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.
- c. Goals, Priorities, and Strategies
Section 101(a)(15) and (23) of the Rehabilitation Act require VR agencies to describe the goals and priorities of the State in carrying out the VR and Supported Employment programs. The goals and priorities are based on (1) the most recent CSNA, including any updates; (2) the State’s performance under the performance accountability measures of Section 116 of WIOA; and (3) other available information on the operation and effectiveness of the VR program, including any reports received from the SRC and findings and recommendations from monitoring activities conducted under Section 107 of the Rehabilitation Act. VR agencies must—
- c. Goals, Priorities, and Strategies
c. 1. Describe how the SRC and the VR agency jointly developed and agreed to the goals and priorities and any revisions; and
Current Narrative:
The West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services (WVDRS) employs many goals to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities, particularly those individuals with the most significant disabilities. Furthermore, WVDRS recognizes those services essential to needs identified in the comprehensive assessment, evaluation of the Designated State Unit’s performance on the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) common performance measures to ensure quality services for individuals with significant disabilities, and services vital to the operation and effectiveness of the vocational rehabilitation (VR) program in West Virginia.
For the development of agency goals and priorities, WVDRS followed WIOA guidance in the development of the Combined State Plan. WVDRS worked closely with the WIOA core partners including WorkForce WV and the WV Adult Education. The WVDRS goals and priorities were developed to support the overall state goals and priorities in achieving a well-integrated workforce development system that provided customer-focused services to job seekers in West Virginia.
The West Virginia State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) maintained involvement throughout the development and assessment of agency goals and priorities in a variety of ways and provided WVDRS with valued input and recommendations. WVDRS executive managers, representatives of SRC, the West Virginia Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC), and the Client Assistance Program (CAP) were invited to discuss WVDRS goals and priorities for carrying out the VR and supported employment programs. The Executive Directors of the SRC and SILC attend monthly WVDRS Executive Management Group (EMG) meetings to discuss various ongoing issues affecting the agency and are privy to the current goals, objectives, and strategies pertaining to specific agency issues. Additional involvement occurs through WVDRS staff members attending SRC and SILC meetings to share information regarding agency performance, needs assessment, and State Plan activities. The SRC was afforded electronic access to the Program Year (PY) 2024 State Plan for review. The SRC members discuss WVDRS activities at regularly scheduled meetings and provide input to WVDRS.