Attachment 4.12(d)

State's Strategies and Use of Title I Funds for Innovation and Expansion Activities

A total of $65,250 will be budgeted to implement innovation and expansion activities and the expenditure of those funds will be monitored by the vocational rehabilitation (VR) program director.

GOAL I
Expand Rehabilitation Technology Services to Persons with Visual Disabilities, Employers, Other Agencies, and Organizations.

Objective 1
Make personal computers more available for eligible VR customers receiving transitional services.

Strategies

1. In FY 2003 funds will no longer be budgeted in "Innovation and Expansion" to provide adaptive personal computers for high school students at the end of their junior year when it has been determined that a computer is needed for training and/or employment upon completion of school. Instead, the equipment will be provided utilizing regular case service funds.
2. Develop Individualized Plans for Employment (IPE) with high school students who can utilize a computer to pursue a vocational goal and arrange necessary training for those students to enable them to become proficient in using the computer during their senior year.

Objective 2
Enhance the agency's capability to quickly respond to the training needs of persons with visual disabilities, employers and/or service providers regarding rehabilitation technology services.

Strategies

1. The technology subcommittee of the Rehabilitation Council will work with DBVI to help develop strategies to address technology needs of VR customers.
2. A total of $30,000 will be budgeted for regional offices to purchase adaptive equipment and/or software to help make training centers (including technology labs in regional offices) in the community more accessible.
3. A total of $5,000 will be budgeted for regional offices to assist with adaptive technology training in the community for service providers, in order to make training more accessible for individuals who are blind. Additional service providers will increase opportunities for customers to make choices.
4. A total of $2,500 will be budgeted in FY 2003 to provide training materials such as tutorials for each regional office and the Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired (VRCBVI) to loan to VR customers. While this method of technology training might not be the method of choice for all individuals, it is one of a number of strategies to enhance the availability of adaptive technology training.
5. DBVI staff will be available to provide technical assistance to one-stop centers and required partners of one-stop centers to help make their services and information accessible to individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
6. Seven thousand five hundred dollars is being budgeted to provide technology training seminars for VR customers. The funds for these seminars will be available to regional offices outside the Richmond area and will target those individuals who are already computer users and who would benefit from technology training. The training may involve introduction to software upgrades or new software, which may enable the individual to more successfully participate in vocational training and/or employment.

GOAL II
Increase Employment Opportunities for Persons who are Deafblind.

Objective
To provide training and services to address the specialized needs of individuals who are deafblind.

Strategy
A transitional week at the VRCBVI will provide special programming for deafblind persons.

1. A total of $7,500 will be budgeted to pay interpreters for the program.
2. A total of $1,600 will be budgeted for special presenters.
3. A total of $3,000 will be budgeted for transportation for customers and their families and meals and lodging for family members.

Goal III
Support for the Rehabilitation Council.

Objective 1
Provide clerical support for the Council.

Strategy
A total of $1,000 will be budgeted to provide clerical support for the Council.

Objective 2
Compensate Council members for expenses required to attend meetings.

Strategy
A total of $4,250 will be budgeted to reimburse Council members for travel expenses incurred in order to attend council meetings.

Objective 3
Identify all other expenses related to the operation of the Council.

Strategies
A total of $700 will be budgeted to provide group lunches for Council members.
A total of $200 will be budgeted to provide interpreter services during the Council meetings.
A total of $2,000 will be budgeted for individual and/or group training activities to assist the Council in carrying out its responsibilities.