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
n. 2. B. How the State will leverage other public and private funds to increase resources for extended services and expanded supported employment opportunities for youth with the most significant disabilities.
Current Narrative:
(B) how the State will leverage other public and private funds to increase resources for extended services and expanded supported employment opportunities for youth with the most significant disabilities.
It is estimated that 1,000 transitioning students age 24 and under will be served in supported employment. In accordance with WIOA requirements, DORS will be setting aside 50 percent of its Supported Employment allotment as well as a ten percent match to provide services to youth with disabilities. There has been a steady growth in the numbers of individuals with serious and persistent mental illness being served in supported employment.
DORS and the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) collaborate to provide a seamless transition for youth with intellectual disabilities to consider competitive integrated employment as their first option. As collaborative partners in serving youth with the most significant disabilities, DORS has assigned counselor liaisons to each DDA provider.
DORS and the Maryland Behavioral Health Administration collaborate in the provision of supported employment services to youth and adults with persistent mental illness at a number of community programs throughout the state. Further, DORS and the Maryland Behavioral Health Administration have been working to streamline the VR application process by identifying required data elements that may be collected prior to referral to increase efficiency.
DORS supports the use of supported employment models that maximize integration of youth and adults with the most significant disabilities in competitive integrated employment.
DORS and the Maryland Behavioral Health Administration are currently updating the Memorandum of Understanding that identifies the roles and responsibilities of both partners at the state and local level. This agreement will further strengthen the collaborative relationship between both agencies and for the first time define the process for serving youth with serious and persistent mental illness.
The estimated number of individuals with significant disabilities who will achieve a supported employment outcome during FY20 is 550 individuals.