[il-talk] Fw: DRS May 2009 Community Partner Update
Robert Gardner
rgardner4 at gmail.com
Fri May 1 20:30:20 UTC 2009
Whoops! That's a valid point, and think I remembered to do that the last
time I sent out one of these. Unfortunately, I forgot this time. I will
try to remember from now on.
----- Original Message -----
From: "sharon howerton" <shrnhow at att.net>
To: "NFB of Illinois Mailing List" <il-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, May 01, 2009 1:06 PM
Subject: Re: [il-talk] Fw: DRS May 2009 Community Partner Update
> Bob, your information always looks valuable, but if you could remove all
> the names, it would be readable. It looks like you have the entire ORS
> staff on there! I like to read this but don't have time to wade through
> all those names.
> Sharon
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Robert Gardner" <rgardner4 at gmail.com>
> To: "il-talk" <il-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Friday, May 01, 2009 12:43 PM
> Subject: [il-talk] Fw: DRS May 2009 Community Partner Update
>
>
>> FYI
>>
>> Bob Gardner, SRC member
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Lori Zenner" <Lori.Zenner at illinois.gov>
>> To: <STriano at accessliving.org>; "Richard Starnes" <starnes at accessus.net>;
>> <ciledqcy at adams.net>; "Melody Reynolds"
>> <mreynolds at advocatesforaccess.com>;
>> "William Reif BSPC" <billreif at ameritech.net>; "Helene Levine"
>> <HLevine at anixter.org>; "Henrietta Battle" <Hbsankagirl at aol.com>; "Laura
>> Thomas (Helen Keller Natl Cntr)" <HKNC5LJT at aol.com>; "Lois Montgomery
>> NFB"
>> <Lmm3527 at aol.com>; "Mary Rogers SRC" <makandamary at aol.com>; "Marco Lenis"
>> <matulenis at aol.com>; "Mary Ellen Kilpatrick" <MEK1452 at aol.com>;
>> <ndycoleman at aol.com>; "Sandy Martin" <sandym1234 at aol.com>; "Todd Kowalke"
>> <kowalket at arcric.org>; <susan.dalton at att.net>; "Philicia Deckard BSCIAC"
>> <pldeckard at biail.org>; "Rick Cavalier STEP" <rcavalier at bths201.org>;
>> <ccdi at ccdionline.org>; "Jan Wetmore" <janwetmore at charter.net>; "Susan
>> Walter
>> SRC" <smwalter at charter.net>; "Greg Polman" <greg at chicagolighthouse.org>;
>> "Greg Polman SRC" <Greg.Polman at chicagolighthouse.org>; "Janet Szlyk CLB"
>> <janet.szlyk at chicagolighthouse.org>; <gdillardvdc at comcast.net>;
>> <vandykecommunicationsllc at comcast.net>; "John Gapsis SILC"
>> <jgflier at consolidated.net>; "Don Hespell"
>> <dhespell at cornerstoneservices.org>; "Eddie Phillips"
>> <ephillips at cps.k12.il.us>; "Joyce Grangent" <joyce.grangent at csh.org>;
>> "Dale
>> Sheets" <dale.sheets at cuinc.org>; <jwooters at decatursail.com>;
>> <ltolbert at deltacenter.org>; "Leanne Stavenger-Vos SRC"
>> <Lvos at donkainc.org>;
>> "FITE CILL" <ksensor at fitecil.org>; "Robert Gardner SRC"
>> <rgardner4 at gmail.com>; "Annette Grove SRC" <annette.grove at goodwill.org>;
>> "David Tabak GFB" <david at guildfortheblind.org>; "Laura Gallagher-Watkin"
>> <lgwatkin at hdadvocates.org>; "Jim Monterastelli"
>> <jmonterastelli at horizonhouseperu.org>; "Ed Birmingham"
>> <ejfever at hotmail.com>; "Eric Kulesza" <eric_kulesza at hotmail.com>;
>> "Richard
>> Zabelski BSPC" <richzabelski at hotmail.com>; "Chris Burnett"
>> <cburnett at hso.net>; "Janet Stover" <jstover at hso.net>; "IL Council of the
>> Blind" <icb at icbonline.org>; <execdirector at iicil.com>;
>> "UniversityCoordinator
>> Lane" <land at iit.edu>; "UniversityCoordinator Larson" <larsonjon at iit.edu>;
>> "ALETHA ALEXANDER" <ALETHA.ALEXANDER at illinois.gov>; "Allison Anderson"
>> <Allison.Anderson at illinois.gov>; "Amy Moore" <Amy.Moore at illinois.gov>;
>> "Andre Howard" <Andre.M.Howard at illinois.gov>; "ANITA COLVIN"
>> <ANITA.COLVIN at illinois.gov>; "Barbara Peake"
>> <Barbara.Peake at illinois.gov>;
>> "BLAKE HEGARTY" <BLAKE.HEGARTY at illinois.gov>; "Bob Trammel"
>> <Bob.Trammel at illinois.gov>; "Brenda Mersinger-Klein"
>> <Brenda.Mersinger-Klein at illinois.gov>; "Bryce Hampton"
>> <Bryce.Hampton at illinois.gov>; "Carol Adams" <Carol.Adams at illinois.gov>;
>> "Cassie Laird" <Cassie.Laird at illinois.gov>; "CATHY MEADOWS"
>> <CATHY.MEADOWS at illinois.gov>; "CHARLENE ANTHONY"
>> <CHARLENE.ANTHONY at illinois.gov>; "Charles Hatfield"
>> <Charles.Hatfield at illinois.gov>; "Chenise Micks"
>> <Chenise.Micks at illinois.gov>; "Cheryl Bradley"
>> <Cheryl.Bradley at illinois.gov>; "Chris Eickhorst"
>> <Chris.Eickhorst at illinois.gov>; "Christina Pean"
>> <Christina.Pean at illinois.gov>; "Christine Hadley"
>> <Christine.Hadley at illinois.gov>; "Connie Cooper"
>> <Connie.Cooper at illinois.gov>; "Dave Hall" <Dave.Hall at illinois.gov>;
>> "David
>> REED" <David.REED at illinois.gov>; "Davida Fanniel"
>> <Davida.Fanniel at illinois.gov>; "Deb Murrill" <Deb.Murrill at illinois.gov>;
>> "DEBORAH NORFLEAT" <DEBORAH.NORFLEAT at illinois.gov>; "DEIRDRE PARROTT"
>> <DEIRDRE.PARROTT at illinois.gov>; "DERRICK PHILLIPS"
>> <DERRICK.PHILLIPS at illinois.gov>; "DIONNE JACKSON"
>> <DIONNE.JACKSON at illinois.gov>; "DONNA RYAN" <DONNA.RYAN at illinois.gov>;
>> "Dorothy Keys" <Dorothy.L.Keys at illinois.gov>; "DOROTHY NEAL"
>> <DOROTHY.NEAL at illinois.gov>; "Douglas Morton"
>> <Douglas.Morton at illinois.gov>;
>> "EDWIN NEGRON" <EDWIN.NEGRON at illinois.gov>; "Fitch Weathington"
>> <Fitch.Weathington at illinois.gov>; "Gene Oulvey"
>> <Gene.Oulvey at illinois.gov>;
>> "Georgia Lacy" <Georgia.Lacy at illinois.gov>; "GREG BATTLE"
>> <GREG.BATTLE at illinois.gov>; "Ingrid Halvorsen"
>> <Ingrid.Halvorsen at illinois.gov>; "JAMES KNAUF"
>> <JAMES.KNAUF at illinois.gov>;
>> "Jaunice Walker" <Jaunice.Walker at illinois.gov>; "JEFFREY KNOX"
>> <JEFFREY.KNOX at illinois.gov>; "JOAN Jablonski-Baxter"
>> <JOAN.Jablonski-Baxter at illinois.gov>; "Jodi Lloyd"
>> <Jodi.Lloyd at illinois.gov>; "Joe Hamlett" <Joe.Hamlett at illinois.gov>;
>> "John
>> Griffin" <John.C.Griffin at illinois.gov>; "John Cowan"
>> <John.E.Cowan at illinois.gov>; "John Marchioro"
>> <John.Marchioro at illinois.gov>;
>> "John Miller DHHC" <john.miller at illinois.gov>; "KAREN ENGSTROM"
>> <KAREN.ENGSTROM at illinois.gov>; "Kaylee Raymond"
>> <Kaylee.Raymond at illinois.gov>; "Keith Timko" <Keith.Timko at illinois.gov>;
>> "Keo Sabengsy" <Keo.Sabengsy at illinois.gov>; "KIM PIECZYNSKI"
>> <KIM.PIECZYNSKI at illinois.gov>; "Kris Smith" <Kris.Smith at illinois.gov>;
>> "Kyle
>> Daniels" <Kyle.Daniels at illinois.gov>; "Linda-Lou Long"
>> <Linda-Lou.Long at illinois.gov>; "Lisa Riegel" <Lisa.Riegel at illinois.gov>;
>> "Lizette Tripur" <Lizette.Tripur at illinois.gov>; "Lori Zenner"
>> <Lori.Zenner at illinois.gov>; "LOUIS HAMER" <LOUIS.HAMER at illinois.gov>;
>> "Louis
>> Parker" <Louis.Parker at illinois.gov>; "Lyle VanDeventer"
>> <Lyle.VanDeventer at illinois.gov>; "Marbella Marsh SRC"
>> <Marbella.Marsh at illinois.gov>; "MARIA CARDE" <MARIA.CARDE at illinois.gov>;
>> "MARILYN LIWANAG" <MARILYN.LIWANAG at illinois.gov>; "Mark Krupke"
>> <Mark.Krupke at illinois.gov>; "Martin Pereira"
>> <Martin.Pereira at illinois.gov>;
>> "Marva Campbell-Pruitt" <Marva.Campbell-Pruitt at illinois.gov>; "Marybeth
>> Lauderdale" <Marybeth.Lauderdale at illinois.gov>; "Mary Beth Scholten"
>> <MaryBeth.Scholten at illinois.gov>; "MARY ROSE HOFFMAN"
>> <MaryRose.Hoffman at illinois.gov>; "Matt Abrahamson"
>> <Matt.Abrahamson at illinois.gov>; "Melissa Romanotto"
>> <Melissa.Romanotto at illinois.gov>; "Michelle Lawrence"
>> <Michelle.Lawrence at illinois.gov>; "Michelle Rainey"
>> <Michelle.Rainey at illinois.gov>; "Moses Tejuoso"
>> <Moses.Tejuoso at illinois.gov>; "Nancy Febus" <Nancy.E.Febus at illinois.gov>;
>> "Ovelia Smith-Barton" <Ovelia.Smith-Barton at illinois.gov>; "Pamela
>> Clay-Wilson" <Pamela.Clay-Wilson at illinois.gov>; "Pat Fanter"
>> <Pat.Fanter at illinois.gov>; "PAT KRAMER-BROWN"
>> <PAT.KRAMER-BROWN at illinois.gov>; "Pat Sabo" <Pat.Sabo at illinois.gov>; "PAT
>> TRUEBLOOD" <PAT.TRUEBLOOD at illinois.gov>; "PAULA FERGUSON"
>> <PAULA.FERGUSON at illinois.gov>; "Phil Schoenfeld"
>> <Phil.Schoenfeld at illinois.gov>; "Philip Locascio"
>> <Philip.Locascio at illinois.gov>; "Phyllis Staats"
>> <Phyllis.Staats at illinois.gov>; "Randy Staton"
>> <Randy.Staton at illinois.gov>;
>> "Reggie Clinton" <Reggie.Clinton at illinois.gov>; "Regina Cook-Glanton"
>> <Regina.Cook-Glanton at illinois.gov>; "RENARD HAYGOOD"
>> <RENARD.HAYGOOD at illinois.gov>; "Rhonda Davis"
>> <Rhonda.L.Davis at illinois.gov>;
>> "RICK REGAN" <RICK.REGAN at illinois.gov>; "Rita Howells"
>> <Rita.Howells at illinois.gov>; "Robert Griffith"
>> <Robert.Griffith at illinois.gov>; "Robert Kilbury"
>> <Robert.Kilbury at illinois.gov>; "Robert Scanlan"
>> <Robert.Scanlan at illinois.gov>; "Shanna Frank"
>> <Shanna.Frank at illinois.gov>;
>> "Sharon Johnson" <Sharon.Johnson at illinois.gov>; "Sharon Marshall"
>> <Sharon.Marshall at illinois.gov>; "Sherrie Bridges"
>> <Sherrie.Bridges at illinois.gov>; "Sue Johnson-Smith"
>> <Sue.Johnson-Smith at illinois.gov>; "SUSAN HALL" <SUSAN.HALL at illinois.gov>;
>> "Susan Haury" <Susan.Haury at illinois.gov>; "Susan Taylor"
>> <Susan.L.Taylor at illinois.gov>; "TAMMY NEMETH"
>> <TAMMY.NEMETH at illinois.gov>;
>> "Therese Manderino" <Therese.Manderino at illinois.gov>; "TJ SCHLOUSKI"
>> <TJ.SCHLOUSKI at illinois.gov>; "Vicki Draksler"
>> <Vicki.Draksler at illinois.gov>;
>> "Vickie Mayfield" <Vickie.Mayfield at illinois.gov>; "William Rios"
>> <William.Rios at illinois.gov>; "Alan Bridgeland"
>> <abridgeland at illinoisgrowth.com>; "Bill Bogdan" <wbogdan at ilsos.net>;
>> "Eric
>> Guidish" <eguidish at iltech.org>; "Wilhelmina Gunther SRC"
>> <wgunther at iltech.org>; <Contarino at impactcil.org>; "IL Valley CIL"
>> <ivcil at ivcil.com>; <info at jacil.org>; "Beth Katz"
>> <nanettecohen at jvschicago.org>; "Mary Drabik" <maryd at kennethyoung.org>;
>> "Marie Nelson FAC STEP" <mnelson at lambsfarm.org>; "LCCIL Kelli Brooks"
>> <kelli at LCCIL.org>; <gail at lifecil.org>; <eedwards at lincinc.org>; "James
>> Wilkerson SRC" <wilkerson.jim at mhsil.com>; "UniversityCoordinator Currier"
>> <k-currier at neiu.edu>; <bvaughnsicil at neondsl.com>; <kathy at nicil.org>; "Deb
>> Gough SRC" <dgough at niu.edu>; "Mike Noble" <mnoble at ocecil.org>;
>> <spud at ofacil.org>; <Kathy.Petersen at Optionscil.com>; <nmch at pacecil.org>;
>> "Cindy Holbrook FAC" <cholbrook at pillarscommunity.org>;
>> <jbosma at rampcil.org>;
>> "Annette Nowakowski" <anya.enteract at rcn.com>;
>> <carlsuter at rehabnetwork.org>;
>> "Robert Trierweil" <rtrierweil at ric.org>; <Djones at RockfordCenter.org>;
>> "Guy
>> Gregg" <ggregg at saveorg.org>; "Dan Dwyer" <dpdinc600 at sbcglobal.net>;
>> <ed_dupagecil at sbcglobal.net>; "John Gordon ICBV" <icbv at sbcglobal.net>;
>> "Janice Duvall SRC" <janice.duvall at sbcglobal.net>; "Marco Giannotti"
>> <marcogiannotti at sbcglobal.net>; "Dave Crawford" <ocvend at sbcglobal.net>;
>> <pamwgcil at sbcglobal.net>; "Donnie Anderson" <vendy at sbcglobal.net>;
>> <proberts at scil.org>; "Pete Roberts SILC" <scil at scil.org>; "Sharon Slover"
>> <sslover at sedom.org>; "Darrell Taylor SILC" <dtaylor at siu.edu>; "University
>> Coord Benshof" <jbenshof at siu.edu>; "Mary Rogers SIU" <mkrogers at siu.edu>;
>> "Thomas Upton SRC" <tupton at siu.edu>; "Diane Levine (Deicke)"
>> <dpl316 at spectrios.org>; "Ann Robert" <ann.p.robert at ssa.gov>;
>> <CatherineH at Stone-Hayes.org>; "Tazewell Co Resource Center BBS"
>> <Amanda at tcrcorg.com>; <Ron at tcrcorg.com>; "Jay Forman"
>> <jay at thresholds.org>;
>> "Anita Howard" <ahoward at triad.madison.k12.il.us>; "J. Anel Gonzalez SRC"
>> <anelpma at uic.edu>; "John Trach" <jtrach at uiuc.edu>; "Tony Plotner SRC"
>> <plotner at uiuc.edu>; "UniversityCoordinator Strauser" <strauser at uiuc.edu>;
>> <cts.62946 at verizon.net>; "Beverly Hardnett-Young SRC"
>> <tybev at verizon.net>;
>> "Myra Christian" <bandmom4life at yahoo.com>; "Dan Haligas"
>> <haligas at yahoo.com>; "Marlin Thomas SRC" <marsbar75 at yahoo.com>; "Anthony
>> Arellano" <tonyare2 at yahoo.com>
>> Cc: "Antonine Grimes" <Antonine.Grimes at illinois.gov>; "BETTYE ODEM-DAVIS"
>> <BETTYE.ODEM-DAVIS at illinois.gov>; "Cammy Ermann"
>> <Cammy.Ermann at illinois.gov>; "Canda Scott" <Canda.Scott at illinois.gov>;
>> "Carmen Dodd" <Carmen.Dodd at illinois.gov>; "Connie Finley"
>> <Connie.Finley at illinois.gov>; "Debbie Huss" <Debbie.Huss at illinois.gov>;
>> "Elayne Weathersby" <Elayne.Weathersby at illinois.gov>; "Francisco
>> Alvarado"
>> <Francisco.Alvarado at illinois.gov>; "Grace Hou" <Grace.Hou at illinois.gov>;
>> "Gregory Diephouse" <Gregory.Diephouse at illinois.gov>; "HAROLD WILLIAMS"
>> <HAROLD.WILLIAMS at illinois.gov>; "Jan Dunas" <Jan.Dunas at illinois.gov>;
>> "Janet
>> Sherburne" <Janet.Sherburne at illinois.gov>; "Jeff Standerfer"
>> <Jeff.Standerfer at illinois.gov>; "JO ANCELL" <JO.ANCELL at illinois.gov>;
>> "Joan
>> Fowler" <Joan.M.Fowler2 at illinois.gov>; "JOY ZBINDEN"
>> <JOY.ZBINDEN at illinois.gov>; "Judy Reiser" <Judy.Reiser at illinois.gov>;
>> "Judy
>> Robinson" <Judy.Robinson at illinois.gov>; "Kay Scott"
>> <Kay.Scott at illinois.gov>; "Ken Williams" <Ken.Williams at illinois.gov>;
>> "Lenore Roth" <Lenore.Roth at illinois.gov>; "LEONOR RAMIREZ"
>> <LEONOR.RAMIREZ at illinois.gov>; "MARJORIE NEUF"
>> <MARJORIE.NEUF at illinois.gov>;
>> "Marjorie Olson" <Marjorie.Olson at illinois.gov>; "Michelle Maaks"
>> <Michelle.Maaks at illinois.gov>; "Pat Fore" <Pat.Fore at illinois.gov>; "Paul
>> Drake" <Paul.Drake at illinois.gov>; "Raven Pulliam"
>> <Raven.Pulliam at illinois.gov>; "Ron Sazone" <Ron.Sazone at illinois.gov>;
>> "Shawn
>> Henderliter" <Shawn.Henderliter at illinois.gov>; "Susan Ogden"
>> <Susan.Ogden at illinois.gov>; "Ann Ford" <annford at incil.org>; "Julie
>> Potter"
>> <Julie.Potter at ssa.gov>; "Kari Wright" <Kari.Wright at ssa.gov>; "Patti
>> Strader"
>> <patti.strader at ssa.gov>
>> Sent: Friday, May 01, 2009 9:18 AM
>> Subject: DRS May 2009 Community Partner Update
>>
>>
>>> From Rob Kilbury, Director, Division of Rehabilitation
>>> Services/Department of Human Services
>>>
>>> DIVISION OF REHABILITATION SERVICES
>>> Community Partner Update
>>> May 1, 2009
>>>
>>> Legislative Update: There are several legislative proposals that DRS is
>>> tracking. These include the following: Family members/spouses
>>> providing care to customers in the Home Services Program; changes in
>>> Medicaid eligibility requirements; increases in wages/health insurance
>>> for workers in the Home Services Program; prescreenings of individuals
>>> with disabilities in nursing facilities; Rapid Reintegration Pilot;
>>> hiring incentives for individuals with disabilities in state government;
>>> and the priority of blind vendors for vending facilities/cafeterias on
>>> state property.
>>>
>>> Bureau of Field Services: The Downers Grove office received the
>>> Advocacy Award at the Annual Ability Links Conference and Employment
>>> Expo on April 9th. The conference focused on issues the employer, job
>>> seeker and the service provider face in the ever changing world of work.
>>> Sessions on Disability Awareness, preparing for successful job search,
>>> dressing for success, best practices and strategies for becoming a
>>> disability inclusive employer and several other were presented by
>>> nationally known experts in their field.
>>>
>>> The Kankakee DRS office has recently moved to a new location at 285
>>> North Schuyler Avenue. Work continues on the building, but staff are
>>> there and serving customers.
>>>
>>> Louis Hamer has been named the Acting Assistant Bureau Chief for
>>> DHS/DRS Region 2. Mr. Hamer has many years of management experience and
>>> continues to be the manager of our Community Resources section, in
>>> addition to his new responsibilities.
>>>
>>> Independent Living: The 2009 Disability Rights/Independent Living
>>> Conference and Expo was held April 27th thru 29th at the Prairie
>>> Convention Center in downtown Springfield. Its primary sponsors were
>>> DHS/DRS, INCIL, CCDI, IATP and SILC. The conference organizers
>>> indicated that over 230 people who attended the Conference.
>>> The Conference featured a variety of workshops tracts that covered
>>> topics such as IL services to consumers with mental illness, systems
>>> advocacy, community organizing, CIL board recruitment and development,
>>> and ADA and personal development, to name a few. There was even a Salsa
>>> Dance workshop this year which was well received.
>>>
>>> In addition, there was the Disabilities Expo which featured a variety
>>> of disability related products such as: accessible trucks, vans, and
>>> bikes; accessible video games; accessible rock climbing wall; product
>>> demonstrations; and an assistive technology workshop geared for VR and
>>> HSP staff. More than 55 vendors participated in the Expo.
>>>
>>> Representative Elaine Nekritz (D-Northbrook) won CCDI's Penny Severns
>>> Legislator of the Year Award; Mike Egbert of Opportunities for Access
>>> won the Justin Dart Distinguished Citizen Award; Cathy Contarino won the
>>> Ed Roberts Award issued by the Illinois Network of Centers for
>>> Independent Living.
>>>
>>> Budget Update: DRS has received the following amounts from the federal
>>> stimulus package: $10,039,645.00 - VR; $570,697.00 - Independent Living;
>>> and $1,411,724.00 - Older Blind. This federal money must be spent by
>>> September 30, 2011. DRS is working with a number of stakeholders to
>>> develop a plan to invest these dollars in services and programs that
>>> will benefit the state-federal program and its customers for years to
>>> come, without encumbering the agency to continue these programs when the
>>> stimulus dollars are gone.
>>>
>>> ISD and ISVI: The fourth annual legislative breakfast sponsored by the
>>> Illinois State Advisory Council for the Education of Children with
>>> Disabilities was held April 3rd at the State Capitol Rotunda. Students
>>> from ISVI and ISD were invited to meet with their legislators. Students
>>> were lucky enough to meet the Governor, be part of a bill signing, and
>>> have their photos taken with Governor Quinn.
>>>
>>> Debit Cards for Personal Assistants: Personal Assistants will soon be
>>> able to choose to receive their pay via debit card, available through a
>>> Request for Proposal process which was won by ACS State and Local
>>> Solutions, Inc. PAs currently have a choice of being paid via either
>>> direct deposit or paper check.
>>>
>>> Community Reintegration/Money Follows the Person: To date, 143
>>> individuals have moved into the community through the Community
>>> Reintegration Program through the 23 Centers for Independent Living. The
>>> Money Follows the Person program officially began on March 1. Many of
>>> the activities of the CIL staff have been meeting with potential MFP
>>> consumers in the Nursing Facility to discuss MFP. Additional
>>> requirements have been set in place as part of this new program.
>>>
>>> Rapid Reintegration: DRS Staff have met with Rapid Reintegration
>>> program liaisons within the Home Services Program and Centers for
>>> Independent Living. A formal training has been conducted on the
>>> prescreening process, roles and responsibilities, etc. with the program
>>> starting on April 1. A letter was also sent to the participating
>>> hospitals of the start date and process for contacting the DRS office
>>> regarding the need for prescreening.
>>>
>>> The goal of the program is to serve 100 individuals between the ages of
>>> 18 59 who are hospitalized at select locations (Springfield and
>>> Rockford). DRS will study and analyze the discharge process, the
>>> ability to prevent prolonged NF placements, and to increase customer
>>> choice.
>>>
>>> Senate, House Appropriations Hearing Held: The Senate Appropriations
>>> Committee met on April 28, the House Human Services Appropriations
>>> Committee met on April 30. Much of the questioning was expected to be
>>> about the Home Services Program and how the division intended to live
>>> within its $26.3 million increase ($524 million total in budget
>>> proposal). Rob Kilbury shared the Division's plan to involve
>>> stakeholders in the process of incorporating service parameters in the
>>> areas of housekeeping, food preparation, outside the home, money
>>> management, and laundry. The House Committee will meet again at 10:30
>>> a.m. on May 5: Happy Cinco de Mayo.
>>>
>>> 2009 VR Performance Statistics: The performance of the DRS VR program
>>> for the first three quarters of fiscal year 2009 is overall slightly
>>> better than for the same period in the previous year. A total of 3,606
>>> individuals with disabilities were closed as successful competitive
>>> outcomes through March 31, a 1.9 percent improvement over data for
>>> FY2008. Given the increase in the state's unemployment rate in the
>>> last year, this represents a significant achievement.
>>>
>>> Results were very positive for the Bureau of Blind Services, which
>>> overall showed a 17.5 percent increase over FY2008. Particularly
>>> notable was the performance of BBS Area 5, with a 91.3 percent increase
>>> compared to last year. Congratulations BBS!
>>>
>>> Employment outcomes for the Bureau of Field Services increased by 1.1
>>> percent over last year, with significant performance increases posted by
>>> BFS Region 4 (25.1%) and BFS Region 3 (13.7%).
>>>
>>> Another notable result was an increase in customer earnings. The
>>> average hourly wage earned by customers successfully employed rose by
>>> 3.4 percent in the last year, from $9.73 in FY2008 to $10.06 in FY2009.
>>> While this represents an increase of only $8.25 per week, it is a
>>> positive result in a very difficult labor market.
>>>
>>> The rehabilitation rate, the percentage of closed cases who are
>>> successfully employed, was basically unchanged at 58.3% for FY2009
>>> compared to 58.5% last year. This figure remains above the RSA standard
>>> of 55.8% for general VR programs.
>>>
>>>
>>
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
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