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Located in:

d. 2. G. i. Vr Services; and

Current Narrative:

The Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) has formalized a Business Relations Program, with the vision to build and sustain partnerships with business and industry through effective services that are driven by the needs of employers. These partnerships will lead to competitive integrated employment and career exploration opportunities for VR customers, including those receiving pre-employment transition services.

Efforts are underway in the Business Relations Program to define and customize services to employers, create strategic partnerships to support workforce needs, and establish an employment-focused culture within the rehabilitation process. Listed below are the program’s goals, objectives, and strategies.

Goal 1: Become the foremost recognized and trusted resource for employers’ disability inclusion needs.

Objective: Increase the number of employers engaged as business partners.

Strategies:

1. Develop and use a standard business needs assessment.

2. Develop and use a business customer satisfaction tool.

3. Staff and train a team that is responsive to business. The team includes: the program administrator; a senior VR consultant; a business projects specialist; and 11 business relations representatives located across the state in each of VR’s seven administrative areas.

4. Implement a business customer relationship management tool.

5. Define the services offered to employers and customize them to meet business needs.

6. Create statewide consistency in business relations outreach and services.

7. Use targeted marketing to engage employers across multiple industries.

8. Participate in business-led organizations, such as Chambers of Commerce, US Business Leadership Network, etc.

9. Create strategic practices that can be replicated.

10. Align services with the Workforce Development Boards and other community partners.

11. Participate in the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation’s National Employment Team (NET) and the NET-Southeast regional team to share referrals and best practices.

12. Engage with Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) core partners to share best practices.

Goal 2: Become a top resource for employers in need of qualified employees.

Objective: Increase referrals of qualified applicants to business partners.

Strategies:

1. Facilitate direct access to qualified applicants through business relationships.

2. Market career opportunities internally to VR staff.

3. Use the AbilitiesWork Help Desk for applicant-matching services for employers.

4. Coordinate support services provided by VR contractors.

5. Provide a seamless connection to VR services and qualified applicants across a company’s footprint locally, regionally, statewide, and nationally through the NET.

6. Engage in local talent pool coordination with other agencies to meet businesses’ workforce needs.

7. Participate with the NET and the Talent Acquisition Portal (TAP) to create increased opportunities for VR jobseekers and employers recruiting VR jobseekers.

8. Collaborate with business to create a pipeline of qualified candidates.