Located in:
- Program-Specific Requirements for State Vocational Rehabilitation (Combined or General)
The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services Portion of the Unified or Combined State Plan must include the following descriptions and estimates, as required by sections 101(a) and 606 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by title IV of WIOA.
a. 5. Provide the VR agency’s response to the Council’s input and recommendations, including an explanation for the rejection of any input and recommendations.
List each recommendation/input followed by the VR agency response
Current Narrative:
- Providing SRC with key performance metrics at each full council meeting in order to better understand progress toward goals, gaps in outcomes, and allow for the Council to make more timely recommendations to impact performance.
- DVR agrees that program data is critical to the work of the SRC. DVR worked with the SRC to identify the metrics of interest. The SRC identified metrics that had previously been reported on an annual basis and requested that the information be provided at each quarterly SRC meeting in a summary report providing a year over year comparison. This report has been developed and is now shared with the SRC and discussed during each SRC meeting. This has allowed the SRC to have an increased understanding of DVR performance throughout the year, exploring any concerning trends and celebrating any notable improvements.
- That DVR implements a more robust background check policy for all providers who are approved to provide vocational rehabilitation goods and services.
- DVR agrees that it is necessary to minimize the risk of harm for individuals participating in VR services, particularly those whose age, disability, or other circumstances create increased vulnerability to abuse or exploitation. DVR currently requires a criminal back check for all providers who have direct contact with people receiving services or who have access to the individual’s Personally Identifiable Information. The SRC maintains a recommendation that DVR should require more extensive background checks than are currently required by policy and that the policy should apply to all providers. DVR has not expanded background check requirements based on concerns about the impact additional requirements will have on supporting informed choice for those receiving services, categories of vendors who pose little to no risk of harm (e.g., retail stores), and feedback from vendors regarding the administrative burden of additional background check requirements. DVR and the SRC have engaged in productive dialogue around this recommendation, with the SRC expressing increased awareness and understanding of the complexities surrounding background checks. The SRC has since expressed interest in supporting DVR with a more nuanced approach, supporting both safety of people receiving services and their informed choice. These discussions will continue.
- That DVR ensures comprehensive policies and procedures are in place for how individuals receiving services report a concern about mistreatment or abuse from a provider or member of DVR staff, along with clear procedures for how these reports are investigated, reported, and resolved.
- DVR agrees it is essential that both people receiving services and DVR staff have a clear understanding of how to handle a situation of potential abuse or mistreatment. While DVR’s complaint and appeal processes are clearly documented in policy and documents routinely provided to people receiving services, they do not explicitly address situations of abuse or mistreatment. DVR’s Policy Advisory Committee is currently researching and drafting policy and procedural language that will provide more direct information. The SRC will be engaged in the development and review of this policy and procedure as research is completed.
- That the SRC and DVR partner to develop a formal process for the SRC to make recommendations and document responses from DVR throughout the year to allow for a more engaged and interactive process.
- DVR agrees that clearly documenting both recommendations and responses is important to an effective partnership. The SRC recommended a memo procedure for the SRC to provide their recommendations in writing. The memo is then used as a communication tool for DVR to acknowledge review and provide estimated timelines for response and/or resolution to the recommendation. The memo procedure is not intended to be overly prescriptive or formal. Both parties shift from the memo to direct conversations when this is more conducive to resolving the recommendations or concerns raised by SRC.
- That DVR ensures assistive technology and digital literacy skills are addressed by DVR counselors early in the VR process, particularly as services continue to be offered through a hybrid approach.
- DVR agrees that assistive technology and digital literacy are increasingly important. The initial engagement process completed by DVR staff includes a discussion of digital skills, access to needed technology, and consideration of assistive technology needs. Additional assessment is completed when necessary during the comprehensive assessment to determine vocational rehabilitation service needs.