Vocational Rehabilitation Program (Combined or General)

The responsibilities of the Idaho State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) are outlined in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.

The SRC and IDVR changed the input period from a calendar year to a program year with this State Plan, to better align with the VR program reporting period.

The SRC’s efforts during PYs 2017 and 2018 can be summarized within four broad areas: 1) strengthening the council overall; 2) providing input on IDVR’s vision and mission statements as well as a strategic plan; 3) ongoing guidance on critical IDVR data gathering instrumentation; and 4) participating in conversations on IDVR activities and direction.

1. SRC Member Focused Work

SRC Input

Understanding a fully staffed, well-informed SRC provides for high quality engagement within the IDVR/SRC partnership, the SRC members requested recruitment tools, updated new member orientation, and training on the role of the SRC.

A recruitment pamphlet was developed by the SRC to provide a base of understanding for potential members.

New member orientation was collaboratively updated with IDVR.

The SRC and IDVR leadership participated in a one-day training by Paul Dziedzic focused on “what VR is”, understanding WIOA, and the SRCs role, in face-to-face engagement and shoulder-to-shoulder advocacy to ensure IDVR is as strong and effective as possible to serve people with disabilities. This training was both informative and well received. Further, it led to additional conversations and actions around a renewed focus on the SRCs shoulder-to-shoulder policy and advocacy roles, as well as face-to-face opportunities to help inform state plan goals and priorities.

2. SRC Structure Changes

SRC Input

To better position the SRC to move forward with shoulder-to-shoulder policy and advocacy roles as well as face-to-face engagement in the state plan’s goal and priorities; the SRC went through a thorough analysis process to restructure Council committees and subcommittees with updates to bylaws.  

This training was both informative and well received. Further, it led to additional conversations and actions around a renewed focus on the SRCs shoulder-to-shoulder policy and advocacy roles, as well as face-to-face opportunities to engage in the state plan’s goals and priorities.      

3. SRC National Engagement

SRC Input

Policy and advocacy work continued when an SRC member and IDVR staff attended the 2019 Spring Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR) and met with Idaho’s Congressional delegation and staff for personal stories and facts regarding the impact that IDVR has on Idaho’s citizens.

4. New Mission and Vision Statements

SRC Input

SRC provided input in on IDVR’s new Mission and new Vision statements.

5. Strategic Planning

SRC Input

SRC in concert with IDVR Executive Leadership Team, the Regional Managers, and permanent Assistant Regional Managers engaged in strategic planning session to arrive at top three (3) strategic priorities goals and objectives for the upcoming year. It is interesting to note, in working face-to-face on this opportunity to engage in the state plan’s goals and priorities, the SRC and the IDVR staff were much agreed on what rose to the level of a priority.

6. Customer Satisfaction Instrument

SRC Input

The SRC survey subcommittee, together with IDVR, expressed concerns over low return rates for the Customer Satisfaction Survey. The focus was to increase response, retention, and satisfaction rates. Further, there was a need to revisit the questions, which made up the survey. The SRC was asked to take the draft survey and provide input such as retaining, modifying or eliminating items. Post question updates and changes in the survey platform both the response and retention rates increased dramatically.

7. Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment

SRC Input

In anticipation of the new CSNA survey cycle, the SRC asked for an overview presentation during the council meeting. The council was provided a draft to review and asked to provide input to be incorporated into the final document.

8. Supported Employment Policy

SRC Input

The IDVR presented Supported Employment under WIOA. There were multiple questions from council members that were answered by IDVR staff.

9. Pre-Employment and Transition Services Policy

SRC Input

IDVR staff presented to the SRC on Pre-ETS and the emphasis on WIOA structure and 15% budget requirements. Further, information was provided on the variety of Pre-ETS services being provided around the state. SRC members indicated the quality and variety of services is commendable.

10. Closure and Trial Work Policies

SRC Input

The SRC Executive Committee supported the IDVR in changing the closure policy and updated the trial work policy. The changes to the closure policy were made to match RSA guidance. The SRC also assisted with rule making, which will not go into effect in 2020. Only minor changes were made to the trial work policy.

11. Subminimum Wage Policy

SRC Input

The SRC reviewed the draft Services for Individuals Employed or Seeking Employment at Subminimum Wage policy.  The SRC suggested that the agency add a documentation section at the end of the policy. 

12.  VR Services Portion of the Combined State Plan

SRC Input

In the January 2020 SRC quarterly meeting, IDVR presented emerging goals and priorities resulting from the current draft CSNA to the SRC at large, compared to previous VR State Plan goals and priorities.   The SRC agreed that these were relevant and important goals and priorities and that they remained fairly consistent with the previous state plan and strategic plan goals.  In February 2020, several members of the SRC participated in a strategic planning in session with IDVR management staff to jointly develop the goals and priorities for the Division, which would be included in the VR Portion of the State Plan. 

The SRC Vice Chair reviewed the entire VR Portion of the Combined State Plan and acknowledged agreement with the goals and priorities. 

The majority of the SRC provided comments were typographical and grammatical in nature.  One question asked by the SRC: How will high quality sustainability training be developed and implemented for CE Pilot 2.0?