Vocational Rehabilitation Program (Combined or General)

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) seeks interagency cooperation with a number of agencies and entities that are not partners required through the statewide workforce development system.

Within VR, the area of Community and Business Engagement was added over one year ago to address the necessity of getting a consistent message of VR and the services it can provide to eligible applicants. Various partners who are in contact with current and potential consumers include schools, employers, other state agencies, and national partners. Since new leadership came to VR in late 2014, the emphasis continued to be “getting back to the basics” and educating existing partners about VR and what the program can do to assist individuals with disabilities find, retain and maintain employment. While the message is basic, the method of distribution to the potential consumers of our services will be state of the art and with innovation in mind. Today’s youth are well versed with cutting edge technology such as social media and VR has developed two social media initiatives on Twitter and most recently with Facebook to benefit them in finding their way to a healthier and self–sufficient and more productive lives. The Work4LifeIN campaign was a Twitter campaign to increase the awareness for youth on the benefits of working. Photos were taken of working age youth with signs stating, “I work for _________” and the individuals were asked to fill in what they worked for, or what gave them the motivation for going to work. It was a very successful campaign and followers on Twitter have reached 600 “Followers” during the campaign and the number continues to grow. Authorization to use Facebook has just recently come through and the Business and Community Engagement team looks to continue to expand its reach through this social media platform. Such platforms continue to provide a vehicle to educate Hoosiers and entities about VR and other resources and related information.

Written cooperative agreements with appropriate entities are identified below.

Centers for Independent Living (CIL) and Independent Living Programs: The Independent Living Program is located with the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (VR). BRS (and in particular the VR program) makes a concerted effort to maintain an open working relationship with the CILs that are located in Indiana and the Statewide Independent Living Council. Counselors and other staff make referrals to CILs for wrap–around services. The CIL staff refers individuals to VR and other programs within VR. VR makes it a priority to support the network of CILs in Indiana by providing additional funding with the use of SSA/VR program income to support center operations in the provision of services to assist individuals with disabilities with increased independence and a better quality of life.

Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services (BDDS): BDDS is a bureau under the Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (the Designated State Agency) and provides services for individuals with developmental disabilities that enable them to live as independently as possible in their communities and houses the relevant Medicaid waivers. BDDS and VR offices are co–located in the State of Indiana, which enables partnership and continued collaboration. VR works very closely with BDDS (and case managers) in order provide appropriate employment services to individuals with developmental disabilities. VR provides supported employment for up to 24 months, which benefits this population. In addition, VR works closely with BDDS staff and case managers to ensure a seamless transition from supported employment to extended services. At time of job placement, VR Counselors submit transfer documentation to ensure extended services are in place prior to VR case closure as appropriate. BDDS and VR continue to develop and improve existing processes in assisting individuals with disabilities who are considering subminimum wage employment or who are already employed, at a subminimum wage, to maximize opportunities to achieve competitive integrated employment through services provided by VR. VR continues to look for new and innovative ways to partner with BDDS initiatives across the state in order to improve employment outcomes for those with the most significant disabilities.

Division of Mental Health and Addiction (DMHA): DMHA is a division within Family Social Services Agency, which enables VR to partner with DMHA on employment initiatives. VR staff work closely at a local level with the DMHA funded Community Mental Health Centers (CMHC). Through a contract, the Indiana Institute of Disability and Community provides training and consultation to all employment services providers, including mental health centers and VR staff regarding employment for people with disabilities, including a focus on mental health. There are approximately 25 CMHCs across the State that are community rehabilitation providers. DMHA continues to promote employment for persons with mental illness by including employment and career planning as measures in consumer services reviews. VR Leadership meets quarterly with the Mental Health Employment Council to discuss new initiatives and identify how initiatives, such as the recent Employment Service Model Revisions, impact CMHC’s and consumers with mental illness. CMHC employment staff also serve on the Employment Service workgroup.

Social Security Administration (SSA): VR collaborates with SSA on Ticket–To–Work. VR continues to support the Indiana’s Benefits Information Network (BIN) to ensure that beneficiaries receive appropriate benefits planning and education on utilizing work incentives to work toward self–sufficiency.

Veterans Administration (VA): Employment can play a major role in the recovery of wounded and injured service members. To support these brave men and women in their return to civilian life, VR works with various local, state and federal entities concerning statewide veterans’ services. VR has a collaborative working agreement that will assist veterans in receiving seamless information and referral services from both the state and federal VR service agencies. The Memorandum of Agreement with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Services was developed to afford service–connected veterans with disabilities opportunities to seek employment, career advancement, job mobility, family economic well–being, and greater financial security. VR Counselors in each respective agency are expected to work together to maximize the services they provide on behalf of veterans with disabilities and other eligible persons. Joint activities may include staff in–service trainings focused on ‘best–practices’, routine reviews by VRCs of both agencies on service provision processes and employment outcomes and troubleshooting to streamline services focusing on continuous improvement.

Business & Community Engagement Staff served as workgroup members of the Paul Newman Foundation and Easter Seals Crossroads Military and Veterans Hiring Initiative. This community collaboration model evaluated, informed, organized, and advocated community solutions for military, veterans and their families. The goal is to ultimately reduce the unemployment rate among Indianapolis area Central Indiana Veterans. Because of the relationships that were developed within the workgroup, continued collaboration when meeting employers continues. Frito Lay, WGS and various other veteran events are well attended with Business & Community Engagement and Veterans Administration partners.

Statewide outreach and networking initiatives including:

• Veteran Job Fairs and partnerships with local Veterans Organizations such as the Veterans of Foreign War (VFW), American Legion, Wounded Warrior Project, American Vets (AMVETS) and United Service Organization (USO).
• Partnership with Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialists (DVOPs) and Local Veteran Employment Representatives (LVERs) who are based in the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) WorkOnes, and are dedicated to helping Veterans and eligible spouses receive all the services they need.
• Collaborative relationship and cross–referral source with the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs (DAV). Their newly created Indiana DAV Women Veterans’ Coordinator is actively working to share information and provide feedback with VR to ensure disabled women veterans are obtaining the unique services and resources they require.
• Membership in the Indiana Joining Community Forces (JCF) Partners organization. This collaborative organization is focusing efforts of local providers with a common goal to strengthen the local military community. They are uniquely positioned to find and consolidate the best local resources providing better and faster assistance to service members, military families, and veterans when they need it.
• Collaborative partnership with Operation: Job Ready Vets (OJRV) organization (formerly the Crane Learning and Employment Center for Disabled Veterans). OJRV is a non–profit organization dedicated to preparing service members, veterans, military spouses and caregivers for successful employment by connecting them with employers that seek top quality, well–trained employees. They assist veterans of all eras and ability levels with their employment and career goals

Client Assistance Program (CAP): VR and the Indiana Protection and Advocacy Services (IPAS)/Client Assistance Program (CAP) work together by discussing pertinent issues, identifying training needs, and collaborating on training opportunities. CAP is represented on the VR Commission. CAP Representatives have also presented to VR Supervisors to education about the wide array of services offered through IPAS.

Department of Corrections: Business & Community Engagement efforts reached correctional facilities across the State. Relationships with leadership at the Logansport Juvenile Correctional Facility and at the Branchville Correctional facility were developed and presentations were given on the VR program. The Branchville Correctional facility currently has an ongoing visit by a VR counselor. Director Kylee Hope also participates on a Department of Education taskforce that has a The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Re–Entry Planning project grant that focuses on the re–entry for youth. The VR Director presented at the Annual Criminal Justice Association conference. The conference had attendees from all types of law enforcement organizations and community stakeholders. Outreach to correctional facilities and re–entry programs and stakeholders will continue. The Director of Business & Community Outreach attended the Indianapolis area Conference on Re–entry in order to continue outreach efforts.

VR finalized their Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Demonstration Grant after the grant’s activities were proven to be self–sustaining with its Resource Facilitation goals. VR supported DOC in applying for the grant and they were successfully awarded. The grant provides screening and services to inmates preparing to be released for TBI–related issues and providing them early Resource Facilitation services in order for them to be better prepared for work opportunities once they are released from prison. VR still maintains an active membership with DOC staff on the Indiana TBI Leadership Board. VR staff provided DOC with technical grant oversight assistance during the grant’s transition from VR to DOC.

Division of Family Resources (DFR): DFR is a division within Indiana’s Family Social Services Administration. Recently, VR has specifically worked with Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program and contractor to provide information about VR in order to assist with adult applicants and the employment and training program. The partnership is to assist the contractor to understand VR and its eligibility requirements in order to provide appropriate referrals and assist the “shared consumer” in achieving his/her employment outcome. Additionally, the DFR continues to expand partnerships at the local DFR offices, by inviting mobile VR Counselors to use their space to serve appropriate consumers.

Small Business Administration (SBA): As consumers explore small business ventures, VR utilizes the resources available through local SBA facilities. SBA has specialized staff that frequently work with VR consumers on developing business plans. Consumers also participate in classes through SBA. There is a renewed and strengthened relationship with SCORE, the nation’s largest network of free, expert business mentors. Discussions have begun on increasing and strengthening the resources available for VR counselors when it comes to providing support to consumers who would like to begin a small business or become self–employed.

Project SEARCH: Indiana has implemented this national training and employment model for youth and young adults with significant disabilities that is resulting in quality employment outcomes. Key collaborative partners for Project SEARCH include students and their families, VR, local educational agencies, identified businesses and the selected community rehabilitation provider.

Indiana Association of People Supporting Employment First (IN–APSE): BRS and IN–APSE share a common mission in that competitive, integrated employment should be the first and preferred option for all individuals with disabilities. BRS participates in IN–APSE events including the annual IN–APSE conference, and BRS staff regularly participate in planning as well as presenting at the conference. The IN–APSE statement on Employment First is based on several underlying principles including a presumption that all work age adults and youth with disabilities can work in jobs fully integrated with the general workforce, earning minimum wage or higher; and that employees with disabilities, as with all other individuals, require assistance and support to ensure job success and should have access to adequate, long term supports necessary to succeed in the workplace. These underlying principles are very much in line with BRS priorities, especially in light of WIOA and enhanced requirements to ensure that individuals receiving counseling, information and referral regarding alternatives to subminimum wage employment.

Other: VR maintains a collaborative working relationship with several advocacy and consumer support groups and organizations with a presence in Indiana. These include: the National Employment Team (The NET) which includes a national network of the 80 public Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) programs supports a united or “one company” approach to working with business customers. The NET vision is to create a coordinated approach to serving business customers through a national VR team that specialized in employer development, business consulting and corporate relations; the Indiana Resource Center for Families with Special Needs (INSOURCE); the Indiana Association of Rehabilitation Facilities in Indiana (INARF); the Indiana Council of Community Mental Health Centers, Employment Committee; and the Arc of Indiana, Indiana Council of Special Education Administrators. Input from many of these groups is appropriately sought prior to any major changes in VR policies and procedures.

In order to address underserved and unserved populations, VR has initiated interagency cooperation with the following programs: Indiana Civil Rights Commission, the Native American Affairs Commission, the American Indian Center of Indiana, the Latino Institute, Commission on the Social Status of Black Males, Indiana Black Expo, the Haitian American Association, and the Burmese American Association.