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
- g. Coordination with Employers
Describe how the designated State unit will work with employers to identify competitive integrated employment and career exploration opportunities in order to facilitate the provision of:
- g. Coordination with Employers
g. 2. Transition services, including pre-employment transition services, for students and youth with disabilities.
Current Narrative:
The CDOR redirected 210 field staff, Qualified Rehabilitation Professionals and Service Coordinators, to provide CDOR Student Services to students with disabilities. The Student Services staff outreach to employers and contractors to make available work-based learning experiences and work-readiness training to students with disabilities through We Can Work and STEPS.
We Can Work (WCW)
The WCW job opportunities are administered through case service contracts between CDOR and LEAs. The purpose of these contracts is to afford students with disabilities an opportunity to participate in CDOR Student Services work-based learning experiences.
We Can Work is available to students with disabilities who are potentially eligible and eligible for VR services. Work-based learning experiences are provided primarily with community businesses that have been developed by the WCW contracts. The WCW job opportunities are offered through community employers that have been developed by the WCW contracts. Through WCW, students with disabilities have the opportunity to explore competitive integrated employment settings and work with the community employers on career exploration.
Summer Training and Work Experience Program for Students (STEPS)
STEPS is a contract between CDOR and the Foundation for California Community Colleges (FCCC) with assistance from the California Employment Training Panel. The FCCC in partnership with CDOR provides “Employer of Record” services to assist potentially eligible and eligible students with disabilities in obtaining valuable work experience. The FCCC only serves as the employer of record; it will not be involved in job development activities. Job development may be conducted by a community rehabilitation program, a cooperative programs partner, or CDOR staff.
The intent of the contract is to partner with local workforce boards supported by America’s Job Center of California (commonly known as AJCC) to find students with disabilities employment opportunities throughout the state.
The STEPS is available to students with disabilities who are potentially eligible and eligible for VR services.
Additional information on CDOR’s efforts to work with employers to provide competitive integrated employment and career exploration for students and youth with disabilities can be found in goal three under the “Increasing the Quality and Quantity of Employment Outcomes” priority in Description (o)(1) – State’s Strategies.