Douglas Olin Calderon

The agenda for the quarterly meeting includes departmental reports from the DVR Director, RSU updates regarding processes and the State Plan, and legislative updates concerning special education. The meeting will also feature training updates for the National Rehabilitation Leadership Institute and fiscal basics, as well as a report on the 121 program. Business items include an orientation for council members, a consumer satisfaction survey update, Open Meetings Act resolution confirmation, a committee process review, and a report on the National Council for SRC conference. New business involves outreach planning for National Disability Employment Awareness Month and scheduling for the subsequent meeting.

This strategic plan outlines New Mexico's four-year strategy for a coordinated and streamlined workforce development system. It aims to empower New Mexicans for meaningful careers, support employers, and prepare for economic changes. Key goals include expanding the workforce to enhance family well-being and modernize infrastructure, equipping the workforce for future economic shifts and technological advancements, increasing labor force participation among underserved populations, and attracting and retaining talent, particularly in rural communities.

The meeting focuses on a review of proposed updates to the New Mexico Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) 2026-2027 state plan modification. The agenda includes departmental updates regarding adult, dislocated worker, and youth activities, Wagner-Peyser Act, Jobs for Veterans State Grants, and Trade Adjustment Assistance. Partner program updates are provided for adult education, vocational rehabilitation, blind services, temporary assistance for needy families, and senior community service employment programs. Additionally, there will be a summary of public comments and a final board action item for the approval of the state plan modification for submission to the U.S. Department of Labor.

This document outlines the New Mexico Division of Vocational Rehabilitation's (NMDVR) State Plan for Vocational Rehabilitation and Supported Employment services. It details the agency's goals and strategies for ensuring equitable access and participation for individuals with disabilities, focusing on improving employment outcomes. Key priorities include addressing barriers identified through a statewide needs assessment such as transportation, limited broadband, and lack of service providers, enhancing services for students with disabilities, fostering innovation, and strengthening partnerships with various agencies and employers. The plan also emphasizes continuous personnel development and outreach to unserved or underserved populations.

Key discussions included the proposed DWS 25-002 Local Governance Policy concerning Local Elected Official (CEO) composition and waiver processes, which was postponed due to missing policy language. Committee updates covered the Policy Committee's work on local governance alignment, the Business Engagement Committee's focus on employer value and sector representation, and the Education & Workforce Committee's review of workforce re-engagement strategies, federal veteran advocacy, streamlining credential approvals, and the formation of an advisory board for the federal Workforce Pell program. NMDWS updates detailed legislative session outcomes, including new recurring state funds for technology, one-time appropriations for various programs, the establishment of the Office of New Americans as a permanent division, and additional seeding for the Workforce Development and Apprenticeship Trust Fund. Furthermore, the Board discussed modifications to the 2024-2027 WIOA State Plan, emphasizing alignment with the federal America's Talent Strategy's Five Pillars, with final submission to the Department of Labor scheduled for April 30, 2026, following a public comment period.