Pennsylvania Rehabilitation Council
Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2001

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FY 2001 Goals and Accomplishments

The following goals were approved by the PA-RC at is meeting August 9, 2000.

1. Executive Committee:

  • Goal #1: Increase communication with the OVR Board and the Workforce Investment Board.
    • Implement at least 3 Open Dialogue meetings with the OVR Board, with at least one being in person.
    • Meet with the State WIB and OVR staff to achieve an operational definition of the Rehabilitation Act requirement that the PA-RC consult with the WIB before carrying out its functions in section 105.
    • Assure that the PA-RC receives copies of all OVR reports to RSA on a timely basis.
  • Goal #2: Increase the PA-RC's knowledge of OVR's fiscal management.
    • Develop a process to receive quarterly revenue and expense data.
    • Include a fiscal report in the OVR portion of each PA-RC meeting agenda.

Status: The Council continues to work on Goal One. It has been unable to pursue conference calls with the OVR Board. A representative of the PA-RC has been able to attend most State Workforce Investment Board meetings and it is hoped this will lay the foundation to establish an operational definition of the Rehab Act requirement. OVR has improved information dissemination somewhat but work remains before this goal can be considered met. Goal Two has been met.

2. Customer Satisfaction Committee:

  • Goal: Assess and analyze customer satisfaction with OVR programs, services and outcomes.
    • Complete and publish analysis of BBVS current customer survey started in FY00.
    • Complete and publish analysis of Satisfaction with Employment Outcomes survey started in FY00.
    • Develop a process to routinely obtain copies of OVR surveys and analysis of results.
    • Conduct 2-4 targeted surveys and/or focus groups based on analysis of satisfaction data collected by OVR [Note - this would be in lieu of another large survey like 1998's since the $85,000-$90,000 cost of such an effort outweighs the benefits of the information obtained].
    • Receive, review, and analyze data concerning formal and informal customer appeals and mediation activities, and make recommendations as needed.

Status: The PA-RC presented survey results for the BBVS current customers and Satisfaction with Employment Outcomes surveys to the OVR Board in March 2001. It continues to work with OVR regarding joint satisfaction surveys and analysis of responses, as well as receiving copies of OVR's independent work to date. The Committee made a yearlong attempt to survey OVR's Deaf customers. This was the second attempt and it yielded only 4 responses.

3. Disability Agenda Committee

  • Goal # 1: Increase outreach, communication and collaboration with OVR stakeholders and other organizations with a disability focus.
    • Increase PA-RC involvement with groups specifically identified in section 105 of the Rehabilitation Act.
    • In collaboration with staff, increase the content of the website for members and nonmembers.
  • Goal # 2: Assist in assuring the accessibility of all aspects of the CareerLink centers.
    • Participate in work groups and other activities related to accessibility.
    • Develop a process to receive and analyze information about site assessments and customer concerns.

Status: Under Goal One, the Committee has worked with staff to update the database and provided names for staff to contact. The PA-RC exchanges minutes with the Mental Health Planning Council and State Board of Education. The Committee facilitated substantial improvements to the web site, including a calendar and increased information about PA-RC activities. Under Goal 2 a drop down was added to the Contact page menu specifically for comments about CareerLink experiences. Members participated in several CareerLink site reviews. The Committee also oversaw creation of a new PA-RC business card combining Braille, Large Print and traditional formats.

4. Legislative Committee

  • Goal: Increase PA-RC's advocacy on behalf of job seekers and other persons with disabilities.
    • Position the PA-RC as a resource to federal and state legislators concerning legislation and services for persons with disabilities through position papers and meetings with elected officials.
    • Prepare a portfolio of information for use in advocacy on behalf of retaining a separate state-federal rehabilitation program.
    • Participate in the National Rehabilitation Association's annual Government Affairs training conference.
    • Continually monitor information resources and disseminate information to the PA-RC's Legislative Network through Legislative updates and Legislative Alerts.

Status: The Committee attended the NRA training in March and was able to meet with virtually all of the PA delegation to Congress or key office staff. Chairperson Anthony Williams was featured in a session presentation that was later written up in NRA's national newsletter. In June 2001 the PA-RC passed a motion to involve the OVR Board and staff in jointly developing a white paper to be used in advocacy on the state and federal level. The Committee has worked with staff to increase the content and the distribution of the bi-weekly Legislative Update.

5. State Plan Committee:

  • Goal #1: Increase the PA-RC's role in the development and monitoring of OVR's goals and priorities as described in the attachment to the State Plan.
    • Develop a process for the PA-RC to participate in preparing the goals and priorities at least 30 working days prior to the public meetings.
    • Increase the PA-RC's role in publicizing the meeting to stakeholders through its affiliations and web site.
    • Assure completion and approval of the PA-RC's attachment by February 2001 for inclusion in the public meetings.
    • Increase direct contact with the OVR/BBVS Consumer Advisory Committees, through exchange of minutes and joint conference calls, in order to obtain information for the PA-RC's attachment.
    • Increase the PA-RC's knowledge about programs and services described in attachment 4.12(e) - innovation and expansion
    • Participate in workgroups and committees formed to address aspects of State Plan implementation, for example:
      • Multicultural Advisory Committee
      • Comprehensive system of Personnel Development
  • Goal #2: Continue oversight of OVR policies and procedures
    • Participate in work groups formed to draft new policies or revise existing policies.
    • Make recommendations to the Full Council regarding new or revised policies.
    • Assure that staff has complete and current counselor manuals, numbered memoranda, etc. in the office reference library.
    • Assess the flow of communications throughout the system and make recommendations as needed.
  • Status: Under Goal One, the PA-RC met the objective of completing its Attachment for review at the Public Meetings. Changes in the OVR planning cycle will increase opportunities for the Council and other stakeholders to assist in developing agency goals. The Committee has held several conference calls with CAC chairs and jointly forwarded suggestions and questions to OVR. The Committee was also the impetus for resumption of MAC meetings. Information concerning selection of I and E programs and how they are monitored has been requested but not yet received. Under Goal Two, flow of information was assessed and recommendations made to staff and OVR. There are still a number of concerns to be resolved, most centered on OVR's response to requests from Committees. OVR has recently distributed several policy and procedure manual updates. Concerns remain about assuring the PA-RC has ample time to review documents and develop a consensus recommendation.
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