[Ohio-talk] {Disarmed} Fw: RSC Map 2nd Quarter Update

Fri Jan 7 00:48:40 UTC 2011

Dr. J. Webster Smith
President National Federation of the Blind of Ohio
P.O.BOX 458 Athens, Ohio, 45701-0458
Phone Number - 740-592-6326 
"Changing What it Means to be Blind"
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Smith, Jw 
To: jwsmithnfb at frontier.com 
Sent: Thursday, January 06, 2011 11:59 AM
Subject: FW: RSC Map 2nd Quarter Update


Professor JW Smith

Associate Professor

School of Communication Studies

740-593-4838

 
From: Eileen Corson [mailto:eileen at rsc-ohio.ccsend.com] On Behalf Of Eileen Corson
Sent: Thursday, January 06, 2011 11:51 AM
To: Smith, Jw
Subject: RSC Map 2nd Quarter Update

 
                  Announcement

                   
                  Contacts:

                  Brandi Scales  614. 438. 1477  brandi.scales at rsc.ohio.gov

                  Sam Auld  614. 438. 1417  Sam.B.Auld at rsc.state.oh.us
                 
           
                  The RSC Map

                  Second Quarter Progress Highlights

                   
                  This progress report is RSC's second installment in following through on the commitment we made to 1,400 Ohioans who spoke with us during our Café Conversations. Our commitment was to listen, act and report on the actions we initiated. The RSC Map outlines the key themes we heard and how we intend to respond. This report highlights some of the steps RSC has taken to make the initiatives on the Map active in the lives of Ohioans with disabilities.

                   
                  Each quarter, we will update RSC's Map progress. The Map is our plan for creating opportunities and access for Ohioans with disabilities. We look forward to your feedback and your participation in partnerships that will result in a future of hope and possibilities for Ohioans with disabilities.

                   
                  BVR/BSVI Initiative #1 - Improve access and create a welcoming "front door" experience.

                   
                  Project: Implement new structures for ensuring adequate resources are devoted to managing the intake process to include designated counselors to complete eligibility and order of selection decisions and management of the waiting list.

                   
                  Update: Thirty-nine specially trained VR counselors are now in place charged with making eligibility and order of selection decisions for RSC. RSC provided intensive training for these individuals throughout November 2010 to ensure that accurate and consistent decisions are being made statewide.  

                   
                  The agency kicked off a statewide leadership group that consists of two RSC area managers and four RSC VR supervisors who are also highly-trained in eligibility and order of selection decisions. They are providing intense support during the project's transition phase. Evaluation sessions were held by project leadership at 30 and 60 days from the start of the transition during which the team reviewed sample decisions. The evaluations revealed a high level of quality, consistency and accuracy in the eligibility counselors' decisions.  

                   
                  An education session on the project's purpose and intent was offered via videoconference to community rehabilitation programs (CRPs) and other partners on November 2, 2010.

                   
                  BVR/BSVI Initiative #2 - Create individualized and customized work experiences to meet the needs of people of all abilities and in particular, individuals with the most significant disabilities.

                   
                  Project: Implement a statewide training initiative and demonstration projects related to customized, supported self-employment.

                   
                  Update: The Ohio Microenterprise & Customized Employment Demonstration Project is a partnership between RSC and Griffin-Hammis Associates (GHA) that provides intensive training for up to 900 agency staff and community partners to assist in creating more customized, supported and self-employment opportunities for Ohioans with the most significant disabilities.The project is providing job seekers with disabilities with opportunities to become more engaged in their communities. This community involvement creates valuable social capital - the friendships and social connectedness that result in strengthened support networks - which will result in employment tailored to utilize each person's unique mix of talents, abilities and interests. The nontraditional approach is expected to result in the startup of small businesses for some people, as well as successful employment in traditional jobs for others.

                   
                  The six demonstration sites - Butler Co. Board of Developmental Disabilities (DD) in Hamilton, Columbus Speech and Hearing in Columbus, Fairfield Co. Board of DD in Lancaster, Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio in Toledo, Linking Employment Abilities and Potential (LEAP) in Cleveland and The Burdman Group in Youngstown - have been engaged in ongoing Customized Employment Certification training approved by the Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators (ACRE). 

                   
                  Currently, there are 8-15 job seekers participating at each site, for a total of 68. Many participants are engaged in various stages of "discovery" with their teams. Discovery is an assessment tool that seeks to answer the questions: "Who is this person?" and "What are the ideal conditions of employment?" Discovery most often takes place in a job seeker's home and neighborhood and expands to places where interests can be explored through informational interviews, paid work experiences or engagement in social activities. 

                   
                  Each demonstration site has assembled a Community Action Team (CAT). They are learning together about the development of social capital while forming a supportive network around each job seeker. The CAT teams include VR professionals as well as many community supports such as pastors, teachers, family members, school administrators, county economic development representatives, neighbors, business owners and Small Business Development Center consultants.

                   
                  Five rounds of immersion training for RSC counselors and Vocational Rehabilitation Public and Private Partnerships (VRP3) staff had been completed as of December 2010. Three more are scheduled between January and March 2011. A networking meeting was held December 7-8, 2010 for each of the demonstration site VR liaisons and other CAT members to offer updates on progress, share ideas and address challenges. 

                   
                  VRP3 Initiative #1 - 75 percent of current VRP3 partners will report increased satisfaction with RSC support by July 2011.

                   
                  Project: Improve communications with VRP3 partners.

                   
                  Update: VRP3 partners continue to be actively involved in RSC training, particularly training related to the Ohio Microenterprise & Customized Employment Demonstration Project.  

                   
                  Preparation has been completed for the second series of quarterly regional roundtable meetings; the northwest, southwest and southeast projects have requested that their roundtables be combined to expand participation. Partners have contributed topic ideas and are preparing presentations.

                   
                  Systems have been implemented for the project objectives related to customer service (response times, etc). RSC will be asking partners for feedback regarding their satisfaction with our current process and any suggestions they might have for improving future regional roundtables.   

                   
                  VRP3 Initiative #2 - Double the number of VRP3 projects in SFY 2011 to increase service capacity.

                   
                  Project: Recruit/establish additional VRP3 projects and partnerships.

                   
                  Update: The quarter started with 38 VRP3 projects and ended with 41. RSC received four proposals in November 2010 from the RFP posted in August 2010. Three of these completed contract negotiations with start dates in January 2011 and one is continuing negotiations with an anticipated April 2011 start-up. These projects generate approximately $8.3 million in local match and $30.3 million in federal match, for a total of $38.6 million in funds to support Ohioans with the most significant disabilities in obtaining and retaining meaningful employment.  

                   
                  A new RFP was published in November for additional administrative and case service projects to begin in April 2011.

                   
                  Five additional staff members were hired in Contract Services to support the VRP3 Program:

                   
                  ·                     2 Rehabilitation Program Specialists (RPS)

                  ·                     1 Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC)

                  ·                     1 Office Manager

                  ·                     1 Office Assistant

                   
                  Additionally, several reassignments and transitions have been completed. We continue meeting our commitment that each project be assigned one team of RPS/VRC staff members.   

                   
                  BDD Initiative #1 - Reduce the time customers have to wait for a decision by at least one week.

                   
                  Project: Evaluate and implement realistic performance management and case assignment expectations.

                   
                  Update: Historically, BDD has used the same case assignment protocols without making significant changes as the number of cases have grown. BDD leaders proposed a new, more efficient vision for the assignment process, which generated support from staff. A survey of all adjudicative staff was completed in December 2010 and indicated an overwhelming endorsement of the proposal. This was an important step toward implementation of what RSC expects will be a more efficient process.

                   
                  Project:  Increase the number of internal and external medical consultants to provide adequate capacity.

                   
                  Update: Recently, BDD reached an agreement with The IMA Group, a company that provides turn-key consultative exams in a single facility. IMA has rented space in Cleveland and plans to be operational before February 2011. As a result, customers should have easier access to needed exams and will be able to have multiple exams on the same day at the same location. IMA is willing to expand to other areas of the state to grow their customer service capacity as the success of the business model develops.

                   
                  Project: BDD desktop replacement, Vista migration and install of 20 new multifunctional devices.

                   
                  Update: To support improving BDD efficiency, older and underperforming personal computers and multifunctional printers have been replaced. SSA authorized and funded the replacements and provided assistance with installation. Almost 900 machines were deployed over a seven night period - with help from IT, BDD Operations and vendor staff. All work was conducted in the late afternoon/evening to avoid disruption to daily operations.
                 
           
                  About Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission 

                  The Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission is the state agency charged with partnering with Ohioans with disabilities to obtain or retain jobs, achieve independence and Social Security disability determination outcomes. The Commission accomplishes its mission through partnerships with community rehabilitation programs and vocational rehabilitation professionals across the state. Visit us at www.rsc.ohio.gov.  
                 

                  Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission  

                  Brandi Scales

                  614. 438. 1477 

                  614. 359. 2457  cell

                  brandi.scales at rsc.ohio.gov
                 

                  Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission  

                  Sam Auld

                  614.438.1417 

                     sam.b.auld at rsc.ohio.gov
                 
           
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