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.
- d. Evaluation and Reports of Progress: VR and Supported Employment Goals
For the most recently completed program year, provide an evaluation and report of progress for the goals or priorities, including progress on the strategies under each goal or priority, applicable to that program year. Sections 101(a)(15) and 101(a)(23) of the Rehabilitation Act require VR agencies to describe—
- d. Evaluation and Reports of Progress: VR and Supported Employment Goals
d. 3. The use of funds reserved for innovation and expansion activities (Sections 101(a)(18) and 101(a)(23) of the Rehabilitation Act) (e.g., SRC, SILC).
Current Narrative:
Support of the State Rehabilitation Council (SRC): For PY2022, funds were reserved for SRC to complete its mandated functions, complete necessary travel, and meeting expenses, including contracted services. During PY2022, the SRC spent $28,780.
Support of the State Independent Living Council (SILC): For PY2022, the SILC had an operating budget of $48,000. The budget was developed to be used for professional services, SILC travel, meeting accommodations, operating costs, conference calls, membership dues and fees, and the State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) needs assessment. During PY2022, the SILC spent $73,350.
DVR's Office of Independent Living Services is responsible for overseeing and coordinating independent living by working in close partnership with each of the Centers for Independent Living (CIL) in Colorado. The support available from the Office has enhanced independent living services available throughout the state and assisted the CILs to identify innovative and promising practices that can be adapted to meet the needs of various communities in Colorado, including expanding the services provided to students and youth with disabilities. Developing and implementing innovative approaches to support the CIL system are incorporated in ongoing administrative activities of this unit; as such, associated costs have not been explicitly identified as innovation and expansion.
Employment First Initiatives: DVR reserved Innovation and Expansion funds to support Employment First Initiatives as recommended by the SRC through the EFAP, consistent with DVR’s identified goals and strategies in the 2020 State Plan. This included funding 4.0 FTE to support Employment First within DVR through an IDD Supported Employment Trainer/Coordinator, a Behavioral Health Supported Employment Trainer/Coordinator; a Benefits Planning Trainer/Coordinator; and a State Advisor on Disability Employment. These positions each facilitated and furthered Employment First Initiatives within DVR. DVR also entered into an interagency agreement to support the development of the Colorado Office of Employment First. As the COEF is now in its fourth year, DVR does not have specific funding identified to support further expansion and instead partners with COEF for training, communication, or other similar activities when appropriate.