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:
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[13] Sec. 102(b)(2)(D)(iii) of WIOA
f. Arrangements and Cooperative Agreements for the Provision of Supported Employment Services
Describe the designated State agency’s efforts to identify and make arrangements, including entering into cooperative agreements, with other State agencies and other appropriate entities in order to provide supported employment services and extended employment services, as applicable, to individuals with the most significant disabilities, including youth with the most significant disabilities.
Current Narrative:
Cooperative Agreements for the Provision of Supported Employment Services
The FDBS has a contractual agreement with the Conklin Center for the Blind to identify and provide services for individuals with the most significant disabilities, including youth with the most significant disabilities. The Conklin Center delivers supported employment and extended services. Supported employment and extended services include job coaching, job placement, follow-along, and independent living (helping the clients manage the funds earned from employment). Clients are followed for an additional 90 days after job placement to ensure they are adjusting to the job, completing their duties correctly, coming to work on time, etc. The Division is currently evaluating how to deliver supported employment services that best meet the needs of clients in the future.
On October 8, 2013, Governor Rick Scott signed Executive Order 13-284 mandating the creation of an interagency cooperative agreement between specific state agencies and other service organizations to ensure the continuation of a long-term commitment to improving employment outcomes for persons with disabilities. CS/HB 7003: Individuals with Disabilities become effective on July 1, 2016. The legislation was codified in Florida Statute as the Employment First Act in section 413.80, Florida Statutes. As a result of this legislation, the FDBS entered into an interagency cooperative agreement with other state agencies and organizations to implement Employment First - a national effort to ensure individuals with disabilities are offered employment on a preferred basis. Employment First is consistent with the FDBS belief that individuals with disabilities, even the most significant disabilities, can achieve meaningful employment when provided with appropriate supports. The following lists the names of all parties of this agreement.
| Agencies for Persons with Disabilities | CareerSource Florida |
|---|---|
| Bureau of Exceptional Education & Student Services | Department of Children and Families |
| Division of Blind Services | Florida Developmental Disabilities Council |
| Division of Vocational Rehabilitation | Florida Association of Rehabilitation Facilities |
| Department of Economic Opportunity | The Arc of Florida |