Vocational Rehabilitation Program (Combined or General)

In Fiscal Year 2016 (FY16- October 1, 2015- September 30, 2016), DVR opened up solicitations for requests for proposals (RFPs) to provide vocational rehabilitation services for individuals with disabilities for vehicle modification, supplemental services for Supported Employment (SE) for Division of Developmental Disabilities eligible clients (DDDS) and Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) for students ages 14-21 enrolled in school with a disability potentially eligible for DVR services through the State’s bid portal; http://mymarketplace.delaware.gov/ bid solicitation per State of Delaware, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) policy. Two RFPs for vehicle modification resulted in 2 contract awardees; SE RPF resulted in 6 additional providers; and Pre-ETS RFP resulted in 12 providers with 22 services. These new services were provided to compliment existing competitive integrated employment placement services defined as; job development, placement and retention services; employment preparation services, community-based work assessment services, job coaching services, job coaching for individuals communicating with ASL, behavioral analysis and support services, assistive technology services, vocational training services and Supported Employment for DDDS eligible clients. SE for Substance Abuse & Mental Health clients eligible through Division of Substance Abuse & Mental Health (DSAMH) along with supported education through Delaware Technical Community College (DTCC state school) for Transition Students are funded through cooperative agreements and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the state agencies. As of FY18 there are roughly 60 active cooperative agreements which DVR has established through the RFP process and contract extensions per OMB policy to provide vocational rehabilitation services to eligible and potentially eligible DVR clients. It was determined that clients were more frequently in need of vehicle modification services, therefore a menu of providers was sought through the RFP process to expedite service delivery in the first quarter of FY16. As result 2 providers were awarded contracts. This has achieved the desired outcome; to expedite services and provide services cost effectively. These contracts provide the baseline for services and metrics for monitoring expenditures. In the event they are unable to meet the needs this allows DVR under OMB policy: “I Found It Cheaper” to access non-competitive awardees for vehicle modifications services under a waiver. This option increases DVR’s ability to expedite services to clients cost effectively and preserve resources to meet the needs of more clients throughout the service continuum. SE for DDDS eligible clients was again supplemented with additional providers in the second quarter of FY16. The RFP was published to meet the needs of clients in geographic areas of the state (Kent and Sussex counties) that continue to have fewer resources. DVR increased service providers by 6 to bring the total to 23 statewide as result of successful negotiations. In FY17 & FY18 there were no changes and providers are invited annually to attend a SE Bootcamp for training to enhance employment placement skills. In response to WIOA, Section 511 through state seasonal/casual employment had pre-vocational clients engaged in career exploration for SE services. The response was overwhelming. Roughly 290 plus clients in sheltered workshops expressed an interest in competitive employment. DVR is currently assessing the most effective way to engage these clients with existing resources and providers. Kent & Sussex Industries (KSI) a 14c certificate holder has given notice to withdraw their 14c Certificate and may prove to be the primary provider to address these clients who reside in Kent and Sussex counties. It is DVR’s intent to explore this with KSI a SE RFP awardee and engage existing SE contract awardees to meet the need. DSAMH clients receiving SE services were served by 4 providers from FY14 to FY18 through a MOU and cooperative agreements without additional providers. In FY16 & FY17 DVR increased provider personnel in the cost reimbursable portion of the contract based upon the hypothesis that more employment coordinator specialist would result in 20% of DSAMH clients would be engaged in employment. This was not realized; therefore, in the first quarter of FY18 DVR elected to terminate that portion of the contract. DVR and DSAMH agreed to revert to the employment specialist assigned to the DSAMH provider treatment team to be the point person for employment engagement with exception of Horizon House, Inc. Horizon House had produced to continue under the existing terms. Milestone payments for outcomes are maintained by the 4 providers at present. DVR and DSAMH are still negotiating how to better meet the needs of clients while exercising good stewardship of resources. The service is being considered for RFP in FY19 based upon agreement by the parties. In the third quarter of FY16 a Pre-ETS RFP was published, and 11 providers were initially awarded contracts to provide a total of 20 services. In FY16 the providers implemented services however expenditures did not meet the 15% Pre-ETS spend per the WIOA requirements. Contractors were required to provide 2 of the 5 core services: Career Exploration, College Preparation, Workplace Readiness, Self-Advocacy and Work Based Learning Experience. Contractors provided services however recruitment fell below capacity expectations and required 15% of DVR budget. As result federal funds were recouped in FY17 for FY16 under spending. However, DVR had answered for their underspending to Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) in writing and per action taken in FY17. Pre-ETS services had capacity building in attempt to meet the 10% need of DOE’s projected eligible Pre-ETS students identified in the range of 6,000 to 10,000 students. In FY16 DVR served approximately 629 students which fell below the 15% required allocation. Providers were monitored for contract compliance and quality assurance. In FY16 & FY17 the monitoring was established to promote capacity building of eligible participants and quantify increase of content knowledge and skills gain. All providers were evaluated on site or via a desk audit. Documentation, pre and post-test efficacy and reporting on the aggregate and individual client level required remediation for all but 4 providers (Brandywine School District- WMPH, Service Source, University of DE, Center for Disabilities Studies and Jewish Family Services). Therefore, a Client Report Card and Progress Note form was introduced. The monitoring visits served to assist providers in development of a pre and post-test tool which was and continues to be a requirement. Services in FY17 increased and approximately 770 students were provided Pre-ETS and the requirement to spend 15% of the Title I funds on Pre-ETS was met. DVR added a provider (Courageous Hearts- Equine Program for DDDS eligible students) in FY17 for a total of 13. Despite the course correction and the written explanation federal resources for this service has again been reduced in FY18. Therefore, DVR has notified providers in writing of early termination or severe reduction of capacity to have commitments align with resource allocation set at roughly $1,300,000 in FY18. Over FY16-FY18 providers have increased capacity and have improved timely reporting of relevant client data. Site visits with providers has produced an opportunity to interview students and their parents. The response to services was positive and educators have assisted in recruiting and collaborating with providers to increase capacity as seen from FY15 at 120 students, to FY16 at or about 629, and to FY17 at or about 770. Pre-ETS that run during the school year are running at capacity in FY18. Final school year cohorts and summer cohorts have been reduced based upon available resources. It is unclear at this time if resources will stay the same in FY19 & FY20 based upon basic federal grant from RSA and re-allotment funds. The goal of the 2 final years of the RFP cycle is to restore capacity based upon performance and available resources. Traditional placement services have been extended in the fifth year of the RFP cycle. A RFP is being considered for publishing in FY18 to align services that reflect the WIOA legislation with respect to Career Pathways and service delivery model to achieve short, mid and long-term employment goals for clients. DVR participated in a Department of Labor (DOL) RFP for workforce development to increase training for middle skills and employment in high demand jobs in Delaware, inclusive of all DOL clients in FY18. As of the second quarter in FY18 the RFP has been published but no awards announced. DVR anticipates a separate RFP to supplement the DOL RFP contract awarded services to more particularly meet the needs of DVR eligible clients. The Project SEARCH RFP awarded in late 2014 is in the fourth year of a five- year RFP cycle. Project SEARCH has expanded from one (1) site to four (4) sites statewide in FY18 with a capacity to serve 48 students. Current FY18 student roster has 41 active participants in its workplace readiness and work- based learning experience (unpaid internships). This contracted service will be extended in FY19, and a RFP will be considered for publishing to award new contracts in FY20. The companion service of Start on Success (SOS) Program, a similar model to SEARCH, is successful in the State of Maryland. The program combines classroom training in job readiness and soft—skills, with skill training at an employer site, using onsite supports. Upon publishing the Pre-ETS RFP, the provider, Humanim, was compelled to bid to continue doing business with the state. It had previously operated under a pilot and awarded a contract outside the scope of the 2013 RFP for placement services. Although SOS provides placement services, it does so upon completion of Pre-ETS services. The program operates in 4 school districts in New Castle County as of FY18. DVR continues to maintain effective working relationships with their contracted service providers through quarterly meetings that include training opportunities in addition to discussing work operations and policy changes. In FY16-18 quarterly meetings were held, and the DVR Contracts Administrator organized, set agenda, arranged training and moderated the meetings. DVR continues to collaborate with the Delaware Association of Rehabilitation Facilities (DelARF) now renamed Ability Network of Delaware. These members are part of the body of DVR Contractors participating in quarterly provider meetings. DVR is committed to provider engagement, collaboration, program development, standardization of reporting and quality improvement through the Contractor Provider Quarterly Meeting and one on one with a contracted provider. Under the Ticket—To—Work Initiative, DVR has contacted all Employment Networks (EN) that have agreed to serve Delaware. Currently, eight community rehabilitation facilities contracted through DVR are registered as ENs. The Delaware Department of Labor’s Division of Employment and Training became registered as an EN in 2011 and began receiving Ticket to Work referrals. There have been no changes in this contracted service from FY16 to present.