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Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment (CSNA)

As amended by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014, the Rehabilitation Act requires vocational rehabilitation agencies such as the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD), Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), to complete a Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment (CSNA) every three years. The CSNA identifies the needs of individuals with disabilities (consumers) in Wisconsin as they seek competitive integrated employment. It focuses on the following areas:

Individuals with the most significant disabilities and their need for supported employment services.
Individuals with disabilities from underserved or unserved populations.
Individuals with disabilities served by the statewide workforce development system.
Youth and students with disabilities.
An assessment of community rehabilitation programs within the state.

The CSNA is designed to assess the needs of people with disabilities in Wisconsin to advise DVR on potential policy changes to better serve consumers and meet their rehabilitation needs. The CSNA also helps inform DVR's portion of the WIOA Combined State Plan.

WIOA Combined State Plan

WIOA also requires DVR to contribute to the WIOA Combined State Plan (CSP). The WIOA CSP is mandated by the U.S. Department of Labor and includes input from all Wisconsin workforce system partners. The plan is updated and submitted to the U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. Department of Education's Rehabilitation Services Agency (RSA), and the Office of the Governor of the State of Wisconsin every four program years.

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DVR's Portion of the WIOA Combined State Plan

The Vocational Rehabilitation Services State Plan provides a blueprint for how DVR will achieve its service goals and commitments.

The CSP development process for DVR includes public comment and consideration by the Wisconsin Rehabilitation Council prior to its incorporation into the CSP. Further consideration and public comment are provided by the Governor's Council on Workforce Investment.

Vocational rehabilitation services provide training and placement for well-paying jobs, and consequently create a positive impact on Wisconsin's families and economy. The DVR portion of the CSP and the program's outcomes demonstrate that Wisconsin's vocational rehabilitation services continue to be an important part of the state's future economic success.

Full Wisconsin WIOA Combined State Plan

Under WIOA, each state's governor must submit a unified or combined state plan to the U.S. Department of Labor. This plan outlines a four-year strategy for strengthening the state’s workforce development system. States must have an approved plan in place to receive funding for core workforce programs.

WIOA updated the planning process, previously guided by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, to better coordinate federal job training efforts, improve the efficiency of services, and ensure the system connects employers with skilled workers. A key reform under WIOA is the requirement for states to plan across all core programs and include this planning in their unified or combined state plans. This approach encourages a shared understanding of each state’s workforce needs and supports more coordinated, comprehensive strategies, such as career pathways and sector partnerships, to meet the needs of both workers and businesses.

Visit the wioa.wisconsin.gov for more information.

The DVR portion of the WIOA CSP and the CSNA are informed by input from and developed in partnership with the Wisconsin Rehabilitation Council.