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. A. The provision of extended services for a period not to exceed 4 years; and
Current Narrative:
DVR has committed VI-B funding for youth to the JOBS program, because that program is specifically designed to serve eligible youth with the most severe disabilities. DVR counselors will authorize the use of funds for extended services through the JOBS program for up to the maximum of four years until the youth reaches age 25. The DVR contractual agreements for JOBS include Title I and Title VI-B funds clearly set parameters for the use of each funding source. Title I funds are only used for initial upfront assessment, job development services. Title VI-B funds are only used for post placement supports for employed consumers. A description of the JOBS program is as follows:
The JOBS Program is an innovative supported employment and intensive case management service for youth with emotional and behavioral disturbances (EBD) that uses work as a means to reach this challenging population. As a result of a unique partnership between the Department of Mental Health’s Child, Adolescent and Family Unit (CAFU), the Department for Children and Families, the Department of Corrections, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, and contract agencies, the JOBS Program is operational in twelve (12) sites across the state. The JOBS Program is funded through a combination of Medicaid Global Commitment funds and a VR grant funds.
JOBS involves employers and the business community in meeting the needs of youth through intensive job development, placement, and on and off site training support. JOBS differs from other traditional employment models by providing intensive case management services to assist young people in meeting other areas of need in their lives, e.g., dealing with legal issues, homelessness, drug/alcohol abuse, transportation and probation and parole. Within this model, DVR funds are used to provide the employment focus and upfront employment assessment, education or training, and placement services. The case management and ongoing support is provided through state general funds, (contributed by the different state departments noted above) which are matched to Medicaid through a fee for service arrangement with DMH.
VR counselors will also be able to use VI-B funds to support extended services for youth not served by the JOBS programs. These services will be funded on a case by case basis for youth with developmental disabilities who have exited school but have not yet meet eligibility or system of care priorities for the developmental services program.