Summary of Amendment to the State Plan for Vocational Rehabilitation Services and Supplement for Supported Employment Services Program Federal Fiscal Year 2008
State Plan Process
The Rehabilitation Act, as amended, requires that New York State prepare a State Plan that informs the public of the Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities’ (VESID) goals, priorities and performance in providing vocational rehabilitation and supported employment services to individuals with disabilities in New York State. This document, entitled State Plan for Vocational Rehabilitation Services and Supplement for Supported Employment Services Program, Effective July 1, 2001, was previously submitted and approved by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA). The Rehabilitation Act further requires that each state annually amend its approved State Plan in specific areas as requested. The Amendment to the State Plan consists of specific attachments that must be updated annually as required by RSA. The content and format of the Amendment to the State Plan are based on the most recent guidance provided by RSA. The Federal Fiscal Year 2008 State Plan continues to be an amendment to the original document since the Workforce Investment Act has not yet been reauthorized.
VESID, in conjunction with the State Rehabilitation Council (SRC), developed
the Amendment to the State Plan for Vocational Rehabilitation Services
and Supported Employment Services Program, Federal Fiscal Year 2008. The
previous year’s Amendment to the State Plan (July 1, 2006) was
used to solicit input and recommendations from the public on planned
activities related to the vocational rehabilitation of persons with disabilities
for the next year.
The public comment period regarding the State Plan amendments extended
from September 8 through November 17, 2006. As part of the State
Plan development, VESID solicited public comment on achieving high quality
employment outcomes for people with disabilities through seven public
meetings. Discussion questions focused on greater participation
of youth in vocational rehabilitation, the timely development of the
Individualized Plan for Employment and postsecondary education leading
to quality employment, as these topics relate to the content and implementation
of the State Plan.
Public Meetings
To notify and inform the public about the meetings on the State Plan, VESID emailed flyers that gave specific details on the theme of the State Plan public meetings, the meeting dates, meeting times and locations. The flyers were sent to consumers, community agencies, schools, independent living centers and support groups. VESID also utilized the newsletters, faxes and internal communication processes of several community rehabilitation providers and associations to advertise the public meetings.
VESID further advertised the public meetings through the VESID website. Using Internet access, VESID created an interactive public meeting web page that was accessible to the public seven days per week, 24 hours per day. The public meeting web page allowed individuals to review the public meeting themes, questions and background information and to electronically post their comments. The page was redesigned this year and more than 50 comments, many detailed, were received, a response comparable to what we received last year.
The public meetings were designed to provide ample opportunities for
participants to review and discuss their ideas about VESID’s State
Plan, policies, future direction, transition, individualized planning
of employment goals and the use of post- secondary education to achieve
employment. At each meeting, VESID provided a brief presentation
on the State Plan and provided data and information related to the theme
questions. VESID staff facilitated the discussion, but public participants
remained free to offer comments or recommendations on any part of the
State Plan and its process.
The comments and recommendations received during the public comment period
were reviewed for inclusion into VESID’s Amendment to the State
Plan. Comments that were received, but did not directly alter the
Amendment, are being shared with VESID leadership for consideration. We
will compile the comments and post a summary of the comments on the VESID
website, along with a response from VESID related to the comments received.
Amendment of the State Plan: Required Attachments
RSA has reformatted the State Plan Pre-Print Assurances, and the completed document is submitted for review as part of this Amendment. In addition, the following attachments describe VESID’s plans, policies and activities in a number of required areas. The sections of the Amendment to the State Plan for Vocational Rehabilitation Services and Supplement for Supported Employment Services Program, Federal Fiscal Year 2008 include:
Summary of Input and Recommendations of the State Rehabilitation Council; Response of the Designated State Unit; and Explanation for Rejection of Input or Recommendations: Attachment 4.2(c)
Summarizes the advice of the State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) on the State Plan, policy development and general comments. VESID’s responses to SRC are also included.
Cooperation with Agencies that are Not in the Statewide Workforce Investment System and with Other Entities: Attachment 4.8(b)(1)
Describes VESID’s efforts to work cooperatively and to coordinate services with public entities that are not part of the Statewide Workforce Investment System.
Coordination with Education Officials: Attachment 4.8(b)(2)
Describes VESID’s efforts to facilitate the transition of students with disabilities from school to post-school employment at the statewide and local levels.
Cooperative Agreements with Private Non-profit Vocational Rehabilitation Service Providers: Attachment 4.8(b)(3)
Describes VESID’s efforts to develop effective working and contractual relationships with the network of non-profit community rehabilitation providers throughout the State.
Evidence of Collaboration Regarding Supported Employment Services and Extended Services: Attachment 4.8(b)(4)
Describes VESID’s efforts to develop effective working and contractual relationships with the network of supported employment and extended service providers throughout the State.
Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD): Attachment 4.10
Describes VESID’s activities that ensure an adequate supply of qualified rehabilitation professionals in conformance with its CSPD. The CSPD calls for VESID to utilize the highest national standard, Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), as the goal in recruitment and retention of counselors.
Results of Comprehensive Statewide Assessment of the Rehabilitation Needs of Individuals with Disabilities and the Need to Establish, Develop and Improve Community Rehabilitation Programs: Attachment 4.11(a)
Describes VESID’s interagency review of the needs of persons with the most significant disabilities for expanded supported employment opportunities. Also describes VESID and State Rehabilitation Council’s joint efforts to assess the needs of special populations.
Annual Estimates of Individuals to be Served and Costs of Service: Attachment 4.11(b)
VESID estimates that, during Federal Fiscal Year 2008, 28,300 individuals with significant or most significant disabilities will become eligible for VESID services.
State’s Goals and Priorities: Attachment 4.11(c)(1)
Describes VESID’s goals and priorities and highlights key performance
indicators
to measure success.
Goals and Plans for Distribution of Title VI, Part B Funds (Supported Employment): Attachment 4.11(c)(4)
This attachment indicates that VESID plans to continue to fund supported employment services utilizing Federal VIB and other funds.
State’s Strategies and Use of Title I Funding for Innovation and Expansion Activities: Attachment 4.11(d)
This attachment describes how VESID plans to use a portion of Title I Funding to innovate and expand vocational rehabilitation services.
Evaluation and Report of Progress in Achieving Identified Goals and Priorities and Use of Title l Funds for Innovation and Expansion Activities: Attachment 4.11(e)(2)
Describes VESID’s progress in achieving the goals and priorities, as required by regulation, and agreed to with the State Rehabilitation Council.
Quality, Scope and Extent of Supported Employment Services: Attachment 6.3
Describes VESID’s progress in improving the quality of supported employment services in New York State.
