A. Evaluates OVR performance and service delivery.

At each RAC meeting the Council receives a report from either the Executive Director or Central Office staff concerning fiscal, programmatic, and legislative issues which impact service delivery. The RAC played an active role in the development of Pennsylvania's order of selection criteria and regularly monitors the impact of its implementation through analysis of waiting list data. The Council also monitors performance through attendance at the OVR State Board meetings and various public meetings throughout the year.

Goal(s):

1. Develop a consistent process to review and comment on OVR outcome data, hearings, waiting list data, etc.

B. Assists in all phases of the State/Federal compliance plan and strategic plan.

RAC members routinely attend OVR public hearings in each OVR district throughout the Commonwealth. This allows the RAC to fulfill a number of its monitoring mandates, as well as providing a mechanism for the Council to obtain a broad base of information. This information is used when forming its own comments and recommendations for the compliance plan and strategic plan. In 1995 an Ad-Hoc Committee was formed to prepare a "crosswalk" between the Interim State Plan, the Strategic Plan, the OVR Annual Report and the summary of comments from the public hearings. The Committee then presented its findings to the RAC for discussion, review, and recommendations to OVR. This process proved efficient and effective. The RAC also believes it assured greater consistency among the documents and will facilitate future monitoring activities.

Goal(s):

1. Assure RAC representation at OVR public meetings this fiscal year.
2. Use the crosswalk process to analyze OVR planning documents.

C. Reviews and analyzes data gathered concerning customer satisfaction.

OVR staff regularly offer presentations to the RAC concerning customer (consumer) satisfaction data, analysis of statewide public meetings regarding effectiveness of service and service needs, and development of the annual State Plan. In FY 94-95 action items included approval of a customer satisfaction tool drafted by the RAC and forwarded to OVR to assess satisfaction with vendors who provide goods and services to OVR customers.

Goal(s):

1. Establish a standard procedure for receiving, reviewing and providing feedback regarding the customer satisfaction data analysis from OVR staff.
2. Provide recommendations to OVR regarding use of customer satisfaction data analysis in modification of service policies and practices.
3. Provide recommendations on all new customer satisfaction initiatives by OVR in order to coordinate rather than duplicate information collection and analysis.

D. Prepares an annual report to the Governor and RSA Commissioner.

The RAC completed an annual report for FY 93-94. The report discussed the formation of the RAC, its function, organizational structure, accomplishments, and future priorities. The report was distributed to the RSA Commissioner, the RSA Regional Commissioner, the OVR State Board, OVR Executive Director, OVR Central Office and District Administrators, OVR Consumer Advisory Committees, the State Independent Living Council, the Advisory Committee of Persons Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, the Multicultural Advisory Council, the Client Assistance Program, and RAC members.

Goal(s):

1. Complete and distribute an annual report for the previous fiscal year by the end of the first quarter of each new fiscal year.
2. Increase distribution to include advocacy groups, school districts, colleges/universities, and library networks.

E. Maintains active linkages with the State Board of OVR, State Independent Living Council (SILC), individual Centers for Independent Living (CIL), IDEA, OVR District Office Consumer Advisory Committees (CAC), other advisory councils, and numerous associations.

In addition to formal representation requirements several RAC members are active with groups in their geographic area, such as local Centers for Independent Living, OVR District Consumer Advisory Committees and community advocacy groups. Members bring information and issues for discussion to the RAC meeting and in return, provide information and feedback to their local groups.

Goal(s):

1. Develop a process for formal exchange of minutes and information with CILs, CACs and other groups within the OVR system.
2. Develop and implement strategies to increase participation of other groups and associations in RAC meetings.
3. Establish Email, On-Line and Bulletin Board capabilities to facilitate communications with citizens unable to personally attend RAC meetings.

F. Prepares, supervises, and evaluates implementation of the annual RAC Resource Plan, including staffing and other supports.

RAC support and Resource Plan management was provided by OVR Central Office staff during FY 94-95. While this arrangement was effective for addressing basic RAC functional requirements, it was determined that many of the long range goals and priorities of the RAC would best be addressed by having staff assigned solely to RAC support. Council members developed a Request for Proposals to seek full-time, independent staff support from a community based organization. United Cerebral Palsy of the Capital Area, Camp Hill, PA was selected as the grantee. Funds were allocated at the end of FY 94-95 for UCP-CA to initiate grant activities.

Goal(s):

1. Complete a formal Resource Plan to provide structure in the following areas:
   1. Staff utilization.
   2. Meeting planning and facilitation.
   3. Reimbursements to members.
   4. Hearings, forums, etc as deemed necessary to carry out the duties of the RAC.
2. Develop a monitoring process to assure that the grantee performs in accordance with the specifications set forth in the staff support grant

G. Reviews, advises, and assists in the development of all OVR policies and programs.

The RAC has had input relative to the development of several OVR policies. The Council reviewed and forwarded recommendations to the State Board in the following policy and program areas:

1. Eligibility/Order of Selection.
2. Coordination of transition planning from school to post-graduate service.
3. Vehicle modifications.
4. Purchase of durable goods.
5. Development and implementation of an OVR grant with Special Education Mediation Services (SEMS) to conduct appeals hearings.

Goal(s):

1. Monitor policies and programs previously reviewed for implementation and potential need for revision.
2. Assure all new policies and programs under discussion are included as agenda items at RAC meetings.