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Plan: West Virginia PYs 2020-2023
Unified Plan U

Section: Vocational Rehabilitation Program (Combined or General)

Narrative: h. 3.

Published
Located in:
  • Program-Specific Requirements for Vocational Rehabilitation (Combined or General)

    The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services Portion of the Unified or Combined State Plan [13] must include the following descriptions and estimates, as required by section 101(a) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by title IV of WIOA:

    __________

    [13] Sec. 102(b)(2)(D)(iii) of WIOA

    • h. Interagency Cooperation

      Describe how the designated State unit will collaborate with the State agency responsible for administering each of the following programs to develop opportunities for competitive integrated employment, to the greatest extent practicable:

h. 3. The State agency responsible for providing mental health services.

Current Narrative:

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau for Behavioral Health is the federally designated State Authority for mental health and substance abuse, as well as the lead agency for intellectual and developmental disabilities and provides planning, direction, training and funding for prevention, treatment and recovery services throughout the state. DRS also maintains an MOU with the Division of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD), within the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau for Behavioral Health (BBH).  DRS interacts with both BBH and its subsidiary, DIDD.

DRS, BBH, and DIDD agree to interact in the following ways to facilitate delivery of services, including extended services, to individuals with the most significant disabilities:

  • The BBH administers several Customized Employment grants with vendors of DRS. BBH and DRS will jointly train the Community Rehabilitation Programs receiving these grants as well as DRS staff working with these programs.
  • BBH and DRS will work together in mediating problems in cases being served jointly in the programs.
  • Individuals receiving services from BBH or DIDD will receive information on the eligibility requirements for DRS and the services DRS provides. If an individual receiving services from BBH or DIDD expresses a desire to work, he or she will be referred to DRS at that time.

DRS collaborates with the BBH and its partners in order to provide quality and timely vocational rehabilitation services to West Virginians with behavioral health conditions who qualify.

DRS and BBH regularly attend various meetings together to receive program updates which allows for collaboration whenever possible. Examples of meetings include:

  • The Olmstead Council – DRS and BBH are required state agencies that participate in quarterly Olmstead Council meetings. Olmstead v. L.C. (1999) is a landmark United States Supreme Court decision upholding the civil rights of people with disabilities (including those with behavioral health conditions that result in disability) to receive services and supports in the most integrated setting in the community.
  • BBH and DRS are two of the principal state agencies that must have membership on the West Virginia Behavioral Health Planning Council (WVBHPC) and attend quarterly meetings working together and with others to accomplish the goals of the council. The WVBHPC is a unified voice that promotes wellness, recovery, and resiliency for all West Virginians. The primary purpose of the WVBHPC is to advocate for and evaluate the provision of community–based behavioral health services.
  • DRS and BBH are two of the principal state agencies that must have membership on the West Virginia Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) and attend quarterly meetings allowing each agency to get program updates and collaborate wherever possible. The West Virginia SILC’s mission is to ensure persons who have disabilities have access to community-based resources that promote personal choice and facilitate the achievement of their independent living goals.