Division of Vocational Rehabilitation; quality assurance; performance improvement plan.

(1) The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation shall maintain an internal system of quality assurance, have proven functional systems, perform due diligence, review provider systems of quality assurance, and be subject to monitoring for compliance with state and federal laws, rules, and regulations.

(2) No later than October 1, 2016, the division shall develop and implement a performance improvement plan designed to achieve the following goals:

(a) Decrease the average wait list time for reportable individuals.

(b) Increase the percentage of participants who are in unsubsidized employment during the second quarter after they exit the program.

(c) Increase the percentage of participants who are in unsubsidized employment during the fourth quarter after they exit the program.

(d) Increase the number of persons earning CAPE industry certifications and CAPE postsecondary industry certifications approved pursuant to s. 1008.44.

(e) Increase the median earnings of participants who are in unsubsidized employment during the second quarter after they exit the program.

(f) Increase the percentage of participants who obtained a recognized postsecondary credential or a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent during participation in, or within 1 year after they exit, the program.

(g) Increase the percentage of youth who received preemployment transition services without applying for additional vocational rehabilitation services and who obtained a recognized postsecondary credential or a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent during participation in, or within 1 year after they exit, the program.

(h) Increase the percentage of participants who, during a program year, are in an education or training program that leads to a recognized postsecondary credential or to employment and who are achieving a measurable gain of skill, including documented academic, technical, or occupational gains or other forms of progress toward a postsecondary credential or employment.

(i) Increase the number of students receiving preemployment transition services.

(j) Increase the division’s effectiveness in serving employers, based on indicators developed as required by s. 116(b)(2)(A)(iv) of the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.

(3) The goals established under subsection (2) must be designed to elevate the state vocational rehabilitation program to one of the top 10 in the nation.

(4) By December 1 of each year, the division shall submit a performance report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives which includes the following information for each of the 5 most recent fiscal years:

(a) Caseload data, by service type and service area, including the number of individuals who apply for services and the timeframes in which eligibility is determined, plans are developed, and services are provided.

(b) Service use data, by service type, including the number of units of service provided, statewide and by service area.

(c) Financial data, by service type, including expenditures for administration and the provision of services. Expenditure data shall be reported on a statewide basis and by service area, and expenditures for education-related services must be identified in specific categories such as tuition and fees, program fees, and support services.

(d) Matching fund data, including the sources and amounts of matching funds received by the division and the extent to which the state is meeting its cost-sharing requirements.

(e) Outcome data, statewide and by service area, including the number of cases closed without employment and the number of cases closed with employment. Employment data must be provided separately for supported employment.

(f) Transition services data, including preemployment transition services, for students and youth with disabilities by service type, including expenditure data on a statewide and service area basis, employment outcomes achieved by youth served, and postsecondary enrollment rates.