The PaRC at Work in 2008 (Accomplishments)

Education/Advocacy and Training Opportunities

Ms. Barbara Dively from the Acquired Brain Injury Network of PA spoke to members about the needs of those with brain injuries in Pennsylvania.
Mr. William Murphy, our member from the Department of Education and representatives from S. Columbia school district including a student provided a presentation on inclusive education in PA.
Ms. Eileen Oaken from the Department of Transportation provided information on services for persons with disabilities especially as related to employment needs.
OVR staff provided a presentation on their current transition services in the state which aided in development of a transition goal for the council.
The PaRC chair was part of a panel discussion at the 2009 Statewide Equal Opportunity training conference entitled "PA's Changing Workforce" which focused on diversity in the workplace.
A member of the council or staff regularly participate in the National Coalition of State Rehabilitation Councils (NCSRC) conference calls to stay up to date with what is happening nationally in vocational rehabilitation.
Members are working on completing the Rehabilitative Services Administration's training modules designed for State Rehabilitation Councils.

The State Plan attachment

The council developed and approved the State Plan attachment for FY 2010, in consultation with vocational rehabilitation. Additionally, an ad hoc committee from the PaRC worked with OVR staff on the statewide needs assessment and the outcomes were included in the PaRC state plan attachment as well as OVR's state plan.

The PaRC commended the PA Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) on their efforts in maintaining the number of staff during reduced state employment hiring opportunities.

Members worked to streamline the attachment this year to make it a more readable and user friendly document.

Highlights and recommendations of the plan are below:

The PaRC will continue their legislative advocacy in support of additional OVR funding to serve emerging populations, including older workers, returning veterans, people with traumatic brain injuries, and people with autism spectrum disorders. The PaRC encourages OVR to collaborate with other state agencies serving these groups to reduce gaps in services leading up to employment services.
The PaRC encourages OVR to advocate for additional funding for transportation (shared ride program), especially in rural areas to support people with disabilities in obtaining and keeping employment. The current underfunded Shared Ride program is frequently costly, time consuming, and logistically mismatched to work hours for those who must use it.
The PaRC encourages OVR to provide more disability specific training to OVR counselors on autism spectrum disorders, traumatic brain injury, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and Social Security Insurance benefits.
The PaRC recommends OVR conduct a study to determine how CareerLinks approaches and serves people with disabilities, especially those in emerging populations, and to identify effective methods to serve these individuals collaboratively. It is also recommended that CareerLink staff sensitivity training be broadened to include these emerging populations' unique needs. Initial and annual sensitivity training is recommended. These issues were put forward during previous years and the PaRC requests a current report on any progress.
The PaRC encourages OVR to educate all customers on the Client Assistance Program, and inform eligible populations about the transition services from school to work and the Ticket to Work program.
The PaRC encourages OVR to work to re-secure a separate line item in the federal budget for supported employment and job coaching as identified in the Needs Assessment. The need/request for supported employment services is higher than what is currently able to be provided, which would indicate a need for additional funds for the service.

The PaRC worked with Workforce Development, the Equal Opportunity Commission and other stakeholders.

Approximately a fourth of PaRC members this year have participated in one or more of their local Workforce Investment Board meetings in their districts to learn more about the boards and to educate the boards about issues related to employment for persons with disabilities.
The council has continued their relationship with the State Workforce Investment Board by continuing a dialogue with the executive director on committees that the PaRC could play a role. Additionally, a SWIB member is a member of the PaRC.
Staff from PA Workforce Development and the Equal Opportunity Commission continues to participate on committee conference calls with PaRC members providing statistical information on CareerLink use by persons with disabilities and accessibility.

Legislative Advocacy

The legislative committee and staff monitored, identified and responded to federal and state legislation and or public policy that affects persons with disabilities, particularly those items that will impact employment. The legislative committee had a minimum of 76 advocacy/educational visits with their legislators in Harrisburg and Washington throughout the year. Members also visited with their legislators in their home district offices. This was more than in other years due to economic issues in the state and country. Members serve as a resource to legislators on disability issues particularly related to employment for persons with disabilities.

Completion and Distribution of the Annual Report

The PaRC developed and distributed the PaRC Annual Report to the Governor, the Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Pennsylvania Legislators, and other interested parties.

Customer Satisfaction Survey

As required, the council conducted an annual Customer Satisfaction survey. Members participated in twelve OVR State Plan Public meetings this spring informing customers about the role and responsibilities of the PaRC and conducting a customer satisfaction survey. Fifty customer satisfaction surveys were received back this year via paper copy or online. Responses received aid members in developing a report, whereby recommendations will be written into the State Plan attachment. Overall survey results are below. A copy of the Customer Satisfaction Survey summary can be obtained by contacting the PaRC office.

The customer satisfaction and executive committees worked with OVR staff on a statewide needs assessment survey including an analysis and prioritization of needs in the early part of this year. This survey is to help assess the future needs of current/potential OVR customers. The committee is also working with OVR on ways to increase outreach to OVR customers and increase survey participation. Various disability groups and stakeholders agreed to put a link to the PaRC's customer satisfaction survey on their websites this year in an effort to improve outreach. The committee is currently working to produce a better survey tool for the coming year.

Delivery of Services -- VR services are delivered in a timely professional manner and I am made aware of my rights and responsibilities as a VR consumer. Overall 75% Positive
Vendor Relations --VR provides customers with choice of qualified vendors to provide the products and services needed for a customer to become employed consistent with his or her goal. (hearing devices, tty, wheelchair, assistive technology) Overall 63% Positive
Training --VR provides training that is necessary for a customer to secure employment in his or her chosen vocational goal consistent with strengths priorities and concerns. Overall 63% Positive
Communication & Sensitivity -- VR is open, responsive and knowledgeable to my needs and the needs related to my particular disability. Overall 72% Positive
Transition -- VR is knowledgeable about transition services that promote movement from school to post secondary school activities and is responsive to my employment and/or educational goals. 42.3% Transition to Work 57.7% Transition to Higher Education

The PaRC Website (www.parac.org)

The PaRC Website continues to be a useful resource for members and the public. This year the Customer Satisfaction Committee had their survey available on the website for customers to complete online. The website also serves as a place for individuals to go seeking information on disability issues. In an average month the website has approximately 5000 visitors. The PaRC office staff handles many emails and phone calls per year requesting information, phone numbers, etc. The PaRC homepage and other resources pages have been redesigned to be more user friendly.

An Experienced and Diversified Council

The Council continued its recruitment efforts to maintain an experienced and diversified membership. Five new members were appointed and three members were recommended for reappointment to their second terms on the Council this year. A young adult representative, a current/former OVR customer, two individuals in business/labor and industry and one in sensory disabilities were added to the council adding experience and diversity. The council through an ad hoc committee of Executive members revised the by laws of the council incorporating the standard of expectations, policies regarding attendance/participation and training into one document.

Outreach with Stakeholders

Members participated in the following stakeholder groups: Citizen Advisory Councils, State Independent Living Council, PARF Vocational Division meetings and the Advisory Committee for Persons Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

National Networking

The council increased networking nationally by participating on the National Coalition of State Rehabilitation Council conference calls throughout the year. This gives the council a national perspective on what is happening in VR across the country and access to training materials for members.

The council's legislative position papers are included in this report on the following pages.