Narrative: p. 1. A.

During the last FFY, below are updates on strategies that contributed to achievement of the goals:

Goal 1: This goal was originally established before the full implementation and rules under WIOA were available. Recent success 2018 State Plan Amendment Goals:

Goal 1

To obtain at least 1000 successful closures for DVR clients in FFY 2018 and 2019 thereby substantially maintaining solid employment outcomes for DVR clients in Maine. These employment outcomes and goals from 2018 through 2019 will be impacted by the change in serving more youth in school. DVR has seen a decrease in their overall employment outcomes, as DVR will not realize successful outcomes from these in school youth for a few years. In addition, with the focus of DVR’s resources to in school youth, there may be fewer VR resources for adults with disabilities

Goal 2

To serve all individuals with the most significant disabilities in a timely manner, which means determining eligibilities within 60 days and developing plans for employment for all consumers within the new 90-day time frame. DVR will continue to maintain no wait list for those individuals in categories 1 and 2 and will monitor the ability to again serve those in category 3 in the future.

Goal 3

To ensure that individuals with disabilities who may be unserved or underserved or who have minority status have access to DVR services.

Goal 4

Maine DVR will partner with the larger workforce development system to improve opportunities and access for DVR clients as measured annually by documented collaborative activities, technical assistance, and training.

Goal 5

Maine DVR will partner with Adult Education, the SWIB, and the larger workforce development system to incorporate and apply the new rules related to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

A. Identify the strategies that contributed to the achievement of the goals.

Goal 1: Maine DVR, while not attaining the number of closures forecast, due in large part to OOS Category 3 closure, has continued to place individuals with significant disabilities in competitive integrated employment. DVR has focused on strategies that engage clients to reduce early exit from VR. Maine has done this through implementation of effective practices and an attention to partnerships both within and outside the workforce system. Pre-Employment Transition Services have introduced VR services to younger clients and have strengthened students with disabilities’ skills and preparation for post-secondary education and employment. Maine has met its annual requirement to expend 15% of grant funds on Pre-Employment Transition Services. For example, a school-based mentoring pilot with the Center for Independent Living is leading to roll-out of a statewide fee for service peer mentoring model for students and youth with disabilities – with WINTAC assistance. A tight labor market coupled with VR’s roll-out of dual customer strategies such as Progressive Employment have increased employer awareness of jobseekers with disabilities as an untapped talent pool. DVR continues to work closely with Community Rehabilitation Providers to ensure that they have the training and tools to effectively provide services to VR clients. This is provided in large part through DVR’s support with the Department of Health and Human Services of Maine’s Employment for ME Workforce Development System that regularly offers ACRE-certified employment specialist training as well as advanced topical training.

Goal 2: DVR has made significant progress with this goal due in large part to regular review of time to eligibility and time to plan data with VRCs, management, and the State Rehabilitation Council. Additionally, training to staff on best practices in determining eligibility and plan development (based on technical assistance from RSA) have supported counselors to change their process for determining eligibility and plan development. DVR has also increased use of work-based learning, paid work experiences, Progressive Employment, and other strategies like use of the Career Exploration Workshop to help individuals find out more about the world of work sooner in the VR process. DVR has embraced the philosophy that “everyone is ready for something” meaning that clients can take steps with VR’s support towards their employment goals more rapidly than they would have been able to in the past.

Goal 3: DVR has taken several measures to meet the needs of underserved and minority populations. A Memorandum of Understanding with the Tribal VR 121 Grant has resulted in co-enrollment and cross-training opportunities. Reentry of individuals with disabilities exiting the corrections system is supported by a quarterly working group made up of identified DVR liaisons and Department of Corrections representatives. Recently, in collaboration with the Bureau of Employment Services, DVR delivered a Career Exploration Workshop series to inmates in the Maine Correctional Center to prepare them for employment success after release. Each DVR office has a VR Veterans liaison who has additional knowledge of Veterans services and resources. The liaisons meet quarterly with the Maine’s Bureau of Employment Services’ VETS team. These meetings often include representatives of the Veterans’ Affairs – Vocational Rehabilitation & Education team as well. DVR has contracts with Clubhouse programs across the state to support employment goals of individuals with mental health disabilities. Staff are assigned to each Clubhouse and have scheduled times during each month when they are available on site. Maine continues to see increasing numbers of individuals who are “New Mainers”. DVR has participated in efforts to increase awareness of DVR services among this population. Maine’s population typically is the oldest in the nation. DVR routinely assists workers who have age-related acquired disabilities (such as hearing loss) who wish to remain in the workforce. As of April 2019, there were no individuals working at subminimum wage in Maine – nor were any certificates issued to employers or community rehabilitation programs. This reflects Maine’s long-standing commitment to competitive integrated employment.

Goal 4: Since the implementation of WIOA – and using lessons learned from previous initiatives like ODEP’s Disability Employment Initiative grant - DVR has worked with its WIOA and workforce system partners to provide cross-training and technical assistance on best practices on serving individuals with disabilities. The Director of the Division for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Late-Deafened provides Deaf Awareness and Etiquette training within the CareerCenters and in the community for workforce partners like Adult Education. Hires of individuals with disabilities to work in the CareerCenters has also reinforced the message that individuals with disabilities are welcome. At a state level, partners work together to address access through the Information Technology Accessibility Committee. DVR houses the State ADA Accessibility Coordinator who routinely provides technical assistance formally and informally as new programs, services and physical spaces are developed. The Center for Workforce Research and Information hosts a webpage on Maine Workers with Disabilities  https://www.maine.gov/labor/cwri/disabilities/index.html,which is a useful resource both within and outside the workforce system. Maine DVR continues to maintain a Memorandum of Understanding with the Workers Compensation Board that allows for referral of applicants seeking vocational rehabilitation services via the Board and provides for reimbursement to DVR for those services. That MOU is currently out for updating.

Goal 5: Since the passage of WIOA, DVR has worked to amend and align its rules, policies, procedures. DVR meets regularly with core partners and has engaged in the challenging work of finding new ways to meet client needs through collaboration. This work has been aided by technical assistance from WINTAC, NTACT, JDVRTAC and other targeted resources. Co-location within the Maine Department of Labor has supported progress on development and ongoing support of partnerships. One recent example is use of Maine’s Reemployment Systems Integration Dislocated Worker Grant to create an online integrated web portal, called W.O.R.K. Services, across Employment Services, Rehabilitation Services and Adult Education. Currently being piloted, W.O.R.K. Services provides virtual “no wrong door” access to individuals who are seeking employment and training but who may be unaware of state services and programs. Users can select for information to be shared across systems thereby increasing efficiencies and timely access to services.

in this goal was impacted by a continued waitlist in Category 3, which reduced the overall number of successful employment closures. Additionally, increasing focus on serving youth – who may be in services much longer – means that successful closure in employment may be delayed. DVR will continue to explore efficiencies and additional resources that may allow for opening of Category 3, which is currently closed.

Goal 2: Staff turnover and prolonged vacancies have been challenging to timely service. In order to meet clients’ needs, casework supervisors have taken on caseloads and VR counselors have taken on extra clients. Recent agency-wide training on effective practices like Motivational Interviewing, changes in the Community Rehabilitation Provider payment system, and repurposing of positions are designed to promote operational efficiencies that lead to improved outcomes for DVR clients.

Goal 3: While progress was made in this goal, turnover rates and related vacancies resulted in additional training needs to support attainment of the goal. During the next State Plan, DVR will increase staff training to promote cultural competencies and will explore opportunities with other state partners to increase diversity in hiring of agency staff.

Goal 4: Turnover among DVR and partner staff makes cross-training an ongoing need. However, use of recorded webinars, video-conferencing and other asynchronous learning is supporting systemic ways to ensure that information and resources are effectively shared.

Goal 5: DVR continues to make progress with its partners of full realization of both the spirit of WIOA and its mandates. Execution of Memoranda of Understanding, cost allocation, and other areas are in development.