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. 1. Specify the State's goals and priorities for funds received under section 603 of the Rehabilitation Act for the provision of supported employment services
Current Narrative:
n) Goals and Plans for Distribution of title VI Funds.
(1) Specify the State's goals and priorities for funds received under section 603 of the Rehabilitation Act for the provision of supported employment services.
GOALS AND PRIORITIES FOR THE PROVISION OF SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
Supported employment services are provided on a statewide basis through the Title VI, Part B, and also Title I funds. Supported employment is competitive employment or employment in integrated work settings in which individuals are working toward competitive employment, with ongoing support services for individuals with the most significant disabilities for whom competitive employment has not traditionally occurred, or for whom competitive employment has been interrupted or intermittent as a result of a significant disability. Fund allocation on a statewide basis ensures an equitable statewide service delivery. Title VI funds will be used to provide supported employment services after the individual has been placed.
DORS will continue to examine the updated DORS policy regarding supported employment with a focus on the newly introduced supported employment opportunities for individuals without access to long-term funding for extended supported employment services, and the impact of supported employment intensive job coaching supports focused on achieving job stability and retention. In FY 2019, DORS provided intensive supported employment job coaching services to 14 individuals without access to long-term funding for extended supported employment services, in addition to DORS providing funding for Youth Extended Services to several individuals where Natural Supports were unavailable or insufficient to meet needs. DORS will prioritize available supported employment funding to provide services to these individuals with the intent to meet or exceed total served in FY2019.
Other activities include:
- With a total phase out of sub-minimum wage by October 1, 2020, DORS will continue to monitor the influence of 14c and the potential for increased supported employment needs.
- Monitor the impact of supported employment intensive job coaching supports focused on achieving job stability and employment retention statistics on a quarterly basis using post-exit wage data.
- DORS and the Maryland Behavioral Health Administration will continue working to streamline the VR application process by identifying required data elements that may be collected prior to referral to increase efficiency.
- DORS will continue to provide staff resources and staff training to support Evidence-Based Practice Supported Employment and consumers who receive Assertive Community Treatment services.
- DORS and DDA updated and signed a Memorandum of Understanding which reflects collaborative practices related to WIOA specifies the roles and responsibilities of each partner at the state and local level, as well as, the appropriate referral processes.
- The quality of supported employment services will continue to be assured through the Division’s case review process. Findings will be used to identify policies in need of clarification and staff training needs.