October 26, 2009
There were no additions or changes to the agenda.
Mr. Joseph Kraher made a motion to approve the agenda and minutes of the last conference call. Mr. Don Zeigler seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Mr. Kauffman stated that the purpose of today's call was to review last year's state plan, determine the prognosis for the future, and what needs or can be done.
It was decided to keep the first bullet as is at this time. Ms. Beyer stated that OVR collaborates with welfare, education, MH/MR, ARRA money (grants for vets), etc. Counselors assigned to specific disabilities such as autism, transition, vets, Careerlinks, etc.
It was decided to remove the second bullet on additional funding for transportation services. Ms. Beyer noted that OVR always will advocate for improving transportation services to help individuals get to work. None of OVR funds go to Penn Dot or Transportation Authority. Members decided to keep this issue alive in the legislative position papers. It was stated that more than one vendor is needed to provide the shared ride program. Members plan to check ARC and UCP position papers on this topic rather than reinventing the wheel.
Bullet three will be kept with the addition of "continue to" to the sentence. It will read "The PA-RC encourages OVR to continue to provide more disability specific training …" Ms. Beyer noted that OVR staff participates in a lot of webcasts, educational distance learning, since training for staff is very important to OVR. There are also over fifty staff working towards their master's degree online through George Washington University.
The fourth point deals with how CareerLinks approach and serve persons with disabilities. Ms. Beyer stated that people must still self identify, so figures not completely accurate. She stated that Workforce does provide sensitivity training, however due to hiring freeze not a lot of new hires. Some were hired through ARRA dollars. Not many discrimination complaints, etc. heard this past year in regards to CareerLinks. Ms. Beyer stated there continues to be more collaboration between CareerLinks, OVR and Workforce Development. CareerLink sites seem to be in tune to times. Good websites on jobs and trainings being offered. This goal will be kept.
Bullet five deals with OVR educating customers about the Client Assistance Program, transition services and ticket to work programs. Ms. Beyer stated that counselors do inform customers once they are determined eligible for these services. There are counselors in all high schools as early as possible for transition services. OVR has a good relationship with the Department of Education. There are two full time transition services staff and one full time ticket to work program staff. Ms. Beyer noted there are no state VR monies for those who don't have most significant disabilities. They are looking at expanding the order of selection.
Mr. Kauffman asked about putting surveys in the district office lobbies. Ms. Beyer stated that Mr. Gannon was concerned that if the surveys were in the lobby, one of the OVR staff might have to explain the survey to a customer which wouldn't be appropriate. Ms. Beyer stated she thought council should keep the PaRC posters in the district office lobbies. The current poster doesn't include information about the customer satisfaction survey as far as how to access a copy. This information could be added to the poster.
Bullet six will be kept, but reworded by the committee. Ms. Beyer stated that OVR continues to support more funding for supported employment services. She also noted that they've been operating under a continuing resolution for years with the federal budget, so no point in asking for a separate line item in the budget for supported employment and job coaching.
It was decided to add an additional bullet regarding OVR and the PaRC's collaboration on the needs assessment. Mr. Kauffman stated that there wasn't much prep time the last time it was done. He asked if it was something that could be worked on ahead of time by council. Ms. Beyer stated she would check on the time frame with Ms. Nesta Livingston. This will be a separate bullet encouraging continued collaboration with OVR on the needs assessment in a timely fashion.
It was noted that issues involving funding would be handled in the legislative position papers rather than in the state plan attachment.
Ms. Beyer stated that she does not see hiring or travel restrictions changing anytime soon. She also suggested that members might want to invite Ticket to Work specialists to our quarterly meetings for updates.
The next State Plan Committee conference call will be scheduled sometime after our November full council meeting.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 11:00 a.m.
Members (P = Present):
Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) Present:
Staff: