Narrative: d. 2. P. i. I.

The goals and strategies for PY 2016 - PY 2019 are: Goal 1: To establish baselines and meet benchmarks for state with respect to the performance accountability measures under section 116 of WIOA. • ARS will increase referrals, enhance job development and placement services, and recruit qualified rehabilitation counselors to fill vacancies to meet or exceed past performance in employment outcomes. • ARS will increase performance in Supported Employment for youth and adults with disabilities with emphasis on serving an increased number of individuals with the most significant disabilities, including developmental/intellectual, behavioral health concerns and cognitive disabilities. • ARS will develop performance-based contracts with supported employment providers to increase the percentage of supported employment closures. • ARS will provide training to improve outreach activities to unserved and underserved minority populations in order to improve performance. ARS Evaluation and Progress for Goal 1 ARS moved to performance based contracts for Employment First beginning July 1, 2016. In FFY 2017 ARS collaborated with WIOA partners to host two training events that provided creative and innovative methods to provide services to unserved and underserved populations. Goal 2: Increase the availability of Supported Employment (SE) services to youth and adults with significant disabilities. • ARS, in partnership with the AR Employment First State Leadership Mentoring Program team, is receiving technical assistance from the Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy subject matter experts on methods to use Medicaid Waivers and other partners’ funds in restructuring to expand and improve SE services. The team includes: The Department of Human Services Divisions of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS), Behavioral Health Services (DBHS), Services for the Blind (DSB), Medical Services (DMS), Aging and Adult Services (DAAS), Department of Workforce Services (DWS), and the Arkansas Department of Education, Special Education Unit (ADE SEU). • ARS, in partnership with the AR Employment First State Leadership Mentoring Program, will initiate revised MOUs based on the WIOA, including new rates and reimbursement methodology for braiding services. • ARS, in partnership with the AR Employment First State Leadership Mentoring Program, will provide technical assistance to the pilot projects focused on transitioning from facility based services to community based services. ARS Evaluation and Progress for Goal 2 ARS, in partnership with the AR Employment First State Leadership Mentoring Program team, continues to receive technical assistance from the Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy subject matter experts on methods to use Medicaid Waivers and other partners’ funds in restructuring to expand and improve SE services. The team includes: The Department of Human Services Divisions of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS), Behavioral Health Services (DBHS), Services for the Blind (DSB), Medical Services (DMS), Aging and Adult Services (DAAS), Division of Workforce Services (DWS), and the Arkansas Department of Education, Special Education Unit (ADE SEU). ARS, in partnership with the AR Employment First State Leadership Mentoring Program, is revising MOUs based on the WIOA, including new rates and a reimbursement methodology. ARS, in partnership with the AR Employment First State Leadership Mentoring Program, is providing technical assistance to the pilot projects focused on transitioning from facility based services to community based services. Goal 3: Improve public relations, marketing, information, outreach, and referrals. • ARS will continue the marketing plan to increase awareness of VR services to citizens, service providers, and business and industry, and to increase employment outcomes to improve performance accountability measures. • Access and Accommodations in collaboration with Increasing Capabilities Access Network (ICAN, State AT Program) will provide a new informational website to provide resources for accommodation and assistive technology as it relates to home, education, and employment. • ARS will develop outreach strategies designed to improve access to VR services for the state’s Hispanic residents with disabilities. Field personnel will distribute materials and information in a variety of formats designed to reach and serve the growing diverse population in Arkansas. • ARS will develop educational and informational materials designed to inform potential referral sources about the referral process and the scope of ARS. • ARS will utilize its network of Community Rehabilitation Programs to identify individuals with disabilities who are minorities and/or have the most significant disability. These individuals, who because of rural living, a lack of transportation, or English as a second language, can be referred to ARS and other support service networks needed to reach employment. • ARS Communications will work with ACTI to increase education and outreach about programs and services provided at ACTI. This includes strategies for internal and external stakeholders. ARS Evaluation and Progress for Goal 3 In FFY 2017 ARS hosted ten community connection events statewide to provide awareness of services to employers, stakeholders, and potential clients. ARS increased employment outcomes by 8.5%. ARS continues to develop outreach strategies designed to improve access to VR services for the state’s Hispanic residents with disabilities. Field personnel distributes materials and information in a variety of formats designed to reach and serve the growing diverse population in Arkansas. After input from Access and Accommodations in the third quarter of program year 2016, ICAN launched a new, accessible website that is easy to navigate by all populations. The new website links several different social media outlets that take the user to blogs, posts, and articles relaying the latest developments in the area of accommodation and assistive technology as they relate to home, education, and employment. By the end of FFY 2017, ARS Communications has worked with ACTI to provide updated program information on the Agency’s website. Also, ARS Communication has highlighted success stories, program changes, and major events at ACTI on social media and in routine publications. Goal 4: Increase collaboration with business that leads to increased employment outcomes. • ACTI will work to expand the success of registered apprenticeships, internships, and part-time employment opportunities for ARS clients. • ARS has developed the statewide business and industry advisory board and implemented the Talent Acquisition Portal (TAP). ARS will expand and grow TAP to increase job potential for agency customers. • ARS will increase the number of business relations representatives to provide job placement services in all Field Services offices and ACTI. • A statewide advisory group will be established and composed of individuals from business and industry, counselors, job placement specialists, and other appropriate professionals to explore participating in the National Employment Team. • ARS will actively support the development of the Arkansas Business Leadership Network. ARS will continue to meet with companies from across the state throughout the year to garner support and identify an anchor employer(s) to facilitate the application process. • The local business advisory group at ACTI will be integrated into the statewide ARS business advisory group with the goal of expanding job placement and employment outcomes. • ARS will enhance relationships with businesses whose corporate offices are headquartered in Arkansas and partner with senior corporate officers and managers. Through a dedicated full-time corporate business relations consultant, ARS will be positioned to build relationships with key decision makers as well as connect with the State Chamber of Commerce to solidify its status as an economic contributor and not just a social service provider. • ARS will actively market ARS’ Business Relations services to companies seeking qualified applicants with disabilities. • ARS will develop and initiate activities and events to recognize individuals who have overcome their disabilities, and give recognition to employers and businesses, who have demonstrated “best practices,” hired people with disabilities, and made unique and cost-effective reasonable accommodations. • ARS will develop a presentation to advocate the benefits of hiring and retaining individuals with disabilities. • ARS will update promotional/educational videos, brochures, mailers, etc., and target businesses. • District managers will partner with business relations representatives to effectively market ARS services to business and industry, performing an intentional and active role on the business relations team. • ARS will evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of current marketing strategies and how ARS is currently engaging employees. • Through the Stay at Work/Return to Work program, the Access and Accommodations team will continue to be a resource for employers and employees for expertise in seeking information on providing accommodation and comprehensive assistive technology evaluations. ARS Evaluation and Progress for Goal 4 At the end of FFY 2017, ACTI facilitated pre-apprenticeship training of 42 ARS clients. The first cohort completed intensive training in the first quarter of FFY 2017. In this group of 20, 19 successfully completed the training. To date we have the following outcomes for those completing the training. Seventy-four percent (14/19) are employed. Fifty-three (10/19) percent are employed in the skilled trades, and one of the program completers is making over $60,000 per year. Beginning in the second quarter of FFY 2018, a new delivery method for pre-apprenticeship will be implemented. This will stretch the training over a month and allow it to be co-curricular with the training programs at ACTI. As of FFY 2017, the local business advisory group at ACTI has not integrated into the statewide ARS business advisory group with the goal of expanding job placement and employment outcomes; however, recruitment is ongoing. Business Relations Representatives have not been placed in all Field Services Offices due to state government hiring freezes. We are continuing to work with the liaison in Governor’s office to obtain additional positions needed to achieve objective. ARS hosted two business advisory panels utilizing relationships established through the NET point of contact for CSVAR. ARS invited prominent Arkansas business leaders and nationally renowned inclusion pioneer Randy Lewis (former Walgreens V.P.) to participate in a question and answer session at our state WIOA conference. This platform lent credence and emphasized the importance of the Business Engagement initiative mandated by WIOA. Speaking from the perspective of employers, the panel shared hands on wisdom with VR professionals regarding how to approach employers regarding a prospective VR hire, creative job accommodations, and verbiage to create enhanced outcomes. ARS continues to lay the foundation for the establishment of an Arkansas Business Leadership Network along with identifying anchor business partners to support the formation and implementation of this strategic goal. The application for partnership with USBLN has been submitted and we are awaiting acceptance and approval for membership. The position of Corporate Business Relations Consultant was implemented in 2016 and as a result we have built strong partnerships with six Arkansas based companies headquartered in our state. These relationships have resulted in our business partners sponsoring business events to educate and inform other businesses about the business case for employing an inclusive workforce. The state Chamber of Commerce Director is actively involved and has been a business panelist speaker on numerous occasions. The support of our corporate partners and the State Chamber has assisted ARS in expanding its business partnerships. For the second year, our ARS Business Summit welcomed a record number of business attendees, national and state industry leaders, and stakeholders committed to disability inclusion, hiring, accommodation, and retention strategies for employing people with disabilities. Recognition awards were given to business that demonstrated superior commitment towards inclusion and hiring PWD into competitive and integrated employment. ARS is developing a presentation to advocate the benefits of hiring and retaining individuals with disabilities, which should be completed before the next plan update. We have revamped our promotional brochures from the Business Engagement perspective to intentionally promote from the perspective of Business and Industry. These include the Business Solutions brochure and Business Etiquette brochure. Our deliverables will be distributed electronically as well as in print to increase outreach of our ARS Business Engagement services. Field management team members in Field Services along with Corporate Business Engagement Representatives have collaborated to revise and present a protocol for on the job training (OJT). Our BERs across the state are reporting increased collaboration with their District Managers through employer site visits and planned events. Business Engagement is working with Communications to develop an effective survey and procedure to obtain baseline information from our current business customers. Business Engagement members are collaborating in an assessment of current marketing strategies to revise and implement updated approaches commiserate with our finances, target audience, and agency goals. The Access and Accommodations, Stay at Work/Return to Work program has continued to provide consultations and recommendations by providing 95 such services to public and private employers and employees over this program year. Goal 5: Expand and improve transition services program. • ARS has been actively engaged in the development of legislation to implement comprehensive transition and postsecondary education programs in institutions of higher education, and will continue to act as a resource in the development and implementation of postsecondary education programs. ARS will also provide information to consumers about these programs. • ARS will conduct an assessment of transitional services statewide and implement policy and procedures consistent with WIOA. • ARS will explore combining both transition programs and establish one vision for transition services. • ARS will develop a transition committee to initiate a statewide plan to provide innovative transition services to students. • ARS will provide pre-employment transition services such as job exploration counseling, work-based learning experiences including internships that provide integrated environments. • ARS will provide counseling on opportunities for enrollment in comprehensive transition or postsecondary educational programs. • ARS will provide workplace readiness training to develop social skills and independent living. • ARS will provide instruction in self-advocacy and peer mentoring. • ARS district managers will work with WIOA partners, school districts, and educational co-ops to enhance working relations to effectively provide transitional services. • ARS will explore hiring a Transitional Coordinator who will implement strategies of enhancing transitional services and providing statewide training to counselors. • ARS will work with business and industry to establish on-the-job training, apprenticeships, and paid work experiences to prepare students for the workforce. • ARS will collaborate with WIOA partners and other state agencies to utilize braided funding for services. • ARS leadership will work with the State Department of Education to strengthen relationships between schools and rehabilitation district managers and counselors. • ARS leadership will work with school districts throughout the state to facilitate and enhance the working relationships between the local high schools and local rehabilitation district managers and counselors. • ARS will host Transition Expos across the state to market ARS transition services. ARS will continue to partner with Arkansas Transition Services (ATS) to provide technical assistance with transition planning, and will support the bi-annual state Transition Summit for local transition teams to identify local resources and continue to increase awareness of ARS services. ARS will refer consumers to College Bound Arkansas to prepare transition students with disabilities for college, will continue to sponsor the annual Youth Leadership Forum (YLF), and will support the annual Disability Awareness activities. • ARS counselors will contact all special education teachers of students with an IEP prior to or during the junior year, and when there is staff turnover will notify schools as soon as a new counselor is assigned. • ARS leadership will promote all students with an IEP be provided eligibility determination for VR services before they graduate high school. • Due to the conversion of ACTI to a non-residential model, it is anticipated that 2019 will be the final year for the four-week Transition Employment Program (TEP) as it is currently implemented, in which students receive a comprehensive assessment/evaluation, OSHA certification training, job readiness and soft-skill development, and three internship rotations while residing at ACTI. However, ARS and ACTI will explore opportunities to expand on pre-employment transition services on a non-residential basis, as ACTI’s new programming is developed. • ARS will continue to partner with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), and ACCESS Group, Inc. to increase the number of young adults served in the UAMS Project SEARCH site. In addition, ARS will look for opportunities to increase the number of Project SEARCH sites by partnering with other community partners. ARS will continue to support the youth model site in Fayetteville in partnership with Lifestyles, Inc., Fayetteville Public Schools, and Washington Regional Medical Center. • Access and Accommodations will work with counselors, educators and employers to assist students with disabilities who utilize assistive technology by providing assessments, consultation, and acquisition as part of the transition process from secondary education to postsecondary education and work. • Access and Accommodations (AT@Work) in collaboration with Increasing Capabilities Access Program (ICAN, State AT Program) and community partners will provide training to appropriate staff as it relates to the legal provisions of assistive technology as an accommodation in education and employment settings. ARS Evaluation and Progress for Goal 5 With the assistance of NTACT, ARS and various partner agencies conducted a statewide survey to obtain baseline data of available transition services throughout the state. ARS is utilizing the information collected through the survey to make data driven decisions in an effort to implement policy and procedures consistent with WIOA. ARS combined transition programs and established one vision for transition services by increasing the number Pre-Employment Transition counselors throughout the state. ARS currently has a statewide transition committee, which consists of ARS field staff, a team member from the ACTI talent & development department, ARS district manager, and a member of the senior management team. ARS has established a work experience committee with various partners with the Arkansas Department of Education/ Special Education Unit. Both committees are working to initiate a statewide plan to provide innovative ideas and solutions to increase and improve transition services to students with disabilities. ARS hired a Transition Manager who is responsible for developing and implementing strategies for increasing and enhancing transition services and providing statewide training to counselors, Pre-ETS providers, and school district personnel. At the close of FFY 2017, 25 employers provided 221 internship or work-based learning opportunities for students at ACTI. In addition, the number of students that will have the opportunity to participate in pre-apprenticeship training is expected to exceed 100 by the 2nd quarter of FFY 2018. In FFY 2017, ACTI partnered with CVS Health to develop a retail training program with externships at CVS Health’s pharmacies. The training is based on CVS’s needs for retail staff and pharmacy technicians. The pre-apprenticeship training provided to ARS clients was funded by a grant provided through the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services. Access and Accommodations received 108 referrals for assistive technology assessment with clients looking to participate in educational activities from field counselors this program year. Access and Accommodations also served 95 referrals for assistive technology education and consultation from public and private employers during the program year. These cases typically result in the acquisition and training on the use of specific assistive technology devices and accommodations. Access and Accommodations staff have collaborated with ICAN to provide training in the area of legal provisions of assistive technology, specifically focusing on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) including examples of device implementation to field staff with regards to education, transition, and employment. They have also provided training in these areas to outside community partners as well as public and private employers. Goal 6: Develop and improve Community Rehabilitation Programs. • ARS will continue assigning a rehabilitation counselor as a liaison to each CRP in each District. • ARS district managers will assume a more active role with CRPs to develop more positive working relationships. • ARS will train CRPs on the WIOA requirements for services to youth and students with disabilities as it relates to Section 511 Limitations on Sub-Minimum Wage. • ARS will initiate purchased service agreements focused on moving CRPs from fee for service to performance based outcomes payments. • ARS, in partnership with the AR Employment First State Leadership Mentoring Program, the Arkansas SRC and the RSA State Liaison, will establish technical assistance guidelines focused on CRPs transitioning from facility based services to community based services. • ARS and ACTI administrators will review the current and future role and function of ACTI in the provision of services designed to assist in meeting the needs of individuals with disabilities. • ARS will, in consultation with RSA, develop short-term and long-range maintenance plans for ACTI, a State owned and operated CRP that annually utilizes approximately one third of ARS’ total VR allotment from RSA. • ACTI will continue to utilize the Professional Career Performance Program designed to reinforce positive behaviors essential to attaining and maintaining employment. • ARS will expand the OSHA ten-hour training as a weeklong stand-alone program. • A Call Center Training program will be designed and implemented to help students gain the foundational skills needed for immediate placement with call centers. ACTI is working with several call centers who have recruited students completing the customer service training. This program will address the challenges some students are experiencing when navigating entrance competency examinations and evaluations. • A Heavy Equipment Operation program will include a collaborative training agreement with a local two-year college to provide CDL training and licensing as well as a six-week hands-on training on hydraulic excavator simulator. • ACTI will conduct an annual assessment in conjunction with the triennial needs assessment to determine the optimum adequacy of its programs and infrastructure as a state operated CRP. This includes necessary and critical upgrades to infrastructure and accessibility. ARS Evaluation and Progress for Goal 6 In FFY 2015, ARS and ACTI administrators reviewed services, which covered the first quarter FFY 2013 through third quarter FFY 2015. Reviews have been conducted for FFY 2016 and FFY 2017. In the last quarter of FFY 2017, a design professional was selected to develop the short- and long-term maintenance plan. The scope of work for the plan will be finalized in first quarter FFY 2018. ARS will request prior approval from RSA for each and every expenditure for ACTI that is considered pursuant to establishment authority. In FYY 2017, ACTI began utilizing PBIS rewards Apps and software to track points and referrals for interventions. This allows for better evaluation of both positive and negative behaviors and allows for better coordination of positive behavior supports, which is a hallmark of the professional career performance program. In FFY 2016, 241 VR consumers were trained and received OSHA ten-hour certification. In FFY 2017, 272 were trained and certified. In FFY 2016, ACTI began offering this training off of the ACTI campus. A Call Center Training program has been designed and implemented to help students gain the foundational skills needed for immediate placement with call centers. ACTI is working with several call centers who have recruited students completing the customer service training. This program addresses the challenges some students are experiencing when navigating entrance competency examinations and evaluations. In FFY 2016, 13 VR consumers received call center training. In FFY 2017, four VR consumers received call center training. In FFY 2017 ACTI partnered with CVS Health to develop a retail training program with externships at CVS Health’s pharmacies. The training is based on the companies needs for retail staff and pharmacy technicians. The opening of the program is scheduled for the first quarter FFY 2018. Based on the annual assessments there have been several changes to programming at ACTI. When programs fail to perform to accreditation standards, a plan for corrective action is put into place, which includes an evaluation of LMI data for occupations related to the training. At the end of FFY 2017 the following training programs have been discontinued: outdoor power equipment, graphic communication, and screen printing. In addition, the evaluation conducted in FFY 2016 identified the need to incorporate restaurant style training for the culinary arts program. This will require the development of a culinary arts lab as well as adapting the curriculum used in the program. A portion of the former US Army Reserve building was identified as an ideal location to develop a culinary arts lab. This also allows for increased utilization of existing classrooms in the building and an increased service to VR consumers. During the program reporting period of July 2016 to June 2017, ARS trained an additional 437 individuals on revamping of Community Rehabilitation Program services, which covered information about transitioning from fee for service to performance based outcomes, newest CRP services, and the validation pilot initiative of braided services including ARS and the Department of Human Services, Developmental Disabilities Services Supported Employment waiver changes. Goal 7: Improve training, resources, and continuing education. • ARS will review the needs identified in the Training Needs Assessment conducted by ARS Staff Development and Training to identify significant training and continuing education activities. • Staff Development and Training will coordinate and conduct task force meetings representing a cross section of agency personnel to analyze the identified needs submitted. Information from the task force will be incorporated, if appropriate, into the proposed Career Development Enhancement Program and the employees’ training and education plans. Training delivery method will vary depending on the subject matter and all resources available will be considered. • ARS will train staff on the new services and standards for Community Rehabilitation Programs beginning July 1, 2016. • ARS will train staff to increase awareness related to Employment First (E1st) Provider Transformation and Integrated Community Based Services as it relates to Community Rehabilitation Programs, Supported Employment Programs, and External Job Placement vendors. • ARS/ACTI will undertake a feasibility study and memoranda of agreement with Higher Education providers to further the agency’s desire to provide continuing education and training for VR consumers wishing to pursue higher accreditation in skilled trades and to enhance employment outcomes. (This has not been initiated as of the end of FFY 2017.) • Access and Accommodations (AT@Work) in collaboration with Increasing Capabilities Access Program (ICAN, State AT Program) and community partners will provide training to appropriate staff as it relates to the legal provisions of assistive technology in education and employment settings. ARS Evaluation and Progress for Goal 7 ARS completed staff training on the new services and standards for Community Rehabilitation Programs in Program Year 2016 - 2017. Access and Accommodations staff have collaborated with ICAN to provide training in the area of legal provisions of assistive technology, specifically focusing on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) including examples of device implementation to field staff with regards to education, transition, and employment. They have also provided training in these areas to outside community partners as well as public and private employers. Goal 8: Improve ARS' ability to act as a resource when assisting individuals with disabilities and employers in addressing accommodation needs. • ARS will reorganize/realign its Special Programs section to better communicate the availability of resources to assist in the accommodation process. As part of this change Special Programs will be renamed Access and Accommodations. • ARS will rename its Retaining a Valued Employee (RaVE) program to Stay at Work/Return to Work (SAW/RTW). This language is consistent with programs/practices in private/public sector employment and communicates functional intent. • As part of the Governor’s Employment First Task Force, ARS will assume a lead role in the implementation of a SAW/RTW program within Arkansas state government. • ARS will work with WIOA partners at both the state and local level to support SAW/RTW efforts in both public and private sector employment. • ARS will sufficiently staff its Assistive Technology at Work (AT@Work) program to meet referral demands from the ARS Field Program and SAW/RTW initiative. Staff will have expertise to address accommodation needs in training and employment settings. ARS Evaluation and Progress for Goal 8 In program year 2016, ARS Special Programs was renamed Access and Accommodations to better communicate the resources and services available within the division. The Retaining a Valued Employee (RaVE) program was also renamed to Stay at Work/Return to Work (SAW/RTW) to be consistent with language found within the public/private sector. Access and Accommodations as part of the Employment First Task Force, has worked with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Public Employee Claims Division (PECD) to develop an OPM sponsored training for state supervisors and HR staff in the area of SAW/RTW. This included the implementation of assistive technology and how to accommodate an employee with a disability in the workplace. In the third quarter of program year 2016 Access and Accommodations, Assistive Technology at Work (AT@Work) program added a new Occupational Therapist position to meet the increased demands for evaluation services from field staff and to assist employers and employees through evaluations and trainings with the SAW/RTW program. Access and Accommodations is still in the process of adding one more Occupational Therapy position to ensure all referrals are seen in a timely manner. Goal 9: Increase the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery for agency consumers. • ARS will ensure the development and implementation of comprehensive training for Rehab Area Managers and counselors to effectively serve consumers. • ARS will adequately staff the field program to reduce caseloads and allow counselors to devote additional time to direct consumer contact and provision of services. • ARS will examine the agency referral sources and ensure counselors are trained to provide effective services to consumers with mental health concerns and intellectual/developmental disabilities. • ARS will increase the role of the rehab area manager in the areas of outreach and marketing at local levels statewide to cultivate positive working relationships with employers, partners, and stakeholders. • ARS will implement training that will focus on increasing the number of individuals exiting the system with quality employment outcomes. • ARS will evaluate the Supported Employment services provided statewide and focus on expansion in rural areas. • ARS will strengthen the relationships with WIOA partners such as Workforce Services, Services for the Blind, Adult Education, and Department of Human Services to better serve agency customers with resources. • ARS will implement and develop policies for WIOA and provide statewide training for the field program. • ACTI will evaluate programs on effectiveness and implement new talent programs that give student’s competitive training for the 2020 workforce. • ACTI will implement efficient communication processes with the field program to ensure counselors are aware of ACTI programs. • ACTI will improve marketing and outreach to employers, schools, and prospective consumers. ARS Evaluation and Progress for Goal 9 ARS hosted twelve meetings that provided training and guidance to district managers regarding federal mandates, fiscal spending, policy and procedures to ensure efficient service delivery to constituents. ARS has reduced caseloads by reclassifying field positions and collaborating with WIOA partners for comparable benefits. In FFY 2017, ARS sent vocational rehabilitation counselors to ARA, AAMRC, and APSE conferences that provided training on mental health services to populations with disabilities. In FFY 2017, ARS district managers were tasked to visit and provide an agency overview to all WIOA partners statewide. In FFY 2017, ARS hosted ten Community Connection events with WIOA partners to provide awareness of services. ARS established a WIOA collaborative leadership team that provides technical assistance statewide to local WIOA boards and staff. The committee groups are Transition, Core Measures, Technology, Policy, and Business and Industry. At the beginning of FFY 2016, ACTI developed a talent development forklift operation certification program to enhance the employability of VR consumers served at ACTI. By the end of FFY 2016, 24 VR clients achieved this certification and 27 were trained in FFY 2017. Beginning in FFY 2017, ACTI started providing some of the talent development training via distance learning and face-to-face training on high school campuses across the state. In the second quarter of FFY 2017, ACTI staff worked with the program managers tasked with the coordination of Pre-Employment Transition Services and Project Search. These meetings resulted in identifying the need for the following talent development training offerings for multiple school districts and employers across the state. By the end of FFY 2017, ACTI had developed and readied for implementation a distance and satellite training plan for provision of ServSafe safe food handling, Professional Guest Services training, and OSHA 10. ACTI has been working to improve the communication process and provide up-to-date information to the field related to programming. In FFY 2015, ACTI had 20 meetings with field staff going over programing. In addition, ACTI had 23 meetings in FFY 2016 and eight in FFY 2017. Beginning in FY 2017, ACTI incorporated GOTO meeting to help communicate about programming, ACTI also has a representative that actively participates in the monthly district managers meeting conducted by field services. ACTI is also working to better integrate communicate program information through the ARS communication office and use of electronic and social media. In FFY 2016 ACTI reported 201 activities consisting of outreach through presentations, exhibit booths, conference attendance, etc. These outreach activities targeted ARS field staff, the general community, potential employers, businesses, teachers, high school students, parents and others. The breakdown reflected: 28 to community groups, 34 Transition Fairs reaching students, schools and/or teachers, 116 with workforce business/potential employers and 23 with ARS field staff office visits. For FFY 2017, ACTI reported 466 activities consisting of outreach through presentations, exhibit booths, conference attendance, etc. These outreach activities targeted ARS field staff, the general community, potential employers, businesses, teachers, high school students, parents and others. The breakdown reflected: 238 to community groups, 114 Transition Fairs reaching students, schools and/or teachers, 65 with workforce entities, 41 businesses/potential employers and eight with ARS field counselors. Outreach Strategy After conducting a multi-year effort through a broad spectrum of media, ARS achieved sufficient success in generating public interest in VR services as measured by a concomitant increase in applications for services through program year 2016 and 2017. Subsequently, ARS currently conducts community connection forums throughout the state and in the local school systems. Additionally, ARS continues to sponsor an annual transition fair. The lessons learned from the ACE/ARS Expo program were incorporated into all outreach activities. This includes education and outreach to internal and external stakeholders. ARS Evaluation and Progress ARS completed the contract with the marketing firm in 2015. After conducting a multi-year effort through a broad spectrum of media, ARS achieved sufficient success in generating public interest in VR services as measured by a concomitant increase in applications for services through program year 2016 and 2017. Subsequently, ARS currently conducts community connection forums throughout the state and in the local school systems. Additionally, ARS continues to sponsor an annual transition fair. ARS is developing a multi-pronged program for serving the state’s Hispanic community. Counselor training sessions have been implemented wherein counselors and professional assessment staff learn the cultural values of the state’s Hispanic community and ways to break down cultural and language barriers to accessing VR services. Additionally, transition counselors are working with the state’s Hispanic transition consumers encouraging them to consider VR counseling as a career. ARS is developing a statewide strategy with the state’s graduate VR programs in higher education to recruit more Hispanic/Spanish speaking students who would subsequently be recruited by ARS. ARS has fully developed the marketing and branding of VR services delivered by the agency. Agency expos grew in attendance and co-sponsored collaboration. The agency now has a robust website offering interactive video vignettes enabling the public to learn about every program and service offered by the agency.