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. 7. State agency responsible for providing mental health services; and
Current Narrative:
The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau for Behavioral Health is the federally designated State Authority for mental health and substance abuse, as well as the lead agency for intellectual and developmental disabilities and provides planning, direction, training and funding for prevention, treatment, and recovery services throughout the state. WVDRS also maintains an MOU with the Division of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD), within the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau for Behavioral Health (BBH). WVDRS interacts with both BBH and its subsidiary, DIDD.
WVDRS, BBH, and DIDD agree to interact in the following ways to facilitate delivery of services, including extended services, to individuals with the most significant disabilities:
- The BBH administers several Customized Employment grants with vendors of WVDRS. BBH and WVDRS will jointly train the Community Rehabilitation Programs receiving these grants as well as WVDRS staff working with these programs.
- BBH and WVDRS will work together in mediating problems in cases being served jointly in the programs.
- Individuals receiving services from BBH or DIDD will receive information on the eligibility requirements for WVDRS and the services WVDRS provides. If an individual receiving services from BBH or DIDD expresses a desire to work, he or she will be referred to WVDRS at that time.
- WVDRS collaborates with the BBH and its partners to provide quality and timely vocational rehabilitation services to West Virginians with behavioral health conditions who qualify.
WVDRS and BBH regularly attend various meetings together to receive program updates which allows for collaboration whenever possible. Examples of meetings include:
- The Olmstead Council – WVDRS and BBH are required state agencies that participate in quarterly Olmstead Council meetings. Olmstead v. L.C. (1999) is a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding the civil rights of people with disabilities (including those with behavioral health conditions that result in disability) to receive services and supports in the most integrated setting in the community.
- BBH and WVDRS are two of the principal state agencies that must have membership on the West Virginia Behavioral Health Planning Council (WVBHPC) and attend quarterly meetings, working together and with others, to accomplish the goals of the council. The WVBHPC is a unified voice that promotes wellness, recovery, and resiliency for all West Virginians. The primary purpose of the WVBHPC is to advocate for and evaluate the provision of community-based behavioral health services.
- WVDRS and BBH are two of the principal state agencies that must have membership on the West Virginia Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) and attend quarterly meetings allowing each agency to get program updates and collaborate wherever possible. The SILC’s mission is to ensure persons who have disabilities have access to community-based resources that promote personal choice and to facilitate the achievement of their independent living goals.