Vocational Rehabilitation Program (Combined or General)

Section 1. Although a State Plan update was not required by July 1st of 2015, DVR conducted and documented a full Effectiveness Evaluation in February of 2015 to review the goals and priorities in the most recent, approved DVR State Plan. The documentation is as follows:

EFFECTIVENESS EVALUATION Standards and Indicators DVR provided information to SRC members on DVR performance administering the Vocational Rehabilitation Program, as measured by federal standards and indicators under the Workforce Investment Act. The performance on standards and indicators in FY2014 is as follows:

• DVR achieved 1046 outcomes in FY2014, an increase of 16 outcomes over the previous year. This was the highest number of outcomes ever for DVR, and clearly exceeded the RSA standard to equal or better the results from the prior year. • The Rehabilitation rate in FY 2012 was 65.5%, over the RSA standard of 55.8%. • 100% of the employment outcomes for FY 2014 were competitive employment in the community at or above the minimum wage. This exceeded the standard of 72.6%. • Of all those individuals who were competitively employed in FY 2014as the result of DVR services, 96% were individuals with significant disabilities. This exceeds the RSA standard of 62.4%. • The average hourly wage increased to $10.30 in FY2014, an decrease of 16 cents per hour over the previous year. The standard for hourly wage is that DVR clients’ wages average 52% of the average wage for all wage earners in the State of Delaware. DVR did not meet this standard. • The increased percentage of individuals who report their wages as the largest source of support between application and successful closure is 64.72%, above the standard of 53%. • The service rate for all individuals with disabilities from minority backgrounds as a ratio to the service rate for all individuals with disabilities from non–minority backgrounds was 97%, exceeding the 80% standard. Employment Retention DVR attempted to reach individuals who achieved a successful employment outcome in FY 2014, at least 90 days after closure, to ask them about job retention. A total of 462 individuals, or 44%, were successfully contacted. Of those reporting, 77.71% indicated that they were currently employed. Of those, 52.65% indicated that they were in the same job in which they had been employed when their case was closed by DVR. 47.35% of the individuals indicated that they were employed in different jobs. Of those who have stayed in the same job, 46.88% indicated that their earnings had remained stable. 14% indicated an increase in earnings due to a raise in pay. 12.5% indicated a decrease in earnings due to decreased hours. (16.15% refused to answer this question). Of those changed jobs, 43.35% indicated that their earnings had remained stable. 15.61% indicated an increase in earnings due to a raise in pay. 6.94% indicated a decrease in earnings due to decreased hours. (20.81 refused to answer the question) Of those currently not employed, the primary reasons were “Quit” 32.67%, “Fired” 25.74%, “Disability” 18.81%, and “New Medical Problem” 10.89%.

Consumer Satisfaction The 2014 Customer Satisfaction Survey was designed to seek out specific ways in which DVR services could improve. As such, the participants were asked to rate a service on a Likert scale from “Excellent” to “Poor.” For each item that was not rated “Excellent,” the participant was asked what DVR could have done differently that would have resulted in an excellent rating.

• The majority or participants, both rehabilitated and not rehabilitated, rated overall satisfaction with DVR as excellent with 63.76% and 52.24% respectfully. Combined with the 22.15% and 25.37% who rated services as good, the positive ratings are 85.91% (rehabilitated) and 77.61% (not rehabilitated). • For individuals who were successfully rehabilitated, the positive counselor relationship was 89.62% (with 72.41% excellent rating) along with an 82.52% (60.84% excellent) rating of ability to choose services. • For those who were closed not–rehabilitated, the counselor relationship received an 80% (52.14% excellent) positive rating with a 55.88% (44.12% excellent) positive rating for the ability to choose services. • Comments about ways to improve services centered on common themes such as the need for better communication, less perception of being rushed, and better explanation of the available choices. Some participants who were not rehabilitated indicated very limited interaction with their counselors. • Among those who were closed as rehabilitated, the positive rating was 91.79% (67.16% excellent). Reasons for a not–excellent rating centered on common themes such as the time it took to find a job and dissatisfaction with the job type, benefits, or hours. • For individuals who were successfully rehabilitated, the positive counselor relationship was 89.62% (with 72.41% excellent rating) along with an 82.52% (60.84% excellent) rating of ability to choose services. • For those who were closed not–rehabilitated, the counselor relationship received an 80% (52.14% excellent) positive rating with a 55.88% (44.12% excellent) positive rating for the ability to choose services. • Comments about ways to improve services centered on common themes such as the need for better communication, less perception of being rushed, and better explanation of the available choices. Some participants who were not rehabilitated indicated very limited interaction with their counselors. • Among those who were closed as rehabilitated, the positive rating was 91.79% (67.16% excellent). Reasons for a not–excellent rating centered on common themes such as the time it took to find a job and dissatisfaction with the job type, benefits, or hours.

Goals and Priorities

Participants in the Effectiveness evaluation were given the opportunity to review the previously approved goals and priorities. For each goal/priority, the participants were given some additional information related to that goal which is included below.

FY 2014 GOALS & PRIORITES 1. Provide quality employment outcome for people with disabilities. Performance measures– 1. Number of outcomes: Traditional; Self–employment; Supported employment 2. Average hourly wage: Adult; Transition; Supported Employment Target Goals– a. Achieve 50 Supported Employment Outcomes from Evidence Based Program b. Achieve 40 Supported Employment Outcomes from DDDS/DVR SE Program

2. Support training programs that reflect opportunities in the labor market. Performance Measures– 1. Training choices for clients in areas of job availability 2. Outcomes per training program Target Goals– a. Develop at least 1 new training program in Kent & Sussex County b. Develop at least 1 new training program in the healthcare industry c. Develop at least 1 new training program for people with Traumatic Brain Injury

• 1588 clients received training services • 557 clients received post–secondary education services • DVR provided OJT services for 90 individuals in FY 2014.

3. Expand opportunities for students to transition from school to work. Performance Measures 1. Number of new students served 2. Number of transition outcomes Target Goals– a. Increase number of new students served by at least 10 b. Increase number of outcomes by at least 10 c. Develop a social group program for students with autism downstate d. Increase number of students in Supported Education Program in DTCC Stanton Campus to 12

Number of new students served: FY 2014: 857 (+48) FY 2013: 809

Number of transition outcomes: FY 2014: 322 (+59) FY2013: 263