Vocational Rehabilitation Program (Combined or General)

CDOR Response: Cooperative Agreements with Private Nonprofit Organizations. CDOR develops federally—required cooperative agreements with private non—profit organizations consistent with California State Contracting Rules, CDOR Title 9 Regulations, and internal policy and procedures for the establishment, development, or improvement of CRPs. CDOR pays CRPs through fee—for—service or contractual agreements to deliver authorized assessment, training, employment, and specialized support services provided to CDOR applicants or consumers. Fee—for—Services Fee—for—services are paid to approved vendors per CDOR’s Uniform Fee Structure for CRP Providers. The Uniform Fee Structure applies only to those CRPs in a fee—for—service relationship with CDOR. The Uniform Fee Structure does not apply to services provided under a cooperative program or case service contract as described in the response for Description (b)(1) — Request for Waiver of Statewideness. The types of services provided include: • Assessment Services — improves a consumer’s outcome by identifying specific barriers to employment and recommendations to eliminate those barriers. • Training Services — enhances a consumer’s employability by providing necessary interactions that remove employment barriers, provide for specific occupational training, or develop appropriate personal and work behaviors, as outlined in a rehabilitation plan. • Job—Related Services — assists a consumer, in an organized planned manner, to prepare for, obtain, and retain employment. • Support Services — provides direct services such as Independent Living skills training and assistive technology assessments that enhance independence and employability for CDOR consumers. • CDOR Student Services — provides Pre-Employment Transition Service to students with disabilities through a work experience opportunity. New or Expanded VR Services The need for new services or expansion of VR services by a CRP may be directly identified by CDOR’s District, through the needs assessment process identified in Description (j) — Statewide Assessment, or by individual requests by consumers. When a needed VR service is identified for a consumer, CDOR will first seek services from current CDOR certified CRPs. In establishing a new vendor, or a new or added service, CDOR staff considers departmental priorities using the following criteria: there is an identified need for the service, and a sufficient number of CDOR applicants and consumers exist to sustain the service; there are no other providers; current providers or cooperative partners cannot fill the need; and, the new service or vendor will fill a service gap for the unserved or underserved population. CDOR Community Resources Development Section The CDOR’s Community Resources Development section is responsible for the vendorization and certification functions of CRPs. All new CRPs go through a vendorization process. Further, any new or expanded services beyond those currently approved and offered by a current vendor is subject to the approval procedures in place at the time of the submission of the request. Certain vendors or service categories may require CDOR executive level approval. Once vendorized to provide VR services, each CRP is formally notified of the approved VR service type(s), along with the corresponding CDOR approved standardized fee rate(s) established in 2009.

Case Service Contracts When CDOR identifies a need for VR services to be provided by CRPs to consumers served through local public agency cooperative arrangements identified in the response for Description (b) — Request for Waiver of Statewideness, CDOR’s Cooperative Programs Section assists Districts and CRPs in developing case service contracts. These contracts are negotiated between CDOR and the CRPs to indicate the specific VR services, the number of consumers to be served, expected contract outcomes, and the costs needed to provide these services to consumers. Currently, the majority of these contracts are developed to provide VR services to consumers participating in the mental health cooperative agreements. Certification, Review and Technical Assistance All CRPs are required to maintain their certification, and those providing work—related programs are required to be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. CDOR’s Community Resources Development Section reviews that CRPs are consistent with CDOR Title 9 Regulations to assure the quality of services, as well as the safety of consumers, and identify any needed improvements. For CRPs associated with cooperative agreements, the Cooperative Programs Section will also perform program reviews to evaluate their effectiveness in meeting the contract VR service objectives and identify any needed improvements. In addition, CDOR’s Community Resources Development Section and, or, the Cooperative Programs Section will provide technical assistance in response to CRPs’ questions or concerns when needed or upon request. Efforts to Ensure Quality Services and Resources The CDOR strives to maintain regulatory compliance and advocates for consumer and vendor service quality. Several efforts are taking place to provide quality services and resources for consumers: • The CDOR continues to review and consolidate Individual Service Providers services in an effort to maintain consistent, fair, and effective services. • The CDOR’s Community Resources Development Section continues to conduct comprehensive certification and site reviews of CRPs. The focus of the review process is maximizing employment outcomes for CDOR consumers. • Efforts are taking place to update the CRP Vendorization and Certification Guidelines with information on CDOR Student Services (Pre—Employment Transition Services) and Customized Employment WIOA services. • In early 2014, a proof of concept titled “Placement Plus” was administered in select CRPs to test a new employment services fee for service structure. The lessons learned and evaluation of the Placement Plus is informing CDOR’s current efforts to redesign employment services statewide.