this bill. These strategies include the following:
- Expand the state’s talent pipeline through the attainment of credentials of value and the acquisition of postsecondary certifications, industry-recognized credentials, and degrees.
- Promote employers’ access to the talents and abilities of individuals with disabilities.
- Coordinate resources to accommodate employees in the workplace and assist with maintaining/advancing their careers successfully.
- Integrate Divisions of Blind Services and Vocational Rehabilitation within Florida’s public higher education institutions.
- Deliver services via an integrated case management system enabling access for core partners to help clients/jobseekers/students access information and help case managers provide holistic services.