Narrative: d. 2. O. viii. II.

The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation values and appreciates the collaborative efforts of both the State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) and the State Independent Living Council (SILC). Positive collaborative working relationships have resulted in valued input and contributions to help DVR develop goals and priorities as well as strategies to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities as identified in the comprehensive needs assessment. In addition, the SRC is actively involved on an ongoing basis any time that DVR revisits and updates its service delivery policies and procedures. DVR will continue to use Title I funds for innovation and expansion to provide staff support and to pay for the operating, travel, and per diem costs of members of the SRC and the SILC.

Additionally, DVR has begun to undertake a number of innovative practices to improve and expand vocational rehabilitation in Colorado. DVR had developed a Youth Transition Unit to enhance transition activities and ensure DVR is on the cutting edge of effective transition service to students and youth with disabilities. This unit will be further developed over the next 5 years and is tasked with identifying innovative strategies to provide Pre-Employment Transition Services to students with disabilities in addition to augmenting current activities to more fully meet the transition needs of youth with disabilities. A top priority of this unit will be to expand outreach to youth, ensuring students and youth receive timely transition services so they are poised for successful transition to post-secondary activities.

Similarly, DVR recently developed a Blind and Low Vision Services Unit. This unit is responsible for improving the availability and effectiveness of rehabilitation services to the blind and those with low vision. The creation of this unit will allow DVR to further develop counselors, vision rehabilitation therapists, and orientation and mobility specialists in order to most effectively meet the unique needs of individuals with visual impairments.

A new Office of Independent Living Services (OILS) has also been created within DVR. This unit has responsibility for overseeing and coordinating independent living by working in close partnership with each of the Independent Living Centers in Colorado. OILS provides an opportunity for DVR to enhance the high quality independent living services already available throughout the state by increasing the number of DVR staff dedicated to supporting the important work of the Independent Living Centers through the identification of innovative and promising practices that can be adapted to meet the needs of various communities in Colorado.

Over the past several years, DVR has developed a comprehensive approach to using data to drive the management of the VR program. DVR has increased its capacity to identify, gather, and analyze critical data to improve services and outcomes for clients, while ensuring the accountability and credibility of VR to all stakeholders. DVR intends to continue this approach of metrics driven leadership to further enhance performance management, quality assurance, and outcomes.

Currently, DVR is engaged in a LEAN initiative to identify areas of unnecessary administrative burden and streamline process with the goal of improving the experience of both staff and customers. The process improvement effort has required the engagement of staff at all levels within the organization to identify areas of redundancy, inefficiency, and nonessential tasks. Several workgroups have since taken on the tasks of thoroughly exploring each problem area and recommending the needed process improvements that will remove barriers to efficient and effective services, while ensuring compliance with all Federal and State regulations and policies. This work has already resulting in significant reduction of staff time engaged in unnecessary administrative tasks and additional improvements are expected.