Vocational Rehabilitation Program (Combined or General)

Goal 1: Ensure that individuals receiving supported employment services have achieved stabilization, or their highest level of independence on the job, after a period of fading, prior to VR case closure. VR Employment Service revisions implemented in July 2015 increased focus on stabilization and increased access to supported employment services for VR consumers. It is anticipated that greater long-term retention will result from these changes, for individuals receiving supported employment services.

Measure: Begin collecting wage and hour information for individuals receiving supported employment services and obtain baseline data by October 2016.

Outcome: Achieved. Employment data including wage and weekly hours worked is collected and shared through the VR employment service evaluation reports. Baseline data was obtained in August, 2016, and an initial summary report was completed and posted on the VR website in November, 2016. Data has continued to be updated and shared in subsequent VR employment service evaluation reports, with the most recent report completed November, 2017.

Goal 2: VR Supported Employment providers will increase knowledge and skills on the provision of supported employment services, including greater understanding and focus on development of natural supports, job readiness training techniques, customized employment, and appropriate fading of supports.

Measure: BRS will invest in training for supported employment providers including classroom-based, web-based, and hands-on workshops that focus on job coaching and job readiness training techniques. Training will be initiated on or before October 2016 with at least one-third of providers (29) participating in one or more training events by January 2017. BRS will also examine strategies for improvement of community rehabilitation providers to ensure capacity to carry out increased expectations under the new model.

Outcome: Achieved: BRS, in partnership with Indiana University, offered ample training opportunities to VR providers throughout 2016 and 2017, including a refresher on employment services, employment specialist training, supported employment, discovery, customized employment, and additional training topics. Hundreds of individuals participate in webinars throughout 2016 including a web-based training series called ‘check and connect’ that is focused on employment services. In March/April 2016, approximately 350 Community Rehabilitation Program (CRP) staff attended a half-day refresher training on the revised VR employment service model, including training regarding supported employment services. Well over half of CRPs participated in at least one training event in 2016.

Goal 3: VR will increase the quantity and quality of job outcomes for students and youth with the most significant disabilities through Project SEARCH.

Measure: At least 75 students will obtain work experience through Project SEARCH, and at least 50% of SEARCH participants will obtain competitive employment outcomes. Additionally, VR will establish an expansion plan for 2017.

Outcome: Partially achieved. 78 individuals participated in SEARCH in 2016 and 71 participated in 2017. As of December 2017, 681 individuals have participated in the Project since implementation in 2008, with an overall placement rate of 62%. The overall average wages are $8.54 per hour and individuals work on average 26 hours per week.