32 Miss. Code. R. 22-3.11.1
The Statewide Business Development Services (BDS) staffs goal is to identify opportunities and to make available a broad range of occupational choices for VR clients. The BDS staff works closely with the VR counselor and the client to identify employment prospects that represent for the client entry or re-entry into a meaningful career. The BDS staff canvases the constantly changing Mississippi job market through individual and group business contacts to identify potential linkage of client qualifications and employer needs.
Another focus of the business development efforts of the BDS staff is providing services to employers. The BDS staff educates employers about the capabilities of persons with disabilities to be successful in employment with or without supports.
The BDS staff is comprised of a state director who supervises the work of two regional employment managers. The regional employment managers or REMs are responsible for a variety of workforce development activities including but not limited to corporate level employer development and coordination of business development initiatives in their respective regions. REMs also provide leadership and training to staff; manage and implement contracted Workforce Investment Act (WIA) youth services; and, supervise the BDS Employment Coordinators.
A BDS Employment Coordinator (EC) is assigned to each of the MDRS districts. The function of the EC is to call on businesses in their respective districts and develop relationships with them. Once a relationship is developed, the EC establishes the business as an employer account and continues to call on the business to provide services and conduct business development and follow-up. The EC develops specific job leads from businesses and a variety of other sources resulting in placement of clients. The EC also serves as a consultant to businesses for on-the-job accommodations, community-based job tryout (through AbilityWorks LINCS), on-the-job training, Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) and any other incentives that may be available to employers who hire VR clients.
32 Miss. Code. R. 22-3.11.1