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California PYs 2020-2023

Vocational Rehabilitation Program (Combined or General)

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:

    __________

    [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. 8. B. Support innovation and expansion activities; and

View corresponding narrative from PYs 2018-2019

Current Narrative:

The CDOR will use Section 110 funds of the Rehabilitation Act toward supporting innovation activities to expand and improve VR services for CDOR consumers and to support the activities of the SRC.

Innovative Activities

VR Connections Portal: The intent of this project is to employ a web-based portal to enhance collaboration, business processes, and service delivery between CDOR staff, consumers, and vendors (including service providers, contractors, and suppliers). The first stage of this project will focus on vendors and will later include consumers. The CDOR envisions these efforts resulting in reduced administrative burden on CDOR Staff, enabling CDOR staff to focus more on serving consumers; leading to greater employment opportunities, independence and equality.

Automated Phone System and Electronic Forms: The CDOR has been working closely with one district since late 2018 to develop innovative concepts to improve the consumer’s experience at CDOR and create efficiencies for CDOR staff. One innovative concept that came out of a brainstorming session was utilizing an automated phone system in local offices so that interested individuals and consumers can choose to navigate through a phone tree, self-selecting their reason for calling and potentially having their reason for calling quickly addressed through the phone system. The automated phone system has been developed and will launch in two districts in 2020. The CDOR expects the launch will be successful and will expand the automated phone system to other offices after the testing period has ended.

Another innovative concept that resulted from brainstorming is electronic forms. The CDOR is restructuring one or two consumers into an electronic, web-based format so that a consumer can complete the form electronically (through a computer, tablet, or phone) and the information is uploaded into CDOR’s case reporting system. The electronic forms are currently under development and will be tested in one district in 2020.

Summer Training and Employment Program for Students (STEPS): In 2019, the CDOR carried out the student work experience program STEPS into its second year. The program is larger with funding for local workforce boards and the CDOR has more than doubled the number of students with disabilities who will receive work experience job training that is aligned with the employment needs of business partners as defined by the Local Workforce Development Board in each participating region.

Accessible State Government Websites: Beginning July 2019, California requires that all state agencies publicly certify their websites are compliant with accessibility regulations. This is to ensure that individuals with disabilities do not experience barriers when using the internet to search for services, file forms, or access content on state government websites. The CDOR designed a “Website Accessibility Toolkit” to assist other state agencies help determine if their website meets state accessibility requirements and to provide resources to help make your website and website content accessible. The CDOR also regularly offers website document training for state employees.

State Rehabilitation Council

Section 110 funds will be used to support SRC travel and administrative costs. The SRC meets at least eight times a year as a full council or for executive planning. The SRC is a partner with CDOR in major programs, policies, and projects including the State Plan, Comprehensive Statewide Assessment, and Consumer Satisfaction Survey.

In addition to the activities supported by Section 110 funds, CDOR has several additional innovation and expansion activities taking place.