Vocational Rehabilitation Program (Combined or General)

(e) Cooperative Agreements with Private Nonprofit Organizations. Describe the manner in which the designated State agency establishes cooperative agreements with private nonprofit VR service providers.

Cooperative Agreements are developed between DORS and approved Community Rehabilitation Programs in order to assure a mutual understanding of the services to be provided to DORS consumers, referral procedures, expectations, and responsibilities of all parties. The Division utilizes Community Rehabilitation Programs to the maximum extent feasible to provide a wide range of highly skilled VR services to individuals with disabilities around the State. DORS continually assesses the needs of individuals with disabilities and recruits new organizations and expands services with existing ones in order to meet those needs.

THE APPROVAL PROCESS

DORS purchases services from Community Rehabilitation Programs that are accredited and operate in compliance with federal regulations and operate in compliance with the regulations for Title I, Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program implementing the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1992, Section 361.51.

The approval and ongoing monitoring of Community Rehabilitation Programs is an important factor in the operation of the state VR program in Maryland. The purpose of these reviews is, as follows:

• To improve the quality of services delivered to individuals with disabilities;
• To assist the governing board of the Community Rehabilitation Program and other interested groups in the community to better understand what is required for a sound program; and,
• To serve as a means for self-evaluation by the board, administrator, and staff.

Community Rehabilitation Programs must hold accreditations from a national organization such as the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), or may also be in “deemed” status, having been accredited by other Maryland government agencies, such as the Maryland Department of Mental Health, Behavioral Health Administration The DORS staff specialist for community rehabilitation programs will perform onsite monitoring reviews every three years. The specialist, along with a local DORS staff person, advises the Community Rehabilitation Programs on what is required and then conducts an onsite review to examine all resource documents, consumer files, and details about programs. As appropriate, Community Rehabilitation Programs staff may attend the overview and exit conferences.

In the past, DORS provided an Accreditation for Community Rehabilitation Programs that were not licensed through either the Behavioral Health Administration or the Developmental Disabilities Administration or not CARF accredited.  Overtime, this practice has become cumbersome given the capacity and time restrictions of the staff specialists and the lack of outcomes of the programs accredited.  DORS will now require provider organizations that are not licensed or certified to provide employment services to demonstrate CARF accreditations.

If the program demonstrates its ability to serve DORS consumers, a cooperative agreement is drafted for approval and signature. The agreement outlines roles, responsibilities and fees.

SERVICES PURCHASED BY DORS

DORS purchases a wide variety of services that assist people with disabilities to reach independence and employment. These may include pre-employment transition services, assistive technology services, employee development services, non-supported employment job coaching, skills training and specialized services such as those for individuals with acquired brain injury.

DORS may also purchase job-coaching services from CRPs that have supported employment programs approved by the Behavioral Health Administration and the Developmental Disabilities Administration.

DORS will also purchase career assessment services which include community based assessment provided by private vendors who are Certified Vocational Evaluators or Professional Vocational Evaluators.