Vocational Rehabilitation Program (Combined or General)

(a) Input of state Rehabilitation Council. All agencies, except for those that are independent consumer-controlled commissions, must describe the following:

(1) input provided by the state Rehabilitation Council, including input and recommendations on the VR services portion of the Unified or Combined State Plan, recommendations from the Council's report, the review and analysis of consumer satisfaction, and other Council reports that may have been developed as part of the Council’s functions;

The MSDE’s DORS is a key component of Maryland’s WIOA system. DORS offers programs and services that help students, youth, and adults with significant disabilities achieve their goals of postsecondary education, training, and careers. DORS administers the public VR program through the following branches:

The Office of Field Servicesprepares people with disabilities to become employed or assists them in maintaining their employment. VR counselors located in offices throughout Maryland provide or arrange for services that may include career counseling, Assistive Technology, vocational training, and/or job placement assistance. The Office of Field Services also provides Pre-Employment Transition Services to high school students with significant disabilities, to assist them in preparing for a seamless transition from high school to postsecondary education, vocational training, and employment.

The Office for Blindness and Vision Services specializes in helping people whose primary disability is blindness or vision loss go to work and remain independent in their homes and communities. The Office for Blindness and Vision Services also provides Pre-Employment Transition Services to high school students with significant visual disabilities. Finally, the office oversees the Maryland Business Enterprise Program for the Blind. This program prepares individuals who are legally blind to operate vending, gift, or food service businesses in public facilities.

The Workforce and TechnologyCenter is a comprehensive rehabilitation facility that offers career assessment services, career and skills training, job placement assistance, Assistive Technology services, Pre-Employment Transition Services, and other medical and support services to consumers who are referred from the Office of Field Services and the Office for Blindness and Vision Services. 

In addition, the Workforce and Technology Center (WTC) facility also houses the DORS Administrative offices, and three District Field Offices that direct services for DORS’ clients. As a result DORS will need perform several capital projects at WTC.   During the next two Program Years, DORS plans to request prior approval to invest federal funds in several facility projects, including replacement of two sections of the roof ($250,000); elevator upgrades to meet certification requirements ($20,000); replacement of an air handler ($20,000) and replacement of outside lighting for security purposes ($30,000).  Additionally, there may be unanticipated emergency repairs. 

INPUT AND RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE STATE REHABILITATION COUNCIL

The Maryland State Rehabilitation Council (MSRC) was established under the 1992 Amendments to the Rehabilitation Act. The Council is made up of individuals who are interested in the success of public VR programs. Maryland State Rehabilitation Council members are appointed by the Governor and include representatives from education, rehabilitation, employment, industry, and consumer advocacy groups.

The Council reviews, analyzes, and advises DORS about issues, such as service provision, eligibility, strategic planning, and consumer satisfaction. MSRC members meet quarterly, perform extensive committee work, and help with informal consultation. The MSRC provides year-round formal and informal consultation to DORS, particularly at scheduled quarterly full Council meetings, at committee meetings, and during an annual DORS/MSRC executive planning meeting. Meeting minutes’ document discussions and recommendations.   Additionally, DORS provided members of the MSRC Policy and Planning Committee with the following documents, so the committee could offer formal recommendations for the agency’s strategic planning needs:

• MSRC FY17 and 2018 Annual Reports,
• DORS FY18 and 2019 Outcomes,
• Performance Year 17 and 18 ETA 9169 report ,
• Consumer satisfaction survey results from the Office of Field Services and the Office for Blindness and Vision Services,
• DORS/MSRC 2018 and 2019 Public Meetings Report, and
• DORS 2019 Comprehensive statewide Assessment of the Rehabilitation Needs of Individuals with Disabilities in Maryland.

During FYs 2018 and 2019, MSRC played an active role in many activities with and in support of DORS. These included the following:

• Advocating for increased awareness of public VR programs and the VR services portion of the WIOA System outlined in the Maryland Combined State Plan, including educating stakeholders about the impact of the DORS waiting list on people with significant disabilities, pre-employment transition services to students with disabilities, and enhancing collaboration with workforce partners to promote the competitive integrated employment of individuals with significant disabilities;
• Facilitating statewide public meetings;
• Providing consultation and review for consumer satisfaction surveys;
• Providing review and analysis of Client Assistance Program outcomes and issues;
• Reviewing and analyzing a DORS employment and retention study;
• Contacting members of Maryland’s General Assembly to provide information concerning the DORS waiting list, the need to address the needs of underserved populations, and to thank them for their continuing support of the public VR program;
• Actively participating in DORS strategic and annual planning process meetings;
• Expressed continued concern in the MSRC Annual Report regarding the lengthy waiting list of DORS consumers with significant disabilities on the waiting list for services;
• Expressed concerns of the impact of Pre-Employment Transitioning Services has had on DORS’s ability to reduce its waiting list.
• Participated in, the Council of state Administrators of VR, the National Council of State Agencies for the Blind, and the National Coalition of state Rehabilitation Councils; and
• Completing the DORS 2019 Comprehensive Statewide Assessment of the Rehabilitation Needs of Individuals with Disabilities in Maryland.

Recommendations from the Maryland State Rehabilitation Council

The Maryland State Rehabilitation Council takes an active and visible role in how Maryland's public VR program is administered through a variety of activities, including:

• Reviewing, analyzing, and advising DORS regarding performance of its responsibilities and quality of its services;
• Ensuring that the needs of individuals with disabilities are identified and addressed by state and federal legislators, service providers, employers, and the community;
• Collaborating with organizations and other state councils to promote services to underserved and unserved populations; and
• Developing and reviewing state goals and priorities and assisting in the preparation of Maryland's annual State Plan for VR.
• Provides feedback and input into DORS policies that governing the delivery of services.

The Council presented the following recommendations to DORS following the comprehensive 2019 Statewide Needs Assessment:

1. The Council recommends that DORS continue to monitor, strengthen, and foster relationships with MD Labor, the Maryland Department of Health, and Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). Continue to explore data sharing strategies to demonstrate collaboration for the provision of services, and to ensure a smooth referral process between partners.

2. The Council recommends that DORS evaluate the staffing needs within DORS, with a focus on the number of full-time vocational rehabilitation (VR) counselor positions across the state to ensure an effective and manageable caseload distribution and to ensure that there is a sufficient number of VR counselors who provide services to transitioning youth and students with disabilities to accommodate the anticipated increase in the number of student referrals to DORS VR and Pre-ETS programs.

3. The Council recommends that DORS provide continued opportunities for mutual training and collaboration between DORS and other workforce programs.

4. The Council recommends that DORS enhance and expand the provision of Pre-ETS services statewide to include: increase the number of Pre-ETS services for individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, Blind or Visually Impaired, and Intellectually or Developmentally Disabled; expand outreach to Pre-ETS students and families whose first language is not English; align staffing and caseload assignments for better collaboration with local education agencies and other education systems; ensure consistent interpretation and implementation of policies and procedures and quality assurance standards; and improve cooperation between DORS Pre-ETS vocational rehabilitation counselors and school staff monitoring 504 plans as DORS has limited access to students with 504 plans. Additional comments suggest that DORS consider refining its Pre-ETS program proposal process to provide more structure/definition of service expectations.

5. The Council recommends that DORS improve information and referral services to American Job Centers (AJC) and other workforce partners for individuals on the DORS waiting list, especially Social Security beneficiaries who may benefit from employment network services while waiting for DORS services to be available. Referral information should pertain to the closest and most relevant employment network for the individual.

6. The Council recommends that DORS improve the variety of employment opportunities available to DORS consumers by increasing staff knowledge of current labor market trends, collaborating with community colleges to develop Pre-Apprenticeships and Registered Apprenticeship programs for high growth industries in Maryland.  Expand and continue the collaboration with the Maryland Apprenticeship Think Tank to increase the number of individuals with disabilities participating in youth Pre-Apprenticeship and Registered Apprenticeship programs, outreach to WIOA partners, and identify community colleges and employers to provide training for a variety of apprenticeship programs for individuals with disabilities.

7. The Council recommends that DORS re-establish the Agency’s Multicultural Access Committee to ensure equal access for minorities to DORS services. This committee needs to ensure that the resources needed by DORS field staff have been developed and implemented.

8. The Council recommends that DORS promote comprehensive rehabilitation services for Deaf-Blind individuals by reconvening the Deaf-Blind workgroup and filling the vacant Deaf-Blind specialist position to collaborate closely with grassroots organizations, community partners, advocacy groups and the Helen Keller National Center, ensuring that Deaf-Blindness remains a priority for the Agency. Services should focus on statewide Support Services Program (SSP); employment services, and employer education and awareness.

9. The Council recommends that DORS continue to examine the updated DORS policy regarding supported employment with a focus on the newly introduced supported employment opportunities for individuals without access to long-term funding for extended supported employment services, and the impact of supported employment intensive job coaching supports focused on achieving job stability and retention.

10. The Council recommends that DORS expand employment services for individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing by developing enhanced relationships with businesses. Employment specialists and vocational rehabilitation counselors serving Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing consumers should have an employment toolbox which contains information on how to approach businesses and develop working relationships.

11. The Council recommends that DORS should explore a rate increase for DORS-approved community rehabilitation programs.

12. The Council recommends that DORS enhance relationships with community rehabilitation programs for increased collaboration in the following areas: knowledge and understanding of DORS policies and procedures; understanding benefits counseling and when it is to be provided; communication; and timely submission of documents, reports, and invoices.

13. Continue to work with 14c certificate holders to explore the number of individuals remaining in sub-minimum wage, how that may impact the number of referrals to DORS, and the barriers that 14c certificate holders are experiencing in moving individuals off 14c work sites. Additional comments recommend that DORS place increased emphasis upon out-placement for those individuals working on set-aside contracts with respect to DDA timelines.

DORS supports these recommendations and continues to be appreciative of the expertise of the individuals who comprise the Maryland State Rehabilitation Council. Their passion for and commitment to supporting individuals with disabilities is without equal. DORS values their contributions of time and knowledge.