Attachment 4.12(c)(1)

Identifies the Goals and Priorities of the State in Carrying out the Vocational Rehabilitation and Supported Employment Programs

The following goals and priorities have been developed for the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program. The Rehabilitation Council provided input into the development of these goals and priorities.

1. The achievement of competitive employment outcomes will be the number one priority for the VR program.
   1. A goal of 230 successful rehabilitations is projected for FY 2001, of which 202 will be wage earners, and 195 of the wage earners will be competitively employed. In FY 2002, 240 successful rehabilitations are projected, of which 211 are projected to be competitively employed.
   2. The average earnings for all closures are projected to be $310 per week for FY 2001; average earnings for all closures for FY 2002 are projected to be $340 per week (part-time employment is included in the averages).
   3. As a required partner, staff of the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI) will continue to actively participate in Workforce Investment Activities (WIA) in FY 2002. These activities will include serving on local workforce boards and work to help make information and services provided by the one-stop centers accessible for blind and vision impaired customers.
2. Customer satisfaction regarding choice, needs, and good service delivery is a very high priority for the VR program.
   1. It is VR's goal to have at least 50% of all closed cases respond to the satisfaction survey.
   2. In addition to conducting satisfaction surveys, each year 20% of all active VR cases will be reviewed by the central office staff.
   3. A minimum of four public meetings will be conducted throughout the State in the fall of 2001. These meetings will provide another means by which the agency can evaluate customer satisfaction.
3. Increasing the availability of adaptive technology services will continue to be a priority for the VR Program.
   The Rehabilitation Council will work with the agency to implement the strategies outlined in the technology plan, which was developed to meet the technology needs identified by blind and vision impaired individuals.
4. Transition services to help students transition to employment and/or post secondary training will continue to receive additional emphasis.
   All 14-year-old students will be evaluated to help determine VR eligibility.
5. Public awareness activities will be increased focusing on employers, referral sources, and providers of services.
   1. Rehabilitation counselors will distribute the marketing materials developed by the rehabilitation counselor, which includes the employer brochure and the Fact Sheet on "Accommodating Blind Workers" to potential employers.
   2. Each regional office will be requested to participate in outreach activities (i.e., employer seminar, job fair, open house, etc.).
   3. DBVI services will also be promoted by utilizing the agency's web site.