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.
- b. Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment (CSNA).
Section 101(a)(15), (17), and (23) of the Rehabilitation Act require VR agencies to provide an assessment of:
- b. Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment (CSNA).
b. 1. C. Individuals with disabilities served through other components of the workforce development system; and
Current Narrative:
Key Findings:
Regarding integration into the Division of Workforce Services there is seemingly equivalent or better integration and physical proximity between ARS and the parent agency. Internal respondents noted that top-down leadership was collaborative, the relationship was productive, and there have been local integrations into workforce boards. Integration is continuing as ARS is a more specialized workforce entity comprised largely of full-time employees.
The relationship with the Division of Services for the Blind was also examined. While both Arkansas Rehabilitation Services and Services for the Blind are administratively housed in the same location, share policies with performance measures, are appropriated from the same budget, and are focused on vocational rehabilitation, there are numerous areas where the two agencies are incommensurable. Division of Services for the Blind has its own governing board rather than an advisory board, are extremely specialized in-service delivery, and operate under a distinct administrative culture and history from Arkansas Rehabilitation Services.
Recommendations:
Division of Workforce Services:
- Utilization or standardization of practices with a common referral form would be beneficial to make sure potential clients are properly referred to ARS and other providers.
- More regular meetings and communication between institutional partners.
- Common and established deadlines between ARS and DWS may help align varied institutional priorities and processes.
- Given different employee requirements and focuses, continue to utilize ARS expertise of field employees and DWS broad business network and other internal referral processes/ databases.
Services for the Blind:
- More regular meetings and communication between institutional partners.
- It may be beneficial for both ARS and Division of Services for the Blind to collaborate to receive more clients, and ARS would gain greater access to additional rehab services.