Narrative: k.

MVR continually reviews its strategies to develop new employer relationships and support businesses that employ individuals with disabilities. Some of its flexible strategies include increasing work-based learning opportunities, on-the-job training, internships, apprenticeships, progressive employment, and customized employment. In addition, MVR works with employers to ensure they have resources for necessary workplace accommodations and rehabilitation technology.

MVR is reviewing its internal processes to work more effectively with employers and WIOA partners. MVR customizes its services to meet the needs of business. It has several employer projects underway. MVR is partnering with multiple employers to provide a work-based learning opportunity for individuals with disabilities. It is also working with various businesses to assist in their recruitment and interview process for applicants with disabilities. One tool being utilized with this purpose in mind is the Talent Acquisition Portal (TAP). TAP is a collaboration with businesses to assist them in finding candidates with disabilities and connecting them with available job openings.

MVR has built partnerships with most major healthcare systems in Missouri to assist individuals with disabilities connect with hospital job openings, job shadowing, and conversations with human resource staff to help MVR clients explore job options.

For several years, MVR has collaborated with workforce partners, CRPs and other agencies to plan and market events to assist employers with their inclusion initiatives. Rather than traditional job fairs where jobseekers meet with employers, MVR clients have booths for employers to visit. They create displays to showcase their talents, skills and abilities. Held at various locations around the state, these events are popular with clients and employers and continue to grow in number.

Workforce Development Boards host annual inclusion events. MVR assists with the planning and participates at these events, which focus on providing employers with relevant information on the benefits of hiring individuals with disabilities. Presentations range from businesses sharing their successes on becoming more inclusive to individuals with disabilities sharing their employment journeys.

In order to meet business needs, MVR developed business services specialist positions that provide statewide coverage at local and state levels. Business services specialists work with labor market information to support both business and MVR staff needs. These specialists not only offer services to employers and businesses, they also work with WIOA partners to develop employment collaboratives creating a central point of contact among agencies. These collaboratives, known as NEXUS groups, are across the state. They focus on connecting candidates with barriers to employment to business partners through meetings, planned events and panel discussions.

MVR has representatives on regional WIOA business services teams. The teams work with local Chambers of Commerce, local educational agencies, local and state economic developers, regional planning commissions, human resource groups and other business organizations to determine employer needs in workforce regions across the state. MVR and the Office of Workforce Development have initiated an employer survey. Feedback is used to assess how to better serve businesses’ needs.

MVR has statewide involvement with the Department Labor and WIOA partners regarding apprenticeship development.  MVR is represented on the Missouri Apprenticeship Team with other partners ensuring it stays abreast of all apprenticeship opportunities statewide to connect MVR jobseekers to opportunities for competitive integrated employment. The agency actively markets the new apprenticeship portal, www.moapprenticeconnect.com, created by the Chamber of Commerce with the goal of making connections between apprentices and apprenticeships. MVR’s assistant commissioner is a member of the Office of Apprenticeship and Work-based Learning Council along with representatives from other partner agencies.

MVR may provide short-term, individualized job coaching through Abilities First Employment Services. Multiple clients participating in this pilot have obtained employment and started their apprenticeships. In the St. Louis area, multiple MVR clients have been selected for or completed a certified nursing assistant registered apprenticeship program that is a partnership between St. Louis Training and Applied Technology Services (A Division of Special School District), the Department of Labor, Missouri Job Centers and employers.

MVR is an active member with the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation’s National Employment Team (NET). This team represents a national network to connect businesses with a footprint in multiple states. It provides MVR with the opportunity to share with and learn from other public vocational rehabilitation agencies.

MVR utilizes the expertise of each State Rehabilitation Council member, which includes individuals typically associated with employers such as professionals from CRPs, CILs, workforce development, business, industry and labor. The council representatives provide valuable input on working with employers to increase competitive integrated employment and career exploration opportunities.

MVR is utilizing its business services specialists to work with employers on providing paid and unpaid work experiences for youth and students with disabilities. It has been coordinating with employers, school districts, CRPs and CILs to provide summer work experience programs. During 2023, 66 CRPs and 1,351 VR-eligible students participated in summer work experiences, and five CILs worked with 18 potentially VR-eligible students. The business services specialists work with employers, MU transition specialists and local education agencies on creating work experiences for students with disabilities. This collaboration, known as Groundhog Job Shadow Month, occurs throughout the year. MVR is working with Wonderland Camp, of Rocky Mount, on an internship program. MVR continues to collaborate with its WIOA partners in providing seamless, coordinated services to youth and students with disabilities.