Vocational Rehabilitation Program (Combined or General)

In 2017, the Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment (CSNA) did not identify any unserved populations by type of disability in Michigan. However, the CSNA did identify underserved populations.

Autism Spectrum Disorders

Both the 2014 and 2017 CSNA identified individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders as the emerging but still underserved population. While some diagnostic issues and inadequate level of staff preparedness to assist this population were addressed in 2014, more specific service needs were raised in 2017.

The RSA-911 data indicate the number of customers with Autism Spectrum Disorder who received vocational rehabilitation services from Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) has been consistently increasing (416 in 2011; 518 in 2012; 553 in 2013; 567 in 2014; 668 in 2015; 761 in 2016). The special education data also corroborate the fact this population, ages 12 to 17 years, is constantly increasing in all age categories (6,191 [6.8%] in 2011; 6,630 [7.5%] in 2012, 7,159 [8.2%] in 2013; 7,443 [8.7%] in 2014). This indicates adult agencies should be prepared to help those students achieve employment outcomes with seamless transition services through ongoing collaboration with schools. Specifically, these students will require Supported Employment along with more intensive adult services.

It is also known that individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder have the capacity to complete postsecondary training or education. For example, 5.7% of individuals younger than 26 years at application and exited MRS during FFY 2016 had an associate degree or higher at closure. When compared to the rate for those with specific learning disabilities (2.9%), it indicates postsecondary education is an option to consider for this population. In addition, relevant support and services at high school and college or university levels should be provided.

The following issues or needs were raised, specifically for secondary students or youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder: lack of breadth and depth of services (e.g., employment, assessment) available in the community, insufficient social and daily living skills of those with Autism Spectrum Disorder, limited family involvement and support, and shortage of staff with autism expertise.

Mental Illness

Michigan residents with mental illness who require mental health and Supported Employment services were identified as both underserved and experiencing poor outcomes. The availability of mental health services has continued to diminish statewide due the reduction in funding. Specifically, Community Mental Health does not have the resources necessary to provide mental health and Supported Employment services to individuals with severe and persistent mental illness unless the person presents a risk to self or others.

Of 17,460 customers who exited Michigan Rehabilitation Services in FFY 2016, 5,910 (33.8%) reported a mental illness as their primary or secondary disability. Most (89%) were not working at application, and over half of the customers (53%) had a high school diploma level of education.

Although the eligibility rate in FFY 2016 (85.8%) was slightly higher, the average plan rate (67.7%) and the adjusted rehabilitation rate (49.6%) of this disability group were lower, compared to others (84.8%, 81.8%, and 63.9%, respectively).

The needs of this population included: lack of affordable mental health services in the community, limited access to services, especially for Community Mental Health consumers who are not eligible for Medicaid, shortage of community outreach and education, consumer basic needs unmet, disconnect between policy and service delivery, inadequate interagency collaboration, lack of funding for service delivery, negative attitudes toward individuals with mental illness, and staff with insufficient expertise.

Transition Youth

Consistent with the 2011 and 2014 findings, transition youth with disabilities was also identified as an underserved population in 2017.

The Michigan School District Report^*** indicates 2014-2015 graduation rate for students with disabilities was 57.1% (excluding certificate of completion) which is significantly lower than the average graduation rate (79.8%). Conversely, the dropout rate for students with disabilities (13.7%) was higher than the overall rate (9.1%).

During FFY 2016, student customers, ages 14 to 26 years, who were enrolled in secondary education at the time of application represented 21.3% of MRS customers. Their employment rate 34.4% was lower than adults (42.4%). A similar trend has been observed in previous years.

The 2017 Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment identified students and transition youth with disabilities as an underserved group and elaborated on their needs and issues. The commonly addressed issues were as follows: services not individualized and developmentally appropriate; transition services initiated too late; unequal/limited access to services (e.g., mental health services); limited interagency collaboration between school and adult agencies; staff shortages and lack of transition expertise; and lack of caregiver knowledge about disabilities and services/resources. In addition, uncertainty regarding WIOA implementation was identified as a barrier, especially in designing and providing Pre-employment Transition Services.

Veterans with Disabilities

According to the 2015 American Community Survey****, there were 260,700 working-age civilian veterans, ages 21 to 64 years, in Michigan. Among this group, 47,500 (18.2%) had a Veterans Administration service-connected disability, and of those, 14,400 (30.3%) had the most severe service-connected disability rating (70 percent or above).

In FFY 2016, 861 (4.9%) of the 17,460 Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) customers who exited were identified as veterans. Although the adjusted rehabilitation rate in FFY 2016 (68.4%) was higher, the average plan rate (74.4%) and the eligibility rate (81.2%) of this disability group were slightly lower, compared to others (59.2%, 77.1%, and 85.3%, respectively).

The 2017 Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment identified a high prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder, which is often undiagnosed or untreated, as an area of concern for veterans with disabilities. Other issues raised for this population were: limited knowledge on services available; lack of access to mental health services, unwillingness to seek treatment, difficulty gaining and sustaining employment, difficulty embracing technology, especially for older veterans, and limited resources for affordable housing for homeless veterans.

Ex-felons/Post Incarceration

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics*****, an estimated 32% of prisoners and 40% of jail inmates reported having at least one disability, and about 2 in 10 prisoners and 3 in 10 jail inmates reported having a cognitive disability, the most common reported disability.

Of the 19,196 customers who applied for Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) between FFY 2006 and FFY 2016 and exited before FY 2017, 330 were adjudicated youth or referred by the Bureau of Juvenile Justice, 1,984 participated in the Michigan Prisoner Re-entry Initiative (MPRI)******, and 16,882 were identified as other ex-felons. The overall employment rate of this group was 24.2%, and by group, 11.8%, 23.7% and 24.5%, respectively. Compared to the overall employment rate of MRS customers (ranging from 32% to 39%), this group was considered as underserved.

The unsuccessful transition from incarceration to community living and negative public attitudes, specifically employer attitudes, were raised as the primary concern for this population. Additional concerns included: insufficient support for community living (e.g., housing), lack of employment opportunities, limited mental health services and staff knowledge/skills to work with this population, low motivation to work and difficulty following through, and negative employer or public attitudes.

***MI School Data from https://www.mischooldata.org/

****Erickson, W., Lee, C., & von Schrader, S. (2017). Disability Statistics from the American Community Survey (ACS). Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Yang-Tan Institute (YTI). Retrieved from Cornell University Disability Statistics website: www.disabilitystatistics.org

*****Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics from https://www.bjs.gov/index.cfm?ty=pbdetail&iid=5500

******Initiated in FFY 2006, the MPRI is the program designed to assist incarcerated individuals with disabilities through interagency collaboration among the Department of Corrections, the Department of Community Health, Family Independence Agency and MRS.