Narrative: c. 1.

The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) works with other state agencies and many Councils and Committees whose focus is on individuals with disabilities. Once approved, all agreements and Memoranda of Understanding are considered to be in effect until replaced or discontinued according to the terms of each agreement. At a minimum, DVR reviews MOUs at least annually to determine those that are in need of updating or replacement. DVR convenes teams with broad stakeholder participation to work on MOUs according to the needs of the particular  agreement. 

DVR has a long-standing relationship and works very closely with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Presently,  DVR and DHHS have two memorandums of understanding (MOU); one MOU is with the Office of Aging and Disability Services  (OADS), which serves individuals with developmental disabilities; the other MOU is with the Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHS) which serves individuals with mental health issues. Additionally, DVR, OADS and SAMHS have developed and are implementing joint approaches to the workforce development of community rehabilitation providers and business engagement throughout the state. DVR, the Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired (DBVI), OADS and SAMHS are currently holding work sessions to develop a joint MOU that will develop a cost sharing plan to address current WIOA regulations.

The current MOU’s address the combined efforts that DVR and DHHS have initiated and clarify roles to improve the successful outcomes for these jointly served populations. • DHHS Office of Aging and Disability Services and DVR/DBVI MOU (updated June 2014) “This Memorandum is intended to guide the Maine Department of Labor’s Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS), through its Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired and Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, and the Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) in the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), through a system change planning process for the purpose of implementing an aligned service delivery system that promotes evidence–based practices. It contains information about policies and processes that pertain to maintaining and enhancing the relationship between these two entities”.

DHHS Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services and DVR MOU (updated August 2013) “This Memorandum is intended to guide the Maine Department of Labor’s Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS), through its Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, and the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), through its Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHS), in the course of planning and implementing an aligned service delivery system that promotes evidence–based practices. It contains information about policies and processes that pertain to maintaining and enhancing the relationship between these two entities.”

Through these strong partnerships with OADS and SAMHS, DVR has been able to maximize federal and state funding to Maine by drawing down its full federal allotment for public rehabilitation services and accessing employment support services through Medicaid waivers.

• Interagency Support of Benefits Counseling

DVR continues to work closely with many other state partners to ensure that Maine’s benefits counseling services remain available to beneficiaries of SSI/SSDI, and specifically, DVR applicants and eligible clients. DVR currently administers a single contract with Maine’s approved WIPA provider, Maine Medical Center’s Department of Vocational Services, which includes funding from four sources of state and federal funds, including from the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services, and Office of Aging and Disability Services.

The contract’s scope of work includes direct service provision of benefits counseling, training of VR counselors and case managers, and service capacity building through quarterly system development network meetings, which include representatives from the Disability Rights Center’s Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) and the Bureau of Employment Services.

•Memorandum of Understanding with PJCC (Penobscot Job Corps Center)

In May 2018, Maine DVR finalized a Memorandum of Understanding with PJCC. The purpose of the agreement is to set forth the commitments of PJCC and the Maine DVR to meet the needs of students and young adults with disabilities and to better coordinate the process of student transition to employment. Cross-training opportunities are held annually.  

• Veterans Administration and VR MOU

A Memorandum of Understanding between the Maine Department of Labor – Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and Division for the Blind & Visually Impaired, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Services was finalized and signed in November 2011.

"The purpose of this MOU is to set forth the commitments of BRS and VA–VR&E to cooperate to meet the needs of veterans with disabilities... Through the efforts outlined in this agreement, BRS and VA–VR & E will strive to minimize duplication of services, improve information sharing and referral, and coordinate activities in accordance with all applicable statutes and regulations."

Maine DVR held its annual meeting with the Veterans’ Administration Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Services on August 13, 2019. The MOU is currently being updated to reflect new language from WIOA and other changes and is expected to be out early in 2020. Maine DVR has identified staff that operate as veterans’ liaisons in each office

• Department of Corrections and VR MOU – Procedural Guidance

The Maine Department of Labor– Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, DVR/DBVI and the Maine Department of Corrections (DOC) have worked together to establish procedural guidance on collaboration between the agencies. Work thus far has resulted in two procedural directives outlining how the agencies will work together to best meet the needs of individuals who are currently incarcerated or on probation and may be eligible for vocational rehabilitation services.  Employment has been identified as one of the most important factors in reducing recidivism among individuals who are exiting the criminal justice system. 

In Maine, there are many individuals who may be eligible for VR services who are currently incarcerated and who could potentially benefit from Vocational Rehabilitation services to obtain and maintain employment upon their release. The Department of Corrections through its prisons and probation systems are committed to working collaboratively with DVR to promote appropriate referrals, as well as the exchange of information and needed documentation to support VR eligibility determination.

 In each of the larger offices, a DVR staff member has been identified who serves as the liaison to the correctional facilities in their region.

DVR corrections liaisons meet as a group on a quarterly basis with DOC staff to share updates and best practices.

• Workers Compensation Board and DVR MOU

During 2012, representatives of the Workers Compensation Board (WCB) and Maine Division of Vocational Rehabilitation worked together to create a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU was completed and signed, effective November 2012. DVR and the WCB are committed to working together to improve services and employment outcomes for individuals who, as a result of injury need vocational rehabilitation services to return to employment. Through the efforts outlined in the MOU, DVR and the WCB will strive to maximize employment opportunities for injured Maine workers, minimize duplication of services, improve information sharing and referrals, and coordinate activities in accordance with all applicable statutes and regulations.

Since then, DVR has met annually to review the MOU and to share updates and successes. The MOU is currently out for renewal with anticipated final approval in Spring 2020.

The Division for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Late Deafened is part of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and provides programing and services to people who are deaf, hard of hearing, and late deafened. DVR continues its joint effort with DBVI providing services for co-enrolled clients by coordinating with the University of Southern Maine Linguistics Department, Helen Keller National Center (HKNC) for the Deaf-Blind, and the Maine Deaf-Blind Project, (a project which is a member of the New England Consortium of Deaf Blind Projects, and provides technical assistance for students until the age of 21 and focuses on transition age youth) to improve services for clients who are deaf-blind or dual sensory impaired from hearing and vision loss. Although the program, "Independence Without Fear”has discontinued, the collaboration has expanded to include the Department of Health and Human Services, Disability Rights Maine, Division for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Late Deafened, and a Tri-state Collaborative with Vermont and New Hampshire. 

Efforts have included discussions to recruit, train and maintain a database of specially trained volunteers who can facilitate communication for people with significant vision and hearing impairments, as well as other services that are available to the dual sensory population.  HKNC and OIB-TAC have provided training to staff on services to this targeted population. DVR/DBVI are currently working on accessing the training needs of Community Rehabilitation Providers and coordinating with HKNC to provide training to dual sensory loss clients.

Dual sensory clients are also being provided Support Service Providers (SSP) through a program with USM. SSP’s are Linguistic students that provide home/community services for college credit.