Located in:
- Program-Specific Requirements for Vocational Rehabilitation (Combined or General)
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
- 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. State's Strategies
o. 3. The outreach procedures that will be used to identify and serve individuals with disabilities who are minorities, including those with the most significant disabilities, as well as those who have been unserved or underserved by the VR program
Current Narrative:
BRS continues to employ a diverse staff across the state and maintain a diverse group of stakeholder partners, which assists VR in reaching individuals across various diversity groups. In review of VR’s 2022 CSNA, approximately 84% of VR individuals served in PY20 were white, while 15.8% were African American, 1.4% were American Indian or Alaskan native, 1.3% were Asian, and 2.9% were other races. Of those served, 3.8% were Hispanic or Latino. This closely mirrors the minority population in Indiana as outlined in the 2022 CSNA.
For individuals with the most significant disabilities, VR continues to collaborate with BDDS, DOE, local educational agencies, INARF, and others to ensure opportunities are afforded to these individuals to achieve employment. Efforts to further reach this population are outlined under state strategy items (1) and (5).
VR is also exploring the need for targeted outreach and collaboration at each local VR field office level, and will further explore underserved or underserved populations at the local level to determine needed collaboration and outreach.
VR implemented a workgroup in 2020 focused on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, composed of several VR staff who have provided recommendations to BRS Leadership. Several key BRS staff also participate in DE&I workgroups conducted by our parent agency, the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA). FSSA hired a Chief Equity Officer in 2021 who has been a great resource to the VR program and has provided helpful input into the development of a survey for all VR staff to solicit feedback and identify areas of improvement. VR has provided frequent training on topics related to DE&I to both staff and providers, and has reviewed data to identify service and outcome gaps. BRS will continue to work with the FSSA Chief Equity Officer to identify and implement strategies to improve DE&I across the program, from both a staffing and client services level.