Narrative: g. 1.

MVR continually reviews its strategies to develop new employer relationships and support businesses that employ individuals with disabilities. Some of its flexible strategies include increasing work-based learning opportunities, on-the-job training, internships, apprenticeships and customized employment.

MVR is reviewing its internal processes to work more effectively with employers and WIOA partners. MVR customizes its services to meet the needs of business. It has several employer projects underway. MVR is partnering with CVS to provide a work-based learning program for individuals with disabilities. It is also working with various businesses to assist in their recruitment and interview process for applicants with disabilities through the utilization of a resource called Talent Acquisition Portal (TAP). TAP is a collaboration with businesses to assist them in finding candidates with disabilities and connecting them with available job openings.

MVR and CoxHealth, a Springfield Missouri hospital, have built a partnership to assist individuals with disabilities connect with hospital job openings. CoxHealth also provides opportunities for job shadowing and conversations with its human resource staff to help MVR clients explore job options.

For several years, MVR has collaborated with workforce partners, CRPs and other agencies to host reverse job fairs. Rather than traditional job fairs where jobseekers meet with employers, MVR clients have booths for employers to visit. They create displays to showcase their talents, skills and abilities. Held at various locations around the state, these events are popular with clients and employers and continue to grow in number.

Workforce Development Boards host annual inclusion events. MVR assists with the planning and participates at these events, which focus on providing employers with relevant information on the benefits of hiring individuals with disabilities. Presentations range from businesses sharing their successes on becoming more inclusive to individuals with disabilities sharing their employment journeys.

In order to meet business needs, MVR developed business outreach specialist positions that provide statewide coverage at local and state levels. Business outreach specialists work with labor market information to support both business and MVR staff needs. These specialists not only offer outreach to employers and businesses, they also work with WIOA partners to develop employment collaboratives creating a single point of contact among agencies. These collaboratives, known as NEXUS groups, are across the state. They focus on connecting candidates with barriers to employment to business partners through meetings, planned events and panel discussions.

MVR has representatives on regional WIOA business services teams. The teams work with local Chambers of Commerce, local educational agencies, local and state economic developers, regional planning commissions, human resource groups and other business organizations to determine employer needs in workforce regions across the state. MVR and the Office of Workforce Development have initiated an employer survey. Feedback is used to assess how to better serve businesses’ needs.

MVR is involved in the planning of sector strategy-focused events at the local and state levels to address skills gaps and create career pathways to better serve employers with their individual needs and to provide them with prepared candidates. MVR’s Business Team assists workforce partners by connecting MVR’s employer partners through these events as well as encouraging clients to attend. MVR will work with businesses to ensure they have resources for necessary workplace accommodations and rehabilitation technology.

MVR has statewide involvement with the Department Labor and WIOA partners regarding apprenticeship development.  MVR is represented on the Missouri Apprenticeship Team with other partners ensuring it stays abreast of all apprenticeship opportunities statewide to connect MVR jobseekers to opportunities for competitive integrated employment. MVR was awarded the Apprenticeship Partner of the Year Award by the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development. This honor was awarded because of the strong partnerships MVR has developed to help individuals with disabilities participate in apprenticeships.

MVR is actively involved with the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation’s National Employment Team (NET). This team represents a national network to connect businesses with a footprint in multiple states. It provides MVR with the opportunity to share with and learn from other public vocational rehabilitation agencies.

MVR utilizes the expertise of each State Rehabilitation Council member, which includes individuals typically associated with employers such as professionals from CRPs, CILs, workforce development, business, industry and labor. The council representatives provide valuable input on working with employers to increase competitive integrated employment and career exploration opportunities.