Narrative: d. 2. O. iv.

Goal 1 To increase successful closures for DVR clients from 1000 in 2014 and 1100 in 2015 to 1200 in 2016, thereby substantially improving employment outcomes for DVR clients in Maine. These employment outcomes and goals from 2016 through 2018 will be impacted by the change in serving more youth in school. Initially, it is believed that DVR may see a decrease in their overall employment outcomes, as DVR will not realize successful outcomes from these in school youth for a few years. In addition, with the focus of DVR’s resources to in school youth, there may be fewer VR resources for adults with disabilities. Objective: To reduce early exit from services from 42% in 2015 to 38 % during FFY 2016. Strategies: a. Collect and analyze data on reasons for drop out for cases closed in status 30/found eligible no plan developed b. Provide staff training on case management techniques that promote engagement. Objective: To provide access to Pre–Employment Transition Services (as defined under WIOA) to students with disabilities. Strategies: a.During FY2016, DVR will engage in a “Progressive Employment” pilot initiative to increase work experience activities for 200 youth and young adult clients in the Lewiston and Portland offices. b.During FY 2016, DVR will engage in a pilot with AlphaOne (Maine’s Center for Independent Living) to provide services to at least 100 students in two high schools that will increase their self–determination skills and independent living skills. c.During FY 2016, DVR will explore partnerships with Career and Technical Education regional schools as a means to deliver PETS services d.During FY 2016, DVR will increase summer youth work experience opportunities for PETS eligible clients e.During FY 2016, explore opportunities to partner with the Maine Department of Health and Human Resources – Office of Children and Family Services to blend and braid funding to deliver PETS services for jointly served youth. f.During FY 2016, will continue to work closely with WIOA partners to develop a service pathway for youth

Objective: To increase the percentage of successful employment closures for individuals who receive services from community rehabilitation providers. Strategies: a. Provide joint training opportunities for CRP’s on topics to promote best practices in employment supports for people with disabilities. Objective: Through lessons learned from the Progressive Employment pilot, expand the number of Maine employers who implement diversity hiring activities through engagement with the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services’ Business Services Team to 15 in FFY 2016 in conjunction with workforce system partners Strategies: a. Continue to actively support the Maine Chapter of the US Business Leadership Network. b. Partner with the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, local Chambers, and the Society of Human Resource Managers (SHRM) to expand business outreach/network. c. Take a lead role with Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) core partners and others in the workforce development system to grow and diversify Maine’s workforce through targeted outreach to employers, reinforcing the message that “We need every Mainer”. Goal 2 To serve all individuals with the most significant disabilities in a timely manner, which means determining eligibilities within 60 days and developing plans for employment for all consumers within the new 90 day time frame. DVR will continue to maintain no wait list for those individuals in categories 1 and 2, and will monitor the ability to again serve those in category 3 in the future. Objective: To reduce the average time in plan development from 217 days in FFY 2014 to the federal standard of 90 days in FFY 2016 Strategies: a. Increase use of the Career Exploration Workshop, which has been shown to decrease case length time. b. Work closely with the Maine Department of Education to ensure implementation of the joint Cooperative Agreement and best practice guidelines on referral and timely application for transition age students c. Deliver staff training and supervision on best practices in IPE plan development and Order of Selection (OOS) determination Objective: To determine if there could be efficiencies in how DVR processes the work of providing services across the state by building on the recommendations of a process mapping report completed for DVR in summer 2015. Strategies: a.Convene a steering team made up of a representative from the State Rehabilitation Council, at least one clerical staff, three VR counselors, three casework supervisors, the three regional managers, and four Central Office staff. b.Beginning in January 2016, establish and launch five work groups to review DVR processes in the following areas: • Case Flow Process • Clerical Support work flow •Technology • Training and Communication • Review of policies and procedural directives Objective: To increase the number of individuals with significant intellectual disabilities who access the available waiver employment support for long term employment support needs after closure from BRS. Strategies: a. Continue to work with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services to ensure that all individuals who have the waiver – but have not taken advantage of employment services – are aware of employment supports open to them through coordination between the two Departments b. Continue to provide access and training to the BRIDGE –Career Exploration Workshop, appropriate for individuals with intellectual disabilities Objective: Maine DVR will undertake efforts to continue to embrace and implement an “Employment First” philosophy during the next year as documented by a decrease of 5% in the statewide unemployment rate of people with intellectual disabilities. Strategies: a. DVR will continue to participate in work of Employment First Maine’s coalition, which includes targeted goals to improve employment outcomes for individuals with significant disabilities. b. By October 2016, Employment First Maine coalition will present a report or "roadmap" for how Maine will move forward to address this goal.