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
e. Cooperative Agreements with Private Nonprofit Organizations
Describe the manner in which the designated State agency establishes cooperative agreements with private non-profit VR service providers.
Current Narrative:
Cooperative Agreements with Private Non–Profit Vocational Rehabilitation Service Providers
The state network of Community Rehabilitation Programs (CRPs) is critical to the effective and efficient delivery of vocational rehabilitation (VR) services to individuals with significant disabilities. CRPs also provide services, including pre–employment transition services (Pre-ETS), to students with disabilities. As of October 2019, there are 72 DRS–acknowledged parent company CRPs in West Virginia located at 80 service sites. There are also an additional 67 Student Transition to Employment Program (STEP) vendors that focus on serving students with disabilities.
DRS maintains working relationships with non–profit CRPs in West Virginia that provide supported and direct employment, community–based assessment, and/or work skills assessment. CRPs also provide employment readiness services such as life skills and work adjustment, job site training, and extended employment assessment. While respecting freedom of choice, DRS encourages work center programs to expand community–based programs for these individuals.
Any CRP meeting the DRS acknowledgment process will be permitted under a written Vendor Acknowledgment to bill for services provided to DRS consumers. In order to become a DRS– acknowledged vendor, an applicant must request, complete, and return a Vendor Acknowledgment Packet. Upon receipt of the completed packet, a recommendation to acknowledge or not acknowledge will be made to the DRS Director.
The Vendor Acknowledgment Packet contains an application for Vendor Acknowledgment to provide supported employment services, an annual data summary that provides the agency’s name, address, contact information, a checklist of those DRS services they will be providing, and a Vendor Acknowledgment form addressing conditions of and payment for services rendered to DRS consumers.
A signed Vendor Acknowledgment indicates that the vendor agrees to follow conditions set forth regarding standards, anti–discrimination, indemnification, and conditions/standards of operation. The acknowledgment is good for three years.
CRPs can also supplement work exploration activities and provide opportunities for VR consumers, especially students, statewide. DRS also utilizes school personnel as CRP vendors as part of STEP. These teacher/vendors work with students outside of school hours to provide them with CRP services such as community-based assessment, work skills assessment, work adjustment training, job placement, and job coaching. The students benefit from working with a trusted adult who is already familiar with the student’s strengths and weaknesses. This eliminates the need for new and/or additional assessment by the service provider. Furthermore, this program allows DRS to ensure services are available in rural areas. DRS has made it an agency goal and priority to expand CRP service availability.