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
- h. Interagency Cooperation
Describe how the designated State unit will collaborate with the State agency responsible for administering each of the following programs to develop opportunities for competitive integrated employment, to the greatest extent practicable:
- h. Interagency Cooperation
h. 1. The State Medicaid plan under title XIX of the Social Security Act;
Current Narrative:
The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) administers the State Medicaid plan under title XIX of the Social Security Act. Applicants and eligible individuals seeking services from DVR who are also eligible for Medicaid, must utilize their Medicaid resources when available to meet a VR service need. If the service need exceeds what is available through Medicaid, DVR may then assist with costs associated with necessary VR services. Additionally, when an individual seeks DVR support and may be eligible for Medicaid under the existing State Medicaid Plan, DVR refers the individual to apply for Medicaid to ensure access to healthcare, as well as comparable benefits for potential VR services, as applicable. HCPF also administers Health First Colorado Buy-In Program for Working Adults with Disabilities, which allows for individuals who do not qualify for Medicaid due to income to pay a monthly premium to access regular Health First Colorado benefits. In some cases, eligible individuals may also qualify for additional long-term services and supports through certain Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waivers. DVR will seek opportunities to further develop this partnership to ensure even more effective collaboration. DVR continues to collaborate with HCPF related to provision of services for individuals eligible for HCBS waiver programs. Individuals who quality for these waivers have access to additional Medicaid funding to support their independent living and community access, which may include supported employment. DVR Counselors work closely with eligible individuals and approved service agencies to ensure services are coordinated across these systems.