Located in:
- Program-Specific Requirements for Vocational Rehabilitation
The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services Portion of the Unified or Combined State Plan* must include the following descriptions and estimates, as required by section 101(a) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by WIOA:
__________
* Sec. 102(b)(D)(iii) of WIOA
d. 2. P. i. I. Identify the Strategies That Contributed to the Achievement of the Goals.
Current Narrative:
FFY’16 LEGACY DIVISION FOR REHABILITATION SERVICES
Individuals with Significant Disabilities
Goal 1
Provide VR services that support quality employment outcomes for individuals with significant disabilities by meeting or exceeding all Standards and Indicators targets.
Measure 1.1: The number of individuals exiting the VR program with employment outcomes will meet or exceed the Standards and Indicators target.
| Status as of 9/30/16 | State Plan Goal | Above/Below Target |
|---|---|---|
| 14,135 | 13,242 | (+) 893 |
Measure 1.2: The rehabilitation rate will equal or exceed the Standards and Indicators target.
| Status as of 9/30/16 | State Plan Goal | Above/Below Target |
|---|---|---|
| 63.90% | 55.8% | (+) 8.1% |
Measure 1.3: The percentage of successful closures for competitive or self-employed earnings at or above minimum wage will meet or exceed the Standards and Indicators target.
| Status as of 9/30/16 | State Plan Goal | Above/Below Target |
|---|---|---|
| 99.73% | 72.60% | (+) 27.13% |
Measure 1.4:The population of Measure 1.3 with significant disabilities will equal or exceed the Standards and Indicators target.
| Status as of 9/30/16 | State Plan Goal | Above/Below Target |
|---|---|---|
| 86.61% | 62.40% | (+) 24.21% |
Measure 1.5: The ratio of average hourly earnings of the 1.3 population to the state’s average hourly earnings will equal or exceed the Standards and Indicators target.
| Status as of 9/30/16 | State Plan Goal | Above/Below Target |
|---|---|---|
| 0.509 | 0.520 | (-) 0.011 |
*Note:Preliminary number. The data to determine the official number will be unknown until the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics quarterly Average Weekly Wage statistics are available for Calendar Year 2016 in mid-year 2017.
Measure 1.6: The percentage increase of the 1.3 population self-supporting at closure to self-supporting at profile will equal or exceed the Standards and Indicators target.
| Status as of 9/30/16 | State Plan Goal | Above/Below Target |
|---|---|---|
| 52.86% | 53.00% | (-) 0.14% |
Measure 1.7: The ratio of minority individuals receiving services to non-minorities receiving services will equal or exceed the Standards and Indicators target.
| Status as of 9/30/16 | State Plan Goal | Above/Below Target |
|---|---|---|
| 0.9273 | 0.80 | (+) 0.1273 |
Measure 1.8: The number of VR customers served will increase by 2,300 over FY’13. (79,578 + 2,300 = 81,878)
| Status as of End of SFY 2016(new customers) | SFY 2016 Target(new customers) | Above/Below Target |
|---|---|---|
| 39,934 | 30,064 | (+) 9,870 |
*Note: In Rehabilitation Services 51,814 customers who received services in SFY’15 continued receiving services in SFY’16. In order to achieve the state plan goal of serving a total of 81,878 VR customers in SFY 2016, Rehabilitation Services had to serve 30,064 new customers. In SFY’16, 91,748 customers were served, exceeding the target by 9,870.
Measure 1.9: On the closed-case SFY’16 Customer Satisfaction Survey, a minimum of 80% of the respondents will indicate that they were satisfied with their overall experience with DRS.
| Status as of End of SFY 2016 | State Plan Goal | Above/Below Target |
|---|---|---|
| 90.8% | 80% | (+) 10.8% |
*Note:Percentage was derived by adding the percentage of all respondents who were both satisfied (28.7%) & very satisfied (62.1%) with their “overall experience with DRS.”
Measure 1.10: On the closed-case SFY’16 Customer Satisfaction Survey, a minimum of 75% of the respondents will indicate that they had input in choosing who would provide the services (schools or colleges, doctors or hospitals, job coaches, etc.).
| Status as of End of SFY 2016 | State Plan Goal | Above/Below Target |
|---|---|---|
| 74.7% | 75% | (-) 0.3% |
*Note:Percentage was derived by extracting the percentage of “yes” responses (74.7%) to the question, “Did you have input (take part) in choosing who would provide the services (schools or colleges, doctors or hospitals, job coaches, etc.)?”
Measure 1.11: On the closed-case SFY’16 Customer Satisfaction Survey, a minimum of 85% of the respondents will indicate that they had input in setting their employment goals.
| Status as of End of SFY 2016 | State Plan Goal | Above/Below Target |
|---|---|---|
| 85.8% | 85% | (+) 0.8% |
*Note:Percentage was derived by extracting the percentage of “yes” responses (85.8%) to the question, “Did you have input (take part) in setting your employment goals?”
Measure 1.12: On the closed-case customer satisfaction survey, a minimum of 90% of the respondents will indicate that they were treated in a friendly, caring, and respectful manner when they dealt with DRS staff.
| Status as of End of SFY 2016 | State Plan Goal | Above/Below Target |
|---|---|---|
| 94.6% | 90% | (+) 4.6% |
*Note:Percentage was derived by extracting the percentage of “yes” responses (94.6%) to the question, “Were you treated in a friendly, caring, and respectful manner when you dealt with DRS staff?”
Goal 2
Improve customer outcomes for individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders (including autism), and psychological disorders.
Measure 2.1: The number of successful closures for customers with diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorders (including autism) will be 2,900 or higher.
| Status as of 9/30/16 | State Plan Goal | Above/Below Target |
|---|---|---|
| 3,276 | 2,900 | (+) 376 |
Based on primary, secondary, or tertiary disability cause code of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) (code 07), Autism (code 08), Cognitively Impaired (code 25), or Specific Learning Disabilities (code 34).
Measure 2.2: The number of successful closures for customers with diagnosis of psychological disorder will be 2,479 or higher.
| Status as of 9/30/16 | State Plan Goal | Above/Below Target |
|---|---|---|
| 2,926 | 2,479 | (+) 447 |
Based on primary, secondary, or tertiary disability cause code of Anxiety Disorders (code 04), Depressive and other Mood Disorders (code 15), Eating Disorders (code 19), Mental Illness (code 24), Personality Disorders (code 29), or Schizophrenia and other Psychotic Disorders (code 33).
Goal 3
Expand and improve VR services for youth with disabilities who are transitioning from high school to further education and/or employment, and improve coordination with state and local secondary and postsecondary educational entities.
Measure 3.1: The number of successful closures for transition-age customers will increase.
| Status as of 9/30/16 | State Plan Goal | Above/Below Target |
|---|---|---|
| 2,087 | 1,953 | (+) 134 |
Between October 1, 2015, and November 30, 2016, 2,087 individuals who met the following definitions achieved a successful employment outcome, exceeding the target by 134.
Transition-age customers are a student or a youth or both, but are counted only once.
A student is an individual who has had an IEP or 504 plan at any point during his or her VR case and at the time of successful closure is between ages 14 and 21 or is age 22 with a birth date after September 1, 1993.
A youth is an individual who at one or more points in his or her case is coded as having a “most significant disability” and at the time of successful closure is between the ages of 14 and 24.
Goal 4
Increase VR services to veterans with disabilities and improve coordination with other federal and state entities providing veterans services.
Measure 4.1: Increase the number of veterans with disabilities receiving VR services.
| Status as of 9/30/16 (new veteran customers) | State Plan Goal(new veteran customers) | Above/Below Target |
|---|---|---|
| 1,829 | 1,253 | (+) 576 |
FFY’16 data shows 2,049 veterans continued to be served who applied for services before October 1, 2015. This 2,049 figure is the baseline count to which are added new veteran customers who applied for services in FFY’16. Between October 1, 2015, and September 30, 2016, Rehabilitation Services served 3,878 veterans with disabilities, exceeding the target by 576.
Goal 5
Enhance strategies and coordination to develop and maintain business relationships that result in quality employment outcomes for vocational rehabilitation customers.
Measure 5.1:Develop and implement a joint business relations strategy for DARS.
Completed in FY’15
Measure 5.2:Research and develop a statewide business database that will allow efficient tracking of customer employment opportunities and outcomes by both DRS and DBS.
Completed in FY’15
Measure 5.3:Establish and convene the Business Services Community of Practice.
Completed in FY’15
Goal 6
Increase counselor and customer knowledge about work incentives and the effect of earnings on Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplementary Security Income to facilitate quality employment outcomes for customers.
Measure 6.1:Increase the number of DRS and DBS Benefits Subject Matter Resources (SMRs) in FFY’15 from 89 to 125.
Completed in FY’15
Measure 6.2:Complete training sessions for all CRPs in DRS Regions 2, 3, and 5.
Region 2 training completed June 4-5, 2015
Region 5 training completed June 9-10, 2015
Region 3 training pending
Measure 6.3:75% of all Deaf and Hard of Hearing Counselors will be trained as Benefits SMRs by FFY’16.
Completed in FY’15
Measure 6.4:Each Benefits SMR will provide a minimum of two trainings to staff in his or her home office each year.
Completed in FY’15
Goal 7
Provide supported employment services for individuals with the most significant disabilities who require extended supports in order to achieve and maintain an employment outcome.
Measure 7.1: 50% or greater of customers exiting the VR program after receiving supported employment services will achieve an employment outcome.
| Status as of 9/30/16 | State Plan Goal | Above/Below Target |
|---|---|---|
| 56.92% | 50% | (+) 6.92% |
Of 2,672 individuals exiting VR between October 1, 2015, and September 30, 2016 after receiving supported employment services, 1,521 achieved an employment outcome. The 1,521 employed divided by the 2,672 total exiting equals 56.92% who achieved an employment outcome, exceeding the target by 6.92%.
The following strategies contributed to the achievement of goals:
- Strengthened partnerships with postsecondary education, community colleges, and technical colleges for the purpose of expanding educational attainment and higher-paying employment options for DRS customers.
- Increased coordination and developed new partnerships with other state and community organizations that serve individuals with developmental or intellectual impairments and mental health disorders, including:
Ø mental health organizations, local authorities, and universities to develop resources, expand knowledge, and implement best practices; and
Ø HHSC Office of Mental Health to identify and implement best practices, potential community partners, and facilitate service coordination.
- Evaluated, revised, and developed policy, procedures, and staffing strategies to improve consistency and increase effectiveness in the provision of transition services.
- Increased collaboration with veterans’ stakeholder organizations to enhance the coordination and provision of services to veterans with disabilities as well as explore options to enhance communication with and identification of veterans in need of VR services within the veterans’ community.
The following factors impeded the achievement of goals and priorities:
- Difficulty accessing higher wage jobs in the labor market.
- Inaccurately coding a customer’s primary source of support at application and closures impacts success in meeting the self-support measure. This is being corrected through staff training and additional data integrity processes.
- Lack of effective use of labor market information, which will be improved by increasing staff understanding and use of TWC resources through the provision of additional training and the full integration of the VR program into TWC’s workforce systems.
FFY’16 LEGACY DIVISION FOR BLIND SERVICES
Individuals who are blind or significantly visually impaired
Goal 1
To provide vocational rehabilitation services that result in individuals who are blind or significantly visually impaired achieving a quality employment outcome.
Measure 1.1: The number of employment outcomes (successful closures) achieved will exceed 1,409.
| Status as of 9/30/16 | Fourth Quarter Target | Above/Below Target |
|---|---|---|
| 1,456 | 1,409 | (+) 47 |
Measure 1.2: Of the individuals exiting the VR program after receiving services, a minimum of 68.9% will have achieved an employment outcome.
| Status as of 9/30/16 | Fourth Quarter Target | Above/Below Target |
|---|---|---|
| 75.1% | 68.9% | (+) 6.2% |
Measure 1.3: Of the individuals achieving an employment outcome (Measure 1.2), the average hourly earnings when compared to the state’s average hourly earnings will equal or exceed a ratio of 0.59.[1] S&I 1.5
| Status as of 9/30/16 | Fourth Quarter Target | Above/Below Target |
|---|---|---|
| 51.7 | 59 | (-) 7.3 |
Measure 1.4:Of the individuals achieving an employment outcome (Measure 1.2), a minimum of 90% will be employed in competitive employment, self-employment or managing a business through the Business Enterprises of Texas, and earning at least minimum wage.
| Status as of 9/30/16 | Fourth Quarter Target | Above/Below Target |
|---|---|---|
| 82.8% | 90% | (-) 7.2% |
Goal 2
To effectively provide VR services for individuals from minority backgrounds who are blind or significantly visually impaired and to ensure they are satisfied with the services provided.
Measure 2.1: Of the total number of individuals residing in Texas with a work disability who: (1) receive services under an IPE, and (2) achieve an employment outcome, at least 55% will be from a minority background.
| Status as of 9/30/16 | State Plan Goal | Above/Below Target |
|---|---|---|
| 67.4% | 55% | (+) 11.9% |
Measure 2.2:On the customer satisfaction survey, a minimum of 90% of the respondents from minority backgrounds will indicate they are satisfied with the services received.[2]
| Status as of 6/30/16 | State Plan Goal | Above/Below Target |
|---|---|---|
| 91% | 90% | (+) 1% |
Goal 3:
To support a customer service delivery system that (1) enhances available information about service providers, employment options and other choices, and (2) is based on informed choice and is designed to enhance the delivery of quality and timely services for VR customers.
Measure 3.1: On the customer satisfaction survey performed at case closure, a minimum of 90% of the respondents will indicate they were satisfied with their overall experience with DBS.
| Status as of 6/30/16 | State Plan Goal | Above/Below Target |
|---|---|---|
| 91% | 90% | (+) 1% |
Measure 3.2: On the customer satisfaction survey performed at case closure, a minimum of 90% of the respondents will indicate they received planned services within a reasonable period of time.
| Status as of 6/30/16 | State Plan Goal | Above/Below Target |
|---|---|---|
| 86% | 90% | (-) 4% |
Measure 3.3: On the customer satisfaction survey performed at case closure, a minimum of 90% of the respondents will indicate they were actively involved in choosing their employment goal and the services they received.
| Status as of 6/30/16 | State Plan Goal | Above/Below Target |
|---|---|---|
| 90% | 90% | 0% |
Measure 3.4: On the customer satisfaction survey performed at case closure, a minimum of 90% of the respondents will indicate that their counselor listened to and considered their needs and concerns.
| Status as of 6/30/16 | State Plan Goal | Above/Below Target |
|---|---|---|
| 90% | 90% | 0% |
Goal 4:
To increase access to and provide effective and quality based supported employment services.
Measure 4.1: The number of customers receiving supported employment services who achieve employment outcomes will equal or exceed 48.
| Status as of 9/30/16 | State Plan Goal | Above/Below Target |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | 48 | (-) 4 |
Measure 4.2: The number of customers receiving supported employment services will equal or exceed 400.
| Status as of 9/30/16 | State Plan Goal | Above/Below Target |
|---|---|---|
| 362 | 400 | (-) 38 |
Measure 4.3: Expand customer employment opportunities by increasing the number of supported employment service providers that can work effectively with customers who are blind by 10% (34 total supported employment vendors).
| Status as of 9/30/16 | State Plan Goal | Above/Below Target |
|---|---|---|
| 29 | 34 | (-) 5 |
Goal 5:
To provide effective transition services to meet the needs of eligible students.
Measure 5.1: A minimum of 2,200 eligible students will be provided VR services.
| Status as of 9/30/16 | State Plan Goal | Above/Below Target |
|---|---|---|
| 2261 | 2,200 | (+) 61 |
Measure 5.2: A minimum of 115 transition students will transfer to the adult VR program.
| Status as of 9/30/16 | State Plan Goal | Above/Below Target |
|---|---|---|
| 151 | 115 | (+) 36 |
The following strategies, pursued in cooperation with legacy DRS, contributed to the achievement of goals:
- Strengthened partnerships with postsecondary education, community colleges, and technical colleges for the purpose of expanding educational attainment and higher payed employment options for VR customers.
- Partnered with TWC, Boards, and Workforce Solutions Offices to increase staff understanding and use of TWC’s Texas Workforce Solutions resources, and to increase joint initiatives that leverage the resources and expertise of each partner.
- Increased coordination and developed new partnerships with other state and community organizations that serve individuals with neurodevelopmental and psychological disorders, including:
Ø Mental health organizations, local authorities, and universities, to develop resources, expand knowledge, and implement best practices; and
Ø HHSC Office of Mental Health to identify and implement best practices, potential community partners, and facilitate service coordination.
- Increased collaboration with veterans’ stakeholder organizations to enhance the coordination and provision of services to veterans with disabilities as well as explore options to enhance communication with and identification of veterans in need of VR services within the veterans’ community.
- Continued to develop the products and services of the Business Relations Team, created in 2015, including the business tracking tool, the new Business Services website, and the team’s coordinated portfolio of services available to businesses.
- Provided Employment Assistance training to staff, which instructed them on how to best contact and meet the needs of our business partners.
- Developed a transition training module, which provided guidance and best practices pertaining to transition services.
- Implemented a formalized method of reviewing proposed ideas and initiatives for Pre-Employment Transition Services.
The following factors impeded the achievement of goals and priorities:
- For FFY’16, legacy Blind Services Division target for Standard 1.5 was a ratio of hourly earnings of 0.59 of the state estimated average hourly earnings for all workers. This means VR customers served by DBS who achieved competitive employment outcomes were targeted to earn, on the average, at least 59 cents for every dollar earned hourly by all employed individuals in the state. S&I 1.5 uses state average hourly earnings based on BLS wage data. Legacy DARS revised the hourly wage estimate throughout the year as the BLS provided updated wage statistics. In FFY’15, DBS preliminary figures showed that customers earned 0.538, or 91.2 percent of the target. Rehabilitation Service Administration research has shown that states with higher average workforce wages such as Texas typically have lower performance on the Earnings Ratio measure.
- The CSNA identified barriers to serving DBS customers in the following areas:
Ø community services;
Ø financial resources;
Ø employment services; and
Ø customers with multiple disabilities.
- Lack of resources may lead to financial barriers, such as housing and transportation costs, and may be outside the scope of DARS, but are significant barriers for those obtaining and maintaining employment. Knowledge of public benefits and how those benefits can be used to assist with employment is also noted as a barrier.
- In terms of Employment Services, individuals who are blind may require additional tools, assistive technology, and training to be placed in employment.
- There are not a sufficient number of CRPs to provide functional assessments and trial work experiences for individuals who are blind.
[1] S&I 1.5 uses the state’s average hourly earnings based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) quarterly changes in the average weekly wage data. The current estimate for FFY’16 is $26.01 (down from $26.17) per hour. The hourly wage estimate throughout the year will be revised as the BLS provides quarterly wage statistics for calendar years 2016 and 2017. The target average hourly earnings for DBS to pass S&I 1.5, based on the estimated FFY 2016 hourly wage of $26.01, is $15.35.
[2] Customer Satisfaction Survey (CSS) Report—Third Quarter FY’16 (Customers with closed cases). Comparable data from FY’15 are not available due to contracting issues that prevented the collection of quarterly data. This CSS included responses from 612 individuals whose cases were closed surveyed in quarters one through three of FY’16.
FFY’16 LEGACY DIVISION FOR REHABILITATION SERVICES
Customers with Significant Disabilities
Provide supported employment services for individuals with the most significant disabilities who require extended supports in order to achieve and maintain an employment outcome.
Measure: 50 percent or greater of customers exiting the VR program after receiving supported employment services will achieve an employment outcome.
FFY’16:56.92 percent of customers exiting the VR program after receiving supported employment services achieved an employment outcome.
The following strategies contributed to the achievement of the goal:
- Developed and implemented an improved benchmark system for the provision of specific supported employment services statewide.
- Explored complimentary services for specific populations like individuals with autism and mental health diagnoses.
- Developed a supported employment technical assistance training model for DRS staff members to improve their ability to determine when supported employment services are needed.
- Developed tools that will help staff members monitor and provide guidance to supported employment contract providers.
FFY’16 LEGACY DIVISION FOR BLIND SERVICES
Customers Who Are Blind or Significantly Visually Impaired
Goal 4:To increase access to and provide effective and quality based supported employment services.
Measure 4.1: The number of customers receiving supported employment services who achieve employment outcomes will equal or exceed 48.
| Status as of 9/30/16 | State Plan Goal | Above/Below Target |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | 48 | (-) 4 |
Measure 4.2: The number of customers receiving supported employment services will equal or exceed 400.
| Status as of 9/30/16 | State Plan Goal | Above/Below Target |
|---|---|---|
| 362 | 400 | (-) 38 |
Measure 4.3: Expand customer employment opportunities by increasing the number of supported employment service providers that can work effectively with customers who are blind by 10% (34 total supported employment vendors).
| Status as of 9/30/16 | State Plan Goal | Above/Below Target |
|---|---|---|
| 29 | 34 | (-) 5 |
The following factors that impeded the achievement of goals and priorities:
For FFY’16, legacy DARS DBS strategies were not sufficient to achieve the targets for supported employment. DBS was not able to engage as many supported employment providers as targeted, and this negatively affected the number of supported employment customers served and the number who achieved successful employment outcomes.