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Idaho PYs 2020-2023

Vocational Rehabilitation Program (Blind)

Located in:
  • Program-Specific Requirements for Vocational Rehabilitation (Blind)

    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

    • o. State's Strategies

      Describe the required strategies and how the agency will use these strategies to achieve its goals and priorities, support innovation and expansion activities, and overcome any barriers to accessing the VR and the Supported Employment programs (See sections 101(a)(15)(D) and (18)(B) of the Rehabilitation Act and section 427 of the General Education Provisions Act (GEPA)):

o. 8. A. Achieve goals and priorities by the State, consistent with the comprehensive needs assessment;

Current Narrative:

The following goals are based on the recommendations from the Statewide Comprehensive Needs Assessment completed in 2020 with priorities developed for PY 2020—2021 period; based upon input from a broad spectrum of stakeholders including clients, ICBVI staff and other key informants.

Goal 1: Increase independence and employment outcomes through quality rehabilitation services.

  • Priority 1: Provide quality independent living skills training.
  • Priority 2: Improve access to job training and placement services.
  • Priority 3: Provide outreach training to all community partners.
  • Priority 4: Improve services to business across the state.

Strategies for Goal 1 include:

  • Monitor program outcomes through client surveys. ICBVI is updating the VR participant survey for PY 2020.
  • Expand statewide business engagement activities through ICBVI initiatives or other activities with WIOA partners.
  • ICBVI will improve the strategies utilized to monitor outreach and training for regional offices.
  • ICBVI will provide training services through regional instructors and the Assessment and Training Center (ATC).
  • Develop new and innovate strategies for the delivery of VR services throughout the state.

Goal 2: Reduce barriers to employment for individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

  • Priority 1: Continued education and training to employers, educators, and community partners.
  • Priority 2: Continue to address transportation issues that face ICBVI clients through our efforts in the One-Stop system.
  • Priority 3: Continue to address accessibility issues within the One-Stop system. 
  • Priority 4: Increase/improve access to assistive technology and training.
  • Priority 5: Increase outreach activities to rural communities.

Strategies for Goal 2:

  • Develop new and/or innovative approaches to outreach and education to our community partners.
  • Continued participation in the development of the One-Stop system, with emphasis on service delivery to rural communities.
  • Consultation and accessibility training to One-Stop partners to address barriers to individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
  • Develop new and innovative strategies for providing rehabilitation technology and disability related skills training.

Goal 3: Improve transition services for students

  • Priority 1: Increase work-based learning experiences for students prior to exiting high school.
  • Priority 2: Engage work force partners in the development and provision of Pre-Employment Transition Services.
  • Priority 3: Continue emphasizing training and education of key stakeholders on ICBVI programs and services, with emphasis on Pre-employment Transition Services.

Strategies for Goal 3:

  • ICBVI will revise current policies around work-based learning experiences to reflect a more curriculum-based approach to these activities. ICBVI will also begin developing outcome measure for all Pre-Employment Transition Services.
  • Collaborate with regional CRP’s in the development and provision of work-based learning experiences for students with disabilities. ICBVI will update the current MOU to reflect policy changes in Pre-Employment Transition Services.
  • ICBVI will engage LEA’s and other key education (Idaho State Board of Education, State Department of Education) stakeholders in the provision of transition services. ICBVI will continue its collaborative efforts with the Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation in the coordination, monitoring, and evaluation of Pre-employment Transition Services in the state.
  • Develop new and innovative strategies for providing Pre-Employment Transition Services.

Goal 4: Improve VR program efficiency through continuous quality improvement activities

  • Priority 1: Evaluate VR program services and delivery
  • Priority 2: Monitor program service records to ensure compliance to state and federal laws and regulations.
  • Priority 3: Continue to develop policies, procedures, and internal controls to ensure accuracy and validity of program performance reporting.

Strategies for Goal 4:

  • Revise ICBVI’s program satisfaction survey(s) to help identify areas for program improvement.
  • Continue to improve the internal case review process to align with WIOA requirements and inform the continuous quality improvement cycle.
  • Revise and improve policies, procedures, and internal controls relating to the RSA-911 data collection and reporting.
  • Revise and improve policies, procedures, and internal controls relating to  Pre-Employment Transition Services.
  • Continued participation in the Workforce Data Quality Initiative (WDQI) with WIOA core partners.