DVR Updates

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​DSPN remains in regular communication with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) to discuss pressing matters affecting your programs and clients. Thank you to all that have shared your experiences and observations.

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DVR is introducing new Service Provider Qualification Requirements (SPQR).

 

DSPN is actively collecting provider feedback on these requirements to ensure that your voice is heard. We will keep you informed as this process develops. 

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What You Need to Know

 

Service Providers delivering certain DVR statewide services must meet qualification requirements through one of three pathways:

 

• ACRE-approved training

• Active CESP certification

• DVR-approved Alternative Training Plan

 

ACRE-approved training and an active CESP certification automatically satisfy the qualification requirements, regardless of when they were completed. Training (internal or external) outside of these pathways, regardless of when completed, must be submitted through the Alternative Training Plan process and approved prior to counting toward qualification requirements.

 

These qualification requirements apply to the following statewide services:

 

• Customized Employment (CE)

• Internship/Temporary Work (I/TW)

• Job & Task Analysis and Systematic Instruction (JTA & SI)

• Job Preparation, Development, Hire, and Retention (JP, JD, Hire, & Ret)

• Student Work-Based Learning (SWBL)

• Supported Employment (SE)

 

Timeline:

 

• Existing staff must meet the requirements by July 1, 2027.

• New hires (after July 1, 2027) will have 9 months from their hire date to meet the requirements.

 

Ongoing Professional Development:



• DVR is not requiring formal continuing education at this time. Service Providers are encouraged to support ongoing professional development to maintain and enhance staff skills.

 

Where to Find More Information

 

All SPQR resources are now available on the DVR website, including:

 

Visit the Service Provider Qualification Requirements webpage to review requirements, access documents, and find guidance for your staff.

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2026-2028 DVR Service Agreement

 

A recorded presentation of the 2026-2028 DVR Service Agreement and other agreement renewal resources are available at 2026-2028 Service Agreement Resources: Online Account Updates. 

 

The recording includes an overview of the 2026-2028 Agreement and the process for entering into the new Agreement.

 

The 2026-2028 DVR Service Agreement is available at DVR Statewide Service Provider Agreement.

 

If you are interested in entering into the 2026-2028 Agreement, the following will apply:



• March 9-April 15, 2026:Complete Agreement prerequisites and DVR Service Provider Portal updates (Please see: DVR Service Provider Agreement Renewal Timeline & Agreement Prerequisites).

 

DEADLINE: Agreement Prerequisites and Portal Updates must be completed by April 15, 2026. Please contact the DVR Contract Specialist, David Knuth at david.knuth@dwd.wisconsin.gov or 608-405-4634 if you have any questions 

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Should you have additional questions or concerns, please let us know: support@dspn.org​​

DVR Order of Selection​

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​DSPN remains in regular communication with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) to discuss pressing matters affecting your programs and clients. Thank you to all that have shared your experiences and observations.

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DVR has filed a 13.10 request with the Joint Finance Committee (JFC). 

You can view DVR's communication with JFC here.

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Should you have additional questions or concerns, please let us know: support@dspn.org​​

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What Can You Do

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Contact the members of the Legislature's Joint Committee on Finance, and your state Senator and state Representative. Tell them that this situation contradicts the legislature's intention to support competitive integrated employment for people with disabilities and hinders Wisconsin employers' ability to recruit and retain skilled employees with disabilities.

 

Access DSPN's Position Paper - 13.10 DVR Funding Request

Members of the Legislature's Joint Committee on Finance and their contact information can be found here. DSPN also developed list of Order of Selection Talking Points to help with your advocacy efforts.

 

Please contact us at support@dspn.org if you have questions!

 

Background

 

Wisconsin’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) recently announced the implementation of an Order of Selection, which essentially creates a waitlist for accessing its services due to insufficient funding.

 

Why is this important? DVR plays a key role in supporting and strengthening Wisconsin’s economy. 

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DVR receives 78.7% of its funding from the U.S. Department of Education, which requires a 21.3% match from the State of Wisconsin's General-Purpose Revenues.

 

Governor Evers proposed sufficient funding in his executive budget for the 2025-27 biennium to ensure that all job seekers with disabilities have access to vocational rehabilitation services through DVR. However, the Joint Finance Committee opted for a lower funding amount than the governor proposed, despite the Legislative Fiscal Bureau indicating that this decision could require additional funding to provide vocational rehabilitation services to all Wisconsinites in need of support.

 

The final state budget appropriated $21.3 million in state funds for the fiscal year 2026. This amount is $2.4 million less than what was spent in fiscal year 2025 and falls $4.6 million short of the projected need for this year.

 

Over the past four years, there has been a 20% increase in the number of individuals served by DVR, leading to the highest caseload in a decade. In 2025, DVR served more than 33,000 people and collaborated with over 3,200 employers to address labor force needs.

 

In federal fiscal year 2025, DVR consumers whose cases were successfully closed earned an estimated $83.7 million through work, enriching the state's communities, economy, and workforce. This amount exceeded the total cost of all DVR consumer services including staff wages – during the same period, at $60.8 million. This outcome demonstrates a strong return on Wisconsin's continued investment in DVR programs. 

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DVR successfully transitions Wisconsin residents with disabilities off federal and state programs such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Income (SSDI). 

 

A waitlist would immediately impact approximately 2,000 individuals (consumers) with an additional 1,000 consumers affected each month until sufficient funding is allocated. Over the biennium, approximately 21,000 individuals may lack access to or experience significant delays in obtaining employment resources. 

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