Narrative: d. 2. O. i.

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: b. 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 c. 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. Goal 3 To ensure that individuals with disabilities who may be unserved or underserved or who have minority status have access to DVR services. Objective: Maine DVR will work closely with Maine’s Section 121 VR Grant – Wabanaki Vocational Rehabilitation, to increase co–enrollment to 10 individuals in FFY 2016 Strategies: a. Maine DVR will include Wabanaki Vocational Rehabilitation in training and technical assistance opportunities. b. Wabanaki VR will provide technical assistance to Maine DVR on issues related to cultural competency and best practices in Native employment supports. c. According to the joint MOU, Maine DVR and Wabanaki VR will meet at least annually to review the agreement. Objective: Maine DVR will collect data on the numbers of individuals served – belonging to the following categories in FY 2012 to establish a baseline and future goals: a. individuals involved with the correctional system b. individuals who are veterans c. individuals who are “older workers” d. individuals who are “New Mainers” Strategies: a. DVR will develop and utilize special indicators in its case management system to track individuals who belong to one of the above groups. Objective: DVR will ensure that all materials distributed or published by the agency will be accessible and demonstrate cultural competency. Strategies: a. To promote more efficient use of resources and increase access for individuals who use ASL, DVR will explore the benefits of hiring staff interpreters versus contracting for ASL interpreting services. Objective: Maine DVR will develop new strategies to increase the employment of people with mental health disabilities Strategies: a. DVR will partner with the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services to explore opportunities available through the I SPA b. DVR will work with the Department of Corrections through its quarterly joint meetings to identify effective practices in referring and supporting individuals for whom mental health is a barrier to employment. Objective: Maine DVR will maintain statewide consistency in its practices with regard to “Clubhouses” offering services to DVR clients as measured by client case review. Strategies: a. DVR will maintain a liaison to the local Clubhouse in each office. b. DVR will invite Clubhouse program staff to participate in DVR training opportunities. Objective: In keeping with WIOA legislation, ensure individuals working at sub–minimum wage are aware of and have access to DVR services Strategies: a. DVR will partner with the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Aging and Disability Services(OADS) and the Bureau of Labor Standards (BLS) to identify individuals who are currently working at sub–minimum wage b. DVR will develop an outreach strategy to these workers in collaboration with OADS and BLS c. DVR will develop procedural guidance and training for staff on conversion of workers from sub–minimum wage settings to competitive, integrated employment Goal 4 Maine DVR will partner with the larger workforce development system to improve opportunities and access for DVR clients as measured annually by documented collaborative activities, technical assistance, and training. Objective: Maine DVR will continue to partner with Maine’s Disability Employment Initiative (DEI) Grant to include 50 non–VR CareerCenter customers with disabilities in Career Exploration Workshops Strategies in FFY 2016 Strategies: a. The DEI team will include one VR Rehabilitation Counselor I who will assist in piloting a jointly–delivered Career Exploration Workshop b. DVR will participate in DEI Integrated Resource Team meetings c. DVR will work with the DEI team and others in the Bureau of Employment Services to ensure accessibility in Maine’s CareerCenter network d. DVR will partner with DEI staff in the delivery of an asset development summit in FY 2016 Objective: DVR will work with the Maine Department of Labor’s Center for Workforce Research and Information to maintain a triennial snapshot of the employment status of people with disabilities in Maine as well as a webpage where disability data can be easily accessed. Strategies: a. DVR will engage CWRI to offer training to DVR staff on use of current labor market information and tools b. DVR will work with CWRI to develop a triennial snapshot of the employment status of people with disabilities in Maine as well as a webpage where disability data can be easily accessed. Objective: DVR will develop strategies with WIOA core partners to provide referrals to workforce services for individuals found eligible for DVR under Category 3 but unable to be served by DVR due to waitlist. Strategies: a. DVR will attend regular LWIB and One Stop partnerships with the goal of developing specific cross referral and common intake processes across core partner agencies and organizations. b. Processes developed will be piloted in all areas of the state to be vetted and finalized before being adopted statewide. Objective: Maine DVR will continue implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding with the public Worker’s Compensation system. In order to better serve injured Maine workers who are in need of rehabilitation services DVR will increase the number of individuals served through a referral from the Workers’ Compensation Board from 65 in FFY 2015 to 75 in FFY 2016. Strategies: a. DVR will meet at least annually with the Workers’ Compensation Board to assess the success of the MOU initiative. Objective: DVR will explore opportunities for new grants to support the mission of BRS. During 2015, DVR will apply for at least two new grant opportunities. Strategies: a. DVR Assistant Director will continue to look at websites and email list serves for possible grant opportunities that may be relevant. Goal 5 Maine DVR will partner with Adult Education, the SWIB, and the larger workforce development system to incorporate and apply the new rules related to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Objective: To learn, and apply all rules of WIOA with the DVR program, including drafting a unified state plan, adopting new performance measures and continued collaboration with the One–Stop system. Strategies: a. New rules will be reviewed and adopted by DVR within the time frames given in the new law. A steering committee has been formed with all affected partners and a project plan developed to address the changes agencies face with the advent of WIOA.