Arkansas Department of Career Education Arkansas Rehabilitation ...

Strategy
* ARS will enhance and facilitate a business services component in an effort to increase quality
employment outcomes.
* ARS will increase the number of placement specialists employed throughout the state.
* The Field Program will be provided training regarding role, function and responsibility of
placement specialists.
* An advisory group will be established composed of individuals from business and industry,
counselors, job placement specialists, and other appropriate professionals.
Goal 7: Improve and expand transition services program.
Strategy
* ARS leadership will work with the State Department of Education to insure that rehabilitation
counselors have ready access to all students with disabilities.
* ARS leadership will work with the school districts throughout the state to facilitate and
enhance the working relationship between the school districts and local rehabilitation District
Managers and counselors.
* ARS will promote that all students reported to have a disability and an IEP will be contacted by
a transition or rehabilitation counselor prior to or during their junior year of school.
* ARS will promote that all students with an IEP will be provided eligibility determination for
VR services before they graduate high school.
* ARS will present opportunities for both further training and higher education as options to
students and their families during transition planning for students. Additionally, students and
their families will be given information and explanation of employment services and options,
including information that describes and defines supported employment as one of those
options.
Goal 8: Improve services to better meet the needs concerning SSI/SSDI beneficiaries with
disabilities.
Strategy
* ARS will explore the development of additional SSA benefit counselors to work with ARS
consumers and potential consumers regarding SSA rules and work incentives for employment.
* ARS will collaborate with the AWIN Benefits Counseling Program, the Working Medicaid
Program, and Employment Networks to leverage and expand services to SSI/DI beneficiaries.
Goal 9: Develop and improve Community Rehabilitation Programs.
Strategy
* ARS will continue assignment of a rehabilitation counselor as a liaison to each CRP in his/her
District.
* ARS District Managers will assume a more active role with the CRPs for purposes of
developing positive working relationships, to further assessing the need to improve or expand
services, and to determine if additional CRPs need to be constructed.
Goal 10: Enhance collaboration and partnerships with the Workforce Investment System.
Strategy
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