U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Https

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Plan: Missouri PYs 2024-2027
Combined Plan C

Section: Vocational Rehabilitation Program (Combined or General)

Narrative: l. 8.

Published
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.

    • l. Interagency Cooperation with Other Agencies

      In accordance with the requirements in Section 101(a)(11)(C) and (K), describe interagency cooperation with and utilization of the services and facilities of agencies and programs that are not carrying out activities through the statewide workforce development system to develop opportunities for community-based employment in integrated settings, to the greatest extent practicable for the following:

l. 8. Other Federal, State, and local agencies and programs outside the workforce development system.

View corresponding narrative from PYs 2022-2023 (Mod)

Current Narrative:

Public Institutions of Higher Education (IHE)

In collaboration with the Missouri Rehabilitation Services for the Blind (RSB), MVR has written cooperative agreements with all 34 public IHEs in Missouri. These agreements outline the responsibilities of each entity regarding the provision of services pursuant to the regulations specified in 34 CFR 361.53(d)(1).

Client Assistance Program (CAP)

MVR and CAP management staff meet on a quarterly basis to discuss important issues such as order of selection, new policies, best case practices, due process hearings and mediation, performance measures, joint training activities and public hearings. The CAP is a frequent participant and presenter at MVR-sponsored training sessions. The director of advocacy services with Missouri Protection and Advocacy Services, which CAP is a part of, is a governor-appointed member of the Missouri State Rehabilitation Council and sits on the Council’s Planning Committee, which reviews the state plan, and also on the Impartial Hearing Officer and Program Evaluation committees.

Missouri Department of Mental Health (DMH)

MVR has appointed a state liaison to collaborate with DMH and the governor’s office in a variety of projects and activities. The Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council has active and cooperative participation with MVR, DMH, the governor’s office and other agencies.

MVR has active participation in the following DMH programs:

  • Division of Behavioral Health--Psychiatric Services State Advisory Council
  • Division of Developmental Disabilities State Employment Leadership Network
  • MVR/Division of Behavioral Health Individual Placement with Supports Evidence-Based Supported Employment Program implementation

MVR partners with the Department of Mental Health-Developmental Disabilities Division to deliver customized employment services that promote specific abilities of individuals with disabilities and meets employers' needs through flexible strategies.

MVR is collaboratively funding Disability Benefits 101 with DMH’s Division of Behavioral Health Services.

MVR fosters cooperation and partnership with the Department of Mental Health’s Behavioral Health Division through a statewide collaborative, which is a steering team comprised of both agencies to direct the collaborative efforts to serve individuals with severe and persistent mental illness.

MVR has signed cooperative agreements with 33 nonprofit Community Mental Health Centers, which provide IPS services to MVR clients.

Missouri Rehabilitation Services for the Blind (RSB)

MVR and RSB have a cooperative agreement for serving individuals who are Deaf-blind. Individuals who meet the Helen Keller definition of Deaf-blind may receive services from both agencies. MVR and RSB staff participated in joint training to discuss the cooperative agreement and best-case practices developed to outline coordination of services from both agencies. The cooperative agreement provides an opportunity for each agency to serve individuals with multiple disabilities by taking advantage of the skills and expertise within each agency, while at the same time, utilizing the resources of MVR and RSB to the best advantage.

Missouri Reentry Process

MVR participates in the Missouri Reentry Process, which encourages collaboration between state and local agencies to improve the transition of justice involved individuals leaving prison and returning to Missouri communities and work. State and local agencies include the Departments of Corrections, Office of Workforce Development, Mental Health, Revenue, Social Services, Economic Development, Public Safety, and Health and Senior Services; Elementary and Secondary Education; Missouri Board of Probation and Parole; and Office of the State Court Administrator. Local community representatives include law enforcement, the faith-based community, crime victims and service/treatment providers. MVR is part of the Reentry 2030 Initiative.

Centers for Independent Living (CILs)

There are 22 Independent Living Centers in Missouri. MVR and the CILs work together on a regular basis to routinely share referrals and provide services to mutual clientele. A number of CILs have MVR district staff as active board members.

MVR continues to collaborate with the Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) and the CILs to provide direct services to individuals with disabilities. The state plan developed by SILC and the CILs details the tasks necessary to accomplish the delivery of independent living services that will assist consumers with disabilities to achieve their goals. MVR and SILC utilize an outcome-based measurement tool for CILs to determine consumer satisfaction.

Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Office of Special Education and Missouri Sheltered Workshop Managers

MVR works with DESE’s Office of Special Education and Missouri sheltered workshop managers to comply with Section 511 of WIOA. This collaboration ensures that individuals with disabilities have access to information and services that will enable them to achieve competitive integrated employment. The Office of Special Education provides funding and technical assistance along with regulations and guidelines for the establishment and operation of sheltered workshops. Missouri sheltered workshop managers partner with MVR to carry out the requirements of Section 511. MVR staff provides workshop employees with career counseling and information and referral to local geographic resources that offer employment-related services and support to reach competitive integrated employment. MVR has dedicated staff members to assist in the implementation of Section 511 activities.

Governor’s Council on Disability

The Governor´s Council on Disability (GCD) promotes full participation and inclusion of the nearly 1 million Missourians with disabilities in all aspects of community life by educating citizens, businesses, schools, universities and others of their rights and responsibilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

MVR sponsors students and youth with disabilities to participate in a week-long Missouri Youth Leadership Forum, developed by the GCD that focuses on leadership, citizenship, and social and career development skills. MVR also participates in the GCD’s Virtual Leadership Forum.

An MVR staff member is the liaison to the GCD and attends its quarterly meetings. Likewise, the GCD executive director attends the SRC quarterly meetings and provides input.