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Grantees

Nebraska Department of Education: Vocational Rehabilitation 

Abstract

The Career Pathway Advancement Project represents the next evolution of Vocational Rehabilitation by proactively improving the likelihood of economic self sufficiency for individuals with disabilities through an aggressive campaign of outreach, recruitment, and services that support advancement in high demand jobs in the career pathways of Administrative Support, Construction, Healthcare Science Support and Therapeutic Services, Lodging, Manufacturing, Professional Sales, Restaurant & Food Beverage Service, and Transportation, Distribution and Logistics (TDL).
The project builds on an existing Nebraska Career Pathway Advancement Project grant, which promotes upskilling/backfilling and advancing incumbent workers with disabilities. This project has a more robust scope of work, adding additional staff, increasing contacts with businesses and clients, and developing an electronic data system that houses information regarding short term industry specific training and credentialing. This database is accessible to VR, CPAP, and workforce partner staff.
The project expands partnerships with Career, Technical and Adult Education, WIOA partners, and the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI), allowing 350 VR eligible individuals over the course of the project to access career pathway partnerships with businesses and educational institutions. A proven Upskill/Backfill business model is used to create opportunities for former VR eligible individuals to advance their careers and open new opportunities for other VR eligible individuals, allowing new participants to enter a career pathway with opportunities for advancement.
 

Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation 

Abstract

ICAP is a model demonstration project designed to expand access to established career pathways across Oregon for individuals served by Vocational Rehabilitation (VR). The project aims to support participants in pursuing education and training that align with high demand occupations throughout the state. ICAP builds on Oregon’s existing career pathway infrastructure, which includes integrated education models and coordinated support services. The project brings together all 17 of Oregon’s community colleges, the VR program, and Oregon Commission for the Blind Program to create a statewide network of aligned services. Through this collaboration, ICAP provides participants with general guidance, on-site coaching, and navigation support intended to increase access to and engagement in community college programs. The project emphasizes a coordinated approach in which VR services are integrated with college based support to promote persistence and completion. ICAP also works with local employers and workforce system partners to help ensure that activities remain connected to labor market needs. The project is designed to offer a consistent yet flexible structure that can be adapted across diverse community college environments, including urban, suburban, and rural settings. A core project partner, Cornell University, evaluates implementation processes and identifies effective strategies. Findings from the evaluation inform broader efforts to strengthen pathways for people with disabilities in postsecondary and workforce settings. Through this work, ICAP seeks to contribute to a long term increase in access to education and employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

Vermont Agency of Human Services: Vocational Rehabilitation 

Abstract

Credentialed training programs, including Pre-apprenticeships, Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAP) and other ‘earn & learn’ programs, are proven strategies to help workers gain skills and enter high wage employment.  The Vermont Career Advancement Project (VCAP) addresses this challenge by piloting a new practice framework for vocational rehabilitation (VR) services that includes piloting a new role, the Career Pathways Navigator, throughout the state. VCAP established a robust partnership with the Vermont Department of Labor (VDOL), the Community College of Vermont (CCV), Vermont Technical College (VTC), and secondary Career and Technical Education Centers (CTEs), to build on-ramps enabling individuals with disabilities to pursue high quality, good paying careers. The project embeds dedicated Career Pathways Student Advisors in these post-secondary programs for intensive support to VCAP participants. VCAP partners with other work force development organizations, including ReSource, to expand paid, credentialed occupational training programs in response to employer needs. VCAP ensures participants have access to necessary supplemental supports, such as assistive technology, tutoring, training tools, financial literacy, transportation, and job coaching, to succeed in apprenticeships and other earn & learn opportunities. These supports include benefits counseling services for participating in Social Security disability beneficiaries. Utilizing the best available employment projections for high quality, high wage career pathway opportunities in Vermont, VCAP identified the following five career sectors for the project: Advanced Manufacturing, Financial Services, Healthcare, Skilled Construction Trades, and Information Technology. VCAP utilizes its extensive network of employer contacts through its Business Account Managers to engage employers in offering opportunities in these sectors. CCV and VTC, which have extensive program development experience and expertise, provides required Related Instruction for apprenticeships and other credentialed programs. These programs link directly to secondary and adult programs offered through the state’s 17 Career and Technical Education (CTE) centers. The projects evaluator, Mathematica, will identify key performance measures and conduct a comprehensive evaluation of intended project outcomes. 

Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity: Michigan Rehabilitation Services

Abstract

Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) is enhancing career pathways in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine (STEMM). MRS has been implementing a comprehensive, multipronged strategy to expand opportunities for both jobseekers who are eligible for vocational rehabilitation (VR) services as well as STEMM employers. Specifically, this initiative offers job readiness training, immersive hands-on work experience, and career exploration opportunities for jobseekers who are interested in STEMM. MRS has also been facilitating opportunities for employers and jobseekers to engage with each other, such as workplace tours, informational interviews, and job fairs. Throughout the project, MRS has been building its capacity to continue offering innovative support for jobseekers and employers in the post-grant period.

Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development: Division of Vocational Rehabilitation 

Abstract

The Wisconsin Career Advancement Initiative aims to improve partner collaboration, train VR and partner staff, implement evidence -based decision making, and provide outreach and support to VR consumers to increase the participation of working-age adults with disabilities in Wisconsin Career Pathways. It improves Wisconsin WIOA partner coordination and collaboration in providing career advancement opportunities for people with disabilities; increases training partner staff and employer awareness, accommodations, and support to improve success of individuals with disabilities in career advancement; improves VR staff awareness and understanding and use of regional healthcare, manufacturing, construction, and digital technology regional career pathways; uses evidence-based decision-making to increase participation of Wisconsin citizens with disabilities in career advancement activities; connects more VR consumers to Wisconsin regional career pathways; and provides VR consumers with training and accommodation support to increase their success in using career pathways, apprenticeships, and work-based learning programs for career advancement. These efforts should lead to increased VR consumer engagement in career advancement opportunities, increased co-enrollment in VR and other workforce programs, increased measurable skills gains and credentials, and increased competitive integrated employment outcomes, including self-staining wages and employer benefits, decreasing the reliance on public benefits. The Wisconsin Career Advancement Initiative intends to maintain and sustain partnerships, using learned knowledge and practices to continue interagency career pathways practice during and after the grant, integrating practices, so people with disabilities continue to access Wisconsin Career Pathways and improved career advancement well into the future.

Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission: Vocational Rehabilitation Division

Abstract

The general focus and goal of the MassAbility NextGen Careers Program is to help young adults with disabilities build successful career paths and transition confidently into the workforce. The program is designed for people ages 18–30 with interest in STEM careers, and it emphasizes both employment and internal skill development.
NextGen Careers offers a multidisciplinary approach utilizing an Integrated Resource Team model of service delivery. Peer Mentors and Family Partners work alongside Career Counselors and Employment Success Specialists to teach skills such as self-advocacy and independence. They help young adults access training, internships, and apprenticeships that prepare them to be competitive in STEM jobs as well as other employment sectors.
NextGen Careers focuses on outreach and recruitment of populations underserved in traditional VR models, including young adults living with sensory disabilities such as those who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing, blind/low vision, or have Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. The program develops a learning experience focused on internal skills known as Self-CAReS that responds to these and other disabilities.
NextGen Careers activities include cohort training, where young adults receiving similar services participate in training groups focused on job goals such as pharmacy technician, digital accessibility reviewer, nursing assistant, manufacturing roles, and lab staff. The program also offers Career Exploration Academies where young adults and their families attend virtual sessions about specific job paths, training, or employment-related resources. Other activities include Integrated Resource Team Meetings, where—with the young adult at the center—planning and decision making occur with all team members, always including the young adult, their families, and other providers identified or invited by the young adult. As many participants have limited or no work histories, the program relies heavily on internships and works successfully to engage employers across sectors to host funded internships or job-driven trainings.
 

California Department of Rehabilitation 

Abstract

The CDOR seeks to increase the participation rate of individuals with disabilities in high wage, high skill, high demand careers, including STEM occupations, through the development and implementation of the Pathways to Success Project (PSP). PSP targets individuals traditionally underrepresented in STEM and other high wage, high skill, and high demand occupations, including individuals from ethnically and racially diverse communities, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, justice involved youth and adults, and women.
PSP uses a unique service delivery design by assigning, building, and serving statewide caseloads based on the goal identified in the consumer’s Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE), rather than geography. PSP utilizes sector specific specialist teams consisting of a rehabilitation counselor supported by a business specialist, based in five areas of the state where specific high wage, high skill, and high demand careers, including STEM occupations, exist. These teams become experts in the industry and translate that knowledge into increased opportunities for consumers to enter those career pathways.
The sector specific teams engage with businesses, develop work based learning experiences, internships, apprenticeships, and career level employment for CDOR consumers. PSP is supported by state of the art technology that facilitates distance service delivery and maximizes consumer engagement. A cutting edge, nationally utilized Labor Market Information (LMI) tool and system (The Career Index Plus – TCI+) is customized and integrated with an artificial intelligence system (SARA) to create customized and comprehensive IPE portfolios that are accessible to VR and school staff, families, and consumers. These portfolios integrate career pathway goals and document relevant LMI supporting informed choice.
Stakeholder driven partnerships ensure alignment of pathways and pipelines with industry and regional work, credential, apprenticeship, and career opportunities, as well as targeted, supports enhanced training through employers, community colleges, and career and technical education centers.
 

Virginia Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services: Rehabilitation Services 

Abstract

The Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services collaborates with multiple agencies within Virginia government, including the Department of Human Resource Management, Department of Labor and Industry, Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired, Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center, and other critical public and private sector workforce partners, to serve at least 750 VR eligible individuals with disabilities. Together, they assist individuals with disabilities who are traditionally unserved or underserved by Virginia’s workforce system so they can obtain or advance in occupations in skills based trade and industry fields, including STEM, or in state government. These occupations provide a sustainable living wage and offer freedom from public support.
Training and technical assistance are provided to workforce partners to develop, implement, and sustain policy and system changes that create future employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The project also capitalizes on two legislative initiatives recently adopted by the Virginia General Assembly, both of which expand employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities in state government and the Commonwealth.