Vocational Rehabilitation Program (Blind)

The Commission’s goals and priorities were informed via the 2020 CSNA conducted by the University of Washington. The goals and priorities were developed through discussions with the ICBVI Board of Commissioners and through collaboration among WIOA core partner programs. As well, program goals and priorities are identified  through the Commission’s  Strategic Plan (2020-2023).

The 2020 CSNA solicited input from a diverse body of stakeholders, including client’s (both current and exited), ICBVI staff, ICBVI Board of Commissioners, employers, CRP’s, education officials, consumer groups, and other key stakeholders.

The following goals are based on the recommendations from the Statewide Comprehensive Needs Assessment completed in 2020 with priorities developed for PY 2020—2023 period; based upon input from a broad spectrum of stakeholders including clients, ICBVI staff and other key informants.

The COVID-19 pandemic did not change the goals and priorities of the VR program.

Goal 1: Increase independence and employment outcomes through quality rehabilitation services.

• Priority 1: Provide quality independent living skills training;
• Priority 2: Improve access to job training and placement services;
• Priority 3: Provide outreach training to all community partners; and
• Priority 4: Improve services to business across the state.

The Commission is still developing metrics to evaluate performance for this goal.

Goal 2: Reduce barriers to employment for individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

• Priority 1: Continued education and training to employers, educators, and community partners;
• Priority 2: Continue to address transportation issues that face ICBVI clients through our efforts in the One-Stop system;
• Priority 3: Continue to address accessibility issues within the One-Stop system; 
• Priority 4: Increase/improve access to assistive technology and training; and
• Priority 5: Increase outreach activities to rural communities.

The Commission is still developing metrics to evaluate performance for this goal. To help address this goal, ICBVI, along with all other WIOA core partners, are going to be presenting at the Idaho Juvenile Justice Association Conference. The goal of this activity will be to inform juvenile justice professionals (along with other agencies who serve this population) on the One Stop System and opportunities for both youth and their families under WIOA.

Goal 3: Improve transition services for students

• Priority 1: Increase work-based learning experiences for students prior to exiting high school;
• Priority 2: Engage work force partners in the development and provision of Pre-Employment Transition Services; and
• Priority 3: Continue emphasizing training and education of key stakeholders on ICBVI programs and services, with emphasis on Pre-ETS.

The Commission is still developing metrics to evaluate performance for this goal.

Goal 4: Improve VR program efficiency through continuous quality improvement activities

• Priority 1:Revise ICBVI’s program satisfaction survey(s) to identify areas for program improvement;
• Priority 2: Continue to improve the internal case review process to align with WIOA requirements and inform the continuous quality improvement cycle; and
• Priority 3: Continue to develop policies, procedures, and internal controls to ensure accuracy and validity of program performance reporting.

PY 2022 update on evaluation of goal 4:

• Priority 1: In PY2021, ICBVI revised the satisfaction survey. The satisfaction rate for all surveys competed was 100%.
• Priority 2: ICBVI has formalized a case file review protocol. With that, the case file review(s) have been revised to include targeted audits around specific elements of the program.
• Priority 3: ICBVI revised the VR Policy manual, and was was approved by the Board of Commissioners in May 2022. In January 2022, ICBVI implemented a new data validation policy manual for the RSA 911. In addition, ICBVI has quarterly meetings with IDVR to discuss issues specific to RSA 911 data and reporting.