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
e. Cooperative Agreements with Private Nonprofit Organizations
Describe the manner in which the designated State agency establishes cooperative agreements with private non-profit VR service providers.
Current Narrative:
Cooperative Agreements with Private Nonprofit Organizations
The FDBS contracts with private non-profit organizations for specialized services for individuals who are blind. The primary services include: Assistive Technology, Orientation and Mobility (O&M), Braille Instruction, Vocational Rehabilitation, Pre-Employment and Transition Services, Supported Employment, and Rehabilitation Engineering. The FDBS also has collaborative, non-contractual arrangements with other non-profit organizations that provide referrals, vocational rehabilitation services, and comparable benefits. All vendors/providers must go through a registration and approval process that includes a review of the vendor’s qualifications to promote quality services and public safety.
The CRPs are required to hire certified staff to work with individuals who are blind or visually impaired. CRPs providing O&M direct client services must have, at minimum, one full-time qualified or currently Certified O&M Instructor satisfied by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP), National Orientation and Mobility Certification (NOMC) or endorsed by a qualified State Education Board. CRPs providing non-O&M, vision-related direct client services must have a minimum of one full-time staff member that meets one of the following requirements:
- Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS);
- Certified Visual Rehabilitation Therapist (CVRT);
- Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI) and/or
- Low Vision Therapist (LVT).