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.
e. 2. If the VR agency has elected to receive title VI funds, Section 606(b)(3) of the Rehabilitation Act requires VR agencies to include specific goals and priorities with respect to the distribution of Title VI funds received under Section 603 of the Rehabilitation Act for the provision of supported employment services. Describe the use of Title VI funds and how they will be used in meeting the goals and priorities of the Supported Employment program.
Current Narrative:
DVR’s priority is to provide supported employment services to all who need them. These services are funded through a combination of Title I and Title VI funds.
DVR seeks to increase the number of individuals receiving supported employment services and to improve competitive integrated employment outcomes for these individuals. To successfully meet the supported employment needs of individuals with the most significant disabilities, DVR continues the collaborative efforts and working relationships between local DVR offices and mental health centers, and between local DVR offices and agencies serving individuals with IDD. DVR has worked and continues to work on a number of projects and training opportunities to increase the number of individuals accessing supported employment services to enhance competitive integrated employment. DVR holds a quarterly Mental Health Consortium meeting for DVR counselors and supervisors, as well as supported employment providers, to support collaboration among those providing supported employment services to individuals with behavioral health needs. The consortium meeting agenda includes relevant training, ensuring ongoing learning and development for all participants. DVR also holds a quarterly Supported Employment Steering Committee for any DVR staff who work with or want to learn about working with individuals with IDD. DVR recently increased supported employment and customized employment rates in order to enhance service provision. The increased rates spurred interest from providers to focus on providing these services, improving provider capacity. DVR and the Colorado Department of Healthcare Policy & Financing (HCPF) plan and facilitate yearly roundtable events to provide training to DVR staff and IDD case managers. The training increases knowledge of DVR services and braided funding opportunities for individuals who have Medicaid employment services waivers. DVR has a Supported Employment Trainer/Coordinator who consistently trains and provides technical assistance for internal staff and external partners on supported employment.
In 2021, Colorado passed legislation that will phase out subminimum wage employment over five years. All 14(c) subminimum wage certificate holders in Colorado have stopped employing people at subminimum wage and have requested to terminate their certificates. DVR will continue to help individuals succeed in finding meaningful and competitive work in integrated settings.