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WIOA Unified Plan. Vocational Rehabilitation Program Update. Overview. WIOA requires a unified state plan including the required partners VDOL, VR and AOE. WIOA also requires specific updates for the core programs: Title I adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth Programs
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WIOA Unified Plan Vocational Rehabilitation Program Update
Overview • WIOA requires a unified state plan including the required partners VDOL, VR and AOE. • WIOA also requires specific updates for the core programs: • Title I adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth Programs • Title III Wagner-Peyser • Title II Adult Ed • VR section • VR section includes two separate plans, one for the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and one for the Division of the Blind and Visually Impaired
Vocational Rehabilitation Plan Components • VR Plan describes how DVR will meet the requirements of the Rehabilitation Act as Amended under WIOA. For example: • The DVR plan for having qualified staff • Our agreements with required partners (e.g. Dept of Mental Health, AOE, Developmental Services, and Dept of VT Health Access • How we will meet the requirement to serve individuals with the most severe disabilities first (Order of Selection). • Estimates of numbers served • Plans for supported employment services
Vocational Rehabilitation Plan Components (Cont:) • The VR Plan contains basic assurances about our program including: • DVR will serve individuals statewide • DVR will operate as the designated state unit to administer the Basic VR program • DVR will create a State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) to advise the agency around administration of the program • DVR will conduct a Needs Assessment every three years • DVR will implement Pre-Employment Transition services for high school students with disabilities • It is basically the state contract with the federal Government
Role of the State Rehabilitation Council in Developing the VR State Plan • The State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) is the federally required advisory board for the DVR program. The primary responsibilities of the SRC are to: • Assist DVR implement a Needs Assessment every three years to inform the State Plan • Assist DVR develop the VR Section of the State Plan • In addition the SRC has it’s own section in the VR State Plan
Goals and Priorities • This is probably the most important part of the plan because it sets out DVR’s goals for the next two years • DVR must develop the goals in partnership with the SRC (the DVR public advisory board) • The goals must be based on the Needs Assessment • Vermont DVR and the SRC look to set meaningful and aspirational goals • As much as possible we try to make the goals measurable with clear and understandable outcome targets
VR Goals and Priorities • Goal 1: DVR will align services to support consumers in achieving the WIOA Common Performance Outcomes Measures • Goal 2: DVR will increase the percentage of consumer earnings over 110% of minimum wage and 150% of minimum wage at closure • Goal 3: DVR will increase consumer opportunities to participate in and gain industry-recognized credentials in middle skills professions. This will include sector-based training programs in collaboration with the Career and Technical Education Centers and Community College of Vermont. • Goal 4: DVR will continue to expand efforts to effectively serve employers through Creative Workforce Solutions (CWS).
VR Goals and Priorities • Goal 5: Consumer satisfaction with DVR services will be maintained or increase • Goal 6: DVR will implement a comprehensive quality assurance process incorporating the new AWARE case management system • Goal 7: In FFY 2016 and FFY 2017 DVR experienced significant reductions in re-allotment funding. This has resulted in substantial cuts in services and capacity. Therefore, DVR will implement strategies to mitigate the loss of resources • Goal 8: DVR will continue to implement highly effective Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) for high school students statewide • Goal 9: With the implementation of Pre-ETS, the DVR caseload has trended towards serving a younger cohort. DVR needs to ensure the needs of middle-aged and mature workers are still adequately served
VR Goals and Priorities • Goal 10: DVR will continue to seek options for supported employment for the following underserved populations in the state • Goal 11: DVR will improve the outcomes for students and youth with emotional/behavioral disabilities served through the JOBS Supported Employment Programs
For more information • Contact James Smith at james.smith@Vermont.gov or at 802 241-0320