Narrative: p. 1. A.

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

Strategy: VR Counselors scheduled and attended face to face job exploration meetings to interview human resources professionals regarding the types of jobs they have and the skills needed to do these jobs. 

Evaluation of Progress PY18-19:

• Each counselor scheduled a minimum of two employer job exploration meetings per month. 
• Staff attended Business Expos with Chamber of Commerce and exhibited at other events.
• DSB coordinated and shared information with ARS Business Relations staff

Evaluation of Progress PY20-21:

Staff no longer have AWARE employer access and employer contacts are entered by Business Engagement allowing for consistent and accurate tracking. Counselors made 43 employer contacts for Program Year 2020, and 35 employer contacts in the first 2 Quarters of Program Year 2021.

Strategy:  VR Counselors will ensure that participants in job ready status are actively seeking employment. 

Evaluation of Progress PY 18-19:

• Counselors required 3 job contacts per week for each job-ready status participants.
• Counselors are referring clients to Workforce, and the Talent Acquisition Portal (TAP).
• Counselors are assisting participants to register and apply for jobs on employer internet accessible application processes with private, federal, state, and non-profit employers.

Evaluation of Progress PY20-21

DSB Staff received training and guidance on required supports and expectations for consumers in Job Ready Status. Staff also received training on how to identify consumers who should be placed in Job Ready Status. This training was at the July 2021 Field Services Meeting.

Strategy: DSB will encourage and support viable self-employment.

Evaluation of Progress PY 18-19:

• Counselors provided participants with trainings on small business enterprises. 
• Counselors scheduled job shadowing experiences with participants who are blind/visually impaired that have maintained successful businesses.

Evaluation of Progress PY20-21

DSB has developed a Small Business Committee and is working to update our policy on Small Business. In addition, DSB is designing a Small Business Brochure to share with consumers.

Strategy: DSB will work in conjunction with provider agencies to provide work appropriate skills and training to blind and low vision participants. 

Evaluation of Progress PY18-19:

• DSB refers participants to World Services for the Blind, Alpha Pointe, 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 integrated employment.
• DSB refers participants to Apprenticeship programs.

Evaluation of Progress PY20-21

DSB continues to work with provider agencies to assist consumers. DSB is working with the Quality Employment Technical Assistance Center to provide training and support to staff on providing apprenticeships to consumers.

Strategy: DSB will provide detailed benefits counseling information to each participant on SSI and SSDI. 

Evaluation of Progress PY18-19:

• DSB refers 100% of clients, adults, students, and youth on SSI and SSDI to benefits counseling for a one-on-one benefits analysis. 
• Counselors provide benefits counseling at the time of application, at the time of IPE’s, and at the time of closure.

Strategy: DSB will refer Older Individuals who are Blind (OIB) and interested in employment to VR services.

Evaluation of Progress PY 18-19:

• DSB counselors refer OIB participants that are interested in employment to VR services.

Evaluation of Progress PY20-21

Clients who express interest in work are immediately referred to VR. DSB staff work with local agencies to provide needed services to consumers. DSB also invites agencies to participate in the Older Blind Advisory Committee. Staff have connected with local assisted living centers and town hall meetings to educate communities on our services.

Strategy: DSB will continue to recognize successful participants and their employers. 

Evaluation of Progress PY18-19:

• Individuals are recognized as area and state Consumer of the Year along with their employers.

Evaluation of Progress PY20-21

16 VR caseloads submitted a COY for PY2020. All Pre-ETS caseloads submitted nominations for Student of the Year, and one overall winner was chosen. DSB honored all COYs at the virtual December meeting both years.

Strategy: DSB will continue to expand its assistive technology services and improve access to these services and equipment. 

Evaluation of Progress PY18-19:

• DSB provides trainings to employers on the use and function of common assistive technology devices for the blind and visually impaired. 
• DSB continues to provide training to new Workforce Services staff as vacancies occur in order to increase their knowledge of accessible technology and the needs of participants. DSB’s Counselors are now located in 11 Workforce Services offices. 
• DSB staff continue to meet participants at Workforce Services offices, including DSB sponsored accessible kiosks, in order to assist participants in their job searches and in becoming more comfortable interacting with the public in an employment setting.
• The Pre-ETS program has set up a Technology Closet so that students can try out technology before purchasing equipment. 

Evaluation of Progress PY20-21

DSB staff are now located in Workforce Centers.

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.

Evaluation of Progress PY18-19:

• Novice counselors attended a specific orientation to VR issues and participated in specialized training through the Arkansas Rehabilitation Association or other qualified sources. 
• Counselors were exposed to professional organizations each year, as documented in their professional development plans.

Evaluations of Progress PY20-21

DSB Staff were provided the opportunity to participate in numerous virtual trainings through NRTC, Mississippi State University, University of Arkansas Currents, Helen Keller National Center, CSAVR, NFB, ACB, and the Technical Assistance Centers.  DSB had staff participate in AER Pre-ETS trainings, Lead VR, and the Virginia Commonwealth University Supported Employment course.

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. 

Evaluation and Progress PY18-19:

• Peer mentoring is 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 provided 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.
• Peer mentoring was provided by NFB and ACB members
• Peer mentoring was provided to our Pre-ETS participants during Jump Start and other activities.  

Strategy: DSB will support training and the exchange of information among the core partners of WIOA.

Evaluation and Progress PY-18-19:

• DSB staff were active participants on the local Workforce Investment Boards throughout the state.
• DSB Executive staff were active members with the State Workforce Investment Board and participated on committees.
• DSB Executive Staff served on WIOA Executive Roundtable and committees. 
• DSB staff attend WIOA Partners semi-annual trainings.

Evaluation of Progress PY20-21

 DSB Staff serve on all WIOA Executive Roundtable Subcommittees. DSB Counselors and Supervisors sit on the WIOA local boards. All DSB counselors, supervisors, and some administrative staff attend the partners meetings each year. Both were virtual in PY2020 and PY2021.

Strategy: DSB will ensure that all job ready participants will receive career exploration activities in their chosen career field at training settings.

Evaluation and Progress PY 18-19:

• DSB counselors arranged for and accompanied job ready adult participants to college, vocational/technical, or university campus visits. 
• Counselors assisted participants with reviewing entrance requirements to college, vocational/technical, or universities.

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

Strategy: DSB will ensure that all Pre-ETS students and transition youth receive exposure to work experiences and career exploration activities.

Evaluation and Progress PY 18-19:

• DSB arranged for tours of local businesses for Pre-ETS students to explore potential career opportunities.
• Counselors arranged job shadowing, volunteer opportunities, and informational interviews for Pre-ETS students to explore job opportunities.
• DSB counselors arranged and accompanied students on college, vocational/technical and university campus visits.
• DSB provided a successful three-weeks Jump Start program in which students heard from business representatives, explored careers and gained work experience.

Evaluation of Progress PY20-21

Students were still able to participate in virtual work-based learning experiences. Pre-ETS students were able to attend a virtual informational session with blind and visually impaired individuals who discussed their experience in the workforce and with creating their own businesses hosted by Ace Academy. In the first quarter of PY2021, DSB provided 32 Work-Based Learning Experiences to VR eligible Students with a Disability, and 21 Work-Based Learning Experiences to potentially eligible Students with a Disability.

Strategy: DSB will support training and the exchange of information among state transition partner organizations.

Evaluation and Progress PY 18-19:

• DSB Pre-ETS staff attended the state AER conferences
• DSB Pre-ETS staff were active participants with the state Transition Summit with representatives of the school districts
• DSB Counselors participated in Deaf-Blind Train the Trainer training with ARS, CAYSI, and Goodwill. 
• DSB staff hosted and attended transition fairs statewide.

Evaluations of Progress PY20-21

DSB participated in AER trainings and conferences. Staff also participated in trainings with Helen Keller National Center and Children and Youth with Sensory Impairments (CAYSI).

Strategy: DSB will update the collaborative database of transition students as needed.

Evaluation and Progress PY 18-19:

• Counselors and Rehabilitation Assistants coordinated with Local Education Area (LEA) Supervisors maintained lists of transition students.
• Pre-ETS Manager reviewed the database to ensure it was properly maintained.
• Referrals from the LEA’s were reviewed and sent to appropriate Pre-ETS counselor.

Evaluation of Progress PY20-21

Pre-ETS counselors have continued to connect with LEA staff and meet face to face when allowed by schools during the pandemic. Pre-ETS staff submit monthly contact reports to their supervisor on all school contacts for that month.

Strategy: VR Counselors continue to track transition students on their caseloads to ensure that the IPE is developed or updated before a student graduates from high school.

Evaluation and Progress PY 18-19:

• Pre-ETS counselors developed and updated IPE’s of transition students before they graduated.
• DSB Managers conducted case reviews to ensure that no transition student graduates without an IPE.

Evaluation of Progress PY20-21

Pre-ETS counselors maintain updated IPEs for VR eligible students with updates completed at least every 12 months. All potentially eligible students receive information on applying for VR services prior to graduating so that they may make the appropriate decision for their needs.

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.

Evaluation and Progress PY 18-19:

• Annually, DSB invites 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 counselors conducted Transition Summits in local areas across the state. 

Strategy: DSB 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.

Evaluation and Progress PY18-19:

• DSB Counselors arranged trainings for Pre-ETS students and youth to acquire independent living skills and technological skills for them to participate in career exploration services.
• DSB has established an Assistive Technology Loaner program for Pre-ETS students so that they can try out the equipment before purchasing.

Evaluation of Progress PY20-21

DSB hosted an in person, one week, day Jump Start program that focused on independent living skills and technology for Pre-ETS Students. DSB also hosted a two-week virtual Jump Start through Ace Academy for students. DSB continues to work find new vendors. DSB added Ace Academy, Challenge Solutions, Superior Success, and Helen Keller National Center in the last year.

Strategy: DSB will continue to strengthen relationships with schools, including Arkansas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. 

Evaluation and Progress PY18-19:

• DSB staff presented at school assemblies, parent-teacher organization meetings, and open houses to provide information on Pre-ETS and how to access these services.
• DSB conducted face-to-face meetings with the school staff.
• DSB has established an information clearinghouse and scheduled demonstrations 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 continued its system of mail-outs and e-mails to public schools.
• DSB continue their outreach to reach private, home, and accredited virtual schools.

Strategy: DSB will continue to strengthen relationships with Educational Services for the Visually Impaired (ESVI).

Evaluation and Progress PY18-19:

• DSB continued its system of mail-outs and e-mails twice a year to area ESVI representatives.
• In addition to the local networking efforts, the Pre-ETS Manager networked with ESVI at a state level to discover any transition students that need services and should be referred to DSB.
• DSB referred participants under age 14 to ESVI and encouraged referrals from ages 14 and older from ESVI to DSB.
• Staff attended 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 continue to expand and improve services to individuals who are blind or severely visually impaired in the underserved Delta area.

Evaluation and Progress PY 18-19:

• DSB conducted outreach with 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.

Strategy: DSB will use exhibit booths to educate the public about DSB services and their availability.

Evaluation and Progress PY 18-19:

• DSB Counselors and staff exhibited at widely attended or significantly relevant events in his/her territory to include health fairs, conferences, summits, and the Arkansas state fair.

Strategy: DSB will increase its outreach to minorities and faith-based groups.

Evaluation and Progress PY18-19:

• DSB contracted with the state Independent Living Centers to conduct outreach to minorities and faith-based groups. 
• These centers conducted at least 3 contacts a month with minorities and faith-based groups.

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.

Evaluation and Progress PY18-19:

• DSB staff and consumers attended both the NFB and ACB state and national conferences to interact with participants and they will make presentations as requested.
• DSB staff made presentations at the state NFB and ACB conferences.

Evaluations of Progress PY20-21

DSB has hired an Outreach Manager and a Business Engagement Coordinator to assist counselors with conducting outreach across the state. DSB Staff attended both NFB and ACB.

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. 

Evaluation and Progress PY18-19:

• DSB arranged tours of local businesses for job ready adult participants to explore potential career opportunities.
• DSB arranged job shadowing opportunities and informational interviews for job ready adult participants to explore job opportunities.
• Volunteer opportunities were arranged for job ready adult participants to explore career fields.
• DSB staff accompanied job ready adult participants to career seminars and career fairs.

Evaluation of Progress PY20-21

DSB Staff received training and guidance on required supports and expectations for consumers in Job Ready Status. Staff also received training on how to identify consumers who should be placed in Job Ready Status. This training was at the July 2021 Field Services Meeting.

Strategy: VR Counselors will become Chamber of Commerce members.

Evaluation and Progress PY18-19:

• DSB renewed their membership with local Chamber of Commerce organizations across the state.
• VR counselors contacted business members to explore human resources trends and needs.

Evaluation of Progress PY20-21

DSB renewed 5 Chamber memberships in PY2020. In PY2021, DSB joined or renewed 17 chamber memberships. DSB is currently a member of 24 local chambers in the state of Arkansas. DSB staff attend as many chamber events as possible. In PY2021, DSB has attended 8 in person chamber events.

Strategy: VR Counselors will conduct public speaking engagements.

Evaluation and Progress PY 18-19:

• DSB Counselors conducted at least one presentation per year in their local area Lions, Rotary, Civitan, or Kiwanis Club in order to form relationships with local leaders.

Strategy: DSB management staff connect with employers in each economic development district.

Evaluation and Progress PY18-19:

• DSB staff conducted outreach with employers in each economic development district. 

Evaluation of Progress PY20-21

The Business Engagement Coordinator has made contacts in all economic areas of the state through the local chambers of commerce. The local chambers have an array of different businesses to promote and partner with to achieve maximum employment expansion for all DSB clients. This promotes the whole workforce system dynamic for complete community and economic development.

Supported Employment Goals:

Goal 1: DSB will increase the number of Supported Employment (SE) 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.

Evaluation and Progress PY18-19:

• DSB collaborated with organizations such as World Services for the Blind, Job Connections, AEDD Inc., Easter Seals, Ed Davis Inc. and Goodwill to increase SE service availability in unserved or underserved areas of the state due to geographic or other issues.
• DSB added new providers TEEM and Building Bridges that serves the southern region of the state to include the rural areas.

Evaluation of Progress PY20-21

DSB is working with the Quality Employment Technical Assistance Center to develop and improve our Supported Employment (SE) Program. DSB is also working with the Helen Keller National Center to become an SE vendor. Six staff completed the Supported Employment Course with Virginia Commonwealth University.

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

Strategy: Counselors will determine whether students or youth are candidates for SE during the employment planning process.

Evaluation and Progress PY 18-19:

• The Pre-ETS counselors identify youth who might be appropriate for SE and refer them to providers for services. 
• DSB trains new staff and provides updates to veteran staff on identifying and providing SE to youth who may be appropriate for supported employment and how to refer them to providers.

Evaluation of Progress PY20-21

DSB is working with the Quality Employment Technical Assistance Center to develop and improve our Supported Employment Program. DSB is also working with the Helen Keller National Center to become an SE vendor. Six staff completed the Supported Employment Course with Virginia Commonwealth University.

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.

Evaluation and Progress PY18-19:

• DSB partners with ARS to provide information and training to SE providers.

Evaluation of Progress PY20-21

DSB is working with the Quality Employment Technical Assistance Center to develop and improve our Supported Employment Program. DSB is also working with the Helen Keller National Center to become an SE vendor.