| State |
How does the plan address the VR needs of people with autism? |
| Alabama (AL) |
The Alabama plan identifies people with autism as underserved by VR. Autism is specifically addressed in a strategy, which is tied to a goal. The plan mentions autism training for VR providers. The state has an interagency partnership to address the VR needs of people with autism. Alabama also appointed a staff person in the VR state office “to develop and enhance the agency’s autism program.” Alabama uses the Connections program for “students and youth with social skill deficits, especially those with autism.” |
| Alaska (AK) |
The Alaska plan mentions autism training for VR providers.
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| Arkansas (AR) |
The Arkansas plan mentions autism training for VR providers. |
| California (CA) |
California’s plan mentions an interagency partnership to address the VR needs of people with autism. The plan stated a need for long-term supported employment services for people with autism. California uses the College to Career (C2C) program for students with intellectual disability with or without autism. |
| Colorado (CO); |
Colorado’s plan mentions an interagency partnership to identify and provide for the needs of transition-age youth with autism. The state VR agency had representation on state councils or committees that advise on matters specifically related to autism |
| Connecticut (CT) |
The Connecticut plan identifies people with autism as underserved by VR. Autism is specifically addressed in at least one strategy, which is tied to a goal. The plan mentions autism training for VR providers. The plan stated a need for additional VR service options for people with autism.
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| Delaware (DE) |
Delaware’s plan mentions an interagency partnership to address the VR needs of people with autism. The plan discussed use of Project SEARCH for transition-age youth with autism as well as a partnership with Specialisterne – Computer Aid, Inc. Delaware uses the Pathways to Employment program through Medicaid to serve low income youth with a disability “who have a desire to work in a competitive work environment,” including those with autism. |
| Dist. of Columbia (DC) |
The D.C. plan has a goal that specifically mentions autism – to plan and recruit VR staff and service providers to serve people with autism. The plan mentions autism training for VR providers. It also mentioned a need for supported employment services for transition-age youth on the spectrum. |
| Florida (FL) |
Florida’s plan only says it will be seeking opportunities to improve employment outcomes for people with autism. |
| Georgia (GA) |
The Georgia plan identifies people with autism as underserved by VR. The state plan has at least one strategy, which is tied to a goal, for addressing the VR needs of people with autism. The plan mentions autism training for VR providers and use of autism specialists. The state has an interagency partnership to conduct outreach to people with autism. The plan stated a need for additional VR service options for people with autism. It also discussed building relationships with employers to better meet the needs of the autism population. |
| Illinois (IL) |
The Illinois plan identifies people with autism as underserved by VR. However, the plan does not identify strategies, goals, or training. The state does have an interagency partnership to identify and provide for the needs of transition-age youth with autism. The plan stated a need for additional VR service options for people with autism. |
| Indiana (IN) |
The Indiana plan identifies people with autism as underserved by VR. However, the plan does not identify strategies, goals, training, or interagency partnerships to address their needs. |
| Iowa (IA) |
The Iowa plan mentions autism training for VR providers. |
| Kansas (KS) |
The Kansas plan identifies people with autism as underserved by VR. Autism is specifically addressed in a strategy. The plan mentions autism training for VR providers. The state VR agency had representation on state councils or committees that advise on matters specifically related to autism. |
| Kentucky (KY) |
The Kentucky plan identifies people with autism as underserved by VR. Autism is specifically addressed in a strategy, which is tied to a goal. The plan mentions autism training for VR providers. The state has an interagency partnership to identify and provide for the needs of transition-age youth with autism. The state VR agency had representation on state councils or committees that advise on matters specifically related to autism. Kentucky described a pre-employment transition service pilot program for high school rising juniors and seniors on the autism spectrum who have an expressed interest in transitioning into higher education. It also discussed building relationships with employers to better meet the needs of the autism population and described providing autism training to Kentucky Career Center Business Service Teams who would then train employers. |
| Louisiana (LA) |
Louisiana’s plan addresses autism within a strategy and mentions an interagency partnership for addressing the VR needs of people with autism. It also mentioned a need for supported employment services for transition-age youth on the spectrum. |
| Maine (ME) |
Maine’s plan documents an increase in the number of individuals identified with autism and mentions autism within its priority categories for VR services.
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Maryland (MD)
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The Maryland plan identifies people with autism as underserved by VR. Autism is specifically addressed in a strategy, which is tied to a goal. The plan mentions autism training for VR providers and use of autism specialists. The state has an interagency partnership to address the VR needs of people with autism. The plan stated a need for additional VR service options for people with autism including “social support group, social skills training, and ADHD organizational training” as examples. Maryland uses the Pathways program to support community college students on the autism spectrum.
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| Massachusetts (MA) |
The Massachusetts plan has a goal that specifically mentions autism. |
| Michigan (MI) |
The Michigan plan identifies people with autism as underserved by VR. Autism is specifically addressed in a strategy. The plan mentions autism training for VR providers. The state has an interagency partnership to address the VR needs of people with autism and discusses use of Project SEARCH. The state VR agency had representation on state councils or committees that advise on matters specifically related to autism |
| Minnesota (MN) |
The Minnesota plan mentions use of autism specialists. The state VR agency had representation on state councils or committees that advise on matters specifically related to autism. The plan stated a need for long-term supported employment services for people with autism. |
| Mississippi (MS) |
The Mississippi plan mentions autism training for VR providers. |
| Missouri (MO) |
The Missouri plan identifies people with autism as underserved by VR. Autism is specifically addressed in a strategy, which is tied to a goal. The plan mentions autism training for VR providers and use of autism specialists. The state has an interagency partnership to address the VR needs of people with autism by developing requirements for service providers and improving referral processes. The plan stated a need for long-term supported employment services for people with autism. The plan also discussed use of assistive technology for VR service users with autism. Missouri uses Employment Services Plus to serve individuals with autism and others. |
| Montana (MT) |
The Montana plan has a strategy that specifically mentions autism, and the plan mentions autism training for VR providers. |
| Nebraska (NE) |
The Nebraska plan identifies people with autism as underserved by VR. The plan mentions autism training for VR providers. The state has an interagency partnership to address the VR needs of people with autism. It also mentioned a need for supported employment services for transition-age youth on the spectrum. The state VR agency had representation on state councils or committees that advise on matters specifically related to autism. The plan stated a need for long-term supported employment services for people with autism. Nebraska used a Grants Management staff position to develop and implement innovative partnerships, including expansion of autism services and “development of a braided milestone funding payment system” to fund supported employment via a collaboration of VR, Health and Human Services, and the Division of Behavioral Health. |
| Nevada (NV) |
The Nevada plan identifies people with autism as underserved by VR. Autism is specifically addressed in a strategy. The state has an interagency partnership to address the VR needs of people with autism. The state VR agency had representation on state councils or committees that advise on matters specifically related to autism |
| New Hampshire (NH) |
The New Hamphire plan addresses autism in a strategy. The plan mentions autism training for VR providers. The state has an interagency partnership to address the VR needs of people with autism and discusses use of Project SEARCH. The state VR agency had representation on state councils or committees that advise on matters specifically related to autism. The plan stated a need for additional VR service options for people with autism. New Hampshire uses several programs to serve youth and young adults with autism including AXIS, the Family Centered Transition Project, and Project INCOME. It also discussed building relationships with employers to better meet the needs of the autism population. |
| New Jersey (NJ) |
New Jersey’s plan only mentions that VR counselors might reach out to families at autism conferences and also mentions a past survey that documented need to improve VR services/access for people with autism. |
| New York (NY) |
The New York plan identifies people with autism as underserved by VR. Autism is specifically addressed in a strategy, which is tied to a goal. The plan mentions autism training for VR providers. The state has an interagency partnership to address the VR needs of people with autism. The plan stated a need for additional VR service options for people with autism and said it was developing VR service options for “social speech and communication skill development.” It also discussed building relationships with employers to better meet the needs of the autism population. |
| North Carolina (NC) |
The North Carolina plan identifies people with autism as underserved by VR. The plan mentions autism training for VR providers. The plan stated a need for long-term supported employment services for people with autism. It also discussed building relationships with employers to better meet the needs of the autism population. |
| North Dakota (ND) |
The North Dakota plan mentions autism training for VR providers. The state has an interagency partnership using the Medicaid Autism Unit to train VR staff on autism. |
| Oklahoma (OK) |
The Oklahoma plan mentions autism training for VR providers. Oklahoma described a partnership between VR and Goodwill Tulsa to serve transition-age students including those with autism. |
| Oregon (OR) |
The Oregon plan mentions autism training for VR providers and use of autism specialists. |
| Pennsylvania (PA) |
Pennsylvania’s plan mentions an interagency partnership to address the VR needs of people with autism. The state VR agency had representation on state councils or committees that advise on matters specifically related to autism |
| Rhode Island (RI) |
The Rhode Island plan has a strategy that specifically mentions autism, and the plan mentions autism training for VR providers. |
| South Carolina (SC) |
The South Carolina plan has a strategy that specifically mentions autism, and the plan mentions autism training for VR providers. However, the plan repeats a vague objective, to “Improve services to individuals with autism spectrum disorders and intellectual/developmental disabilities,” in 13 different sections of the VR plan. The state uses an interagency partnership to address the VR needs of people with autism. South Carolina described a partnership between VR and the Project HOPE Foundation to serve individuals with autism using Applied Behavioral Analysis principles in vocational preparation settings and job coaching. |
| South Dakota (SD) |
The South Dakota plan mentions autism training for VR providers. |
| Tennessee (TN) |
The Tennessee plan identifies people with autism as underserved by VR. Autism is specifically addressed in a strategy. The plan mentions autism training for VR providers. The state has an interagency partnership to meet with advocacy groups to identify autism resources. It also discussed building relationships with employers to better meet the needs of the autism population. |
| Texas (TX) |
The Texas plan identifies people with autism as underserved by VR. Autism is specifically addressed in a strategy, which is tied to a goal. The plan mentions autism training for VR providers and use of autism specialists. Texas appointed a board-certified behavior analyst to serve as the State Program Specialist for Autism “to implement multiple strategies to enhance services” including an extensive training infrastructure for increasing staff competency. The state has an interagency partnership to address the VR needs of people with autism. Texas uses an Environmental Work Assessment and Autism Spectrum Disorder Supports to serve people with autism in VR, but the plan stated a need for additional VR service options for people with autism. It also discussed building relationships with employers to better meet the needs of the autism population. Texas described building capacity for job placement by identifying
community rehabilitation providers (CRPs) who had autism expertise and asking each to “develop at least one partnership with a business that has an autism-friendly work environment.” Texas also implemented premium payments for CRPs “to reward providers who maintain training and skills necessary to work with specific populations,” including autism. To earn the premium the CRP must show proof of specialized certification or licensure such as an Autism Specialization Certificate from the University at North Texas.
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| Utah (UT) |
The Utah plan identifies people with autism as underserved by VR. However, the plan does not identify strategies, goals, training, or interagency partnerships to address their needs.
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| Vermont (VT) |
Vermont’s plan only mentions a prior goal related to autism.
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| Virginia (VA) |
The Virginia plan identifies people with autism as underserved by VR. Autism is specifically addressed in a strategy, which is tied to a goal. The plan mentions autism training for VR providers and use of autism specialists. The state has an interagency partnership to address the VR needs of people with autism. The plan also discussed use of assistive technology for VR service users with autism. Virginia also uses Project SEARCH to serve transition-age youth with autism. The plan described a high intensity comprehensive service pilot program for VR service users with autism. It also discussed building relationships with employers to better meet the needs of the autism population.
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| Washington (WA) |
The Washington plan identifies people with autism as underserved by VR. Autism is specifically addressed in a strategy, which is tied to a goal. The state has an interagency partnership to address the VR needs of people with autism. It also discussed building relationships with employers to better meet the needs of the autism population. |
| Wisconsin (WI) |
Wisconsin’s plan only mentions a previous need for long-term supports for people with autism who may not qualify for services if they do not have an intellectual disability, and also mentions STEM careers for people with autism. The plan stated a need for long-term supported employment services for people with autism. |