Located in:
- Program-Specific Requirements for State Vocational Rehabilitation (Blind)
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.
- l. Interagency Cooperation with Other Agencies
In accordance with the requirements in Section 101(a)(11)(C) and (K), describe interagency cooperation with and utilization of the services and facilities of agencies and programs that are not carrying out activities through the statewide workforce development system to develop opportunities for community-based employment in integrated settings, to the greatest extent practicable for the following:
- l. Interagency Cooperation with Other Agencies
l. 8. Other Federal, State, and local agencies and programs outside the workforce development system.
Current Narrative:
Independent Living Centers
Rehabilitation Services for the Blind (RSB) works closely with a wide variety of agencies and programs in coordinating the provision of vocational rehabilitation and client support services. Some of these relationships have been agreed to in written cooperative agreements, such as those with the 22 State Independent Living Centers that spells out referral procedures, coordination of services, and the technical assistance available from both entities; and the Missouri School for the Blind, which provides for joint referral and service coordination.
Pre-ETS. Services
RSB currently has 8 provider contracts with providers to provide prevocational skills training to students who are blind or visually impaired. RSB’s Pre-Employment Transition Services contracts provide students with disabilities with a foundation for the school-to-work transition. The program provides community involvement, competitive work experience to high school age youth, and enables students and youth greater independence skills through work and goal setting experiences.
This program consists of employment readiness skills instruction, including work place readiness training, job exploration counseling and self-advocacy training. The program focuses on problem solving, critical thinking, teamwork, communication, professionalism, and networking. In addition the consumer is provided real world experiences via work-based learning for a period of up to sixteen weeks and 120 hours total. Consumers are placed at a job site where they receive on-the-job training and an hourly wage. The program helps to increase consumers ‘career awareness, vocational skills, and builds self-confidence.
Community Rehabilitation Providers
RSB has formal contract agreements with community rehabilitation providers to work with employers and assist clients with job search, job placement and customized employment opportunities. Other services include work-based learning experiences, task analysis, and job coaching when needed. The relationships with these community rehabilitation programs are defined in State required contracts for service provision which specify the services to be provided, their duration, costs and reporting and billing requirements. Other services are predicated on working relationships for coordination of support services based on individual client needs at the local level, such as transportation, housing, recreation, supported employment extended services provided through the Department of Mental Health regional offices for individuals with developmental disabilities and Senate Bill 40 Boards (County Developmental Disability Services) and other local agencies involved in the provision of physical and mental rehabilitation.
Family Support Division Programs
A description of RSB services and procedures for referral from the Family Support Division (FSD) is specified in their Income Maintenance manual and, similarly, RSB policy requires referral of clients to the Family Support Division for determination of eligibility for Supplemental Aid to the Blind (SAB) or Blind Pension (BP). FSD refers all newly SAB and BP eligible consumers to RSB to determine their desire or need to participate in VR or Older Blind Service programs. There are also referral procedures to/from the state-funded Prevention of Blindness Program for ophthalmologic services, as well as the Business Enterprise Program (BEP) for vocational rehabilitation services and training in order to qualify for employment as a Randolph Sheppard vendor.
Small Business Development Centers
RSB works cooperatively with the Small Business Administration’s Small Business Development Centers. Consultants with the Centers lend their expertise to RSB staff and clients in development of proposed business plans. The SBDC consultants provide additional consultation during the client’s self-employment proposal meeting.
Starkloff Disability Institute
RSB is a Partner Organization with the Starkloff Disability Institute’s “The Next Big Step” program. Through this program, Starkloff Disability Institute has partnered with “Role Model Companies” and “Partner Organizations” to help the Role Model Companies find disabled job candidates through Partner Organizations whom they can hire, retain and promote.