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. 9. Other private nonprofit organizations.
Current Narrative:
WVDRS does not work with any private charities or foundations.
However, the state network of nonprofit Community Rehabilitation Programs (CRPs) is critical to the effective and efficient delivery of vocational rehabilitation (VR) services to individuals with significant disabilities. CRPs also provide services, including pre–employment transition services (Pre-ETS), to students with disabilities. As of November 2023, there are 82 WVDRS-acknowledged parent company CRPs in West Virginia located at 85 service sites. There are also an additional 52 Student Transition to Employment Program (STEP) vendors that focus on serving students with disabilities.
WVDRS maintains working relationships with nonprofit CRPs in West Virginia that provide supported and direct employment, community-based assessment, and/or work skills assessment. CRPs also provide employment readiness services such as life skills and work adjustment, job site training, and extended employment assessment. While respecting freedom of choice, WVDRS encourages work center programs to expand community-based programs for these individuals.
Any CRP meeting the WVDRS acknowledgment process will be permitted under a written Vendor Acknowledgment to bill for services provided to WVDRS consumers. To become a WVDRS-acknowledged vendor, an applicant must request, complete, and return a Vendor Acknowledgment Packet. Upon receipt of the completed packet, a recommendation to acknowledge or not acknowledge will be made to the WVDRS Director.
The Vendor Acknowledgment Packet contains an application for Vendor Acknowledgment to provide supported employment services, an annual data summary that provides the agency’s name, address, contact information, a checklist of those WVDRS services they will be providing, and a Vendor Acknowledgment form addressing conditions of and payment for services rendered to WVDRS consumers.
A signed Vendor Acknowledgment indicates that the vendor agrees to follow conditions set forth regarding standards, antidiscrimination, indemnification, and conditions/standards of operation. The acknowledgment is valid for three years.
CRPs can also supplement work exploration activities and provide opportunities for VR consumers, especially students, statewide. WVDRS also utilizes school personnel as CRP vendors as part of STEP. These teacher/vendors work with students outside of school hours to provide them with CRP services such as community-based assessment, work skills assessment, work adjustment training, job placement, and job coaching. The students benefit from working with a trusted adult, who is already familiar with the student’s strengths and weaknesses. This eliminates the need for new and/or additional assessment by the service provider.
Furthermore, this program allows WVDRS to ensure services are available in rural areas. WVDRS has made it an agency goal and priority to expand CRP service availability.