Section 32-21-1-1.1.7 - Outreach ActivitiesMDRS shall ensure issues of traditionally underserved populations are addressed. These issues include, but are not limited to, the following:
* the rapid changing racial profile of America,
* the disproportionately high rate of disability in ethnic and racial minorities,
* the historic inequitable treatment of minorities in the vocational rehabilitation process, and,
* the need to recruit larger numbers of minorities into the rehabilitation profession.
MDRS addresses strategies regarding minority outreach through the ten geographical case service districts. The following strategies for district outreach activities are designed to ensure that the philosophy of MDRS is implemented at all levels of the organization.
1. District Managers shall be familiar with the ethnic minorities (American Indian, African-Americans, Asian-Americans, and Latinos) located in their service areas.2. Staff persons shall be designated in all districts to coordinate outreach activities related to minorities and other traditionally unserved or underserved individuals.3. Each service area shall maintain an outreach program by establishing contact with community centers, churches, clubs, and social organizations where ethnic minorities participate actively and maintain their identity.4. Service delivery patterns shall be analyzed throughout the district to develop strategies to eradicate current deficiencies in service provision to minority individuals and thereby increase employment outcomes among those groups.5. Each district shall provide in-service training periodically to increase awareness, sensitivity, and attitudinal shift or change on multi-cultural issues for counselors and support staff.6. MDRS shall recruit qualified staff of various ethnic origins to fill professional staff vacancies. 32 Miss. Code. R. 21-1-1.1.7