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. 5. State agency responsible for administering the State Medicaid plan under title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.);
Current Narrative:
Kansas Rehabilitation Services (KRS) is set to collaborate with the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) in establishing an interagency agreement delineating roles and responsibilities pertaining to competitive, integrated employment for individuals with disabilities in Kansas. KDADS and KDHE jointly oversee the administration of the Medicaid program, with KDADS specifically managing services for individuals with intellectual disabilities and behavioral health challenges.
The primary objective of this agreement is to foster a shared understanding of responsibilities, policies, and procedures. It will encompass data sharing initiatives aimed at comprehensively analyzing how mutual consumers engage with the array of services and support available to them. Of utmost importance, the agreement will establish a collaborative framework for services that enhance competitive, integrated employment outcomes for people with disabilities. A key focus will be on outlining procedures for referring youth with disabilities to vocational rehabilitation (VR) services, allowing them to explore options for competitive, integrated employment rather than being immediately placed in sub-minimum wage positions after leaving school, in accordance with Section 511 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. Additionally, the agreement will address referral procedures for adults currently employed in sub-minimum wage roles, enabling VR to provide periodic guidance and career counseling related to competitive, integrated employment opportunities.
Continuous communication and collaboration remain integral to KRS's operations with other agencies concerning the competitive, integrated employment of individuals with disabilities in Kansas. Notably, this includes active participation in the Governor's Behavioral Health Planning Council and its vocational sub-committee, the Developmental Disabilities Council, the Kansas Commission on Disability Concerns, the Employment First Commission, and the Kansas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Additionally, KRS has established agreements with Comprehensive Schools for the Blind in Colorado (Colorado Center for the Blind) and Missouri (Alphapointe) to ensure access to the intensive level of training required by certain consumers. KRS will consistently seek further agreements as necessary to effectively meet the evolving needs of its consumers.