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
m. 1. E. How individuals with the most significant disabilities are selected for services before all other individuals with disabilities
Current Narrative:
All OS Categories will be open during Federal Fiscal Year 2021, as long as sufficient fiscal and personnel resources remain available to provide VR services to all eligible applicants with most significant, significant, and non-significant disabilities.
DRS’ Client Services Manual clearly outlines OS Categories to ensure priority services for persons with MSD throughout the state. Priority is given to individuals with the most significant disabilities (OS 1), then to individuals with significant disabilities (OS 2), then to individuals with non-significant disabilities (OS 3). Furthermore, DRS has budgeted sufficient resources to serve all consumers with disabilities in all open OS Categories with priority given to persons with MSD. DRS utilizes data and caseload management reports to monitor and ensure services to OS Category 1, persons with MSD, are maintained through the FY.
DRS will open or close OS Categories as needed; these actions will be included in an amendment to the State Plan. DRS will assess the agency’s fiscal and personnel resources and ability to maintain continuous VR services prior to opening or closing each OS Category. DRS will ensure that individuals with MSD are being served, with no individuals with MSD on the waitlist prior to opening the next OS Category.
When a closed category is reopened for services, individuals in that category will be notified in writing by DRS that they can now receive services. DRS will ensure all individuals selected for services will continue to receive those services without interruption.