Vocational Rehabilitation Program (Combined or General)

The Florida Rehabilitation Council (FRC) is pleased to be a strategic partner with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR). The FRC promotes high standards and expectations for every area of service delivery by recommending best practices in policies using data driven recommendations and by sharing each councilmember’s unique perspective from the constituency they represent.

The FRC applauds VR’s effort to reduce the wait list under Order of Selection for individuals with the most significant (Category 1) and significant disabilities (Category 2). Although there is a current small wait list for individuals with disabilities (Category 3), we note that some of these individuals will be served through job retention if they are working and need services to maintain their employment. Although the FRC will continue to monitor the flow of individuals into the VR program as well as those exiting with successful employment and career outcomes, we congratulate VR for reducing wait times of customers as well as initiating employment related information and referral resources for those on the wait list.

We appreciate VR’s enthusiasm to commit resources to web based communication platforms so that the VR Director’s report and other FRC presentations can be offered to the public throughout the state rather than those who can only attend the FRC quarterly meetings in person. Advances in meeting technology are opening up a rich resource for the sharing of information and communication. VR has embraced this inclusive model. State Rehabilitation Council Recommendations The FRC offers the following robust recommendations to enhance service delivery and career achievement by individuals with disabilities.

Recommendation 1. Transition

• Promote early contact and the provision of Information and Referral (I&R) guidance for transition students.

• Expand and offer additional opportunities for pre-vocational and/or technical training for students.

• Increase communication and collaboration by VR representatives with school districts and increase participation in the education of options available to students.

• Continue to emphasize peer mentoring in Florida.

• Increase the capacity of transition service providers while encouraging self-employment and entrepreneurial options.

Recommendation 2. Job Placement Strategies

• Analyze and identify any trends in services provided under the rehabilitation engineering service category by service type and VR area.

• Continue strengthening efforts with business leaders to improve employment opportunities and meaningful careers.

• Develop a deeper understanding of customer strengths and develop tools to communicate succinctly to potential employers.

• FRC fully supports the VR initiative to obtain Worker’s Compensation coverage to mirror current coverage of CareerSource Florida customers. This will remove a substantial barrier to employment and allow for increased OJT opportunities for VR and DBS customers.

• FRC applauds VR efforts to increase capacity of the number of providers using the Discovery Model. Self-employment (CBTAC) initiatives should continue to be emphasized.

• Evaluate the effectiveness of the Abilities Work Help Desk.

• Further build capacity for job customization and Innovation and Expansion projects to include unserved and underserved populations.

Recommendation 3. Mediation and Conflict Resolution

• Promote Rights education for customers and VR staff as a core principle. Collaborative discussions enhance informed choices.

Recommendation 4. Public Awareness of VR

• Develop a media campaign to share the history of VR, Florida specific services, successes and accomplishments.

• Provide an accessible online application system.

• Engage businesses as mandated partners.

Recommendation 5. Counselor Recruitment, Retention

• Actively promote advocacy curriculum that’s been developed.

• Identify new ways to recruit employees while implementing long-term retention strategies.

• Continue to promote supervisor succession training.

Public Forum Summary

The FRC has spearheaded a number of technological improvements to the public forums, which are held quarterly in conjunction with the FRC meetings around the state and whenever substantive policy changes may require public input. There were 4 public forums held during State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2016-17. General areas of comment have included:

• Transportation concerns

• Customer orientation information

• Customer expectations

• Transition

• Agency hiring persons with disabilities

• Outreach to individuals who speak Spanish or Creole

• Communication with VR staff

• Veterans applying for VR services

• Small business development

• Certified Business Technical Assistance Consultants (CBTACs)

• Vendor referrals

We continue to support public access via telephone and have also offered web based communication platforms for meeting access. In addition to the aforementioned platforms, we continue to encourage in-person attendance in varying locations throughout the state.

Customer Satisfaction Survey

The FRC is required to review and analyze the effectiveness of and consumer satisfaction with VR agency functions, rehabilitation services and employment outcomes achieved by eligible individuals including the availability of health and other employment benefits. The FRC and VR contract with Market Decisions to obtain this information. The wealth of data is being used effectively by the FRC and VR to focus on specific areas of excellence for recognition as well as specific opportunities for improvement. Annual highlights from the SFY 2016-17 survey results are below.

VR customers satisfied with Florida’s VR program................................................................82%

VR customers satisfied with the services provided by VR.....................................................80%

VR customers satisfied with their involvement in their VR experience.................................83%

VR customers who say VR staff treated them with dignity and respect................................95%

VR customers satisfied with their choice of vocational goal.................................................82%

VR customers who say VR staff were helpful in achieving their job goal..............................88%

VR customers who say VR services they received helped them become more

independent..........................................................................................................................84%

VR customers who say VR services they received helped them become more financially

independent..........................................................................................................................80%

VR customers satisfied with what they’re doing at their current job...................................76%

VR customers who would tell their friends with disabilities to go to VR..............................90%