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. Interagency Cooperation with Other Agencies
l. 2. Programs carried out by the Under Secretary for Rural Development of the Department of Agriculture;
Current Narrative:
Although WVDRS does not maintain a formal agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the office of the Under Secretary for Rural Development, it provides rehabilitation services (as necessary and as needed) to eligible migrant and seasonal farm workers with disabilities. Another available resource is the WV AgrAbility Project, a USDA-funded program established to assist farmers and farm families who need to find ways to accommodate their disabilities in order to remain active in agriculture.
WVDRS shares the vision of WV AgrAbility that is to enhance the quality of life for farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural workers with disabilities, so that they, their families, and their communities continue to succeed in rural America. More specifically, “success” may include: gainful employment in production agriculture or a related occupation, access to appropriate assistive technology needed for work and daily living activities, evidence-based information related to the treatment and rehabilitation of disabling conditions, and targeted support for family caregivers of WV AgrAbility customers. WV AgrAbility addresses a wide variety of disabling conditions in agriculture, including, but not limited to:
- Arthritis
- Spinal cord injuries/paralysis
- Back impairments
- Amputations
- Brain injury
- Visual impairments
- Hearing impairments
- Disabling diseases
- Cerebral palsy
- Respiratory impairments
- Head injury
WV AgrAbility continues to work with WVDRS in advocating for services for WV farmers. WV AgrAbility also provides training for allied health professionals on farm culture, how to tailor treatments to the farmer, and using assistive technology on the farm for Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors, Physical Therapists, and Occupational Therapists. WV AgrAbility continues advocacy efforts with WVDRS, positively impacting WVDRS’ view on agriculture in WV as a viable self-employment option.
If a WV AgrAbility participant becomes a WVDRS consumer, they may receive vocational rehabilitation services to help them reach their employment goal. Services may include:
- Evaluation and assistance in purchasing recommended adaptive devices
- Assistive technology
- Rehabilitation technoloHome, business, and/or vehicle modification
- Assistance for vocational training
- Physical or mental health restoration
- Self-employment and business-related services, if applicable