Q2 2020: Alaska Div. of Voc. Rehab. 2020 Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment
“The Alaska Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (AKDVR), as part of the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD), is responsible for the administration and operation of Alaska’s public vocational rehabilitation program. While AKDVR continually assesses its performance and the needs of Alaskans with disabilities, the Rehabilitation Act, as amended, Public Law 99-506 Section 101(a), requires each state vocational rehabilitation agency conduct a comprehensive statewide needs assessment (CSNA) jointly with the Statewide Vocational Rehabilitation Committee (SVRC) triennially. The results of the CSNA are used to develop goals, priorities, strategies, and actions for both AKDVR’s Strategic and Combined State Plans.
In order to meet the requirements of 34 CFR §361.29, the CSNA must address the following:
- What are the rehabilitation needs of individuals with disabilities residing in Alaska, particularly the vocational rehabilitation services needs of:
- Individuals with the most significant disabilities, including their need for supported employment services;
- Individuals with disabilities who are minorities and individuals with disabilities who have been unserved or underserved by the vocational rehabilitation program;
- Individuals with disabilities served through other components of the statewide workforce development system as identified by those individuals and personnel assisting those individuals through the components of the system and;
- Youth with disabilities, and students with disabilities, including;
- Their needs for pre-employment transition services or other transition services; and
- An assessment of the needs of individuals with disabilities for transition services and pre-employment transition services, and the extent to which such services provided are coordinated with transition services provided under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in order to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities.
- An assessment of the need to establish, develop, or improve community rehabilitation programs (CRPs) within the state.”