Narrative: b. 1. B.

MVR will implement an order of selection on December 9, 2024. This action will result in 4,736 unserved individuals. MVR counselors refer individuals waiting for services to appropriate federal and state programs, including other components of the statewide workforce development system to assist with employment, training, housing, food and clothing needs.

The needs assessment identified underserved individuals with disabilities as minority populations of Hispanics and African-Americans, individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Hispanic Population:

Based on MVR data for PY 2018 to 2020, on average, there has been a decline in the number of Hispanic clients served. The American Community Survey (ACS) for 2021 shows that the Missouri Hispanic population is 4.6% with 9.5% having a disability. On average from PY 2018 to 2020, MVR served 1,088 Hispanic clients or 3% of its total population served. After analyzing data from the needs assessment, it is determined that these individuals are underserved when compared to the total number of Hispanics with disabilities in Missouri.

From the comprehensive needs assessment, MVR identified the following services as necessary to meet the key needs of Missouri’s Hispanic population with disabilities:

• Interpreter Services – These services depend upon the specific needs of clients and are provided by MVR’s bilingual MVR staff and state-contracted interpreters. The duration of interpreter services mirrors the length of other services.
• Translated Brochures – MVR has Spanish-translated brochures available on its website.
• Outreach Strategies – MVR is developing awareness activities for areas that have been identified as Hispanic communities.
• Job Placement Services – These services involve specialists who identify and cultivate job placement possibilities in the community. These services offer short-term follow-up support and can last between three and nine months. MVR counselors and CRPs provide job placement services.
• SE Services – The nature of the service itself requires an individualized approach based on the needs of an eligible individual. SE services are ongoing support services, including customized employment, and other appropriate services needed to support an individual with a most significant disability to achieve and maintain competitive integrated employment. SE services include customized employment and IPS. Services are provided by CRPs. MVR can provide up to 24 months of community-based job training.
• Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Services – Services include assessment and recommendations for accommodations, assistive devices and rehabilitation technology necessary to improve the quality of work and/or increase work productivity. MVR counselors assess the need and confer with Missouri Assistive Technology. In addition, MVR has a diversity, equity and inclusion consultant who provides cultural diversity training to all MVR staff. The consultant delivers training specific to each office’s population area and assists with developing office plans to address diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Training Services – Services include college, occupational, vocational, customized, literacy, job readiness, disability-related skills training, on-the-job training, apprenticeships, and work-based learning experiences.

African-American Population:

Based on MVR data for PY 2018 to 2020, on average, there has been a decline in the number of African-American clients served. The American Community Survey (ACS) for 2021 shows that Missouri’s African-American population is 10.8% with 16.2% having a disability. On average from PY 2018 to 2020, MVR served 6,496 African-American clients or 19% of its total population served. MVR’s service rate for African-American clients is greater than the rate of African-American Missourians and slightly higher than those with a disability. On average, 19% of all cases closed with successful outcomes were African-American clients. Though there has been a decline in service to African-American clients with disabilities, the data supports that MVR is generally meeting the needs of this population.

From the comprehensive needs assessment, MVR identified the following services as necessary to meet the key needs of Missouri’s African-American population with disabilities:

• Job Placement Services – These services involve specialists who identify and cultivate job placement possibilities in the community. These services offer short-term follow-up support and can last between three and nine months. MVR counselors and CRPs provide job placement services.
• SE Services – The nature of the service itself requires an individualized approach based on the needs of an eligible individual. SE services are ongoing support services, including customized employment, and other appropriate services needed to support an individual with a most significant disability to achieve and maintain competitive integrated employment. SE services include customized employment and IPS. Services are provided by CRPs. MVR can provide up to 24 months of community-based job training.
• Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Services – Services include assessment and recommendations for accommodations, assistive devices and rehabilitation technology necessary to improve the quality of work and/or increase work productivity. MVR counselors assess the need and confer with Missouri Assistive Technology. In addition, MVR has a diversity, equity and inclusion consultant who provides cultural diversity training to all MVR staff. The consultant delivers training specific to each office’s population area and assists with developing office plans to address diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Training Services – Services include college, occupational, vocational, customized, literacy, job readiness, disability-related skills training, on-the-job training, apprenticeships, and work-based learning experiences.

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD):

MVR case data shows on average from PY 2018 to 2020, 2,248 (6%) of individuals with autism/ASD were served, but when looking at the average total number of cases served during this period (28,423), the number of clients with ASD is underserved. On average, only 236 of the 3,521 successful closures for PY 2018 to 2020 were clients with ASD; only 11% of total successful closures.

Accurate figures are difficult to determine as ASD is difficult to diagnose, so some cases go undiagnosed or not reported. The rate of diagnosis for adults with ASD is even less than the rate of diagnosis for children.

MVR reviewed information and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC); the National Autism Society; the Missouri Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorders 2023 Transition to Adulthood report; NAMI; the Missouri Department of Insurance; The Community Report on Autism 2018; and MVR data. Based on this information and additional research, MVR concludes these individuals are underserved.

From the comprehensive statewide assessment, MVR identified the following services as necessary to meet the key needs of individuals with ASD:

• SE Services – The nature of the service itself requires an individualized approach based on the needs of an eligible individual. SE services are ongoing support services, including customized employment, and other appropriate services needed to support an individual with a most significant disability to achieve and maintain competitive integrated employment. SE services include customized employment and IPS. Services are provided by CRPs. MVR can provide up to 24 months of community-based job training.
• Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Services – Services include assessment and recommendations for accommodations, assistive devices and rehabilitation technology necessary to improve the quality of work and/or increase work productivity. MVR counselors assess the need and consult with Missouri Assistive Technology.
• Job Placement Services – These services involve specialists who identify and cultivate job placement possibilities in the community. These services offer short-term follow-up support and can last between three and nine months. MVR counselors and CRPs provide job placement services.
• Transition Services – Transition services assist eligible students and youth with disabilities to successfully prepare them for transitioning into postsecondary education, vocational training or integrated employment. Services can be provided by MVR and coordinated with the Office of Special Education, local school districts and CRPs. Services are provided for the duration of the case.
• Workplace Modifications – Individuals with ASD may experience difficulties in modulating sensory input. Environmental assessments can be provided to identify distractions such as noise levels, lighting, high traffic areas, etc. Services are provided by CRPs and can overlap SE services usually lasting nine months, but MVR can provide up to 24 months of community-based job training.
• Employment Services Plus (ESP) – ESP is designed to assist an individual with Autism Spectrum Disorder-Adult (ASD-A), Brain Injury (BI), and/or Cultural Deafness/hard of hearing (D/HH) who has barriers that require additional supports to achieve a successful employment outcome. ESP provides augmentative services for clients whose disability-related needs exceed the level of support provided by traditional vocational rehabilitation services but does not merit consideration of SE services.
• Training Services – Services include college, occupational, vocational, customized, literacy, job readiness, disability-related skills training, on-the-job training, apprenticeships, and work-based learning experiences.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI):

MVR case data shows on average from PY 2018 to 2020, 426 (1%) individuals with TBI were served but when looking at the average total number of cases served during this period (28,423), the number of clients with TBI is underserved. On average, only 82 of the 3,521 successful closures for PY 2018 to 2020 were TBI cases; only 2% of average total successful closures.

MVR reviewed data from the CDC, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, the Brain Injury Associations of America and Missouri, 2020 Missouri Traumatic Brain Injury Targeted Needs Assessment: Key Findings Report, and data from brainline.org. There is currently an estimated 5.3 million Americans (this includes children and adults) who are living with long-term disabilities due to brain injury. In Missouri, this number is 118,000 individuals.

Based on assessment information and the number of clients with TBI, MVR concludes these individuals are underserved.

From the comprehensive statewide assessment, MVR identified the following services as necessary to meet the key needs of individuals with TBI:

• SE Services – The nature of the service itself requires an individualized approach based on the needs of an eligible individual. SE services are ongoing support services, including customized employment, and other appropriate services needed to support an individual with a most significant disability to achieve and maintain competitive integrated employment. SE services include customized employment and IPS. Services are provided by CRPs. MVR can provide up to 24 months of community-based job training.
• Job Placement Services – These services involve specialists who identify and cultivate job placement possibilities in the community. These services offer short-term follow-up support and can last between three and nine months. MVR counselors and CRPs provide job placement services.
• Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Services – Services include assessment and recommendations for accommodations, assistive devices and rehabilitation technology necessary to improve the quality of work and/or increase work productivity. MVR counselors assess the need and consult with Missouri Assistive Technology.
• Transition Services – Transition services assist eligible students and youth with disabilities to successfully prepare them for transitioning into postsecondary education, vocational training or integrated employment. Services can be provided by MVR and coordinated with the Office of Special Education, local school districts and CRPs. Services are provided for the duration of the case. Data indicated that one of the highest risk groups for TBI was ages 15 to 24.
• Employment Services Plus (ESP) – ESP is designed to assist an individual with Autism Spectrum Disorder-Adult (ASD-A), Brain Injury (BI), and/or Cultural Deafness/hard of hearing (D/HH) who has barriers that require additional supports to achieve a successful employment outcome. ESP provides augmentative services for clients whose disability-related needs exceed the level of support provided by traditional vocational rehabilitation services but does not merit consideration of SE services.
• Training Services – Services include college, occupational, vocational, customized, literacy, job readiness, disability-related skills training, on-the-job training, apprenticeships, and work-based learning experiences.