[il-talk] Fw: July 2010 Community Partner Update

[Robert Gardner]

--------------------------------------------------
From: "Zenner, Lori" <Lori.Zenner at illinois.gov>
Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2010 4:57 PM
Subject: July 2010 Community Partner Update

> <<CPU July 2010.doc>> From DRS Director Rob Kilbury.  thanks
> 
> DRS Community Partnership Update
> July 1, 2010
> 
> DHS Budget Update - DRS and our sister Divisions continue to work on
> what the FY11 Budget means for the agency.  HB 859, passed by both the
> House and the Senate, woefully underfunded both the DHS Operations and
> Grants appropriation lines.  The Senate left Springfield without passing
> the $3.7 billion borrowing package that the House had passed.  While the
> Governor has been granted authority to expend a lump sum allocation to
> meet the state's needs, at this point in time it remains an uncertainty
> how this will affect DHS programs and providers.  Stay tuned . . .
> 
> Fletcher Arbitration News - DRS is moving forward to replace the 200
> contractual positions which Arbitrator Fletcher deemed to be covered by
> the AFSCME Collective Bargaining Agreement.  At this point in time,
> nearly 100 individuals have been hired to replace these contractual
> staff.  More than 50 Rehabilitation Case Coordinators and 40
> Rehabilitation Counselor Trainees have been hired across the state as of
> this writing.
> 
> Competitive Employment Outcomes - With a floundering economy for most of
> this past fiscal year, competitive outcomes have been harder to come by
> for our Vocational Rehabilitation customers.  With the unemployment rate
> around 10%, the competition for job openings is unlike anything the
> agency has experienced for several decades.  While DRS will have
> considerably fewer than 5,000 competitive closures in FY10, we expect a
> significant increase this fiscal year with the economy beginning to
> rebound.  
> 
> ARRA Funding Update - In June, DRS awarded funding to 50 community
> provider agencies in response to the RFP issued earlier in the spring
> for job placement services to adults with disabilities.  These projects
> are funded through August 2011, with a total award value of
> $6,032,600.00.  The purpose of these projects is to enable community
> providers to hire direct service staff workers who will in turn assist
> VR customers in becoming employed.  The contract development process has
> begun, and we look forward to beginning to work with our providers on
> these important projects.  DRS anticipates that award notices will be
> made shortly in the other RFP category, services to transition age youth
> with disabilities.      
> 
> ADA Celebration - July 26 marks the twentieth anniversary of the signing
> of the Americans with Disabilities Act.  In recognition of this, DHS is
> sponsoring a celebration at the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago on
> July 22.  Part of the day-long activities will include a job fair with
> approximately 20 private sector employers, who will be reaching out and
> hiring some DRS customers.  DRS will also be sponsoring an Employer
> Recognition Breakfast as part of this historic event.
> 
> Office Reconsolidation Efforts - DRS has been diligently working to
> decrease office rental expenses.  Several office co-locations have
> occurred this past fiscal year.  Our Benton DRS office relocated with
> the Human Capital Development (HCD) office right across the street; our
> Decatur DRS office moved in with the present HCD office; and our two
> East St. Louis DRS offices merged into one site.  In August there are
> plans for both Rockford DRS offices to move in together at a separate
> location.  We will keep you updated on these moves.
> 
> Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing - DSDHH reached
> out to transition age customers and local businesses for a most unique
> training opportunity.  Teamwork creates an effective learning
> opportunity for transition customers who are deaf and hard of hearing.
> DSDHH and the Employment Resource Unit visited five area high schools
> and conducted sixty practice interviews.  Several employers, including
> multiple representatives from Walgreens and a representative from Hyatt
> Hotels, provided written feedback on all of the interviews.  At one
> school, Walgreen's staff joined the transition customers for lunch and
> provided a "question and answer period" to learn from each other. 
> 
> The transition customers and the school staff both expressed what a
> great opportunity it was for them to learn and to understand what
> Walgreens' management teams are looking for when hiring.  The transition
> customers were very impressed that the 'bosses' wanted to learn from
> them.  The purpose of this event was to provide transition customers who
> are deaf and hard of hearing the experience of participating in a job
> interview.  The experience was designed to be as real as possible, which
> included utilizing a licensed interpreter. 
> 
> Interview assessment worksheets were provided to teachers, RCDs and
> Transition Specialists to review with each student.  Students received
> feedback related to the areas in which they performed well along with
> areas that they should continue to improve.  Feedback included the
> following comments: "Thank you very much for coming.  This was a
> fantastic experience for our students." "Great experience - hope we can
> collaborate again in the future."
> 
> The Ticket-to-Work Unit - This has been revived with the hiring of a new
> staff person, Eric Mitchell.  Eric is the first of three staff to be
> hired.  With additional staff and growth, the Unit will be able to
> better track outcomes so that DRS can accrue more SSA reimbursement
> dollars for future customers. 
> 
> State Plan for Independent Living - The SPIL has been submitted to RSA
> for final approval.  If approved, the new SPIL will go into effect
> October 1, 2010.  There was significant involvement and input from SILC,
> DRS, INCIL, and several other community partners during the development
> process.  As a result, a very pro-active and outcome-focused SPIL was
> developed.  Thanks to all for your time, effort and commitment to people
> with disabilities.
> 
> Bureau of Home Services - New service parameters and asset limits will
> be coming to HSP.  We just are uncertain about when it will happen.  The
> budget that was passed does assume implementation.  However, the budget
> implementation act with changes necessary to move forward has not been
> signed as of this writing.  Once that bill is signed, DRS will draft and
> submit emergency rules to implement the changes.  The law will allow for
> rapid approval, but before the changes can be implemented, staff will
> have to be trained.  Once they have been trained, we will move forward.
> 
> 
> Community Reintegration Program - CRP within the Home Services Program
> has served 137 persons to date and is expecting more transitions.
> Housing continues to be the number one barrier to reintegration.
> Currently there are 28 individuals waiting on housing. 
> 
> HUD has a NOFA due in July for Housing Vouchers specifically for
> deinstitutionalization.  There are eight entities in Illinois that are
> eligible for these vouchers that are specific for individuals
> transitioning out of long-term care facilities.
> 
> Because of the Fletcher Arbitration decision impacting contractual
> employees, many of our HSP offices have vacancies waiting to be filled.
> Naturally, we are very concerned about ensuring that MFP/CRP operates
> efficiently and that there are no gaps in service.  Please contact Cathy
> Buchanan or Kris Smith regarding any casework/staffing issues.
> 
> Jo Ancell Retirement - Jo Ancell announced her retirement from state
> government effective June 30, 2010.  Ms. Ancell has 32 years of service
> in various positions including Rehabilitation Counselor, Rehabilitation
> Supervisor, and Assistant Bureau Chief.  Ms. Ancell also excelled at
> writing policy and providing training on policy for staff across the
> state of Illinois.  Ms. Ancell has been a very talented and dedicated
> employee, and she will certainly be missed.
> 
> Lottie Freeman Condolences - DRS regrets to announce the passing of Ms.
> Lottie Freeman on June 9, 2010.  Ms. Freeman began her state service
> with the Bureau of Blind Services in November 1992, where she served as
> a Rehabilitation Case Coordinator.  In August 1995, she left to take a
> position as a Human Rights Investigator with the Department of Human
> Rights.  In May 2000, Ms. Freeman returned to the Division of
> Rehabilitation Services, Bureau of Field Services, where she began her
> career in counseling as a Rehabilitation Counselor Trainee.  At the time
> of her passing, Ms. Freeman was a Rehabilitation Counselor Senior in the
> Bureau of Field Services' Chicago Heights Office.  Lottie will be
> greatly missed by all of her customers and colleagues here at DRS.
> 
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