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:
The state plan goals and priorities for the distribution of funds from section 603 of the Rehabilitation Act for the provision of supported employment services are:
Goal 1: Maintain high quality supported employment services.
Target: Increase or maintain the number of annual CRP summits.
Baseline data: PY 2021: four CRP summits PY 2022: four CRP summits
Strategies:
1. Identify and share best case practices around providing supported employment services.
2. Continue to provide training through annual CRP Summits.
Goal 2: Implement collaborative programs to promote braiding of services within the statewide workforce development system.
Target: Increase or maintain the number of agreements with Community Mental Health/Treatment Centers providing IPS services per program year.
Baseline data: PY 2021: 26 PY 2022: 33
Strategies:
1. Continue to provide and expand IPS services statewide in partnership with the Department of Mental Health-Behavioral Health Division.
2. MVR entered into contract with the Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts Boston to develop a plan for implementing customized employment services across Missouri.
Title VI funds are utilized for supported employment services through a fee-for-service as established in MVR’s supported employment cost analysis. Title I funds are also utilized for the provision of supported employment services.
MVR estimates that the number of eligible individuals with the most significant disabilities who will receive supported employment services during FFY 2025 is 6,745. MVR estimates that it will spend Title I and Title VI funds of $20,036,980 in FFY 2025 on supported employment services. These services will be provided through nonprofit, accredited CRPs.
With funds reserved pursuant to section 603(d), for youth with the most significant disabilities, MVR focuses on delivering services that result in competitive, integrated employment. It can provide or arrange for extended services for a period not to exceed four years. However, to leverage funding, it relies on community rehabilitation providers and community organizations for the provision of supported employment services, including extended services to youth with the most significant disabilities or until the youth turns 25 years of age, whichever comes first. These services and activities may include job coaching, job supports (both on and off the job), guidance and counseling, retention services, resources for benefits counseling, information and referral, and employer consultation.
To increase resources for extended services and expanded supported employment opportunities for youth with the most significant disabilities, MVR leverages other public and private funds through its continued work the DMH-DD division in utilizing home and community-based waivers. It will continue to work closely with the Missouri Department of Social Services MOHealthNet Division and the Department of Mental Health (DMH) Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities divisions to ensure that youth with the most significant disabilities are receiving extended services.