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 State plan to be submitted April 1, 2000, to the Vocational Rehabilitation Council (Council) during its quarterly meeting on March 4, 2000.

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

The Council reviewed and approved the satisfaction survey instrument in FY 2000, which they had helped revise in 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 given an opportunity to complete a satisfaction survey.

The Council during FY 2000 has been working with DVH in developing a needs assessment which will focus on identifying the technology needs of working-age adults. It is anticipated that results of the needs assessment will be made available to the Council prior to September 2000.

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 that the VR program continue to place a greater emphasis on job placement. Recommendations were made regarding providing more training and utilizing the Internet for job search.

Response 1:

A training session for VR counselors on "job search" was provided during the annual staff meeting in late 1999. A statewide training program on job placement is scheduled in late March 2000 for counselors and supervisors. During 1999 all six regional offices were given access to the Internet.

Issue 2:

The Council volunteered to assist the agency in developing an employer brochure to be used by counselors as a job placement tool. The Council also volunteered to help develop a job placement packet to be used by counselors when contacting perspective employers.

Response 2:

A committee was appointed to work on the employer brochure project. One of the employer representatives volunteered the services of the Media Production Department of his company to help with the production of the brochure. The employer brochure was completed and given to counselors in early FY 2000. Material was also identified (in addition to the employer brochure) that will comprise the job placement packet and was given to all regional offices.

Issue 3:

The Rehabilitation Council recommended the development of a fact sheet to supplement the employer brochure to be used to educate employers regarding accommodating blind or visually impaired workers.

Response 3:

The fact sheet on accommodations will be developed and will be available prior to October 1, 2000. The Media Production Department of the company that helped design the employer brochure will design the accommodation fact sheet.

Issue 4:

Public comments from the two public meetings conducted in October of 1999 and the agency's responses to those comments will be shared with the Council.

Response 4:

Those comments and responses will be mailed to Council members prior to the spring 2000 meeting. Appropriate issues from those meetings will be discussed during the Council meeting and subsequent meetings.

Issue 5:

It has recommended that public comments and agency responses to those comments be posted on DVH's Website for quick and continuous access by Council members and the public.

Response 5:

DVH will post public comments and responses on the Website. In addition, other materials will also be posted.

Issue 6:

Satisfaction surveys and public comments continued to identify 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 6:

DVH will continue to use its resources to expand services in this area. The computer technology network will be expanded, adaptive technology services will be included in the Innovation and Expansion section of the State plan, more training in adaptive technology will be made available through VRCBVI and the technology lab at headquarters, and several of the technology labs in regional offices will be expanded. Adaptive technology training for VR counselors 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; the goal is to add two more technology positions.

Issue 7:

Recognizing technology concerns and needs that have been raised from various sources, the Council has appointed a subcommittee to work with DVH staff in helping to develop strategies to address those issues/needs.

Response 7:

DVH welcomes this action and will work closely with the subcommittee. Meeting the growing technology needs, such as how to provide accessible Internet training for a growing number of individuals, is a challenge that can best be met by a joint effort between the agency, the Council, and consumers. The diverse needs in the technology area are complex and will require many different strategies if they are going to be addressed.

Issue 8:

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

Response 8:

The agency agrees that this is a good utilization of resources. DVH does not anticipate having very many grievances/complaints that will need mediation or will go to an impartial hearing officer.

Issue 9:

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

Response 9:

The comprehensive policy on informed choice was developed and issued to VR counselors to comply with requirements in the 1998 Amendments.

Issue 10:

The Council requested that DVH continue the special transition activity for individuals who are deafblind and include it as an innovation and expansion activity.

Response 10:

The special one-week transition activity for deafblind students at VRCBVI will be identified and provided as an innovation and expansion activity.

Issue 11:

The 1998 Amendments require that each customer be provided an opportunity to develop their own Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE).

Response 11:

DVH has developed a new IPE and is continuing to work on making it user friendly for counselors and consumers. The Council will be kept informed regarding this activity.

Issue 12:

The Council requested that DVH keep members updated regarding Workforce Investment Act activities (WIA), especially the progress regarding the required development and agency involvement in local "one-stops."

Response 12:

DVH participated in WIA planning activities at the State level. The Local Workforce Investment Boards are being appointed, and there will be agency representation on each of the boards. DVH is working with the Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) to draft various uniform language to be included in the required Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to be signed with each local board (see outline below).

1. Establish a process for resolving disputes that may arise between DVH and the Local Workforce Investment Board.
2. Identify the specialized services that may be provided by DVH.
   The purpose of vocational rehabilitation is to provide persons with disabilities, who meet DVH's eligibility criteria, the necessary services to obtain, maintain or advance in employment. The provision of vocational rehabilitation services enables individuals who are blind or visually impaired, deafblind, or blind with other secondary disabilities to pursue meaningful careers by securing gainful employment commensurate with their abilities, interests, capabilities, and informed choice. Vocational rehabilitation services are designed to lessen the impact, or eliminate entirely, the barriers to employment.
   1. Types of Services
      Services provided by DVH to individuals determined to be eligible may include:
      1. vocational rehabilitation counseling, guidance, and referral services
      2. assessment for determining eligibility and priority for services
      3. assessment for determining vocational rehabilitation needs
      4. physical and mental restoration
      5. vocational and other training services, such as personal and vocational adjustment training, on-the-job training, books (including alternate format books accessible by computer and taped books), tools, occupational licenses, and other training materials;
      6. transportation services
      7. services to family members
      8. supported employment
      9. rehabilitation technology
      10. job coaching
      11. placement services
      12. maintenance services
      13. post-employment services
      14. personal assistance services
      15. self-employment services
      16. other goods and services determined necessary for the individual with a disability to achieve an employment outcome
      Service(s) to be provided is dependent upon whether it is necessary to assist the consumer in achieving his/her employment outcome and is included in an agreed upon and signed Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE).
      
      A DVH qualified vocational rehabilitation counselor, as identified in the DVH Comprehensive System of Personnel Development State Plan Attachment (see Attachment 4.11(b)) will make eligibility and IPE decisions. These decisions include, but are not limited to: (1) assessments for determining eligibility and vocational rehabilitation needs; (2) development, implementation, and approval of the IPE; (3) review and amendment of the IPE; and (4) determining when a successful outcome has been achieved.
3. Complaint Procedures for Applicants or Recipients of Services
   Complaints from vocational rehabilitation consumers about DVH services shall be handled consistent with the requirements of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Mediation and Due Process State Plan Attachment (see Attachment (4.16(b)). These requirements include procedures for mediation of and procedures for review through an impartial due process hearing.
4. Cross-Informational Training
   To enhance the information available to one-stop customers, DVH will agree to participate in staff development and training activities among all partners in One-Stop System.
5. Referral Methods
   DVH will agree to work with all of the partners in the One-Stop System to develop a referral process that allows for the most direct access by customers to appropriate services. Methods of enhancing the referral system may include, but are not limited to, DVH presence, on a periodic itinerant basis, at agreed to One-Stop Center locations and electronic/computer linkages with one-stop partners. DVH will also refer appropriate customers to the One-Stop System for services.
6. Non-Discrimination
   The parties will agree that they will not discriminate in their employment practices or services on the basis of gender, age, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, disability, or on the basis of any other classification protected under state or federal law. The parties will also agree to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Virginians with Disabilities Act.
7. Confidentiality
   1. Personal Information
   2. Personal information regarding customers of DVH shall be shared consistent with DVH policies and procedures
   3. Privacy
   4. DVH will require access to confidential office space in the One-Stop Center(s) to meet with customers.
   5. Aggregation of Data
   The parties will be requested to agree to share aggregate data about the One-Stop System services in a manner that protects the confidentiality of DVH customers.
8. Accountability
   DVH will share the results of the federally mandated performance indicators governing the vocational rehabilitation program. The parties will also agree that DVH's annual employment outcomes for mutual customers shall be included in the performance goals of the One-Stop Center(s).
9. Organizational Requirements and Funding
10. Organizational Requirements
    1. DVH will agree to participate in the One-Stop System by Options that may include periodic itinerant visits and/or electronic linkage, etc.
    2. The parties agree that DVH staff participating in the One-Stop System will be supervised through the DVH management structure.
    3. DVH will agree to provide access to rehabilitation technology specialists and qualified vocational rehabilitation counselors to facilitate coordinated employer contacts, job development, provide technical assistance regarding accessibility, and placement services; when the services of those specialized staff are needed to assist blind or visually impaired individuals to obtain or maintain employment.
11. Funding
    1. DVH will not routinely participate in the cost of core services in the One-Stop Centers. DVH may participate in the cost of an applicable core service provided that the service is not customary or typical service generally available to all customers of the system and previously provided under the Wagner-Peyser program. If it is a new service that has a vocational rehabilitation focus or an existing service that has been modified, adapted, expanded, or reconfigured to have a vocational focus consistent with the provisions of the Title I Vocational Rehabilitation State Plan; and, eligible DVH consumers will participate.
    2. Where DVH's VR staff are housed on a full or part-time basis within the One-Stop Centers, financial participation is allowable and must be based on generally accepted cost allocation methods and OMB Circulars A-87 and A-122, and the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR).
    3. Common areas and their related cost such as reception areas, hallways, and restrooms could be considered for financial participation in that VR customers would utilize these areas along with other program participants. The financial participation would be proportional to use by value of benefits received in return; however, where VR staff are not housed within the One-Stop Center, DVH cannot financially participate.
    4. DVH will be the primary funding source for individualized VR services to people who are blind or visually impaired and determined eligible for DVH services.
    5. DVH customers will have access to core services and to the individualized training accounts under Title I of WIA.