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.
g. 2. C. The VR agency’s goals for serving individuals in each priority category, including how the agency will assist eligible individuals assigned to closed priority categories with information and referral, the method in which the VR agency will manage waiting lists, and the projected timelines for opening priority categories. NOTE: Priority categories are considered open when all individuals in the priority category may be served.
Current Narrative:
MVR's goal for serving eligible individuals in each priority category is to remove them from the waiting list and place them into services as funds become available. MVR will use the following procedures to manage waiting lists and assist eligible individuals assigned to closed priority categories with information and referral:
1) An eligible individual will be placed in the appropriate priority category and receive written notification of the assigned priority category. The eligible individual’s date of application will be used to determine the order of services within a priority category.
2) Individuals will be notified of their right to appeal their category assignment.
3) An eligible individual’s placement in a priority category may be changed under justifiable circumstances.
4) Rationale for placement will appear in the individual’s case file.
5) The order of selection shall in no way affect the provision or authorization of diagnostic and evaluation services needed to determine eligibility.
6) The order of selection shall in no way affect the provision of pre-employment transition services to students with disabilities who were receiving such services prior to being determined eligible for VR and were placed in a closed category.
7) Eligible individuals who are at immediate risk of losing employment and require specific services or equipment to maintain employment are not subject to the order of selection for only those specific services or equipment necessary to maintain employment.
8) Services authorized or provided to any eligible individual shall not be disrupted as a result of an order of selection or the closing of a priority category.
9) All funding arrangements for providing services, including any third-party arrangements and awards by MVR, shall be consistent with the order of selection. If any funding arrangements are inconsistent with the order of selection, MVR shall renegotiate these funding arrangements so that they are consistent with the order of selection.
10) Eligible individuals who are in a priority category that is not open, shall be provided accurate vocational rehabilitation information and guidance, including counseling and referral for job placement, using appropriate modes of communication to assist them in preparing for, securing, retaining or regaining employment. These individuals will also be referred to other appropriate federal and state programs, including the statewide workforce investment career centers.
11) Individuals being referred to appropriate programs, as mentioned above, shall be provided the following:
(a) a notice of the referral to the agency carrying out the program
(b) information identifying a specific point of contact within the agency to which the individual is being referred
(c) information and advice regarding the most suitable services to assist the individual to prepare for, secure, retain, advance in, or regain employment
MVR’s projected timelines to reach an employment outcome varies significantly with each individual. It is estimated that the average number of months to reach an employment outcome for priority category I is approximately 30 months, priority category II is approximately 47 months, and priority category III is approximately 25 months.