Nebraska VR - Vocational Rehabilitation

What Nebraska VR - Vocational Rehabilitation does

Nebraska VR is a state-federal vocational rehabilitation program operating under the Nebraska Department of Education, founded in 1921 as Nebraska's participation in the federal Public Vocational Rehabilitation Program. The agency employs 143 staff across 11 service offices statewide (Lincoln headquarters plus Columbus, Fremont, Grand Island, Hastings, Kearney, Norfolk, North Platte, Omaha, Omaha West, and Scottsbluff), with additional field presence in schools, American Job Centers, mental health centers, and community programs. Nebraska VR operates a dual-client model: it serves individuals with physical, mental, intellectual, emotional, and learning disabilities seeking employment, while simultaneously serving Nebraska businesses seeking qualified candidates. Its core product portfolio includes Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) for students ages 14-21, Supported Employment Services, Business Services, a Self-Employment Program, Project SEARCH, Windmills Training (disability awareness), Benefits Counseling, Video Remote Interpreting, and assistive technology assessments delivered through the long-standing partnership with the Assistive Technology Partnership (ATP).

The underlying technology consists of a state-level vocational rehabilitation case management system supplemented by Video Remote Interpreting capabilities for deaf and hard-of-hearing clients delivered through iPad, tablet, laptop, or computer endpoints via a partnership with Deaf Services Unlimited. The agency is governed federally by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014, and operates under the 2024-2027 WIOA Combined State Plan that took effect July 1, 2024.

Nebraska VR's revenue is entirely governmental: every $1.00 appropriated by the Nebraska Unicameral earns $3.69 in federal matching funds and yields $4.69 in services to Nebraskans with disabilities. Services are free to eligible individuals. The program serves more than 6,000 Nebraskans with disabilities annually and placed 1,887 residents in the workforce in the most recent reporting period. Business-facing services (free staffing, pre-screened candidates, Work Opportunity Tax Credit assistance, Windmills disability-awareness training) are also delivered at no cost. Nebraska VR is governed by Lindy Foley (Director) under the Nebraska State Board of Education, with advisory oversight from the State Rehabilitation Council established in 1992.

Name

Nebraska VR - Vocational Rehabilitation

Legal name

Nebraska VR - Vocational Rehabilitation

Website

https://vr.nebraska.gov

Company type

Private

Founded year

1921

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Nebraska VR is a state-federal vocational rehabilitation program that helps people with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep jobs while helping businesses recruit, train, and retain employees with disabilities across 11 service offices statewide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Rehabilitation Services

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Employment & Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Programs (EDAAAOAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Transition Services (Secondary to Postsecondary/Employment, Life Skills) (EDAJAKAG)

Keywords

• Vocational rehabilitation services
• Disability employment services
• Supported employment programs
• Pre-employment transition services
• Workforce development agency

Headquarters

HQ city

Lincoln

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. State-Federal Vocational Rehabilitation Funding: Nebraska VR is a state-federal vocational rehabilitation program. Every $1.00 appropriated for Vocational Rehabilitation by the Nebraska Unicameral earns $3.69 in Federal funding and yields $4.69 in services to Nebraskans with disabilities. Services are provided at no cost to eligible individuals.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Nebraska VR is the state of Nebraska's vocational rehabilitation agency that helps individuals with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep jobs while simultaneously helping Nebraska businesses recruit, train, and retain employees with disabilities. Operating through 11 service offices and a statewide network of school, agency, and community partners, it delivers individualized plans for employment, supported employment, transition services for students, self-employment planning, and free business consultation and recruitment services at no cost to eligible individuals.

Product overview

Nebraska VR operates as a unified vocational rehabilitation program offering comprehensive employment services for people with disabilities. The core portfolio centers on Vocational Rehabilitation Services as the primary offering, supplemented by Pre-Employment Transition Services for students, Supported Employment Services, Business Services, and Self-Employment Programs. Additional offerings include Project SEARCH (high school transition program), Windmills Training (disability awareness), Benefits Counseling, Video Remote Interpreting, and the Assistive Technology Partnership. The program serves dual clients: individuals seeking employment and businesses seeking to hire qualified candidates with disabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Vocational Rehabilitation Services Core employment program helping people with physical, mental, intellectual, emotional, and learning disabilities prepare for, find, and keep jobs through individualized plans for employment.
• Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) Services for students aged 14-21 with disabilities including job exploration, work readiness training, work-based learning experiences, post-secondary education counseling, and instruction in self-advocacy.
• Supported Employment Services Services helping individuals with significant disabilities find and keep competitive integrated jobs including job development, placement, ongoing job coaching, and support.
• Business Services Services helping businesses recruit, train, and retain employees with disabilities, including pre-screening candidates, employee training support, and tax benefit identification.
• Self-Employment Program Program helping individuals with disabilities explore and start their own businesses through feasibility studies, business planning, and startup guidance.
• Project SEARCH One-year high school transition program providing training and education leading to employment for individuals with disabilities through workplace immersion and internships at host businesses.
• Windmills Training Disability awareness training program for businesses to build more inclusive workplaces.
• Benefits Counseling Services Services helping SSI/SSDI beneficiaries understand how work incentives affect their benefits and make informed decisions about employment.
• Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) On-demand video interpreting services via iPad, tablet, laptop, or computer to assist individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• Assistive Technology Partnership (ATP) Partnership providing assistive technology assessments, devices, and modifications to help individuals with disabilities be successful at work.

Quantifiable outcome

• 6,000+ Nebraskans with disabilities receive services annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Assistive Technology Partnership (ATP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1989Nebraska VR and ATP have worked together since 1989 when VR wrote the grant to establish a technology-related assistance project in Nebraska. In 1999, VR and ATP established a formal partnership along with the Department of Health and Human Services. ATP Technology Specialists conduct on-site assessments for consumers referred by VR for assistive technology and modifications.
• Nebraska Department of Health and Human ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner since 1999 in the formal partnership with ATP. Also collaborates through Division of Developmental Disabilities and Division of Behavioral Health to provide additional funding options for extended Supported Employment services.
• Nebraska Department of Labor (NDOL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNebraska VR is a key partner in the state's workforce system led by NDOL. Operates under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and is guided by the Nebraska Workforce Development Board.
• Nebraska Department of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNebraska VR operates within the Nebraska Department of Education. Also partners on workforce development and education initiatives.
• Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorrections-Based Programs serving Omaha and Lincoln inmates within Community Corrections Centers. Provides employment preparation, placement, and maintenance services for eligible inmates.
• Community CollegescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partners in Nebraska's workforce system, providing post-secondary education and training opportunities for VR clients.
• University of Nebraska SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partners in Nebraska's workforce system for higher education and specialized training programs.
• American Job CenterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNebraska's network of American Job Centers (AJCs) connect businesses with talent and assist job seekers through training, education, and career services.
• Client Assistance Program (CAP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides advocacy and information for individuals applying for or being served by VR. Helps resolve problems with VR and answers questions about VR policies and procedures.
• State Rehabilitation Council (SRC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished in 1992 to advise and work in partnership with Nebraska VR. Comprised of individuals from across the state who have an interest in ensuring needs of Nebraskans with disabilities are met.
• Project SEARCH PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership between Nebraska VR, businesses, area school systems, Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, ATP, and Division of Developmental Disabilities. One-year school-to-work program with workplace immersion.
• Nebraska Youth Leadership Council (NYLC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsored by Nebraska Departments of Vocational Rehabilitation and Special Education. Group of young leaders from across Nebraska promoting disability awareness and educating peers on transitioning to college or work.
• Community Agencies (Supported Employment)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNebraska VR partners with community agencies and independent providers to deliver Supported Employment services to individuals with significant disabilities.
• Easter Seals NebraskaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization that provides services in collaboration with Nebraska VR as mentioned in Pathway to Employment video series.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Goodwill Industries International: National nonprofit network operating employment services, training, and placement programs for people with disabilities and other barriers. Overlaps heavily on the mission of placing clients with disabilities into competitive employment, but operates as a nonprofit rather than a state agency.
• SourceAmerica: AbilityOne-affiliated nonprofit creating employment opportunities for people with disabilities through federal contracts. Comparable mission of connecting disabled talent to employers, though focused on the AbilityOne program rather than open labor market placement.
• Easterseals: National disability services nonprofit providing employment support, job coaching, and transition services — direct overlap with Nebraska VR's Pre-ETS, supported employment, and transition offerings, but at national scale across broader disability services.

Direct peers

• Texas Workforce Commission - Vocational Rehabilitation: Texas's state VR division, similarly administering employment services for people with disabilities under the federal-state partnership. Closest analog in a large non-California state with rural-urban mix comparable to Nebraska's footprint.
• California Department of Rehabilitation: California's state-federal vocational rehabilitation agency operating under the same Rehabilitation Act/WIOA framework. Most direct functional peer — same mandate, services, and federal-state funding model, just at much larger scale (multi-thousand staff and ~$400M+ budget).
• Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation: Florida's designated state VR unit under RSA, offering the same portfolio of eligibility determination, IPE development, employment services, and supported employment. Direct functional peer with comparable service structure.
• Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR): Pennsylvania's state VR agency under the Department of Labor & Industry, delivering the same federally-funded VR portfolio: eligibility, IPE, training, supported employment, and business services.
• Ohio Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities: Ohio's designated state VR agency offering vocational rehabilitation and disability employment services. Same federal-state framework, similar Midwestern employer-base context.
• Illinois Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS): Illinois's state VR agency providing employment services for people with physical and mental disabilities under WIOA. Comparable mandate and service lines to Nebraska VR.
• New York State ACCES-VR: Adult Career and Continuing Education Services - Vocational Rehabilitation, housed within NYSED. Direct peer under identical federal-state WIOA framework, providing VR services to job seekers with disabilities.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NebraskaVR
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/NebraskaVocRehab
• Facebookfacebook.com/NebraskaVR
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nebraska-vr---vocational-rehabilitation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Nebraska VR - Vocational Rehabilitation