Narrative: o. 1.

VR Strategies DSB has developed the following VR strategies to expand and improve services to its consumers for Program Years 2020-2021:

Goal 1: DSB will increase the employment opportunities for people who are blind or severely visually impaired.

Strategy: VR Counselors will schedule and attend face-to-face job exploration meetings to interview human resource professionals regarding the types of jobs they have, and the skills needed to do those jobs. Performance Measures:  A minimum of two employer job exploration meetings will be scheduled per month for each client in job-readiness status.  DSB will provide additional training on conducting outreach.  The DSB Quality Assurance Unit will develop methods to track employer contacts in AWARE and Salesforce.

Strategy: VR Counselors will ensure that participants in job ready status are actively seeking employment. Performance Measures: VR Counselors will require three job contacts per week.  Assist job-ready participants with registration at Workforce Services.   Assist job-ready participants with registering and applying for careers available through the Talent Acquisition Portal (TAP); and assist participants with registering and applying for jobs through employer internet accessible application processes with private, federal, state and non-profit employers.  VR counselors will update employer information in the AWARE module and Quality Assurance staff will implement a more effective use of the employer module. DSB will utilize the Salesforce program for tracking employer services.

Strategy: DSB will encourage and support viable self-employment. Performance Measures: Through the DSB Small Business Coordinator, participants will be provided access to Small Business Association trainings and the Arkansas Secretary of State’s trainings on small business enterprises. The counselors will schedule job shadowing experiences with participants who are blind/visually impaired that have maintained successful businesses. Each self-employment proposal submitted by a participant will be reviewed by a team composed of the Field Services Administrator, the Small Business Coordinator, and the participant’s VR Counselor to ensure that a proposal is realistic and sustainable before it is approved and any funds are provided. DSB will develop an updated brochure to provide interested consumers with information about DSB’s small business self-employment program.   DSB will revise their policy and procedures for funding small businesses. DSB will coordinate a small business team to review proposals and provide training for VR counselors on completing a small business proposal.

Strategy: DSB will work in conjunction with provider agencies to provide work appropriate skills and training to blind and low vision participants. Performance Measures: DSB will refer participants to apprenticeship programs across the state. DSB will refer participants to World Services for the Blind, Alpha Pointe, the Louisiana Center for the Blind, Sources, Goodwill, Adult Education, and other providers as necessary for additional skills training, including, but not limited to soft skills and work readiness training to assist participants in improving their probability of securing competitive employment. DSB will work with provider agencies to develop more high demand training for more high demand jobs.  DSB will ensure that appropriate guidelines are in place to monitor providers and training. DSB will refer participants to Apprenticeship programs.

Strategy: DSB will provide detailed benefits counseling information to each participant on SSI and SSDI. Performance Measures: DSB will refer 100% of clients, adults, students and youth on SSI and SSDI to the DSB benefits counselor for a one-on-one benefits analysis. Area Managers will monitor caseloads to ensure that VR Counselors are referring 100% of SSI and SSDI VR participants to benefits counseling. Counselors will make participants aware of benefits counseling at the time of application, at the time of IPE’s, and at the time of closure. New counselors will receive benefits counseling training and current counselors will receive benefits counseling updates.

Strategy: DSB will continue to refer Older Individuals who are Blind (OIB) and interested in employment to VR services. Performance Measures: DSB will refer 100% of Older Blind individuals who are interested in employment to VR services.  VR counselors will make contact with agencies that serve older individuals such as Green Thumb, and AAA to seek referrals and to educate these agencies about DSB services. 

Strategy: DSB will continue to recognize successful participants and their employers. Performance Measures: Each year each counselor will recognize one individual from his/her caseload as an area Consumer of the Year and nominate the individual as a candidate for the overall state Consumer of the Year. DSB will award area Consumers of the Year and their employers with trophies/framed certificates and related publicity.

Strategy: DSB will continue to expand its assistive technology services and improve access to these services and equipment. Performance Measures: DSB will provide trainings to employers on the use and function of common assistive technology devices for the blind and visually impaired. DSB’s assistive technology staff will develop trainings that can be modified for small and large employers. DSB will provide outreach and training to community organizations on technological advances in low vision and blindness. Provide training to new Workforce Services staff as vacancies occur to increase their knowledge of accessible technology and the needs of participants.  DSB staff will continue to meet participants at Workforce Services offices, including DSB sponsored accessible kiosks, to assist participants in their job searches and in becoming more comfortable interacting with the public in an employment setting.

Strategy: DSB will increase the skills, credentials and professional affiliations of its novice Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors as they move to assume senior counseling responsibilities in connection with DSB overall succession planning. Performance Measures: Novice counselors will attend a specific orientation to VR issues and participate in specialized immersion training during their first six months.  Training through the Arkansas Rehabilitation Association, Vision Quest, and other qualified sources. Novice counselors will be exposed to professional organizations each year, as documented in their professional development plans. Novice counselors will attend Immersion training during their first six months. Counselors will attend specialized training with Louisiana Center for the Blind Mississippi State University and other training opportunities. DSB will utilize the UofA Currents and online training opportunities to provide staff with professional trainings.

Strategy: To augment the efforts of DSB staff, DSB will use peer mentoring in transition and job ready exploration to allow experienced participants to provide information, advice, and support to less experienced participants. Performance Measures: Peer mentoring will be used to connect participants interested in self-employment with individuals who have owned small businesses and can offer advice and support. Area Consumers of the Year will be encouraged to provide peer mentoring to other individuals who are blind and severely visually impaired that are trying to manage their rehabilitation plans, gain marketable skills, and secure good jobs. Participants are connected to DSB Vendor Operators.  A Peer Mentoring program will be developed for Pre-ETS students. Information will be provided on NFB and ACB organizations and utilize their members as mentors.

Strategy: DSB will support training and the exchange of information among the core partners of WIOA. Performance Measures: DSB staff will be active members of the Workforce Investment Boards and WIOA planning committees throughout the State. DSB Executive staff attend monthly WIOA Executive Roundtable meetings with all partners and serve on sub-committees to coordinate services.  Staff attend bi-annual partner trainings. DSB executive staff will be active members of the State Workforce Investment Board and its committees.

Strategy: DSB will ensure that all job ready participants will receive career exploration activities in their chosen career field at training settings. Performance Measures: DSB will arrange for and accompany job ready adult participants to college, vocational/technical, or university campus visits. DSB will assist participants with reviewing entrance requirements to college, vocational/technical, or universities.  Counselors will connect participants to campus tours, assist students with FAFSA and college applications. Counselors will assist students with campus acclimation and introduce them to campus disability services.

Goal 2: Increase Pre-Employment Transition Services to high school students; increase transition services to out-of-school youth.

Strategy: DSB will ensure that all Pre-ETS students and youth receive exposure to work experiences and career exploration activities. Performance Measures: DSB will arrange for tours of local businesses for Pre-ETS students to explore potential career opportunities. DSB will arrange for job shadowing opportunities for Pre-ETS students. DSB will arrange for informational interviews for Pre-ETS students to explore job opportunities. DSB will arrange volunteer opportunities for Pre-ETS students to explore career fields. DSB will accompany Pre-ETS students to career seminars and career fairs. DSB will arrange for and accompany Pre-ETS students to college, vocational/technical, or university campus visits. DSB will work with more vendors and businesses around the state to develop work experience, job shadowing, informational interviews, and career exploration opportunities.  Pre-ETS counselors will explore career options with students and set up work experience and volunteer opportunities for students to gain “real experiences”. DSB will provide a three-weeks “Jump Start” program in which students will hear from company representatives, explore careers and gain work experience. Pre-ETS students will participate in job shadowing opportunities and informational interviews. DSB will conduct transition fairs and accompany students to other transition/career fairs.

Strategy: DSB will support training and the exchange of information among state transition partner organizations. Performance Measures: DSB will sponsor or participate in at least one training or event that will bring together transition partners for the purpose of exchanging information that will specifically benefit students who are blind or severely visually impaired. DSB will conduct local transition summits with school districts across the state. DSB will participate in trainings with our core partners, Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER), Arkansas Career Education (ACE) and Career and Technical Education (CTE). DSB will coordinate a training with the Arkansas School for the Blind and Vision Impaired (ASBVI) project.

Strategy: DSB will update the collaborative database of transition students as needed. Performance Measures: Counselors will coordinate with Local Education Area (LEA) Supervisors to maintain lists of transition students. The Pre-ETS Manager will review the database to ensure it is being maintained by Rehabilitation Assistants who input the local information and update the list monthly. Pre-ETS counselors will contact LEA Area Supervisors and have face to face meetings with school staff. Referrals identified by LEAs are sent to Pre-ETS counselors and the Pre-ETS Manager for review. Monthly reports of school contacts will be provided to the Pre-ETS Manager.

Strategy: Counselors will continue to track transition students on their caseloads to ensure that the IPE is developed or updated before a student graduates from high school. Performance Measure: Area Supervisors will monitor this during case reviews to ensure that no transition student will graduate without a current IPE. Pre-ETS counselors will develop and update IPEs of transition students before they graduate.  Pre-ETS Counselors will facilitate a meeting with high school staff and college disability services for those attending college. The Pre-ETS manager will review and monitor the cases to ensure the IPEs are completed.

Strategy: DSB will hold Parent Summits to assist parents and other stakeholders in becoming more knowledgeable and better prepared to advocate for their children at Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meetings. Performance Measures: Annually, DSB will invite ESVI Regional Certified Vision Consultants and transition parents to a Parent Summit with VR Counselors to provide information about assistive technology; rights and responsibilities; available resources and services; benefits counseling; and funding for college and career start—up costs. DSB will conduct an annual Back to School Parents Summit and parent summits in local areas. 

Strategy: DSB will continue to provide assessments and services to transition students specifically focused on activities of daily living, including but not limited to, mobility, knowledge of available transportation resources, self—advocacy, acquisition of a variety of reading options, awareness of job opportunities, benefits counseling, and rights and responsibilities as an informed participant. Performance Measures: Formal evaluations for assistive technology will be performed by Tech Lab staff in accordance with RSA guidelines on Rehabilitation Engineering. Counselors will arrange for training for Pre-ETS students and youth to acquire independent living skills and technological skills in order for them to participate in career exploration services. Pre-ETS counselors arrange trainings in independent living skills and assistive technology for students and youth. DSB will consult with additional vendors to provide independent living and technology training. Pre-ETS counselors will refer students for appropriate trainings. The DSB Tech Lab will provide assistive technology trainings. DSB will provide assistive technology through its Assistive Technology Loaner Program.

Strategy: DSB will continue to strengthen relationships with schools, including Arkansas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Performance Measures: DSB will present at school assemblies, parent—teacher organization meetings, and open houses to provide information on Pre-ETS and how to access these services. DSB will establish an information clearinghouse and schedule demonstration labs on selected high school campuses to inform parents, students, and education professionals of the needs of students with significant vision problems, and the cost-effective resources available to them. DSB will continue its system of mail outs and emails to public schools. DSB will continue efforts to reach private, home, and accredited virtual schools. Pre-ETS counselors will have face to face meetings with the schools.

Strategy: DSB will continue to strengthen relationships with Educational Services for the Visually Impaired (ESVI). Performance Measures: DSB will continue its system of mailouts and emails twice a year to area ESVI representatives. In addition to the local networking efforts, the Pre-ETS Manager will dialogue with ESVI at a state level to discover any transition students that need services and should be referred to DSB. DSB will refer participants under age 14 to ESVI and will encourage referrals from ages 14 and older from ESVI to DSB. Pre-ETS staff will meet with the ESVI team as a group to strengthen our working relationship. Pre-ETS counselors and ESVI consultants will refer students to each other’s agency for appropriate services. Pre-ETS Manager will provide an updated list of students to the counselors. Pre-ETS staff will attend the annual AER conference.

Goal 3: DSB will expand its outreach efforts to include the general public, as well as the unserved, underserved, minorities, and stakeholders.

Strategy: DSB will expand and improve services to individuals who are blind or severely visually impaired in the underserved Delta area. Performance Measures: DSB will formulate an alliance with non-profit organizations established in the Delta region, to provide economic literacy and soft skills trainings to individuals living in poverty in the Delta region of the State of Arkansas. DSB will coordinate meetings with non-profits and agencies that are established in the Delta region, to provide information and trainings to individuals living in the Delta region of the state.

Strategy: DSB will use exhibit booths to educate the public about DSB services and their availability. Performance Measures: Each VR Counselor will staff at least one DSB exhibit at a widely attended or significantly relevant event in his/her territory. Staff will increase participation at job fairs and health fairs.

Strategy: DSB will increase its outreach to minorities and faith—based groups. Performance Measures: DSB will establish a cooperative agreement with the Urban League in Little Rock and Springdale to reach the underserved and unserved populations. VR Counselors will make at least four faith—based outreach efforts in each of their geographic areas annually. VR Counselors will make at least two minority outreach efforts to Hispanic, Asian, or other ethnic groups in each of their geographic areas annually. DSB will develop a new Faith-Based Outreach program. DSB will provide outreach training for their counselors and staff.

Strategy: Area Supervisors and DSB administrative staff will continue to attend the state conferences of blindness consumer groups, and opportunities will be offered to direct service staff as well. Performance Measures: DSB will continue to send supervisors/administrators to these conferences to interact with participants and they will make presentations as requested. DSB staff will attend the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) and the American Council for the Blind (ACB) state and national conferences. DSB will participate with other state conferences of blindness and visual impairment organizations to network on issues faced by other states and gain ideas about how to better serve individuals.

Goal 4: DSB will increase coordination with employers.

Strategy: DSB will ensure that all job ready participants will receive career exploration activities and work experience in their chosen career field at the job site. Performance Measures: DSB will arrange for tours of local businesses for job ready adult participants to explore potential career opportunities. DSB will arrange for job shadowing opportunities for job ready adult participants. DSB will arrange for informational interviews for job ready adult participants to explore job opportunities. DSB will arrange volunteer opportunities for job ready adult participants to explore career fields. DSB will accompany job ready adult participants to career seminars and career fairs.

Strategy: DSB will become Chamber of Commerce members. Performance Measures: VR counselors will make contact with at least two Chamber members per month to learn about the trends and needs of those businesses. Each Counselor will obtain an updated Chamber list for their area. Each DSB office will join their local Chamber of Commerce. VR counselors and the Business Engagement Coordinator will contact chamber businesses. DSB staff will attend Chamber of Commerce events.

Strategy: VR Counselors will conduct public speaking engagements. Performance Measure: At least one presentation per year will be given to the local area Lions, Rotary, Civitan, or Kiwanis Club in order to form relationships with local leaders by DSB counselors. Counselors will conduct COY presentations at local civic community clubs.

Strategy: DSB management staff will connect with employers in each economic development district. Performance Measure: DSB management staff will establish at least one ongoing internship site per region for DSB participants. DSB management staff will work in conjunction with the Arkansas Apprenticeship program to locate apprenticeship opportunities for participants. DSB Business Engagement Coordinator will connect with employers in each economic development district and will develop internships and apprenticeship opportunities for participants.

Supported Employment Goals and Strategies:

Goal 1: DSB will increase the number of Supported Employment providers to better serve DSB participants.

Strategy: DSB will collaborate with organizations such as World Services for the Blind, Job Connections, AEDD Inc., Easter Seals and Goodwill to increase SE service availability in unserved or underserved areas of the state due to geographic or other issues. DSB will join ARS to conduct at least one meeting with providers to discuss ways to increase SE services to rural areas.

Goal 2: DSB will increase Supported Employment services to Pre-ETS students and out-of-school youth.

Strategy: Counselors will determine whether students or youth are candidates for SE services during the employment planning process. Performance Measures: DSB will train new staff and provide updates to veteran staff on identifying and providing SE services to Pre-ETS transition youth. Staff trainings on Supported Employment and Customized Employment will be conducted.

Goal 3: DSB will increase the quality of SE providers for individuals who are blind or severely visually impaired.

Strategy: DSB will determine SE vendor standards targeted to meet the blindness and visual impairment needs of its participants. Performance Measure: At least one presentation or training will be made to educate SE providers about vendor standards. DSB will provide training for SE providers on blindness and vision impairments.