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
- g. Coordination with Employers
Describe how the designated State unit will work with employers to identify competitive integrated employment and career exploration opportunities in order to facilitate the provision of:
- g. Coordination with Employers
g. 1. VR Services; and
Current Narrative:
1. VR services; and
Due to budget constraints, positions exclusively supporting business relations have been eliminated with the exception of a Youth Employment Consultant. This position is focused on creating business relationships to benefit the entry of youth – including students with disabilities – into the world of work through work-based learning opportunities and regular employment. The position is also charged with the responsibility of facilitating the Progressive Employment pilot project in Lewiston and Portland.
The Progressive Employment Model is a dual–customer strategy that is designed to assist job–seekers with significant barriers to employment and assist employers who may be averse to hiring with disabilities. The model coordinates rehabilitation counseling with job placement and business account management. Progressive Employment offers hands-on work-based activities in the community that assist our dual client offering career exploration to students and risk-free opportunities to employers.
The Youth Employment Consultant has worked successfully with employers in Maine’s southern and western counties to set up opportunities for summer work experiences for youth – thereby meeting employer needs through introducing them to a new generation of potential workers. In FFY19, 237 clients in the Portland and Lewiston offices took part in the pilot. See it in action, watch the Progressive Employment video below.
Other Employer Engagement - DVR continues to be responsive to employer need through techniques such as:
- Staff outreach to businesses to address their workforce needs
- Partnership with the Career Center business staff to assist in delivery of job fairs
- Documentation of business engagement via the Maine Job Link
- Conducting business development via contracted Community Rehabilitation Providers.
- Participation on a Statewide Workforce Action Team (SWAT) that brings workforce system partners together to plan coordinated activities.
- Membership in Local Workforce Boards.
- Delivery of training and resources to business such as disability etiquette, ADA, and reasonable accommodations.