Vocational Rehabilitation Program (Combined or General)

(2) the Designated State unit's response to the Council’s input and recommendations; and

 DORS Responses to the Council’s Input and Recommendations

1. DORS will continue to monitor, strengthen, and foster relationships with MD Labor, Maryland Department of Health, and the Maryland State Department of Education. DORS is currently exploring data sharing strategies to demonstrate collaboration for the provision of services, and to ensure a smooth referral process between partners.

2. DORS will be evaluating the staffing needs within agency, with a focus on the number of full-time vocational rehabilitation (VR) counselor positions across the state. DORS will use data analytics to ensure an effective and manageable caseload distribution and to ensure that there is a sufficient number of VR counselors who provide services to transitioning youth and students with disabilities to accommodate the anticipated increase in the number of student referrals to DORS VR and Pre-ETS programs.

3. DORS will continue to explore opportunities for mutual training and collaboration between DORS and other workforce programs. DORS in conjunction with our core workforce partners will look to leverage the State’s new Chief Learning Officer for Workforce.  In addition, will work with our other sister agencies to develop co-training opportunities for staff. 

4. DORS will continue to enhance and expand the provision of Pre-ETS services statewide. Explore opportunities to increase the number of Pre-ETS services for individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, Blind or Visually Impaired, and Intellectually or Developmentally Disabled.  Work with local organizations to expand Pre-ETS students and families whose first language is not English. Will work with the Office of Field Service and the Office of Blindness and Vision Services to align staffing for better collaboration with local education agencies and other education systems. Will work to provide consistent interpretation and implementation of policies and procedures and quality assurance standards. DORS will work with the Maryland State Department of Education on the Local School System Agreements to help improve cooperation between DORS Pre-ETS vocational rehabilitation counselors and school staff to assist students on an IEP and/or 504 plans. Finally, DORS will continue to refine its Pre-ETS program proposal process to provide more structure/definition of service expectations.

5. DORS is working with its WIOA partners to improve information and referral services to American Job Centers (AJC) and other workforce partners for individuals on the DORS waiting list, including Social Security beneficiaries. DORS will review its Referral information to include information about the closest AJC or employment network for the Social Security Beneficiaries.

6. DORS will work with staff to expand their knowledge of State and local labor market trends. DORS will continue its collaboration with MD Labor to expand the opportunities for individuals with disabilities to participate for Pre-Apprenticeship and Registered Apprenticeship programs in the State.

7. DORS agrees to re-establish the Agency’s Multicultural Access Committee to ensure equal access for minorities to DORS services and that resources are developed for DORS staff.

8. DORS will work to reestablish the Deaf-Blind workgroup once the vacancy for the Deaf-Blind specialist is filled. The focus of the workgroup should focus on statewide Support Services Program (SSP); employment services, and employer education and awareness.

9. DORS will continue to examine DORS policy regarding supported employment, including the use of natural supports for individuals without access to long-term funding for extended supported employment services. 

10. DORS will continue to work expand employment services for individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing by developing enhanced relationships with businesses. DORs will develop training for Employment specialists and vocational rehabilitation counselors serving Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing consumers on how to approach businesses and develop working relationships.

11. DORS will be exploring a rate increase for DORS-approved community rehabilitation programs.

12. DORS will be looking to enhance our relationships with community rehabilitation programs for increased collaboration through the reintroduction of the Community Rehabilitation Program Advisory Board. With a goal to increase staff’s knowledge both at DORS as well as the CRPs in a number of areas that are important to both groups.

13. DORS will continue to work with the remaining 14c certificate holders to explore the employment opportunities for those individuals who are transitioning out of sub-minimum wage positions to competitive integrated employment. DORS with an increased emphasis upon out-placement for those individuals working on set-aside contracts with respect to DDA timelines.