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:
In keeping with federal mandates, it is the policy of OVR to operate on an OOS when the agency is unable to provide services to all eligible individuals in the same state who apply for services. The OOS in Pennsylvania gives priority first to individuals categorized as Most Significant Disability; secondly, to individuals categorized as Significant Disability; and third to individuals categorized as Non- Significant Disability. All new applicants for services must be notified about the OOS. With all categories closed, it would be expected that Most Significant Disability would be included in these Priority Category breakout on projections listed here for the remaining period of FFY 2021.
The determination of the level of significance is made by the VRC based upon a review of data developed to make the eligibility determination, and to the extent necessary, an assessment of additional data.
Significance of disability is defined based upon the presence of functional capacities and the requirement of multiple VR services, defined as two or more services that are expected to last 6 months from the date of the IPE or be needed on an ongoing basis to reduce an impediment to employment.
With all categories closed, a letter is sent to the individuals who do will be placed on a waiting list for services indicating that they have been determined Most Significant Disability, Significant Disability or Non-Significant Disability. VRCs provide information and referral services regarding the most suitable services to assist the individual on the waiting list and this is documented within a case progress note or the waiting list letter sent to the individual.
Throughout the year, OVR senior management will evaluate the agency’s available resources on a quarterly basis to serve all eligible individuals with disabilities. OVR will determine when to open each category based upon financial availability. One priority category will be opened at a time to clear the waiting list for that priority category before opening the next priority category. If OVR is unable to serve everyone in a specific category, customers will be taken off the list by month of application, starting with the customers who have been waiting the longest to receive services. If resources are available, the OVR District Offices will be informed that they can move individuals from waiting into an active status with OVR. A monthly list will be generated by CWDS. Each quarter, based on financial availability, OVR will determine how many customers will be taken off the deferred list for the recently opened priority category.