Narrative: d. 2. I. i. I. a.

Projections of types and numbers of employees needed are based on current caseload sizes, demographic information regarding the population of Hoosiers with disabilities, the projected number of individuals exiting high school with disabilities, trends regarding number of consumers served in recent years, and current initiatives. The budget and state allocation available also drive the determination for the number of staff that can be sustained within Vocational Rehabilitation (VR). Reports that outline ratios of VR Counselors to consumers on a statewide, region, local area, and counselor basis, are readily available and are regularly reviewed by management. In the last federal fiscal year, the Counselor to consumer ratio was approximately 1:131 given the number of vacancies. VR has consistently hired 20–25 new counselors per year due to retirements, promotion of staff, and general turnover. Over the next five years VR will need to fill additional vacancies due to an increased number of employees reaching retirement age. The projected number of consumers to be served is among the data reviewed in consideration of staffing levels. The following are projections of the anticipated number of applicants and eligible individuals coming into the system annually for each of the next five years.

FFY15 ACTUAL (Applicants: 12,004 Eligible: 10,133)

FFY16 ESTIMATE (Applicants: 12,244; Eligible: 10,336)

FFY17 ESTIMATE (Applicants: 12,489; Eligible: 10,542)

FFY18 ESTIMATE (Applicants: 12,739; Eligible: 10,753)

FFY19 ESTIMATE (Applicants: 12,994; Eligible: 10,968)

FFY20 ESTIMATE (Applicants: 13,253 Eligible: 11,188)

Based on number of applicants to date in FFY15, it is expected that VR will see an increase in applicants and eligible consumers in FFY16, and subsequent due to increased outreach and education at schools statewide in VR’s efforts to reach more transition–aged students earlier on in their high school careers. VR is planning outreach efforts aimed at increasing VR applicants and expects the application trend to gradually increase over the next several years. A counselor–consumer ratio of approximately 1:100 is best practice to maintain efficient caseload management and quality service. As the number of applicants and people who are eligible are anticipated to increase, the number of staff needed to meet consumer needs may increase as well. As of this submission, 29 VR Counselors, 1 Itinerant VR Counselor, 12 VR Case Coordinators, 5 secretaries, 5 area supervisors, and 3 regional managers are eligible for retirement.