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Plan: Puerto Rico 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:

This Advisory Council of Substance Abuse and Mental Health of Puerto Rico is composed of government agencies, mental health patients and family members. It is supported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (ASSMCA, by its Spanish acronym). This is the organization selected by the Health Insurance Administration of Puerto Rico to carry out operational functions of the Health Plan and offer treatment for mental health conditions, alcohol and drug abuse in the San Juan and Western regions. The PRVRA is a mandatory member of this council and participates in the planning for the provision of these services.

PRVRA participates as a member of the Advisory Council of Substance Abuse and Mental Health of Puerto Rico. The Council’s mission is to promote compliance with federal public law and the public policy of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, in order to offer adequate mental health and substance abuse services and promote a better quality of life for people and their families. The Council’s objectives are to:

  1. Participate in the writing and implementation of the Block Grant, in accordance with Section 1915 (a) of the federal law.
  2. Participate in the development of the State Plan for the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Administration.
  3. Review and evaluate adequacy and distribution of mental health and substance abuse services in PR to identify service needs.
  4. Advocate for people with mental health and substance abuse disabilities in PR, in order to guarantee establishment of a high quality integrated service system.

Functions of each member, including PRVRA, are:

1. Attend meetings

2. Active participation in deliberation and vote processes

3. Staying informed and updated about interests issues for mental health and substance abuse services improvements

4. Participate in activities and perform assigned tasks

5. Participate in the Council’s working groups.

Every situation regarding an applicant/consumer is managed with the corresponding member. Annually, the PRVRA submits to the Council a report of mental health impairments attended in the Agency. On the other hand, cases with mental health conditions may request PRVRA services as self-applicants or through "Atención Primaria de Salud" (APS, by its acronym in Spanish), which are companies contracted by the Health Insurance Administration to offer mental health and substance abuse services to beneficiaries of the Government Health Care Insurance.

The VR Counselor maintains contact with the APS social workers or case manager in order to offer integrated services, including public health actions such as: diagnostic, prevention, and occupational services by the VRA.