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. 6. State agency responsible for providing services for individuals with developmental disabilities;
Current Narrative:
WVDRS maintains an MOU with the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Bureau for Medical Services (BMS), the state agency responsible for the State Medicaid plan under the Title XIX of the Social Security Act; this is also known as the Waiver program. An advisory group for the program is constituted with the WVDDC. WVDRS has a position on the council. WVDRS and BMS interact as part of this advisory group through the WVDDC. The primary involvement of the Title XIX Medicaid Waiver program in fostering competitive, integrated employment outcomes through vocational rehabilitation is by mandating referral to WVDRS and providing ongoing support funding for those cases closed by WVDRS in Supported Employment. The WVDDC also advises BMS on policy development with the goal of meeting unmet needs of those participating in the Title XIX Medicaid Waiver program.
In addition to interacting with Title XIX Medicaid Waiver staff as part of the WVDDC meetings, WVDRS participates in two subcommittees, Employment First and Medley Management. The Employment First committee focuses on promoting employment for IDD individuals as a first option among services providers, legislators, state policy makers, and the community at large. The Medley Management committee provides oversight and advice to the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Bureau for Behavioral Health on the state’s Medley program, which serves a specific group of IDD individuals that are at risk of institutionalization. These individuals are often Title XIX Medicaid Waiver-eligible also. On both committees, WVDRS promotes a focus on competitive, integrated employment outcomes.