Narrative: p. 1. A.

Goal 1

Strengthen the process of providing services to VRA applicants / consumers; emphasizing compliance with performance indicators and productivity measures established by the federal government and the public policy of the agency.

Strategy:

• Strengthen coordination with the DTRH to know employment trends and types of employers.

Progress Report:

During PYs 2017 and 2018, the staff of the Support Centers and Employment Modalities (CSEM) developed / participated in 80 activities in coordination with the Department of Labor and Human Resources (DTRH), which facilitated knowing the new employment trends and the types of employer. On the other hand, they continued to receive various publications and / or journals from the DTRH Research and Statistics Division, some of these were: Business Employment Dynamics, Industrial Composition by Municipality (published quarterly); Covered Jobs and Wages. These publications and / or magazines allow CSEM staff to continue developing workshops for consumers.

The Office of Support and Employment Modes (OSEM) received approximately 60 job offers from various types of employers by email. Once received, he referred them to the CSEM to be analyzed and identify potential consumers who could benefit from employment alternatives.

The Office of Rehabilitation Counseling Services (ORCS) referred 182 job offers to OSEM.

Strategy:

• Continue implementing employment projects through the development of self-employment.

Progress Report:

CSEM offered 1,148 workshops on job search and summary preparation, among others. They also offered 706 technical guidance and / or assistance to consumers for the development and evaluation of proposals. The Regional Committee for the Evaluation of Self-Employment Proposals conducted 48 evaluations of the Business Plan presented by consumers with the goal of self-employment.

Strategy:

• Continue with programmatic monitoring and technical assistance to Community Rehabilitation Programs (CRP) to guarantee quality and agility of services to consumers with the most significant impediments.

Progress Report:

OSEM conducted 11 monitoring of the CRPs during the 2017 program year, with a compliance result of over 90% in 45% of them.   Similarly, OSEM carried out 11 monitoring during the 2019 program year. The results of these are as follows:

The Office of Quality Control and Program Management (OQCPM) developed the Survey of Training Needs of CRP staff that provides services to VRA consumers, which was sent to the CRPs by the State Rehabilitation Council (SRC). Based on the results of the needs survey, the OQCPM collaborated with the SRC in identifying resources that offered training on May 10, 2019 to 57 professionals, among which: CRP employees; CSEM’s staff and SRC councilors.

Strategy:

• Coordinate VRA consumer participation in employment-related activities available at the American Job Centers and other WIOA components.

Progress Report:

The American Job Centers (AJC) referred approximately 248 cases to the VRA. The CSEM’s offered 219 orientations in the AJC. The Rehabilitation Counseling Service Centers (RCSC) offered 288 orientations in the AJCs and 584 participants benefited.

The VRA developed the 2017-04 Normative Communication “Role of the Vocational Rehabilitation Administration (VRA) in the American Job Centers and the VRA Referral Form to the AJCs.

Strategy:

• Continue with the referral of consumers who are beneficiaries of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) to the Caribbean Program of Work Incentive Planning and Assistance (CWIPA) for the Service of Planning Counseling of Benefits

Progress Report:

During the 2017 and 2018 program years, 21 Counseling authorizations for Benefit Planning were SRCtified as ‘service provided’; and 30 are in process (they have not been SRCtified as a service provided). This, for a total of 51 authorizations generated in the periods.

Strategy:

• Share with the SRC the normative communications that govern the provision of services.

 Progress Report:

The VRA shared with SRC a total of 13 Normative Communications that had been provided to the counseling staff.

Strategy:

• Continue with the programmatic monitoring of the service delivery process to ensure compliance with public policy.

Progress Report:

The ORCS conducted internal monitoring to evaluate the process of providing services, recommendations for self-employment services and occupational equipment; analysis of: cases closed in the applicant stage, eligibility determinations in 60 days or less and development of the service plan in 90 days or less, the amount of expired plans was also evaluated, and purchases of assistive technological equipment to guarantee services offered to the consumers of the VRA; achieving:

• 107 internal monitoring of the service delivery process with 180 monitored files;
• 12 internal monitoring of recommendations for self-employment services and occupational equipment with 23 files monitored;
• 1 internal monitoring of cases closed in the applicant’s stage with 21 files monitored;
• 1 internal monitoring of the service request process (60-day analysis) with 151 files monitored;
• 1 internal monitoring of the eligibility determination process with 3 monitored files;
• 1 internal monitoring on the development process and signing of the Individualized Plan for Employment in 90 days with 151 files monitored;
• 1 internal monitoring for analysis of plans versus expired plans with 151 files monitored;
• 312 corrective actions with the objective of guaranteeing services offered to VRA consumers.
• 1 internal monitoring on the process of buying technological assistive equipment with 4 files monitored.

The RCSC carried out internal monitoring of service files of the applicants / consumers to evaluate the process of providing services, achieving:

• 239 internal monitoring of the eligibility determination process with 483 records monitored;
• 323 internal monitoring of the development of the Individualized Employment Plan with 597 files monitored;
• 247 internal monitoring of the transition process with 966 files monitored;
• 3,271 internal monitoring of the budget management process with 6,858 records monitored;
• 861 internal monitoring of the stabilization process, transition to extended support and closure with 1,079 monitored files;
• 198 internal monitoring of the process of closing rehabilitated cases with 342 files monitored;
• 101 internal monitoring of the referral process with 190 monitored files;
• 26 internal monitoring of cases closed in the applicant’s stage with 86 files monitored;
• 335 internal monitoring of the training process with 484 files monitored;
• 172 internal monitoring of cases with more than 10 years with 174 files monitored;
• 584 internal monitoring of the case discussion process with 1,173 files monitored.

The OQCPM carried out 243 monitoring of electronic files. In these, compliance with the following aspects was evaluated: eligibility determinations in 60 days or less, development of the Service Plan in 90 days or less, and registration of Credentials obtained before the closing of the file. The results of the process are shared with the Regional Directors, Counselors Directors and Supervisors

Strategy:

• Continue to provide technical assistance to supervisory services for counseling services to improve decision-making in case management.

Progress Report:

The ORCS carried out the following activities:

• 4,119 technical assistances through the user help desk of the mechanized service delivery system called: Customer Rehabilitation Information System or CRIS;
• 7,014 technical assistance to: Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors (CRV), supervisory services supervision staff; RCSC directors and Regional Directors, to improve decision-making in case management, compliance with evaluation standards and performance indicators and increase the level of compliance of the CRVs that achieve the established goals;
• 312 corrective actions with the objective of guaranteeing services offered to the VRA consumers.

Strategy:

Refer VRA consumers to the services of other WIOA components (Literacy, Adults and other programs) to expand their employment skills.

Progress Report:

The VRA referred to the Programs under the WIOA Titles a total of 275 consumers. CSEM maintained contact with AJC Ponce to identify new proposals in the WIOA Adult and Youth Program in January, February, March April, May and June 2019; managing to impact 10 people.

Goal 2

Ensure the provision of services to youth with eligible disabilities, and pre-employment transition services to students with disabilities from Transition, so that they obtain an employment result.

Strategy:

• Continue with the monthly monitoring of eligibility determinations in 60 days or less and the planning and signing of the PIPE in 90 days or less, of the youth referred to transition to the VRA.

Progress Report:

The OQCPM monitored compliance with these measurement criteria, achieving:

• during the 2017 program year; 93% in the eligibility determinations of the cases referred by the schools were carried out in 60 days or less; and 90% of the plans were developed in 90 days or less.
• during the 2018 program year; 93% in the eligibility determinations of the cases referred by the schools were carried out in 60 days or less; and 95% of the plans were developed in 90 days or less.

Strategy:

• Maintain the participation of the CRV in the COMPU meetings of the transitional youth.

Progress Report:

 Rehabilitation Counseling Analysts (ACR):

• They reported 5,799 young people with Transition impediments to the CRV.
• They achieved a total of 2,094 participations at COMPU meetings.
• The CRV achieved a total of 277 participations to COMPU meetings

Strategy:

• Offer Pre-Employment Transition services.

Progress Report:

The VRA coordinated the offering of services and mandatory activities as part of the Pre-Employment Transition (Pre-ETS) services, achieving:

The OAA carried out the following activities:

• Completed performance evaluation of 56 transition students who participated in the Work Based Learning Experience in August 2017.
• Revised Collaboration Agreement between the VRA, Department of Labor and Human Resources and the Department of Education (DE) to provide pre-employment services to ED students with disabilities who meet the criteria for receiving Pre-ETS services as established by the WIOA Law.
• Formalized the Project to Offer Vocational Evaluation Services through a Mobile Unit as an innovative alternative, for which it carried out the following activities:

1. Require approval of the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA).
2. Require approval from the Office of Management and Budget.
3. Participated in a meeting at the General Services Administration (ASG) to clarify doubts and require guidance on the pre-auction procedure and formal auction.
4. Prepared and submitted to the director of the Purchasing Division of the VRA a detailed and descriptive report of the components of the mobile bus; This responded to a request from the ASG for the pre-auction.
5. Participated in the formal auction held on April 30, 2019.

• 1,200 students benefited from pre-employment transition activities coordinated by the Assessment and Adjustment Centers / Assessment and Adjustment Units.

The VRA planned and coordinated the offer of mandatory activities through service fairs and workshops to students in the process of transition from the ED between the ages of 14 to 21, including those receiving special education services or under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Law achieving:

• Work Based Learning Experience Activity (July 2017).

• 2,475 young people with disabilities participated in the experience
• Services Fair and closing of the work-based learning experience (1 / August / 2017)
• 69 employers lent their facilities so that transition students had a real work experience.

• November / 2017 - Hiring of five (5) service providers, achieving: 4,937 students benefited from pre-employment transition activities coordinated by service providers through service fairs.
• January / 2019 - Hiring of twelve (12) service providers, achieving: That 3, 656 students benefited from pre-employment transition activities coordinated by the entities through service fairs.
• Evaluation of Proposals of entities interested in providing workshops / trainings / orientations to students in the transition process of public schools and colleges between the ages of 14 and 21, including those receiving special education services or under section 504 of the Law of Rehabilitation. The following activities were carried out:

1. Public Notice in press
2. Proposal Evaluation Committee was instituted
3. Proposal Evaluation
4. Establishment of contractual conditions for service provision

• Managed the signing of Executive Order No.: 2019-05 (March 18/2019), which encourages and promotes students with disabilities who receive special education services or under section 504; receive pre-employment transition services by participating in Work-Based Learning Experiences (WBLE), in the agencies and instrumentalities of the Government of Puerto Rico.
• 97 contracts formalized with agencies and instrumentalities of the Government of Puerto Rico that participated in the Work-Based Learning Experience (June and July 2019).
• 2,829 young people with disabilities participated in the work-based learning experience.

Strategy:

• Continue with the identification of the transition consumers referred and served in the CAA.

Progress Report:

The Centers / Units of Assessment and Adjustment (CAA / UAA) received 2,229 referrals of cases at transition ages and offered a total of 2,074 services.

Strategy:

• Continue with the identification of the transition consumers referred and served in the CSEM and the results of these young people in the different employment modalities.

Progress Report:

388 Transition consumers were referred to the Support Centers and Employment Modalities (CSEM). 175 Transition consumers with employment results (St. 26) were served in CSEM in the following modalities:

• Regular Employment: 96
• Supported Employment: 75
• Self-management: 4

Strategy:

• Strengthen the relationships between the DE and the VRA to facilitate the identification of students who can benefit from Transition services.

Progress Report:

The VRA participated in 20 meetings with the Special Education Advisory Committee.

Strategy:

• Continue to guide school personnel on the services of the VRA.

Progress Report:

19,612 guidance were offered on the transition process to:

• Parents: 7,746
• Teachers: 2,744
• Students: 9,122

Goal 3

Strengthen the relationship with employers to identify opportunities for integrated competitive employment and career exploration.

Strategy:

• Provide training and technical assistance to employers on ADA requirements, work-based learning experiences, recruitment of people with qualified disabilities, accommodations in employment, among others.

Progress Report:

OSEM carried out the following activities:

• It offered guidance to the CRP TIPCO on Auto intercessory, this in coordination with Support Analyst and Employment Modalities, in May 2018.
• Provided technical assistance to the CRP CODERI related to WIOA requirements (new services related to extended services).
• Established contact with the Industry for the Blind Company in North Carolina for the recruitment of blind people; it also shared the information with the Rehabilitation Counselors. Subsequently, It contacted executives of the company located in Mayagüez, PR in order to explore available employment opportunities and the viability of recruiting people with disabilities.
• It participated in a monthly “call conference” with the Puerto Rico Federal Buildings-GSA including the New York region to monitor potential stores for commercial facilities.
• It offered technical assistance to six employers who have recruited VRA consumers in order to guarantee their permanence in employment.
• Participated in a meeting with the president of the Ponce Employers Committee (May 2019).
• Participated in a meeting of the Carolina Board of Trustees, in which the president and employers were present (June 2019).
• It directed the Public Affairs Manager of Walmart Puerto Rico regarding the recruitment of people with disabilities and explored the feasibility of coordinating work-based learning experience opportunities in June 2019.

CSEMs carried out the following activities:

• They offered approximately 1,393 orientations to potential employers.
• They offered approximately 540 orientations by telephone communication to potential employers.
• They sent approximately 315 electronic communications to potential existing employers.
• They offered approximately 1,684 face-to-face technical assistance, telephone and electronic communication; impacting approximately 999 people.

Strategy:

• Continue to grant salary incentives to employers to promote employment opportunities for consumers.

Progress Report:

• The VRA formalized 4 salary incentive contracts, benefiting 7 consumers.

Strategy:

 Continue to participate in meetings of the State Board and Local Boards of WIOA.

Progress Report:

• VRA staff participated in 43 meetings of state and local boards.
• The VRA attends monthly, or as convened at meetings scheduled by the different public and private agencies with a view to joining efforts aimed at providing services to people with disabilities, such as: Employers Committee; Proposal Review Committee; Monitoring Committee; Committee for Persons with Disabilities; American Job Centers, among others.

Strategy:

• Maintain the active participation of VRA personnel in activities that bring employers together.

Progress Report:

The VRA participated in approximately 57 job fairs and other activities in the community. Some of the activities were the following:

• Educational and Occupational Fair called: You are the Protagonist of your Success Story, in March 2018 and 154 people were impacted.
• Job fair called: Meeting, Innovation and Job Opportunities, Passport to Work, in March 2018 and 180 people were impacted.
• Economic Development Forum: The Cooperative Model, a solution to boost the Economic Development of the Southwest Area (Information Board), in August 2018 and 22 people were impacted.
• Employment Fair of the Government of Puerto Rico (El Capitolio de PR) in August 2018, approximately 28 employers participated, and 5 consumers benefited.
• Participation in educational activity with the North Board of Trustees. The theme was: Sexual harassment in the workplace, in August 2018; Approximately 25 employers benefited.
• Tu Cámara Emprende (Information Board), in September 2018 and 20 people were impacted.
• Orientation: How should we work with deaf people (Information Board), in September 2018 and 50 people were impacted.
• Participation in: Self-Employment and Entrepreneurship Event for Young People with Disabilities, in September 2018 and 57 people were impacted.
• Employers Workshop: “Fit in or Set Out”, in October 2018 and 36 people were impacted.
• Meeting with President Committee of Employers at the University of Turabo in October 2018, 1 person was impacted.
• Employers Committee Meeting at the University of Turabo (6 / October / 2018), 3 employers participated, and 2 representatives of the VRA (director of CSEM and Analyst).
• Employment Fair of the Municipal Alliance of Integrated Services, in October 2018; 5 service agencies participated, and 4 consumers benefited.
• Transition to the World of Work fair at the University of Turabo in October 2018, 15 employers participated, and 5 consumers benefited.
• Employment Fair for the Tourism-Hotel Industry at the Puerto Rico Convention Center in October 2018, 4 consumers benefited.
• Employer Workshop Collaboration: Recent Changes Labor Licenses, in November 2018 and 30 people were impacted.
• Job fair in the Arecibo Region in December / 2018
• Conference to employers: The key concepts in sound and hearing loss in December / 2018 and 12 employers benefited.
• Job fair at Pueblo Supermarket Offices in January2019, 3 consumers benefited.
• Participation with the Ponce Employers Committee / WIOA Employment Service during a visit to Hogar San Miguel in January 2019, and 20 people were impacted.
• Job fair of the Jobs for You agency in Caguas, in January 2019, 5 people were impacted.
• Job fair produced by Brenda Marrero and Associates in February 2019, 5 consumers benefited.
• Job fair in Sizzler, Ponce in February 2019, 10 consumers benefited.
• Job fair at La Esperanza School in February / 2019, and 23 people were impacted.
• Workshop: Ergonomics and Technological Assistance with Ponce Employers Committee/WIOA Employment Service in February 2019, and 31 people were impacted.
• Presentation of VRA-CSEM Talent Bank to Zimmer in April 2019, and 2 people were impacted.
• Job fair in Villa Parguera, Lajas in April 2019 and 40 people were impacted.
• Participation with the Coamo Employers Committee in Educational Seminar in April 2019 and 12 people were impacted.
• Restaurant Industry Recruitment Fair in May 2019, approximately 20 employers participated, and 145 people were impacted.
• Camera in your Community at the Aguadilla Mall in May 2019, 6 people were impacted.
• Orientation: Care of the Golden Age, at the Direidi Nursing Home in May 2019, and 28 people were impacted.

Strategy:

• Refer to programs under Wagner-Peyser VRA consumers who possess skills and credentials to be marketed with employers.

Progress Report:

• The VRA referred 146 consumers to the programs under Wagner Peyser.

Goal 4

Maintain the process of dissemination of VRA services, emphasizing the criteria of eligibility and provision of rehabilitation services to persons with disabilities.

Strategy:

• Continue the dissemination on the revision of the State Plan to be submitted for public comments in order to guarantee the participation of applicants / consumers, the general public and employees of the agency.

Progress Report:

The OQCPM carried out the following activities:

• In March 2018, it directed the members of the State Rehabilitation Council on the official plans of the agency, including the Unified State Plan and the Strategic Plan; and provided them with technical assistance for the development of their recommendations.

• In April 2018, it held a meeting with the management staff of the VRA program offices to review the Goals, Priorities and Strategies of the State Plan.
• In June 2018, 26 directors of: Central Level, Regional, Rehabilitation Counseling Service Centers, Assessment and Adjustment Centers, and Employment Support and Modalities Centers were directed to the official plans of the agency, including the State Plan Unified and the Strategic Plan.
• It Completed the revision of the Portion of Vocational Rehabilitation Services 2018-2020 of the Unified State Plan 2016-2020; complied with submitting this to the Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC) for the applicable publication process.
• In October 2018, it wrote a Public Notice notifying the availability of the draft of the VRA portion of the Unified State Plan for consumer comments and the general public to this document. At the same time, he urged in the Public Notice that any comments to another section of the Unified State Plan be addressed to the DDEC (electronic address indicated). The Public Notice was sent to the six regional offices and was placed in each of the waiting rooms; in turn it was placed on the bulletin boards of the offices / divisions / areas of the Central Level. On the other hand, the DDEC publishes a Press Notice about the availability of the Unified State Plan and its availability for comments.

Personnel from the administrator's office participated in 2 meetings related to the Unified State Plan in the DDEC and in the Department of Labor and Human Resources on July 17, 2018.

Strategy:

• Continue participation in outreach activities in the community, by the VRA and/or in coordination with SRCPR and other basic programs under WIOA.

Progress Report:

The ORCS offered 21 guidelines on the services offered by the VRA benefiting 799 people, which are detailed below:

• Services Fair on August 1, 2017; 650 people impacted;
• Deafblind Advisory Committee of Puerto Rico on August 24/2017, with the participation of 10 people;
• RYAN Program (Ryan White Law of 1990) on October 31, 2017, with the participation of one (1) person;
• Department of Correction; on November 1, 2017, with the participation of one (1) person;
• Labor Development Board on December 19, 2017;
• Labor Development Board on January 29/2018, with the participation of one (1) person;
• Medical Center Trauma Hospital on February 20, 2018, with the participation of one (1) person;
• Specialized School on 6 / March / 2018, with the participation of one (1) person;
• Committee for People with Disabilities-Local Area Board Labor Development Guaynabo/Toa Baja on March 8, 2018;
• Movement for the Reach of Independent Living on April 18/2018, with the participation of one (1) person;
• Department of Justice on July 13, 2018, with the participation of eight (8) people. The orientation was provided by ORCS and OAA staff;
• Goodwill Grays LLC agency dedicated to job search and development of occupational skills on July 26, 2018, with the participation of 14 people;
• Program of the Blind and People with Mental and Developmental Physical Disabilities Industry (CIRIO) on 6 / September / 2018, with the participation of five (5) people;
•  Mech-Tech College of Caguas on 6 / September / 2018, with the participation of 30 people;
• Colegio San Ignacio de Loyola on September 24, 2018, with the participation of eight (8) people;
• Puerto Rico Department of Public Security on October 19, 2018, with the participation of 19 people;
• State Council for Independent Living on February 14/2019, with the participation of 25 people;
• Patient Procurator on April 25/2019, with the participation of three (3) people;
• Associate Secretary of Special Education on May 1, 2019, with the participation of 10 people;
• Department of Housing on June 4, 2019, with the participation of 10 people;
• University of the Sacred Heart on May 29, 2019, by telephone. Orientation was offered to one (1) person about the service of scorers and readers.

The OQCPM carried out the following activities:

• Developed the Survey of Training Needs of the personnel of the CRP Community Rehabilitation Programs that provide services to VRA consumers; which was sent to the CRPs by SRC.
• Collaborated with the SRC in the identification of resources that offered training on May 10, 2019 to 57 professionals among which participated: CRP employees; CSEM’s staff and SRC councilors and this based on the results of the needs survey. In this activity, the availability of the satisfaction survey for consumers and employers was reported.
• It collaborated in the review of the surveys administered to consumers and employers, published on the SRC website on March 14, 2019.

The OAA carried out the following activities:

• It offered guidance to 16 employees of the Municipality of Manatí related to the services offered in the Centers and Units of Assessment and Adjustment.
• Provided guidance on VRA services to the administrative staff of Mech-Tech College on September 14, 2018, with the participation of 22 people.
• Offered guidance through one (1) interpreter of the agency's signs, in the Student Services Division of the University of Puerto Rico on March 1, 2019, benefiting 47 teaching and non-teaching professionals.
• Offered guidance on the provision of services in the CAA / UAA to professionals and students of Occupational Therapy at Huertas College on May 3, 2019, benefiting 13 professionals.

OSEM carried out the following activities:

• Coordinated and participated in a meeting with staff of the Federal Department of Labor (Division of Standards and Wages) discussed aspects established in WIOA for employers and provided guidance on the services of the VRA.
• Participated in several meetings with the State Council of Developmental Deficiencies (27/February/2019; 27/March/2019; 9, 17 and 25 /April/2019).
• Provided guidance on VRA services and served as liaison with other agencies on May 15, 2019.

CSEM participated / developed in various activities, some of these were the following:

• Mayaguez / Las Marias Labor Development Area Services Fair (August 2017), nine (9) people were impacted.
• Chamber Services Fair in your Community (August 2017), 32 people were impacted.
• Stop & Go Services Fair / Office of the First Lady / Fortaleza (November 2017), 96 people were impacted.
• Aguada Convention Center Services Fair (December 2017), 95 people were impacted.
• Service Fair at the Bobby Cruz de Hormigueros Convention Center (April 2018), 280 people were impacted.
• Services Fair: Government Services Summit (May 2018), 99 people were impacted.
• Member of the Mentoring Committee of the Libera Incubator of the MATRIA Caguas Project (August 2018), eight (8) people were impacted.
• It offered guidance on Law 51 and Supported Employment at Juan Cancio Ortiz School (October 2018), impacting 19 students.
• Interagency Meeting at the Humacao Judicial Center (October 2018, and April 2019), 13 agencies participated.
• Consolidated Cigar Corporation Services Fair (October 2018), approximately 100 employees were impacted.
• Workshop: How much power do I have to be successful, in December 2018, impacting 14 consumers.
• Participation in Cross Training of Mandatory Partners of the Carolina Labor Development Board, in November 2018, impacting 48 people.
• Workshop: Preparation for job interview (February / 26/2019) at the Julia de Burgos Protected House, 16 people were impacted.
• Orientation at Bristol Myers Squibb Factory, in March and April 2019, impacting  22 people.
• Orientation at Aspen Factory, in April 2019, impacting approximately 15 people.
• Services Fair on April 9, 2019, 155 people were impacted.
• Participation in Innovative Conversation towards Northwest Business and Labor Development, on May 1, 2019, 17 people were impacted.
• Services Fair on May 21, 2019, 114 people were impacted.

Strategy:

• Continue with the dissemination of VRA services in the "American Job Centers" (AJC).

Progress Report:

The CSEM offered 219 orientations in the AJC. The RCSCs offered 288 orientations in the AJC.

CSEM offered talks / workshops / orientations to participants and / or employees of the AJC; some of these activities are as follows:

• Workshop: Preparation of resume and job application (July 2018; January 2019 and February 2019)
• Workshop: Frustration Management (July 2018) ü Workshop: Job interview (July 2018)
• Workshop: Developing our personal appearance (July and August 2018 / April and May 2019)
• Workshop: Effective communication and interpersonal relationships in employment (July, August and September 2018 / February, April, May and June 2019)
• Workshop: Strengthening our self-esteem (July, August and September 2018; March 2019, May and June 2019)
• Workshop: Fundamental actions in employment / Attitude management (August 2018)
• Workshop: Decision making in employment (September 2018)
• Workshop: Work culture incursion (September 2018 / March and April 2019)
• Workshop: Critical management (September 2018) ü Guidance on VRA / CSEM services to staff of:

1. AJC Ponce (August 2018), impacting 10 people
2. AJC Coamo (November 2018), impacting two (2) people
3. AJC Mayagüez (December 2018 / June 2019), impacting 37 people
4. AJC Arecibo (October to December 2018/May and June 2019), impacting five (5) people
5. AJC Manatí/Dorado (October to December 2018/May and June 2019), impacting seven (7) people

• Guidance on VRA/CSEM services to AJC participants of:

1. AJC San Juan (October and November 2018), impacting 13 people
2. AJC Mayagüez (November and December 2018), impacting 24 people
3. AJC Ponce (January 2019), impacting 16 people
4. AJC Mayagüez (February 2019), impacting 10 people
5. AJC Mayagüez (March 2019), impacting 10 people
6. AJC Manatí / Dorado (February and June 2019), impacting two (2) people

• Guidance on the services of the self-management modality (September 2018), impacting 17 people.
• Presentation of CSEM Talent Bank and identification of job offers at AJC Ponce (November 2018 / January, February, March, April, May and June 2019), impacting 19 people.
• Workshop: What to do to keep our job? (January 2019)
• Workshop: Important areas in the job interview (January, February, March, April, May and June 2019)
• Workshop: Strengthen areas of need in a job (February and April 2019)
• Workshop: Misuse of social networks (April 2019)
• Workshop: Decision making (June 2019)

Strategy:

• Continue with the dissemination of services in radio, television and press programs, as requested by said media.

Progress Report:

The VRA participated in the following outreach activities:

Goal 5

Strengthen administrative, fiscal and programmatic procedures so that they comply with the established regulations and required institutional efficiency.

Strategy:

• Offer training to staff, to strengthen knowledge and skills necessary in the performance of their duties.

Progress Report:

The ORCS carried out the following activities:

• Guided Transition Analysts in the six regions of the VRA on pre-employment transition services, benefiting 12 professionals (January 15, 2019).
• Reinforced the process of providing services and meeting goals to the agency's counseling staff, benefiting 24 professionals (January 18, 2019); personnel from the six regions of the agency participated (Regional Directors, directors of the: Counseling Services Centers, Assessment and Adjustment Centers and Support Centers and Employment Modalities).
• Provided guidance on the Impact of the WIOA Law to central and regional level management staff, benefiting 12 professionals (March 18, 2019).
• Through the Workforce Innovation Technical Assistance Center (WINTAC), counseling personnel from the six regions of the agency were trained, benefiting 475 professionals (March 19-20, 2019).
• In collaboration with the OAA, it offered guidance on the implications of WIOA in the process of providing services to Toa Baja CAA staff on June 6, 2019, including: CRV, CAA Analyst, Teachers, Vocational Evaluators and Occupational Therapist.

The RCSCs represented by the supervisory staff coordinate administrative meetings, offer mentoring, discuss normative communications and reinforce issues related to the provision of services.

OSEM carried out the following activities:

• Held a conversation with CRV of the Caguas Region on January 30, 2019.
• They directed the directors of the Support Centers and Employment Modalities and Regional Directors related to the Job Club initiative and the results of the first experience on February 11, 2019.

CSEM carried out the following activities:

• 457 RCSC staff orientations
• 19 guidance to CAA staff
• 1,891 technical assistances to RCSC staff;
• 47 technical assistances to CAA staff
• 56 guidance to CRV on labor market trends and occupations with higher demand

The OQCPM carried out the following activities:

• Provided face-to-face and telephone technical assistance to Rehabilitation Counselors and / or Counseling Supervisors. The theme was: How to correctly complete the fields of information to PIPE and record comparable benefits. Six (6) sessions (one (1) per region).
• Technical assistance to Regional and Counseling Directors on productivity goals / indicators (via email and telephone).
• Guidance on State and Strategic Plan to 26 employees (June 27, 2018), among which there were 20 rehabilitation counselors who hold management positions.
• Training for 211 employees in the counseling area of ​​the six regions of the agency (November and December 2018), among which were: Rehabilitation Counselors (CR), Counseling Supervisors (SC), Directors of Counseling Service Centers (DCSCR), and Counseling Services Technicians (TSC). The training theme was: How to Complete the WIOA Follow Up Screens (post-exit monitoring) and Information on Productivity Indicators.
• Collaborated with the State Rehabilitation Council in the identification of resources that offered training on May 10, 2019 to 57 professionals among which participated: VRA CSEM staff, SRC councilors, and employees of the Rehabilitation Programs The Community is based on the results of the needs survey.

The OAA carried out the following activities:

• 4 trainings and / or workshops and / or orientation to professionals of the Assessment and Adjustment Centers (Occupational Therapists and / or Occupational Therapy Assistants; Vocational Evaluators and Counselors in Vocational Rehabilitation) and others (to professionals in the process of completing SRCtification in Vocational Evaluation) to 41 employees. They were:

1. Pre-Employment Skills for Students in the Process of Transition to Adult Life and the Importance of Occupational match from the Perspective of the Counselor in Vocational Rehabilitation in the Planning of Occupational Goals to 15 employees (15 / September/2017).
2. Work samples of the VALPAR System for 18 employees and 8 external   professionals (August 30 and 31 and September 1, 2017).

• Guidance on Regulatory Communications: 2018- 02 Procedure for the use of test work experiences (ETP), 2018- 03 and 2018- 05 Collaboration Agreement / Referral Form for Pre-Employment Transition Services (PRE ETS ) to Students with Disabilities Referred by the Puerto Rico Department of Education (DEPR) to the Vocational Rehabilitation Administration (VRA) to 70 employees (December 1, 2017; March 1 and 8, 2018), among which were Directors Regional, Directors of the Assessment and Adjustment Centers, Directors of the Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling Service Centers, Assessment and Adjustment Analysts, Vocational Evaluators, Supervisor of the Assessment and Adjustment Center.
• Guidance to CRV on the services offered at the Assessment and Adjustment Centers (CAA) in the areas of Occupational Therapy and Speech and Language Pathology to 20 employees (February 20, 2018).
• Coordinated and offered guidance on the Occupational Demand Occupations in the Labor Market to 23 Vocational Assessors (March 8, 2018) with staff from the Department of Labor and Human Resources.

• Training Vocational Evaluators on Psychometric Properties in the Vocational Evaluation Tests to 23 employees (6 / April / 2018 and 4 / May / 2018), among which there were Vocational Evaluators and a CAA director.
• Training for Occupational Therapists about the COMPASS Functional Assessment Software (AM) Technological Assistance Program and Discussion of report formats for occupational therapy services to standardize them (Wheelchair Evaluation, Technology Assistance Evaluation) (PM) to 19 employees (20 / April / 2018).
• Training for Vocational Evaluators on the Theory, Administration and Interpretation of the Test of Vocational Interests and Computerized Self-Efficiency Cirrena Gerena Computerized to 17 employees. It was held at the Test Innovation Company in San Juan (May 11, 2018).
• Training on the Importance of Occupational match From the Perspective of Rehabilitation Counselor in the Planning of Occupational Goals. Pre-Employment Skills and Transition Process to Adult Life to 22 employees (May / 23/2018) among which were Workstation Professionals, Areas of Functional Academic Skills and Pre-Employment.
• Guidance to 29 professionals in the counseling area of ​​the San Juan Region regarding those referred to the Assessment and Adjustment Centers (CAA), the purpose, the indicators and how to write the question of that referral, according to the services requested to 28 CRV and the Regional Director, on September 21, 2018.
• 1 training on the vocational evaluation process on October 25, 2018 to one (1) teacher relocated to the CAA of San Juan.
• Provided guidance to professionals in the area of ​​counseling regarding compliance with the Interagency Agreement for services offered to injured workers between the VRA and the State Insurance Fund Corporation, benefiting 45 professionals (7.13, and December 20, 2018).
• 1 training for CAA / UAA professionals. The theme was: Characteristics and functioning of the person with autism / Intervention strategies for the process of evaluation and development of skills on 2 / May / 2019, benefiting 51 professionals.
• 3 training and professional training in the area of ​​vocational evaluation to be located in the CAA of Caguas from 3 to 5 / June / 2019, benefiting 1 professional.
• 1 training and training related to the APTICOM test to a professional transferred to the Vocational Evaluation area on June 17, 2019.
• 1 sign language guidance on the terminology used when reporting natural phenomena on June 26, 2019. They joined in this effort, the Bureau of Emergency Management, the VRA and the National Meteorological Service, benefited 4 interpreters to signs of the agency.
• Collaborated in the coordination of the Second Vocational Evaluation Symposium: Change Strategies, held on 10 / October / 2018 at the Central University of Bayamón, benefiting 21 professionals among whom were CAA / UAA personnel: Vocational Evaluators, Analysts and directors; and director of OSEM.
• Through the Workforce Innovation Technical Assistance Center, CAA / UAA personnel were trained on March 19-20, 2019, benefiting 36 professionals.

The Budget Division:

• Provided individual guidance as required to senior management at the regional level related to Use and Management of Funds. ü Trained two (2) employees in the area of ​​budget analysis.
• Coordinated training with the Department of the Treasury on the PRIFAS System (January 9 and 23/2019)

The Office of Labor Affairs and Human Resources (OALRH):

• Trained 225 employees in the counseling area, distributed as follows:

151 counselors in Rehabilitation

74 support staff

• Coordinated 160 training activities for VRA personnel reaching 2,039 participations. Some of the topics were:

1. Disaster preparedness
2. New trends and challenges in human resources management
3. Second symposium of vocational evaluation
4. Quick response in suicidal behavior situations
5. Inclusion and integration in society
6. Social evolution conflict management
7. Assertiveness and resilience in times of change
8. Technological assistance in communication

• Directed the agency's management personnel in relation to Memorandum No. 11 - 2018 of the Office of Administration and Transformation of Human Resources of the Government of Puerto Rico, related to the update of the Employee Duties Sheet (May 2018).

Strategy:

• Continue to carry out periodic evaluations of the performance of the agency's employees to ensure institutional effectiveness.

Progress Report:

Through electronic communication (December / 2017 and February / 2018), OALRH guided all supervisory personnel, directors and senior advisors at the island level, in relation to amendments made to the form called the Performance Evaluation and Development System. 90 VRA management employees benefited from the orientation. In turn, 713 employees were evaluated during the period.

Strategy:

• Maintain the level of financing of the State Council for Independent Living (CEVI) and the State Council for Rehabilitation (SRC), to assist and support its operations; and in coordination with the VRA to develop employment and independent living opportunities for our applicants/consumers.

Progress Report:

• The VRA provided an allocation of funds to both councils during the 2017 and 2018 program year. In addition, it maintains agency representation and collaboration on both councils.

Strategy:

• Update administrative, fiscal and programmatic procedures in accordance with established state and federal regulations, and the socio-economic situation of the country, as necessary.

Progress Report:

• During the 2017 and 2018 programs the agency developed official communications for this purpose. Some of the aspects were: Procedure to refer applicants / consumers of the Vocational Rehabilitation Administration with auditory conditions for the acquisition of the Caption Call telephone; Manual of Vocational Evaluation Procedures; Procedure to provide extended services to young people with more significant disabilities, consumers of the vocational rehabilitation administration, placed in employment under the modality of supported employment; Procedure for the use of test work experiences; criteria for receiving pre-employment transition services; Integrated Competitive Employment; Procedure to recommend commercial enterprise by means of the Randolph-Sheppard Law; Procedure for coding pre-employment transition services in the Activity Logs by Program, among others.

Strategy:

• Continue to support all areas of the agency in the use of available computer systems, and develop applications to streamline processes, reports and procedures according to needs presented by the areas and which in turn be consulted with the services and administration staff.

Progress Report:

The Information Systems Office carried out the following activities:

• According to the electronic registry of Technical Services, a total of 1,370 services were reported and worked during the period.

• 80 services provided in the Systems Analysis and Development Division.
• They monitored the “Kronos” system to ensure the correct implementation of the changes made in the past period.
• Provided support to the OAA with the projects of: the Mobile Unit of Vocational Evaluation and Transition Services, and the Mobile Unit of Guiding Classes; evaluating the adaptability of the networks to the computer systems and operating equipment that will be used, in the unit. On the other hand, he offered support with the Hydroponic project so that the integration of the CAA ARVI system was achieved with the provision of services in the green area station in the Assessment and Adjustment Unit.
• Evaluated and recommended recruiting company that would work on issues related to the implementation of the project for the agency's New Case Management System.
• They participated in a meeting with staff of the General Services Division of the agency to elucidate aspects of the platform developed to carry out the inventory of equipment of the agency.
• They participated in 230 meetings in support of programmatic, services and administrative offices.
• At the request of the OQCPM, OSI programmers made adjustments to the case management system to comply with federal regulations.

The OQCPM carried out the analysis of the necessary adjustments to the programming of the existing case management system to comply with the federal requirements related to the RSA-911 report, referred them to the OSI, and provided the programmers and counseling staff related technical assistance.

Strategy:

• Hold participation meetings with agency staff on aspects related to public policy.

Progress Report:

The ORCS carried out the following activities:

• 11 meetings with a total of 36 participations, which included directors and supervisors of the Rehabilitation Counseling Services Centers with the objective of analyzing goal compliance.
• In addition, he guided and served as a mentor for the CRV in the implementation of public policy aimed at complying with the process of providing vocational rehabilitation services according to amendments to legislation, offering 271 interventions and benefiting 329 employees.
• Coordinated and participated in teleconference with counseling services staff (counselors and supervisors) and CAA personnel (CAA Analyst and Occupational Therapist) on August 6, 2018, related to vehicle modification of the Mobile Vocational Evaluation and Services Unit.
• Schedule 1 meeting with former director of OSEM to elucidate the protocol for contracting the Community Rehabilitation Programs (August 13, 2019).

In the Finance and Budget Divisions, at least once a month, face-to-face meetings were held to discuss particular compliance matters; others were given by telephone daily one or more times a day. In addition, different queries related to public policy procedures were answered daily.

The OAA carried out the following activities:

• Offered Guidance on the granting of contracts to entities for offering pre-employment transition services according to federal requirements to 20 employees (November 14, 2017).
• Guidance to directors: Regional, Rehabilitation Counseling Service Centers, Appraisal and Adjustment Centers and Units and the Employment Support and Modalities Center related to the implementation of normative communications on the criteria for receiving extended services and Test work experiences, benefiting 20 employees (December 1, 2017).
• Training of trainers or “Train the trainer” on 1 / March / 2018 with the RCSC of the Mayagüez Region in relation to the Normative Communication 2018- 05 Collaboration Agreement / Referral Form for Pre-Employment Transition Services (PRE-ETS) to Students with Disabilities Referred by the Puerto Rico Department of Education (DEPR) to the Vocational Rehabilitation Administration (VRA).
• Guidance on the Comprehensive Action Contract to offer vocational rehabilitation services to injured workers referred by the CFSE to 148 employees, including CRVs and RCSC directors / supervisors.
• 3 meetings with the participation of 15 professionals of the CAA / UAA with the objective of completing works of the Poster Project in Sign Language; whose purpose is to allow better communication with deaf people in the public agencies of the Government of Puerto Rico, (July 13, 18, August 9, 18, and September 13, 18). The posters were divided into three themes: Alphabet and Numbers in sign language, Basic Sign Language and Sign Language for Health Emergencies. 1,000 impressions were made of each of the 3 posters for a total of 3,000. The posters were distributed in 21 government agencies, corporations and with the general public.
• Started a project for the development of a Modular House in the Center for Assessment (CAA) and Adjustment of Toa Baja, whose purpose is: to develop independent living skills in food preparation, bedroom cleaning, laundry, among others; evaluate the skills of independent living and activities of the daily live of applicants / consumers referred to the CAA and the Units of Assessment and Adjustment (UAA); and provide adjustment services in the category of daily, family and community life to applicants / consumers referred to the CAA / UAA. To carry out this initiative, he carried out:
  • 2 meetings (April 3, 2019 and May 14, 2019) with the participation of 12 agency professionals
  • Quotation for the purchase of equipment and materials, development of the plan of the selected place, the distribution of space and work with the furniture.

OSEM:

• They directed CSEM directors about customized employment services and discussed the draft normative communication.
• They met with the director of the OSI and analyzed alternatives for the creation of an annotation code in CRIS “Consumer Rehabilitation Information System” related to the customized employment service, it will be included in the communication for these purposes.
• They met with director of the Purchasing Division for guidance on: the purchase of occupational equipment for small businesses and the Normative Communication Wage Incentive Formulas and Hiring and Payment Process.
• In coordination with the CSEM of Arecibo and its Regional Director, the “Job Club” project was presented to the directors of CSEM and Regional Directors (29 / November / 2017).
• Participated in one (1) guidance in conjunction with the directors of OAA and ORCS related to the implementation of normative communications on the criteria for receiving extended services and test work experiences, benefiting 20 employees (December 1, 2017), among which there were directors: Regional, Rehabilitation Counseling Service Centers, the Valuation and Adjustment Centers and Units and the Employment Support and Modality Centers.
• Participated in union with directors of ORCS and OAA in guidance on the granting of contracts to entities to offer pre-employment transition services according to federal requirement to 20 employees (November 14, 2017).

The OQCPM carried out the following activities:

• Throughout the period, the OQCPM continued to analyze the way in which users of the CRIS System record the data used for federal reports and provide them with individual technical assistance. Based on this, it generated emails with group instructions to the counseling staff about the procedures for such data recording. Next, the breakdown of months and number (number) of messages sent: July 2017: 10; August 2017: 1; September 2017: 2; December 2017: 7; January 2018: 5; March 2018: 1; April 2018: 1; May 2018: 3; August 2018: 2; September 2018: 5; October 2018: 2; November 2018: 1; December 2018: 2; January 2019: 2; February 2019: 1; March 2019: 3; April 2019: 1; May 2019: 3; June 2019: 2; for an approximate total of 54.
• In November 2017 several of the messages were discussed in person or by telephone with the Rehabilitation Counselors, Directors of Counseling Centers and / or Counseling Supervisors. There were Six (6) group sessions (one (1) per region).

Strategy:

• Carry out monitoring to ensure compliance with the procedures.

Progress Report:

• The programmatic offices carried out internal monitoring during the program year (as recorded in the achievements under previous strategies), to evaluate the service delivery process. Some of these are given to both the electronic and physical files; and to non-profit organizations under contract with the VRA; among other.