The Washington State Migrant Council (WSMC) Vocational Rehabilitation program is designed as an outreach and placement service in partnership with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) to access and deliver resources leading to self-sufficiency by means of gainful employment even when facing impediments to perform on the job.
During the last five years, WSMC has successfully developed and implemented strategic activities funded by the Department of Education, RSA under Section 304 to raise awareness among the MSFW consumer in need of Vocational Rehabilitation opportunities. It is our goal to strengthen the existing State Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) activities by providing bilingual as well as culturally appropriate employment services to facilitate and support access to VR services for the under-served disabled farmworkers living within the Wapato/Sunnyside and Tri-Cities communities.
Six Overall Goals of WSMC's Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
Develop and implement a partnership between WSMC and local-regional offices of Washington State's Department of Vocational Rehabilitation designed to annually serve a minimum of 50 MSFW eligible consumers with disabilities during year-one and a minimum of 80 consumers each subsequent year of the project.
Enroll and support a minimum of 80% of the projects MSFW eligible consumers with disabilities in training programs designed to prepare, place, and sustain them in employment of their choice.
Place a minimum of 50% of the MSFW eligible consumers with disabilities participating with project affiliated training programs in employment that meets minimum wage compensation levels during year-one; and a minimum of 70% of consumers each subsequent year of the project.
Coordinate and/or provide on-going retention support services including job-coaching and on-the-job supplemental training to all project placed MSFW eligible consumers during their initial 90 days of employment; and follow-along support services referencing progressive wage increases, financial independence, and independent living during their subsequent nine months of employment.
Assist and complement partners at the two WorkSource Centers within the seamless environment of one-stop service delivery efforts in order to maximize access by MSFW eligible consumers to the variety of employment support funds and related services available through these centers in a culturally responsive manner.
Provide a series of workshops to employment and training service providers from project partner organizations and other local agencies designed to (a) increase/expand multi-cultural awareness and responsiveness, and (b) increase/expand their awareness, knowledge, and response to ADA and IDEA legislative intent(s), eligibility criteria, and service mandates.
