State Rehabilitation Council 2014 Page Contents 3 SRC Membership Dear Friends, Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services (IVRS) is pleased to partner with the Iowa State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) in presenting the 2014 SRC annual report. We 4 About SRC are proud of the accomplishments and activities reflected in this report and of the IVRS vision of making a positive difference for every person, one person at a time. This report highlights the partnerships that assist IVRS in serving Iowans with disabilities. Particular focus is on strong relationships with secondary and post- secondary schools, Iowa Workforce Development and a collaborative approach 5 SRC Survey across state systems to improve employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities. The State Rehabilitation Council plays a key role in providing for these collaborative partnerships. Diverse representation on the Council facilitates lively discussion 6 State Goals impacting areas of veteran services, independent living, and students/ adults with disabilities. This report also emphasizes the essential partnerships developed with business and industry. Through these efforts, IVRS provided vocational rehabilitation services to over 7 IVRS in 2014 12,000 Iowans with disabilities in fiscal year 2014. All federal outcome measures, as outlined by the Rehabilitation Services Administration, were achieved. One of those standards and indicators included 2205 Iowans with disabilities that achieved successful community integrated employment. These new on-the-job citizens represent a powerful impact of vocational rehabilitation with an average 8 IVRS Services increase in annual earnings of $27.2 million and a documented return on the dollar and Outcomes of 3-1 for every state appropriated dollar invested in VR services. The SRC plays a critical role in supporting the VR service delivery program through its work in conducting a Comprehensive Needs Assessment, informing the State 9 IVRS Job Plan and in reviewing and monitoring satisfaction and progress towards attaining employment goals. Candidate Profiles IVRS pledges continued commitment towards an employment service delivery system that is accountable and effective in serving Iowans with disabilities and our business and industry customers. Thank you for taking the time to review this report 10 Business and the work of our dedicated SRC volunteers. Partners 11 Education Services 12 IVRS Area Office Locations 2 State Rehabilitation Council FY 2014-2015 Joan Bindel Lori Moore Sherri Clark Renee Neppl Jill Crosser Deb Samson Randell Davis James Smith Page Eastin Jeanne Sorenson Kathy Joblinske Rosemary Thierer Gary McDermott Ed Wallace John Mikelson David Mitchell 3 SRC Committees Jeanne Sorenson: Chair Renee Neppl: Chair, Co-Chair Rosemary Thierer: Co-Chair PLANNING AND EVALUATION COMMITTEE T DUTIES/OBJECTIVES/ACTIVITIES: he SRC, with members appointed to three 1. Review and provide input and recommendations on year terms by the Governor, has been in the RSA required State Plan and yearly State Plan operation since January 1993. amendments. Our focus is to provide advice and direction to the 2. Develop and coordinate distribution of monthly client Department of Education’s Iowa Vocational satisfaction survey. Rehabilitation Services on the quality and 3. Analyze responses from monthly client satisfaction effectiveness of their programs and services. survey. The SRC is a vital link to the constituency group 4. Complete SRC Annual Report to the Governor. which IVRS serves or through which it procures its 5. Review proposals and make recommendations goods and services. regarding Agency policy issues. The goals of the SRC is to seek and improve the quality of employment outcomes and community OUTREACH COMMITTEE participation for individuals with disabilities. DUTIES/OBJECTIVES/ACTIVITIES: 1. Create an informative legislative reception that CAP produces support from legislators regarding IVRS services and initiatives. 2. Develop a position paper to be used in educating The Client Assistance Program (CAP) is a legislators and the public on the impact of IVRS on the Iowa Workforce needs. federally mandated program designated to assist individuals who encounter conflicts with 3. Recruit new SRC members who can leverage public support in advocating for persons with disabilities. Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Iowa Department for the Blind, and Centers for FINANCE COMMITTEE Independent Living. CAP helps people with disabilities receive quality services by DUTIES/OBJECTIVES/ACTIVITIES: advocating for their interests and helping them 1. Review and communicate the implications of identify resources, understand procedures, allocation decisions. resolve problems, and protect their rights in the 2. Understand and be able to communicate the state- rehabilitation process, employment, and home federal match process. services. The CAP advocate uses mediation, 3. Understand and be able to communicate the negotiation, conflict resolution, and at times financial processes of IVRS. legal means to help resolve issues. 4. Educate legislators, policy makers, partners and others on fiscal issues. 4 SRC Consumer Satisfaction Survey 92% of our job Satisfaction surveys have been candidates with successful designed to solicit information employment from individuals served by IVRS. outcomes Survey data is shared at quarterly report SRC meetings and posted to the satisfaction IVRS website. IVRS staff are also with the quality informed about the satisfaction of services at level from job candidates who IVRS complete a survey once their case is closed by IVRS. The current Consumer Satisfaction Survey is in response to a mandate under federal regulations §361.29: 85% of our job candidates with Additionally, a five-question post- successful card survey is provided to active employment job candidates at three specific outcomes points during their rehabilitation report a better process. It is currently available in understanding of all IVRS offices, and can be their abilities to choose a job completed on site or on-line. consistent with their skills, Feedback from this survey interests, and indicates that the majority of job preferences. candidates rate the quality of services received from IVRS as excellent. The survey also 91% of our job provides an opportunity for candidates with individuals to make contact with successful IVRS administration. employment outcomes would Survey satisfaction results are recommend IVRS reviewed and shared at every to another SRC meeting. The goal of each person member of Iowa’s SRC continues to be to seek and improve the quality of employment outcomes and community participation for individuals with disabilities. 81% of our job candidates with successful employment outcomes report To see the results of the entire satisfaction Consumer Satisfaction Survey visit with the job our website at: http://www.ivrs.iowa.gov/partners/SRC/ FFY2014ConsumerSatisfactionSur- vey20141114.pdf 5 STATE PLAN GOALS 1. Improve retention and rehabilitation rate of job candidates from diverse backgrounds in the caseload annually through FFY15. 2. Collaborate with workforce partners to coordinate effective service delivery for IVRS job candidates through FFY15. 3. Retain eligible IVRS job candidates until they become rehabilitated, achieving their optimal level of employment and self-sufficiency, achieving or exceeding number of persons with employment outcomes in prior year. 4. Improve meaningful, sustained employment for supported employment consumers through FFY15. 5. Improve outreach and rehabilitation rates for individuals who are underserved such as individuals who are age 55 and older, and students who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing through FFY15. 6. Track data and assess the effectiveness of benefits planning services provided by IVRS in FFY15. 6 Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services: Investing in Iowans FFY 2014 Vocational Rehabilitation is an The Investment Pays Off Investment in Iowa  A Total of 2,205 VR Iowans with  Iowans with disabilities served by IVRS disabilities obtained employment in the in FFY 2014 have an income that is an 2014 federal fiscal year. estimated $46.3 million annually. This is an increase of $36.9 million annually from application.  Approximately 96 percent of successful  Iowans with disabilities served by IVRS VR clients remain in Iowa, working, in FFY 2014 earned $14.6 million more than was spent on the entire VR paying taxes, and contributing to their program. communities.  A total of 571 VR clients were on public  IVRS helps increase earnings in Iowa support for living expenses (SSI, SSDI, by more than $36.9 million; more than TANF, General Assistance). Of those, $9.7 million in increased earnings and 122 now support themselves, a savings more than $27.2 million from increased of $890,390.04 annually for the state. employment.  Of those, 12 clients received Temporary  After 10 years, the state receives an Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) at average $326 return on every $100 of the time of their applications. State Appropriation originally invested Rehabilitation of these individuals in VR clients. saves Iowa $72,264 per year. That’s nearly $361,320 over 5 years. 7 What services are available? IVRS is the largest division of the Department of Education. The division employs nearly 400 people in Des Moines and 43 locations throughout the  Technological state. Employees work within three bureaus and a Planning assessment and Development Team.  Vocational assessment The majority of staff are professionally trained rehabilitation  Counseling and counselors and disability examiners. Ninety-seven percent of guidance the counselors have Master’s degrees in Counseling or a  Transition services for closely related field. students With the exception of a few administrative personnel and the  Physical and/or mental West Central Area Office, most of the Rehabilitation Services restoration services that Bureau (RSB) employees are geographically disbursed may include therapy, wheelchairs, hearing aids, outside of Des Moines to cover all 99 counties and every high etc. school in the state.  Special adaptive As stewards of the public trust, IVRS maintains an efficient equipment or devices workforce by assigning staff to multiple locations so that every  Medical and community college, regent’s institution, county, high school psychological assessment and most mental health institutes have access to an IVRS staff  Training for person. employment IVRS customers are individuals with disabilities who need  Occupational tools, vocational or other assistance to help meet their goals for equipment or licenses vocational or personal independence.  Planning for Self- Employment  Personal assistance  Supported Employment  Job coaching  Job placement  Follow-up after placement to assist with work and employer satisfaction Services may be provided after employment if needed. 8 IVRS Job Candidates Standard Occupational Classifications FFY2014 For those successful SOC Category Count IVRS employment Management 67 Business and Financial Operations 25 outcomes in 2014, Computer and Mathematical 34 there was a 390% Architecture and Engineering 25 Life, Physical, and Social Science 24 increase in their Community and Social Services 73 Legal 7 income as reported at Education, Training, and Library 77 application. Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media 35 Healthcare Practitioners and Technical 86 Healthcare Support 103 There were 6,036 Protective Service 30 Food Preparation and Serving Related 292 referrals for IVRS Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance 159 Personal Care and Service 127 services in 2014. Sales and Related 193 Office and Administrative Support 283 46% of all referrals Farming, Fishing, and Forestry 36 Construction and Extraction 65 come from Installation, Maintenance, and Repair 92 educational Production 226 Transportation and Material Moving 121 institutions – Military Specific 4 elementary or Homemaker 19 Unpaid Family Worker 2 secondary. Grand Total 2,205 Average Hourly Wages for Veterans IVRS assisted 60 $16.00 $15.23 $14.36 $14.00 Veterans in $12.99 $12.50 11.88 $12.06 $12.17 $11.61 $11.57 $11.83$11.57 $12.00 $11.18 $11.42 $11.32 $10.00 obtaining $8.00 employment in 2014. $6.00 $4.00 $2.00 $- FFY2014 FFY2013 FFY2012 FFY2011 FFY2010 FFY2009 FFY2008 Veterans Average Hourly Wages Agency Average Hourly Wages 9 Business Initiatives IVRS works with business and industry to provide career opportunities for our job candidates and a qualified and trained workforce for our business partners. We have initiatives with several partner businesses including Walgreen’s REDI program and Manpower’s Acess2Ability to provide on-the-job-training or Temp- To-Hire opportunities for our job candidates. In addition we work with employers who seek Federal 503 compliance or consultation for reasonable accommodations and assistive technology. IVRS provides additional resources through the Talent Acquisition Portal and Employer’s Disability Resource Network (EDRN). T he Iowa Job Honor Awards, a new initiative aimed at recognizing Iowans who have overcome significant barriers to employment, has announced its top honorees for 2014. Nominations were submitted via the organization's website, www.jobhonor.org, and judged by a statewide panel. The awards were presented during the Iowa Association of Business and Industry annual conference on Wednesday, June 11, 2014. Several hundred Iowa business leaders assembled in Cedar Rapids’ Paramount Theatre to witness the ceremony, in which biographical videos described the honoree’s efforts to win life-changing jobs. Linda Hall, Vocational Counselor in the Burlington Area Office and Michelle Krefft, Vocational Counselor in the Mason City Area Office were featured as critical parts to the business success of T & D Repair in Burlington, Iowa and Winnebago Industries in Forest City, Iowa. The Iowa Job Honor Awards is an annual awards ceremony celebrating Iowans who have overcome significant barriers to employment, and the employers who hire them. The awards ceremony culminates a year-round nominating campaign. The Intent of the Iowa Job Honor Awards is to: Iowa Self-Employment Program 1. Encourage struggling Iowans to use available 38 new Iowa businesses were started resources in order to address their barriers to employment. or expanded in 2014, 2. Inspire employers to give these individuals a earning an average of $13.65 per hour second chance by hiring them. and working an average of 31 hours "It's the goal of the Iowa Job Honor Awards not to build a road out per week. of poverty, but rather to illuminate the roads that already exist." - Kyle Horn, Founder & Director Learn more about the Iowa Self-Employment Program at: http://www.ivrs.iowa.gov/IowaSelfEmploymentProgram/ View Video SelfEmploymentMainIndex.htm 10 IVRS Transition Initiatives The Transition Alliance Program (TAP) is a collaborative effort between IVRS and a local school district, focused on improving post-school employment outcomes for students with disabilities. The program is jointly funded by IVRS and the school district, with each entity providing 50% of the costs of the program. Currently there are eight TAP con- tracts serving 20 high schools and 929 students. IVRS, in partnership with the local school districts, assists Project Search students and staff from Des Moines Public students with disabilities to prepare for success in Schools, Easter Seals of Iowa and IVRS attended a proclamation vocational, academic, and independent living settings. signing at the State Capitol for National Disability Employment IVRS has a presence in every public high school in the Awareness Month. state to assist with a student’s transition to employment. See the KCCI TV segment on Project Search, one of our transi- tion programs to allow students to complete workforce training More than $4.9 million was spent on tuition assistance for at Mercy Hospital Medical Center, featuring Austin Lee (front). students in post-secondary training programs to obtain http://www.kcci.com/news/project-search-helps-students-train educational or occupational skills training to help compete -for-real-world-jobs/29607590 in today’s labor market. 11 IVRS Area Offices Burlington Area Office Fort Dodge Area Office Sioux City Area Office 1000 North Roosevelt Two Triton Circle 2508 East 4th Street Burlington, Iowa 52601 Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501 Sioux City, Iowa 51101-2298 319-753-2231 515-573-8175 712-255-8871 Cedar Rapids Area Office Iowa City Area Office Waterloo Area Office 4444 1st Avenue NE, Suite L-10, Suite 436 1700 South 1st Avenue, Suite 25-D 3420 University Ave., Suite D Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402 Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Waterloo, Iowa 50701-2008 319-294-9308 319-354-4766 319-234-0319 (Voice/TTY) Council Bluffs Area Office Mason City Area Office West Central/Polk Area Office 300 W. Broadway, Suite 33 600 South Pierce Avenue 510 East 12th Street Council Bluffs, Iowa 51503-9030 Mason City, Iowa 50401-4836 Des Moines, Iowa 50319 712-328-3821 (Voice/TTY) 641-422-1551 515-281-4211 WATS 1-800-532-1486 (Voice/TTY) Davenport Area Office North Central Area Office 3827 W. Locust Street 1525 Airport Road, Suite 102 Davenport, Iowa 52804 Ames, Iowa 50010 563-386-1200 (Voice/TTY) 515-233-5753 Dubuque Area Office Ottumwa Area Office 2600 Dodge Street, Suite NW2 15260 Truman Street, Suite 4 Dubuque, Iowa 52003 Ottumwa, Iowa 52501-1473 563-588-4697 641-682-7569 (V/TTY) Visit Our Website: www.ivrs.iowa.gov 12