Wyoming

~~D. COORDINATION, ALIGNMENT AND PROVISION OF SERVICES TO EMPLOYERS:
One-Stop Center staff provide direct outreach services to businesses to develop job opportunities for all customers. One-Stop Center staff collaborate with the Chamber of Commerce in their communities to connect with employers in their communities. Through Employment First and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, One-Stop Center staff collaborate and provide resources and training to employers in regards to hiring people with disabilities. The Department of Workforce Services offers Employer Seminars for employers in local communities on a rotating basis. One-Stop Center staff assist in coordinating local job fairs and hiring events for employers. One-Stop Center staff utilize social media and Wyoming at Work to promote open jobs to job seekers.  (Page 104) Title 1

G. COORDINATION WITH EMPLOYERS:
1. VR SERVICES:
The Wyoming Employment First Task Force was established by the State Legislature in 2014 (Statute HEA 0053) and finished work in October 2017. During that time the task force developed a Strategic Plan that included FY 2016, 2017 and 2018. The task force developed a dashboard that included disability information and statistics from Department of Workforce Services, Behavioral Health Division, Wyoming Department of Education, Department of Family Services and Mental Health.
Members of the task force chose to continue as a workgroup that meets every two months. The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Employment First Consultant volunteered to take the lead in this effort.

The Employment First Consultant is responsible for coordinating these meetings, maintaining the Employment First web page with support from DWS, facilitating internship placements at the state level through collaboration with A&I, and supporting the establishment of community employer groups that have hired individuals with disabilities. The purpose of these groups is to educate other employers on the benefits of hiring individuals with disabilities. The Employment First Consultant contacts businesses to learn about hiring needs, provides information about the division and its services and offers support, ascertains the potential for future job placements, and encourages businesses to participate in employer groups being set up around the state. Such groups will provide avenues for businesses to share their successes and challenges in hiring individuals with disabilities.

The goal of the workgroup is to continue to promote competitive employment as the first option for people with significant disabilities, versus options such as sheltered work settings or day habilitation programs. The initiative aims to make disability employment part of the state workforce development strategy, find and support businesses that employ people with disabilities, ensure the State of Wyoming becomes a model employer of people with disabilities, prepare youth with disabilities for careers that utilize their potential, provide employers with skilled workers, and utilize existing limited resources to advance employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

The Division also has VR counselors and regional managers in communities working with local employers to educate them about vocational rehabilitation services, the benefits of hiring individuals with disabilities, and establishing sites for employment opportunities and or trial work experiences. The Division makes an effort to partner with other divisions within The Department of Workforce Services and other community organizations in an effort to connect with employers. Some of these organizations are the Uinta County Business Leadership Network, Wyoming Independent Living, and various Community Rehabilitation Programs. In most circumstances, the division provides information to employers on a one-on-one basis but will present information at professional conferences, chamber events, and other community gatherings where the staff is invited to participate. (Page 236) Title I

~~No disability specific information found regarding this element.

~~No disability specific information found regarding this element.

~~No disability specific information found regarding this element.

~~Adult and Dislocated Worker programs:
There are three categories of career services available to adult and dislocated worker customers:

2. Individualized career services:
Individualized career services are made available when a determination is made that more customized services are needed for an individual to obtain or retain employment. One-stop center staff may use recent previous assessments by partner programs to determine if individualized career services would be appropriate. Individualized career services may include:
Financial literacy services.   (Pages 77- 78) Title I

Recruiting out-of-school youth:
Each DWS region, county, city, and local AJC has unique socioeconomic indicators which may require a more customized plan for delivering youth services. A major goal is to establish partnerships that support the Youth Services Program and continue to strengthen these relationships to the point they effectively provide WIOA program services now and into the future.
As fewer resources under WIOA will be devoted to in-school-youth, Wyoming, and local areas are identifying existing resources throughout communities that can provide services to in-school-youth. WIOA includes a total of 14 program elements which include the original 10 program elements under the Workforce Investment Act (which have been consolidated to nine as the summer employment opportunities program element is now a sub-element under paid and unpaid work experiences), and five new program elements.

The five new program elements are: financial literacy education, entrepreneurial skills training, services that provide labor market and employment information about in-demand industry sectors or occupations, activities that help youth prepare for and transition to postsecondary education and training, and education offered concurrently with and in the same context as workforce preparation activities and training for a specific occupation or occupational cluster. Wyoming will continue to make all program elements available to youth participants by focusing on improved educational achievement, preparing for and succeeding in employment, youth guidance, mentoring and service activities, and offering services that develop the leadership potential of young people. (Page 166) Title I

~~Transitioning in-school youth:

As fewer resources under WIOA will be devoted to in-school-youth, Wyoming, and local areas are identifying existing resources throughout communities that can provide services to in-school-youth.
 
Program elements:
WIOA includes a total of 14 program elements which include the original 10 program elements under the Workforce Investment Act (which have been consolidated to nine as the summer employment opportunities program element is now a sub-element under paid and unpaid work experiences), and five new program elements.

The five new program elements are: financial literacy education, entrepreneurial skills training, services that provide labor market and employment information about in-demand industry sectors or occupations, activities that help youth prepare for and transition to postsecondary education and training, and education offered concurrently with and in the same context as workforce preparation activities and training for a specific occupation or occupational cluster. Wyoming will continue to make all program elements available to youth participants by focusing on improved educational achievement, preparing for and succeeding in employment, youth guidance, mentoring and service activities, and offering services that develop the leadership potential of young people. (Page 85) Title I

Responsibilities of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation include:
1. Division transition consultants shall coordinate with the Department of Education, Special Programs Division and local education agencies to develop and provide a system for a seamless transition from school to work/training for students with disabilities.
2. Be responsible for the provision of technical assistance, consultations, and the development of statewide program strategies and procedures applicable to youth with disabilities. Including providing consultation to assist in the identification of eligible and potentially eligible students with disabilities and assessment of their individual needs for Pre-ETS.
3. Provide technical assistance to Department of Education personnel through formal and informal training, joint problem—solving, and exchange of information on policies and procedures. Present at all available conferences, webinars, and trainings to educate department and local school district personnel about the availability of PreETS services and how to access them.
4. Division of Vocational Rehabilitation transition consultants will participate in the annual data analysis which is performed each fall.
5. Division transition consultants shall meet with local education agency special education directors, teachers, guidance counselors, and community service representatives to provide technical assistance and training about Division programs, policies and regulations as they apply to student transitions. The consultants will provide training on PreETS and how the LEAs can assist students in accessing these services. (Page 229) Title IV

G. COORDINATION WITH EMPLOYERS:
2. TRANSITION SERVICES, INCLUDING PRE-EMPLOYMENT TRANSITION SERVICES, FOR STUDENTS AND YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES:

The Wyoming Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) reclassified two experienced counselors to work as Transition Consultants. In this role, they communicate with school counselors in every school district throughout the state to offer DVR services and develop work experiences for students and youth with disabilities.

The Transition Consultants work with the State Department of Education, local school districts, and Division staff, providing information about Division services and helping Division staff and eligible students with disabilities transitions from school to the world of work. The consultants also help employer groups and others increase opportunities for work experiences and jobs for youth with disabilities. The transition consultants coordinated with education officials to establish a Project Search site in Wyoming. The transition consultants are actively educating Division, as well as education staff, on Pre-Employment Transition Services. Their goal is to increase referrals to better utilize the services that fall in this area and to target students that would benefit from working with the Division. The consultants are working on developing relationships, handouts and resource guides, training and any other needed service to educate people on Pre-Employment Transition Services.

On the local level, DVR Counselors are working in our field offices to develop job sites that can support short-term work experiences for students and youth with disabilities. Where possible, DVR is partnering with other groups and agencies. Some of these agencies include Mental Health centers, Uinta County Business Leadership Network, Wyoming Independent Living, Community Rehabilitation Programs, and the local school districts. Wyoming DVR is beginning to work on reaching out to Institutes for Higher Education and directly with employers across the state to identify additional opportunities for students and youth with disabilities. DVR is also working with various organizations to develop youth leadership opportunities to increase self-advocacy skills.

In FY17, Wyoming DVR provided coordinating service delivery support to help create the first Project SEARCH program in the state. There are specific requirements for Project SEARCH programs, as well as ongoing support costs, however, the success of this program remains undisputed. Project SEARCH has particular relevance under WIOA and each state’s legal obligation to create a systematic plan to help people with disabilities to get jobs. Wyoming’s first Project SEARCH program is designed on the traditional model of High School, VR, CRP, and Business. This program is a partnership with Ivinson Memorial Hospital, Albany County School District 1 and Wyoming DVR.

Albany County School District 1 Performance Measure: Within three months of successfully completing Project SEARCH, 50 percent of students will obtain competitive employment.  (Pages 236-237) Title I

~~Career Pathway Plan:
AE local program teams are completing Career Pathways (CP) training for Adult Education certification. Local CP plans and service delivery models are being developed. Local programs will collaborate with members of local Sector Partnerships (SP) to enhance or develop career pathways for client transition to high demand jobs in the state.  (Page 88) Title II

2. DESCRIBE THE STRATEGIES THE STATE WILL USE TO ACHIEVE IMPROVED OUTCOMES FOR OUT-OF-SCHOOL YOUTH AS DESCRIBED IN 129(A)(1)(B), INCLUDING HOW IT WILL LEVERAGE AND ALIGN THE CORE PROGRAMS, ANY COMBINED STATE PLAN PARTNER PROGRAMS INCLUDED IN THIS PLAN, REQUIRED AND OPTIONAL ONE-STOP PARTNER PROGRAMS, AND ANY OTHER RESOURCES AVAILABLE:   
Young people between the ages of 16 and 25 who are low income, have basic literacy skills not commensurate with respective grade level, who are high school dropouts, homeless, runaway, or foster-care children, pregnant or parenting, legal offenders, disabled, or lack vocational goals and reside in geographically remote areas will continue to be the focus of the State’s youth program. Staff will either solely or working closely with a partnering organization, use an application process to determine and document an applicant’s eligibility for WIOA youth services. New and ongoing components will consist of incorporating Career Pathways as part of both the initial objective assessment and the individual service strategy. In order to make sure performance requirements are met, the individual service strategy will be directly linked to one or more performance indicators. The process includes an evaluation of the young person’s residency, income eligibility, age, basic occupational skills and abilities, aptitudes, interests, barriers to employment, support service needs, academic requirements, financial resources, and vocational potential. Page 161 Required documentation and verification of eligibility will be maintained in the Wyoming at Work management information system, and/or, in paper format. (Page 160-161) Title I

~~No disability specific information found regarding this element.

~~No disability specific information found regarding this element.

~~No disability specific information found regarding this element.

~~E. COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS WITH PRIVATE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS:

Historically, the Wyoming Division of Vocational Rehabilitation has made effective use of community rehabilitation programs in serving clients with the most significant disabilities. Over the past several years, significant progress has been made in encouraging mental health centers and other providers to become more involved in providing supported employment services.

Progress rarely happens in a straight line, however. In some instances, promising efforts at collaborations with service providers have faltered for reasons that may or may not be under the Division’s control. In some cases, local staffs have succeeded in finding or developing alternative resources for supported employment services.
 
The demonstrated effectiveness of supported employment services in providing job opportunities for individuals with the most significant disabilities argues for persistence in these efforts. With some mental health centers, in particular, developing collaborative supported employment programs is in the long-term interests of people with severe and persistent mental illness. (Page 234) Title I

F. ARRANGEMENTS AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS FOR THE PROVISION OF SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES:

Encourage dedicated funding for long-term support needed by supported employment clients. This will include networking with the Division of Behavioral Health, Regional Service Providers in Wyoming, mental health centers, the Wyoming Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities, State and local education programs, Social Security employment incentive including Ticket To Work programs, training programs under WIOA, and private businesses. There are still geographic, programmatic, and disability-related gaps in the capacities of community rehabilitation programs to provide the array of services the Division needs for clients with the most significant disabilities. These gaps include services to persons with acquired brain injuries. • State-of-the-art employment services for persons with severe and persistent mental illnesses are more widely available now than at the time of previous needs assessments, but such services still are not available to all communities. • The potential for community rehabilitation programs to play a more substantial role in preparing students with disabilities for the transition from school to employment has not been fully explored. Dialogue and collaboration with DD waiver have enhanced services and abilities of the Division to be more effective in supported employment efforts.  (Page 235) Title IV

3. THE STATE AGENCY RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES:

In September 2007, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation completed a memorandum of understanding with the Wyoming Department of Health, Mental Health Substance Abuse Services Division. The purpose of the MOU is to provide services more effectively to people with disabilities, in compliance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This includes increased collaboration in the evaluation, planning and implementation of supported employment services for persons with Severe and Persistent Mental Illness (SPMI) and transition age youth. Joint bi—annual training will focus on these issues, among others. (Page 238) Title IV

3. THE OUTREACH PROCEDURES THAT WILL BE USED TO IDENTIFY AND SERVE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES WHO ARE MINORITIES, INCLUDING THOSE WITH THE MOST SIGNIFICANT DISABILITIES, AS WELL AS THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN UNSERVED OR UNDERSERVED BY THE VR PROGRAM:

Persons with severe and persistent mental illness.

Objective: Improve and expand services for persons with severe and persistent mental illness.

Method: Encourage the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Division to support the expansion of successful employment models for these individuals.
 
Objective: Continue to develop supported employment services with mental health organizations statewide.

Method: Initiate contacts with mental health centers and promote supported employment services.

Objective: As training becomes available for professionals working with and serving people with mental illnesses, arrange for Division staff and appropriate mental health personnel to attend such training sessions. Invite mental health personnel to attend Division in—services when appropriate topics are involved.

Method: Invite mental health personnel to attend Division in—services free when training is being presented in their area of the state. Alert mental health personnel to training via other independent entities.  (Pages 258-259) Title IV