Continue to work with WIOA partners to identify barriers relating to equitable access and to ensure participation of individuals with disabilities. Section P Evaluation and Reports of Progress: VR and Supported Employment Goals. Describe: An evaluation of the extent to which the VR program goals described in the approved VR services portion of the Unified or Combined State Plan for the most recently completed program year were achieved. The evaluation must: Identify the strategies that contributed to the achievement of the goals. Describe the factors that impeded the achievement of the goals and priorities. An evaluation of the extent to which the Supported Employment program goals described in the Supported Employment Supplement for the most recent program year were achieved. The evaluation must: Identify the strategies that contributed to the achievement of the goals. Describe the factors that impeded the achievement of the goals and priorities. The VR Program’s performance on the performance accountability indicators under section 116 of WIOA. How the funds reserved for innovation and expansion (I&E) activities were utilized. Report of Progress Goal I: Improve Access to Transportation for Employment for Individuals with Disabilities. MDRS staff identified 152 formal transportation resources. The Community Transportation Resource Guide compiled by MDRS is published and updated on the MDRS website for wide distribution and easy access to information by consumers. In August 2013 MDRS signed a contract with LeFleur Transportation to join the MS Department of Mental Health in the Greenwood Transportation Pilot Project as initiated by the Mississippi Transportation Coalition. The intent of this project was to improve access to reliable transportation in one of the more rural parts of the state and to increase ridership in the program to drive down transportation costs for everyone. From November 2013 when the first trip was provided to September 30, 2014, 5,438 trips were provided at a cost of $35,480. The project ended in February 2015 at the request of LeFleur Transportation due to commitment of time and resources in another state. MDRS staff actively participated on transportation-related planning groups, advisory committees, and initiatives during the period October 1, 2013 through September 30, 2014 for a total of 31 meetings. Staff members will be encouraged to increase this participation in the upcoming FFY due to transportation being listed as the biggest barrier to employment in Mississippi according to the Statewide Assessment of Rehabilitation Needs. Counselors discuss transportation support networks with consumers during the application process. This discussion draws awareness for VR/VRB staff regarding transportation needs of the consumers. Based on these discussions VR/VRB staff
Continue to work with WIOA partners to identify barriers relating to equitable access and to ensure participation of individuals with disabilities. Section P Evaluation and Reports of Progress: VR and Supported Employment Goals. Describe: An evaluation of the extent to which the VR program goals described in the approved VR services portion of the Unified or Combined State Plan for the most recently completed program year were achieved. The evaluation must: Identify the strategies that contributed to the achievement of the goals. Describe the factors that impeded the achievement of the goals and priorities. An evaluation of the extent to which the Supported Employment program goals described in the Supported Employment Supplement for the most recent program year were achieved. The evaluation must: Identify the strategies that contributed to the achievement of the goals. Describe the factors that impeded the achievement of the goals and priorities. The VR Program’s performance on the performance accountability indicators under section 116 of WIOA. How the funds reserved for innovation and expansion (I&E) activities were utilized. Report of Progress Goal I: Improve Access to Transportation for Employment for Individuals with Disabilities. MDRS staff identified 152 formal transportation resources. The Community Transportation Resource Guide compiled by MDRS is published and updated on the MDRS website for wide distribution and easy access to information by consumers. In August 2013 MDRS signed a contract with LeFleur Transportation to join the MS Department of Mental Health in the Greenwood Transportation Pilot Project as initiated by the Mississippi Transportation Coalition. The intent of this project was to improve access to reliable transportation in one of the more rural parts of the state and to increase ridership in the program to drive down transportation costs for everyone. From November 2013 when the first trip was provided to September 30, 2014, 5,438 trips were provided at a cost of $35,480. The project ended in February 2015 at the request of LeFleur Transportation due to commitment of time and resources in another state. MDRS staff actively participated on transportation-related planning groups, advisory committees, and initiatives during the period October 1, 2013 through September 30, 2014 for a total of 31 meetings. Staff members will be encouraged to increase this participation in the upcoming FFY due to transportation being listed as the biggest barrier to employment in Mississippi according to the Statewide Assessment of Rehabilitation Needs. Counselors discuss transportation support networks with consumers during the application process. This discussion draws awareness for VR/VRB staff regarding transportation needs of the consumers. Based on these discussions VR/VRB staff
VR%20Only%20Portion%20of%20Combined%20State%20Plan%20(Combined)03.11F.docx