SRC Membership Page 2 IVRS Funding and Outcomes Page 3 Investment in Iowa FFY 2013 Page 4 Welcome State Goals and Outcomes O ur State Rehabilitation Council has met on a quarterly basis this past year to help provide guidance to the state agency, challenge our leadership and staff with forward thinking and ensure Page 5 accountability to the citizens of Iowa through the provision of quality Vocational Rehabilitation services. Transition Alliance Program Their commitment to the work of the agency, their willingness to Page 6 volunteer their time and their passion for services that impact employment and independence for eligible individuals with disabilities is rewarding. SRC Survey IVRS remains positioned to be a valued resource as we collaborate with our partners in providing services to enhance the lives of Page 7 individuals with disabilities. Key priorities in the months ahead will include: Job Candidate Profile  Increasing employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Page 8  Expanding partnerships with our secondary schools.  Completing ongoing efforts to promote the Employment First philosophy in Iowa.  Continuing efforts to collaborate and coordinate rehabilitation Partners with Business services with our community providers. Page 9  Leveraging technology to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of our staff. During the Federal Fiscal Year of 2013, the IVRS Vocational SRC Highlights Rehabilitation program placed 2,185 individuals into competitive employment. Individuals served by IVRS earned $14 million more than Page 10 was spent on the entire VR program. For every state dollar appropriated to IVRS, $2.97 are returned to the state economy! IVRS is making a difference, and we are committed to finding ways to Contact Us enhance service delivery. We have a fantastic team of talented and dedicated employees who are providing an array of services to meet Page 11 the unique needs of each individual we serve. We look forward to sharing in the celebration of future achievements with you as we share the journey ahead. SRC Members 2014 Joan Bindel West Des Moines 6/30/16 Business, Labor & Industry (2) Daniel Bray Indianola 6/30/14 Disability Advocacy Group (1) Sherri Clark Red Oak 6/30/15 Community Rehab Program (1) August Cordero Pleasant Hill 6/30/14 State Independent Living Center (1) Jill Crosser Ames 6/30/15 Disability Advocacy Group (1) Nancy Cruz-Tretina Ames 6/30/15 Parent, Training & Info Center of Iowa (1) James Flansburg Clive 6/30/14 Department of Education (1) Kathy Joblinske Waterloo 6/30/16 Business, Labor & Industry (1) Doug Keast Altoona 6/30/16 Iowa Workforce Development (1) John Mikelson Columbus Junction 6/30/15 Advocacy (2) Jeff Mikkelsen Marion 6/30/14 VR Counselor (2) Renee Neppl Adel 6/30/16 Business, Labor & Industry (1) Jeanne Sorenson Johnston 6/30/14 Advocacy (1) Venita Springman Cedar Rapids 6/30/14 Advocacy (1) Rosemary Thierer Mitchellville 6/30/15 Advocacy (1) Christopher Townsend Davenport 6/30/15 Business, Labor & Industry (1) Michael Williams Des Moines 6/30/16 Client Assistance Program (1) David L. Mitchell IVRS Administrator 2 IVRS FFY 2013 FINANCIAL STATUS REPORT FOR PERIOD BEGINNING 10/1/12 BASIC SUPPORT RESOURCES MATCH SOURCE FEDERAL EARNED IVRS STATE APPROPRIATIONS $5,127,837.77 $18,946,517.98 MATCH FROM CONTRACTS $497,762.88 $1,839,152.02 TOTAL MATCH $5,625,600.65 $20,785,670.00 ORIGINAL FEDERAL ALLOCATION $26,358,699.00 REQUIRED MATCH NEEDED $7,133,929.97 PROJECTED MATCH UNDER ($1,508,329.32) ($5,573,029.00) Staffing Levels 2006 # of staff 243.9 # of counselors 124 Span of control: 2010 # of staff 240.5 # of counselors 105 Was 14-1 2011 # of staff 226.4 # of counselors 95 Now 15.7-1. 2013 # of staff 226.7 # of counselors 92.25 Agency-Wide Outcome Statistics FFY Consumers Referred Closed, Rehabilitated Hours Worked per Average Hourly Week Wage 2013 5,980 2,185 33 $11.61 2012 5,668 2,162 33 $11.57 2011 6,480 2,136 33 $11.48 2010 7,348 2,217 33 $11.18 2009 8,363 2,264 33 $11.42 2008 6,988 2,146 34 $11.32 3 Vocational Rehabilitation This investment pays off is an investment in Iowa * A total of 2,185 Iowans with *Iowans with disabilities served disabilities obtained employment by IVRS in FFY 2013 earned $14 in the 2013 federal fiscal year. million more than was spent on the entire VR program. *Approximately 95 percent of successful IVRS job candidates *The income earned by IVRS job remain in Iowa, working, paying candidates is an estimated taxes, and contributing to their $45 million annually. This is an communities. increase of $35.4 million annually from application for VR services. *A total of 430 job candidates were on public support for living *IVRS helps increase earnings in expenses (SSI, SSDI, TANF, Iowa by over $35.4 million; more General Assistance). Of those, 81 than $9.2 million in increased now support themselves, a earnings and more than $26.2 savings of $576,672 annually for million from increased the state! employment. *Of those, 12 job candidates *After ten years, the state received Temporary Assistance receives an average $297 return to Needy Families (TANF) at the on every $100 of state time they applied to IVRS. appropriation originally invested Rehabilitation of these in VR job candidates. individuals saves Iowa $44,328 per year. That’s nearly $221,640 over five years. 4 IVRS in Iowa 200,000 In 2013, IVRS placed 2,185 Iowans with New Jobs disabilities into competitive employment, some of whom become self-employed. Fifty-four new businesses were started and from 2008-2013, 307 new businesses started or expanded business operations through funding and support from IVRS. IVRS provides services to individuals with disabilities that cross many fields, including: 15% partnering with the Department of Education; Reduction in Department of Corrections; Department of Human Services; Department of Veteran Government Affairs; and the Department of Labor. Through the provision of Vocational Rehabilitation services, individuals with disabilities earned $14 million more than was spent on the entire VR Program. Eighty-one individuals were on public support for their living expenses and are now supporting themselves; a savings of $576,672 annually for the state. 25% Increase in Family For those successful IVRS employment outcomes, there was an increase of Incomes $35.4 million from the time they applied for VR services. This is a 365 percent increase in their income as reported at application. Forty-three percent of IVRS referrals come from Iowa school districts. In 2013, 872 students were successfully rehabilitated, working 35 hours a week with average #1 Schools in earnings of $10.72/hour. More than $4.96 million was spent on tuition assistance for the Nation students in post-secondary training programs to obtain educational and/or occupational skills training to help compete in today’s labor market. 5 Transition Alliance Program T he Transition Alliance Program (TAP) is a collaborative effort between Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services and a local school district, focused on improving post-school employment outcomes for 8 3 4 ess f u succ on appl 2. it i l ures clos ts ican 2 A TAP student is now rans e of successfully students with disabilities. The program is jointly funded by IVRS and the fo r t r t h e a g e going to und school district, with each entity providing 50 percent of the costs of the college at Iowa program. TAPs were first established in 1998, and currently there are eight Central Community TAP contracts, serving 20 high schools and 928 students. The eight TAPs are located in the following school districts: Mt. Ayr, Waterloo (three high schools), Cedar Falls, College (ICCC) even though a Sioux City (three high schools), Galva-Holstein (eight high schools), Ft. Dodge, Charles year ago his Individualized City and Ankeny (two high schools). Education Program (IEP) team feared he lacked the ability to One of the keys to success of the TAP is that students begin participating in TAP during tolerate stress and his disabilities their freshmen year of high school and can continue their involvement until age twenty- five. During high school, TAP students get the opportunity to participate in various new wouldn’t allow him to successfully and expanded career development activities to assist them in identifying their complete general education employment goal. TAP activities complement and build upon the opportunities available classes in high school, let alone through their school district, which allows the participants to develop a clear picture of attend a post-secondary what a good job match would be based on their specific interests, preferences and skills. education. Examples of expanded opportunities/positive implications of TAP within a school district include: After entering TAP, TAP  Significant increase in collaboration and linkages between school and staff worked with this stu- community, particularly the world of work; dent and 2,466  Active and systematic transition planning which is student driven; applic t ra n s it assisted him in ants u ion  Increase in school engagement to positively impact the drop-out rate; nder age o the completing his  Increase in expanded transition assessments and career planning; f 22. general education  Increase in selecting relevant and realistic post-secondary goals;  Increase in collaboration with the school staff to assist students in taking relevant classes and coursework which will better prepare them to meet their post-secondary goals; encouraged him to take  Increased self-advocacy and self-determination skills for students as they leave classes for college credit while high school; attending high school. He is  Increased collaboration with post-secondary institutions, as well as employers; currently a full-time student at  Increase in paid work opportunities for students while they are in high school. ICCC and taking classes toward an AS in Engineering and Design Once a student graduates from high school, TAP staff continues to provide support to Technology. He has maintained them, whether that support is to obtain their first full-time job or assistance as the student straight A’s in his first semester at transitions to their post-secondary training program. This support through the initial transition from high school to the next post-secondary environment has greatly benefited college! Additionally, this past TAP students as evidenced by the success of the students at post-secondary institutions summer he detasseled corn for and in their employment. In 2012-2013, forty-five percent of TAP students were his first paid work experience. attending post-secondary training and for students that obtained their employment goal, While in college, he is more the average wage was $10.49 and the average hours worked per week was 40.38. comfortable keeping his focus on Based on the historical success of TAP, IVRS started expanding TAP in 2012 with the school work and has remained Ft. Dodge School District becoming the sixth TAP program in the state and in 2013, interested in working with TAP adding Charles City and Ankeny. The success of a TAP in a school district can be seen staff to assist him in gaining very quickly. additional paid employment 6 experience for summer 2014. SRC Survey T he State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) conducts a consumer satisfaction survey of the services received from Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services. The State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) and IVRS staff reduced the number of survey questions posed to job candidates whose cases were closed by IVRS to 13 (from 20 questions originally). The current Consumer Satisfaction Survey is in response to a mandate under federal regulations §361.29: 4) To the extent feasible, conduct a review and analysis of the effectiveness of, and consumer satisfaction with — (i) The functions performed by the designated State agency; (ii) The vocational rehabilitation services provided by State agencies other public and private entities responsible for providing vocational services to individuals with disabilities under the Act; and (iii) The employment outcomes achieved by eligible individuals receiving services under this part, including the availability of health and other employment benefits in connection with those employment outcomes; This survey was designed in 2008 to solicit information from individuals closed by IVRS. Since that time, survey data has been shared at quarterly SRC 7. I was encouraged to help develop my plan for the meetings and posted to the IVRS website. IVRS staff is also informed about services I needed to get a job or training for a job. the satisfaction level from job candidates who complete a survey once their 90% 83% 81% case is closed by IVRS. 80% Identifying information on all individuals surveyed was deliberately not used in 70% 60% 50% 40% an effort to solicit honest feedback. 30% 14% 9% In FY 2012, a survey was developed by IVRS and SRC members to obtain 20% 7% 6% 1% 0% 10% 0% 26-0 Status 28 -0 information from current IVRS job candidates in the form of a postcard. This Yes No Yes & No NA five-question survey was piloted at three IVRS offices before rolling it out statewide. This postcard survey is provided to active job candidates at three specific points during the rehabilitation process. It is currently available in all IVRS offices, and can be completed on site or on-line. Feedback from this survey indicates that the majority of job candidates rate the quality of services received from IVRS as excellent. The survey also provides an opportunity for individuals to make contact with IVRS administration. Administrator David Mitchell does follow-up with those individuals who request further communication from IVRS. The information gleaned from survey results has helped the SRC and IVRS recognize work done well, in addition to areas in which improvements should occur. IVRS has been tracking comments shared by job candidates through 12. Are you satisfied with your job? surveys, as well as information obtained at public forums held across the 79% state, all of which help shape and ensure quality services continue to be 80% 70% delivered by IVRS. 60% 45% 50% 31% Per direction from the SRC and supported by IVRS, survey results from Fiscal Year 2013 is now available and can be found on the IVRS Website at the 40% 23% 30% following link: http://www.ivrs.iowa.gov/partners/SRC/ 13% 20% 6% 1% ConsumerSatisfactionSurveyFFY2013.pdf. 2% 10% 0% 26-0 Status 28-0 7 Yes No Yes & No NA Profile of IVRS Job Candidates Placements by County The increase in annual income between application for services and closure was 365% statewide. 8 Partners with Business T he SRC heard progress reports through the year regarding IVRS efforts at partnering with business and industry and how Vocational Rehabilitation services can be a resource in meeting the mid-skill gaps existing in Iowa. Examples of occupational skill training programs, and innovative collaboration such as Access2Ability with Manpower Staffing, Project REDI with Walgreens, Project Search were all discussed and success stories shared at SRC Meetings. Above: Business panelists that On October 17th, 2013, Governor Branstad, Lt. Governor Reynolds and Senator Harkin discussed their best practices in hosted a forum, titled, “Empowering Individuals with Disabilities through Employment hiring and retaining individuals with and Entrepreneurship.” The Governor and Senator Harkin provided keynote speeches disabilities included (right to left ): and the Lt. Governor provided closing remarks and a summary of the events and Ron Frank (Walgreens – opportunities for the future. Six individual job candidates shared their inspirational Cedar Rapids, Iowa) stories regarding their rehabilitation and successful path to employment and Walgreens is a national leader with the independence. There were also four business representatives that shared the busi- REDI Project (Retail Employees with ness perspective regarding how their bottom line improved through involvement with Disabilities Initiative). Ron is involved Vocational Rehabilitation. The collaboration and partnering among many state agen- with expanding the concept in Iowa and cies was apparent as business needs were being met and directly linked to has been actively involved as a board successful economic development. member of Iowa Association of Persons Supporting Employment First (APSE). Walgreens increased their number of hires of individuals with disabilities through IVRS by 37% in 2013. Randi Powell (Hy-Vee – West Des Moines, Iowa) Hy-Vee is the top business for hiring individuals with disabilities in Iowa through IVRS for the past two years (30% growth in hires for individuals with disabilities). Pam Moser (Serta – Clear Lake, Iowa) Serta is expanding opportunities and expansion of outreach to community resources in efforts to link individuals with disabilities with employment. Serta has been involved with their local vocational rehabilitation office in continuing the conversation. Gary McCarthy (Winnebago – Forest City, Iowa) Winnebago more than doubled their number of IVRS hires in 2013. Winnebago is the leading employer in northern Iowa for promoting the hiring of individuals with disabilities. 9 SRC Highlights 2013 Right: The SRC Legislative Reception was held at the State Capitol last March. Pictured are Iowa Senator William Dotzler and SRC Chair Joan Bindel. Below: Project SEARCH video presentation was shared with SRC membership. This project is a collaborative effort providing students a range of hands-on job experiences in order to develop work skills necessary for future employment. SRC Chair Joan Bindel had the opportunity of seeing Project SEARCH in action and learned about IVRS involvement with that program.  Dawn Francis, Executive Director  State Plan Attachments reviewed and of the Statewide Independent approved for submittal to our federal Living Center (SILC), presented partners by the end of June. information on the history of the  Guest speaker Angie O’Brien, independent living movement and Statewide Mobility Manager, reviewed the five goals of the presented information to SRC State Plan for Independent Living members on transportation needs and (SPIL). SRC members voted on resources in the state. approval for IVRS signing of the  Small group sessions to learn about SPIL. IVRS business relations,  Continued oversight and review of Transition/TAP and contract  Presentation by the Fort consumer satisfaction with the management/oversight occurred at Dodge TAP team, including delivery of services from IVRS. SRC Meetings. (See more about the survey on a visit by Director of Educa- page 7.) tion, Dr. Brad Buck (above). 10 Contact us Jessie Parker Building 510 East 12th Street Des Moines, Iowa 50319 David Mitchell Administrator Burlington Area Office Mason City Area Office 1000 North Roosevelt 600 South Pierce Avenue Matthew Coulter Burlington, Iowa 52601 Mason City, Iowa 50401-4836 Chief Financial Officer 319-753-2231 641-422-1551 Cedar Rapids Area Office North Central Area Office 4403 1st Avenue SE, Suite L-10 (Lower Level) 1525 Airport Road, Suite 102 Kenda Jochimsen Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402-3221 Ames, Iowa 50010 Rehabilitation Services 319-294-9308 515-233-5753 Bureau Chief Council Bluffs Area Office Ottumwa Area Office 300 W. Broadway, Suite 33 15260 Truman Street, Suite 4 Liz McLaren Council Bluffs, Iowa 51503-9030 Ottumwa, Iowa 52501-1473 Disability Determination 712-328-3821 (voice/TTY) 641-682-7569 (V/TTY) Services Bureau Chief Davenport Area Office Sioux City Area Office 3827 W. Locust Street 2508 East 4th Street Davenport, Iowa 52804 Sioux City, Iowa 51101-2298 563-386-1200 712-255-8871 Dubuque Area Office Waterloo Area Office 820 Locust Street 3420 University Ave., Suite D Dubuque, Iowa 52001-6705 Waterloo, Iowa 50701-2008 563-588-4697 319-234-0319 (Voice/TTY) Fort Dodge Area Office West Central/Polk Area Office Two Triton Circle 510 East 12th Street Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501 Des Moines, Iowa 50319 515-573-8175 515-281-4211 WATS 1-800-532-1486 (Voice/TTY) Iowa City Area Office 1700 South 1st Avenue, Suite 25-D For TTY, call Iowa Relay at 711 or 1-800-735-2942, Iowa City, Iowa 52240 and ask for the number you wish to contact. 319-354-4766 Visit our Website www.ivrs.iowa.gov 11