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
j. 3. Include an assessment of the needs of individuals with disabilities for transition career services and pre-employment transition services, and the extent to which such services are coordinated with transition services provided under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Current Narrative:
VIDDRS collaborates with education officials to provide pre-employment transition services. Jointly with the Virgin Islands Department of Education, VIDOE, the VIDDRS began an on the job training program and work based learning activities for transitioning students. The students are offered the opportunity to gain work experience for the summer at employment sites based on their career interests. The VIDDRS provides ongoing support to the VIDOE at various IEP and parent/student meetings. Presentations and written materials are made to the student body and education officials on the services available to transition students.
The Workforce Investment Board and the Economic Development Authority is comprised of the advisory and policy development segment of the Workforce system. The VIWIB has coordinated a partnership effort that places additional focus on three vulnerable priority groups; although receiving services this partnership can serve to be more effective and to maximize employment potential. The groups are the disabled population, veterans and out of school youth. As employment opportunities shrink and become more competitive, disabled workers are forced to acquire even more skills and competencies to become employable. VIDDRS plans to coordinate with the VIWIB to incorporate presentations on available VR services into quarterly meetings with employers, core partners and stakeholders.
By adapting the career pathway model, the VIDDRS hopes to assist individuals with disabilities attain the skills needed to enter and advance in the workforce. This creates an avenue for employers to have the option to choose their employees from a large pool of highly qualified individuals.