Located in:
- Program-Specific Requirements for Vocational Rehabilitation
The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services Portion of the Unified or Combined State Plan* must include the following descriptions and estimates, as required by section 101(a) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by WIOA:
__________
* Sec. 102(b)(D)(iii) of WIOA
d. 2. N. ii. II. How the State Will Leverage Other Public and Private Funds to Increase Resources for Extended Services and Expanded Supported Employment Opportunities for Youth with the Most Significant Disabilities.
Current Narrative:
Goal 4: Leverage resources for extended ongoing support services.
Plans
• Continue to work with APD to make sure that referred customers know about the extended service resources they can get through Medicaid Waiver Funding and/or general revenue funding.
• Continue to work with a network of providers to provide technical assistance and support of innovative projects that promote employment for individuals with the most significant disabilities.
• Provide training on the availability of funding ongoing support through Ticket to Work–Employment Network partnerships, natural supports, and Social Security Work Incentives as possible resources for ongoing supports.
• Encourage the use of employer and natural supports as a resource for ongoing supports.
• Enhance relationships with businesses and employers to let them know that on–the–job supports for individuals in supported employment are available. VR will continue efforts to strengthen community partnerships to increase access to appropriate employment services.
• Use the Business Relations Team to provide training and technical assistance to employers interested in working with VR customers. They will also develop positive relationships with employers to increase employment opportunities.
• Use the AbilitiesWork Help Desk as a resource to link employers to qualified jobseekers with disabilities. VR is a partner in the development of and administers the AbilitiesWork Help Desk, a collaboration between the state’s Workforce system, Division of Blind Services, and APD.
VR will continue to expand supported employment services by educating community members, providers, and relevant stakeholders on the need and advantages that supported employment provides for individuals and employers. Supported employment services are available for individuals with most significant needs who meet the criteria for VR services and supports. VR has increased its focus on youth and has increased several initiatives designed for youth with most significant disabilities. The following experiences are anticipated to help youth in their desire to have a successful career.
• High School High Tech
• Project Search
• Post–Secondary Education programs
• Third Party Cooperative Agreements
The VR Transition Youth program collaborates with education officials and partners to offer youth with the most significant disabilities opportunities to gain work experiences that help them prepare for successful employment. These evidence–based applications of learning, which include internships and On–the–Job Training (OJT), often lead to successful employment.
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) also provides the opportunity for youth to receive up to four years of extended services funded through VR, if necessary, and with the availability of funding. This is the only situation that VR is permitted to provide extended services. Additional information on the extent of supported employment services is located in Section q of the VR services portion of this plan.