Attachment 4.2(c)

Summary of Input and Recommendations of the State Rehabilitation Council, Response of the Designated State Unit, and Explanations for Rejection of Input or Recommendations

The Department for the Visually Handicapped (DVH) presented draft copies of the interim State plan amended for FY 2000, effective October 1, 1999, to the Vocational Rehabilitation Council (Council) during its quarterly meeting on June 5, 1999.

DVH utilizes the Council's input in developing the State plan and policies for the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program. Information provided by satisfaction surveys and annual needs assessment is also utilized.

The Council provided input in revising the satisfaction survey used during FY 99. Summaries of the satisfaction surveys that were conducted by mail and telephone were shared with the Council. Each customer closed successfully rehabilitated (Status 26) or not successfully rehabilitated (Status 28) was provided an opportunity to complete a satisfaction survey.

The Council has appointed a subcommittee to work with DVH during the last quarter of FY 99 to develop plans for the FY 2000 needs assessment.

The following is a summary from the Council's input, including the Council's recommendations from its Annual Report, the review and analysis of consumer satisfaction, and the agency's responses to the issues and recommendations.

Issue 1:
The Council requested the agency to conduct a study to determine the impact of eliminating the financial needs test.

Response 1:
The agency conducted the study and shared results with the Council. DVH was able to eliminate supported employment as a service to be provided based on financial need. The agency, however, determined from its study that other services could not be eliminated from financial need consideration.

Issue 2:
The Council recommended that accessible information be developed and routinely distributed to all VR applicants. The Council wanted the agency to go beyond merely informing applicants during the initial interview regarding informed choice, eligibility, and their rights. It was recommended that accessible information for later review be left with applicants.

Response 2:
A committee assisted the agency in developing a script that was produced on cassette tape to be routinely left with each VR applicant by counselors during the initial visit.

Issue 3:
The Council requested that the VR program place more emphasis on job placement. Recommendations were made regarding providing more training and utilizing the Internet for job search.

Response 3:
A member of the Council provided a training session for VR counselors on "job search", during the annual staff meeting. During FY 99 all six regional offices were provided Internet access. Also, a Job Placement Workshop was provided by Mississippi State University for VR counselors during FY 99.

Issue 4:
The Council volunteered to assist the agency in developing an Employer Brochure to be used by counselors as a job placement tool.

Response 4:
A committee was appointed to work on the project. One of the employer representatives has offered the services of the Media Production Department of his company to help with the production of the brochure. The brochure will be available as a placement tool for counselors the early part of FY 2000.

Issue 5:
The Council recommended that the agency check into the possibility of having a "touch-phone" service to conduct satisfaction surveys. The Council felt it would save money in terms of salary for a staff person working in evening hours, postage for letters, and postage for self-address return envelopes which usually are not returned. Also, it was the initial opinion of the Council that it would be much more accessible to blind customers.

Response 5:
The Council, during a subsequent meeting, decided the satisfaction survey conducted by "touch-phone" service could not replace the current method of conducting telephone and mail satisfaction surveys.

Issue 6:
Public comments from the six public meetings and the agency's responses to those comments will be shared with the Council.

Response 6:
Those comments and responses will be mailed to each Council member during the last quarter of FY 99. Appropriate issues from those meetings will be discussed during Council meetings.

Issue 7:
The Council recommended, in late FY 97, that the agency revise counselor performance standards to place a value on outcomes. Members stated it seemed unfair that all closures are equally weighed in measuring counselor performance.

Response 7:
We know that such an effort has been undertaken in the past by other VR agencies without a lot of success. It is a recommendation the agency was willing to work on with the Council. A committee representing the Council, VR counselors, and supervisors was appointed to develop performance standards that would assign weight/value to closures. The proposed standards are being tested by running a dual system for counselor performance in FY 98 and 99. Counselors will be evaluated using existing standards, and based on results of the proposed weighted standards, a decision will be made in FY 2000 which standard will be used.

Issue 8:
Satisfaction surveys and public comments identified adaptive technology as a growing need, even though it was acknowledged that the agency has expanded services in this area greatly during the past several years.

Response 8:
DVH will continue to use its resources to expand services in this area. The computer technology network will be expanded, adaptive technology will once again be included in the Strategic plan, more training in adaptive technology will be made available through VRCBVI and the technology lab at headquarters, and some of the technology labs in regional offices will be expanded. Adaptive technology training for VR counselors in FY 2000 will continue to be one of the training priorities. The Strategic plan developed by the agency for the Secretary of Health and Human Resources identified the establishment of additional rehabilitation technology positions as its number one priority. One additional position was added in FY 99.

Issue 9:
Some members of the Rehabilitation Council stated that they would like to see high school and/or college students have training on the Internet to be able to access information for research through the Worldwide Web.

Response 9:
That will be an area emphasized in adaptive technology during FY 2000.

Issue 10:
The Council agreed to utilize the pool of impartial hearing officers and mediators contracted by the Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS).

Response 10:
The agency agrees that this is a good utilization of resources. DVH has very few grievances that go to an impartial hearing officer.

Issue 11:
The Council concurred that a comprehensive policy regarding informed choice would be very helpful.

Response 11:
The comprehensive policy on informed choice was developed and issued to VR counselors to comply with requirements in the 98 Amendments.

Issue 12:
The Council requested that DVH continue the special transition activity for individuals who are deafblind.

Response 12:
The special one-week transition activity for deafblind students at VRCBVI will be provided again in FY 99 and 2000.

Issue 13:
The 98 Amendments require that each customer be provided an opportunity to develop his/her own Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE).

Response 13:
DVH in FY 99 has worked on revising the IWRP, including changing the name to IPE. The Council has been kept informed regarding this activity. The new IPE will be implemented by 9/1/99.

Issue 14:
The 98 Amendments require that "presumptive eligibility" be applied for SSI and/or SSDI recipients.

Response 14:
DVH has implemented its new policy on "presumptive eligibility" for SSI and or SSDI recipients.