Narrative: p. 1. A.

Goal 1: To establish baselines and meet benchmarks for state with respect to the performance accountability measures under section 116 of WIOA.

• ARS will increase referrals, enhance job development and placement services, and recruit qualified rehabilitation counselors to fill vacancies to meet or exceed past performance in employment outcomes. 
• ARS will increase performance in Supported Employment for youth and adults with disabilities with emphasis on serving an increased number of individuals with the most significant disabilities, including developmental/intellectual, behavioral health concerns and cognitive disabilities. 
• ARS will provide training to improve outreach activities to unserved and underserved minority populations in order to improve performance.

Goal 1: Evaluation and Progress

For PY2018 as reported on the ETA-9169, ARS had a second quarter employment rate of 56.3%. Median earning were $5,240.93, and measurable skill gains were at a rate of 25.2%.

ARS:

• Increased referrals from 4,863 in PY2017 to 5,258 in PY2018, which is an 8.12 % increase. Counselor vacancies decreased from 17% to 4.5%.  
• Field program set aside 50% of supportive employment dollars to engage youth and provide vocational services. Youth services increased by 3% and adult services by 5%.
• Hosted ten trainings to improve consumer awareness about ARS services. Other topics covered during the trainings included transportation, employment opportunities, and job development preparation.

Goal 2: Increase the availability of Supported Employment (SE) services to youth and adults with significant disabilities.

• ARS, in partnership with the AR Employment First State Leadership Mentoring Program (EFSLMP) team, is receiving technical assistance from the Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy subject matter experts on methods to use Medicaid Waivers and other partners’ funds in restructuring to expand and improve SE services. The team includes: The Department of Human Services Divisions of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS), Behavioral Health Services (DBHS), Services for the Blind (DSB), Medical Services (DMS), Aging and Adult Services (DAAS), Department of Workforce Services (DWS), and the Arkansas Department of Education, Special Education Unit (ADE SEU).  
• ARS, in partnership with the AR Employment First State Leadership Mentoring Program, will initiate revised MOUs based on the WIOA, including new rates and reimbursement methodology for braiding services. 
• ARS, in partnership with the AR Employment First State Leadership Mentoring Program, will provide technical assistance to the pilot projects focused on transitioning from facility-based services to community-based services.

Goal 2: Evaluation and Progress

ARS:

• Met with the EFSLMP team to focus on implementing streamlined supported employment services, to develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), to continue provider transformation, and to transition facility-based services (subminimum wage) to community-based services through funds provided by a 2018 Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Programs (DOL ODEP) grant.
• With the Department of Human Services, Developmental Disabilities Service (DDS) piloted and implemented sequential funding of supported employment services utilizing streamlined services, provider requirements, and outcome payments to secure competitive integrated employment for individuals with significant disabilities.
• Signed a Memorandum of Understanding along with the Arkansas Division of Services for the Blind, the Arkansas Department of Education, Special Education Unit and the Arkansas Department of Human Services’ divisions of Aging and Adult Services, Developmental Disabilities Services, Behavioral Health Services, and Medical Services. The MOU provides guidelines for the necessary coordination between state agencies to ensure competitive integrated employment is the preferred option for individuals with disabilities, including individuals with significant disabilities, who are eligible for more than one publicly funded program administered by the parties to this MOU.
• In partnership with DHS – DDS, through the DOL ODEP grant, initiated strategies for Arkansas to implement the State Agency Model Employer (SAME.) DHS – DDS piloted the project, and nine individuals with the most significant disabilities became state employees through extra help positions. These individuals are working for DHS, ARS, and the Department of Finance and Administration.

Goal 3: Improve public relations, marketing, information, outreach, and referrals.

• ARS will continue the marketing plan to increase awareness of VR services to citizens, service providers, and business and industry, and to increase employment outcomes to improve performance accountability measures. 
• Access and Accommodations in collaboration with Increasing Capabilities Access Network (ICAN, State AT Program) will provide a new informational website to provide resources for accommodation and assistive technology as it relates to home, education, and employment. 
• ARS will develop outreach strategies designed to improve access to VR services for the state’s Hispanic residents with disabilities. Field personnel will distribute materials and information in a variety of formats designed to reach and serve the growing diverse population in Arkansas. 
• ARS will develop educational and informational materials designed to inform potential referral sources about the referral process and the scope of ARS. 
• ARS will utilize its network of Community Rehabilitation Programs to identify individuals with disabilities who are minorities and/or have the most significant disability. These individuals, who because of rural living, a lack of transportation, or English as a second language, can be referred to ARS and other support service networks needed to reach employment. 

Goal 3: Evaluation and Progress

ARS:

• Improved service provision within the Hispanic population by providing informational resources and pamphlets in Spanish, and by providing Spanish translators and interpreters for Spanish speaking clients.
• Launched a new website for the State AT Program, ICAN, to provide Arkansans in need of assistive technology and accommodation solutions better access to information, training, technical assistance, and devices to assist them in remaining independent in the home, with education, and with employment. For this reporting period 7,252 individual users accessed the website viewing 22,061 different pages, and performing 4,059 searches within the website.
• Updated marketing materials, and provided education and outreach for ACDC through Twitter posts and ACDC success stories in agency publications. Communications also updated the ACDC webpage on the agency website, and forwarded public comments and questions from the website comment link to ACDC staff for review. ACDC Staff members provided education and outreach to high schools across the state, attended job fairs, and communicated with internal and external partners.
• Found it not feasible at this time to collect data on CRPs who identify individuals who because of rural living, a lack of transportation, or English as a second language might benefit from ARS services and other support services. 

Goal 4: Increase collaboration with business that leads to increased employment outcomes.

• ACDC will work to expand the success of registered apprenticeships, internships, and part-time employment opportunities for ARS clients. 
• ARS has developed the statewide business and industry advisory board and implemented the Talent Acquisition Portal (TAP). ARS will expand and grow TAP to increase job potential for agency customers. 
• ARS will increase the number of business relations representatives to provide job placement services in all Field Services offices and ACDC. 
• A statewide advisory group will be established and composed of individuals from business and industry, counselors, job placement specialists, and other appropriate professionals to explore participating in the National Employment Team. 
• ARS will actively support the development of the Arkansas Business Leadership Network. ARS will continue to meet with companies from across the state throughout the year to garner support and identify an anchor employer(s) to facilitate the application process.
• The local business advisory group at ACDC will be integrated into the statewide ARS business advisory group with the goal of expanding job placement and employment outcomes. 
• ARS will enhance relationships with businesses whose corporate offices are headquartered in Arkansas and partner with senior corporate officers and managers. Through a dedicated full-time corporate business relations consultant, ARS will be positioned to build relationships with key decision makers as well as connect with the State Chamber of Commerce to solidify its status as an economic contributor and not just a social service provider. 
• ARS will actively market ARS’ Business Relations services to companies seeking qualified applicants with disabilities.
• ARS will develop and initiate activities and events to recognize individuals who have overcome their disabilities, and give recognition to employers and businesses, who have demonstrated “best practices,” hired people with disabilities, and made unique and cost-effective reasonable accommodations. 
• ARS will develop a presentation to advocate the benefits of hiring and retaining individuals with disabilities. 
• ARS will update promotional/educational videos, brochures, mailers, etc., and target businesses. 
• District managers will partner with business relations representatives to effectively market ARS services to business and industry, performing an intentional and active role on the business relations team. 
• ARS will evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of current marketing strategies and how ARS is currently engaging employers. 
• Through the Stay-at-Work/Return-to-Work program, the Access and Accommodations team will continue to be a resource for employers and employees for expertise in seeking information on providing accommodation and comprehensive assistive technology evaluations.

Goal 4: Evaluation and Progress

• Expanded apprenticeships, internships, and part-time employment opportunities, engaged in pre-apprenticeship activities with business members of the Arkansas Apprenticeship Coalition, and expanded the registered apprenticeship program to include people with disabilities and added new occupations such as Certified Nursing Assistants, Medical Administrative Assistants, and Information Technology Generalist. There were challenges to provide these opportunities across the state and VR consumer participation was less than optimal.
• Continued its efforts to integrate the ACDC local business advisory group into the statewide ARS business advisory group to expand job placement and employment outcomes.

ARS:

• Partnered with Arkansas Support Network and WIOA Partners (Division of Services for the Blind and Adult Education) to host ten career fairs across the state.  
• Supported the growth of Disability: IN – Arkansas with core partners (JB Hunt, Tyson, TJX, Walmart, and Regions Bank). 

The Business Engagement Unit:

• Revamped print and digital marketing materials to reflect the needs and perspective of employers, changing the emphasis from supply to demand. 
• Developed a presentation geared to employers, which presents a business case for creating an inclusive workforce, and covers return on investment, human capital, market, diversity, innovation, and ARS services. 
• In partnership with CSAVR, developed a promotional PSA video outlining the no cost services ARS can provide employers. The video can be accessed on the ARS website.  
• Facilitated the Fourth Annual Arkansas Business Employment Summit in 2018, which focused on empowering all through inclusion. During the Summit, companies demonstrating best practices in hiring people with disabilities were recognized through various awards including the Distinguished Partnership Award, the Business Partnership Award of the Year, the Leadership Award, and the Community Partnership Award.  
• Received technical assistance from the Job Driven Vocational Rehabilitation Technical Assistance Center (JDVRTAC) to strengthen relationships with ARS field offices, which resulted in counselors, rehab area managers, and senior management accompanying Business Engagement representatives on scheduled business visits. This collaboration encouraged a shared understanding of the “bigger picture” of job-driven vocational rehabilitation, which led to a shift in the collective thinking on the alignment of client skill attainment with skills actually needed in the job market. 
• Assisted counselors in obtaining the latest labor market information to assist the client in developing an effective IPE. 
• Presented with Field personnel information to employers about job training experiences, apprenticeships, and employment opportunities for transitional students. For example, The Fort Smith Business Engagement team met with Answer Fort Smith to design an accommodations training program. 
• Is exploring the redesign of its customer satisfaction survey. Currently, employers receive a short email after services are provided to gauge satisfaction and to gain information on how to improve services to business. 

Access and Accommodations:

• Provided accommodation and assistive technology solutions in the workplace through the Stay-at-Work/Return-to-Work (SAW/RTW) program for 72 individual cases from 44 different employers across Arkansas, with 13 of these employers returning multiple employees for services through the program.

Goal 5: Expand and improve transition services program.

• ARS has been actively engaged in the development of legislation to implement comprehensive transition and postsecondary education programs in institutions of higher education, and will continue to act as a resource in the development and implementation of postsecondary education programs. ARS will also provide information to clients about these programs. 
• ARS will conduct an assessment of transitional services statewide and implement policy and procedures consistent with WIOA. 
• ARS will explore combining both transition programs and establish one vision for transition services. 
• ARS will develop a transition committee to initiate a statewide plan to provide innovative transition services to students. 
• ARS will provide pre-employment transition services such as job exploration counseling, work-based learning experiences including internships that provide integrated environments. 
• ARS will provide counseling on opportunities for enrollment in comprehensive transition or postsecondary educational programs. 
• ARS will provide workplace readiness training to develop social skills and independent living. 
• ARS will provide instruction in self-advocacy and peer mentoring. 
• ARS district managers will work with WIOA partners, school districts, and educational co-ops to enhance working relations to effectively provide transitional services. 
• ARS will explore hiring a Transitional Coordinator who will implement strategies of enhancing transitional services and providing statewide training to counselors. 
• ARS will work with business and industry to establish on-the-job training, apprenticeships, and paid work experiences to prepare students for the workforce. 
• ARS will collaborate with WIOA partners and other state agencies to utilize braided funding for services. 
• ARS leadership will work with the State Department of Education to strengthen relationships between schools and rehabilitation district managers and counselors. 
• ARS leadership will work with school districts throughout the state to facilitate and enhance the working relationships between the local high schools and local rehabilitation district managers and counselors. 
• ARS will continue to host Transition Expos across the state to market ARS transition services. ARS will continue to partner with Arkansas Transition Services (ATS) to provide technical assistance with transition planning, and will support the bi-annual state Transition Summit for local transition teams and cadre meetings throughout the school year in an effort to identify local resources and continue to increase awareness of ARS services. ARS will continue to refer clients to College Bound Arkansas to prepare transition students living with a disability for college, will continue to sponsor Youth Leadership Forum (YLF), and will support the annual Disability Awareness activities. ARS will initiate and implement specialty camps available to all students with disabilities designed to focus on pre-employment transition core services. 
• ARS counselors will continue to coordinate with special education teachers to identify students with individual education plans to implement transition services prior to the senior year. 
• If a student is determined eligible for vocational rehabilitation services, a plan for employment will be completed prior to graduation.
• The ARS Field Program and the will continue to expand opportunities for young people with disabilities to participate in the four-week, jointly developed Transition Employment Program (TEP) in which students receive a comprehensive assessment/evaluation, OSHA certification training, job readiness and soft-skill development, and three internship rotations at ACDC. 
• ARS will continue to partner with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), and ACCESS Group, Inc. to increase the number of young adults served in the UAMS Project SEARCH® site. In addition, ARS will look for opportunities to increase the number of Project SEARCH® sites by partnering with other community partners. ARS will continue to support the youth model site in Fayetteville in partnership with Lifestyles, Inc., Fayetteville Public Schools, and Washington Regional Medical Center. 
• Access and Accommodations will work with counselors, educators, and employers to assist students with disabilities who utilize assistive technology by providing assessments, consultation, and acquisition as part of the transition process from secondary education to postsecondary education and work. 
• Access and Accommodations (AT@Work) in collaboration with Increasing Capabilities Access Program (ICAN, State AT Program) and community partners will provide training to appropriate staff as it relates to the legal provisions of assistive technology as an accommodation in education and employment settings.

Goal 5: Evaluation and Progress

ARS:

• Assisted the University of Arkansas’ Empower Program with the policy and procedural elements of Pre-ETS and traditional Transition services that support the program.   
• Developed procedural guidance for counselors, vendors, and schools participating in Pre-ETS, and promulgated policy that supports both the traditional Transition and the Pre-ETS programs. ARS utilizes a model of a continuum of services for Pre-ETS and Transition services, in which the Pre-ETS program is the first step to exploring careers, positive work attitudes and behaviors by using curriculums and activities that instruct on all five Pre-ETS core services. Prior to graduation, students are introduced to their transition counselors, who work with them using the existing documentation from Pre-ETS to develop plans for employment prior to the student’s high school graduation. 
• Developed a transition committee that provided input and suggestions to the various models of Pre-ETS currently in place: 1) school-based model, 2) vendor services model, 3) counselor driven direct services model, and 4) camps and forums. Work-based learning/work experiences are conducted in the most integrated setting available. Additionally, 33 schools have performance-based contracts with ARS to provide work-based learning and work readiness training to students in high school. 
• Reviewed the curriculum and activities of over 25 vendors and approved 20 vendors that provide direct instruction on counseling on opportunities for enrollment in comprehensive transition or postsecondary educational programs. In addition, Pre-ETS counselors received curriculum and instructional activities in this core area that meet the scope of service for counseling on opportunities for enrollment in comprehensive transition or postsecondary educational programs.  
• Provided self-advocacy training utilizing established curriculum, and provided peer mentoring in group settings by vendors and schools, which is monitored by Pre-ETS counselors. 
• Rehab area managers attended WIOA Board meetings, CIRCLES trainings with school districts, and educational co-op trainings.  
• Made available paid work experiences to 3,750 students in 150 high schools, which are available after school and on the weekends through 20 vendors statewide.
• Collaborated with school districts to share in the delivery and cost of services. With vendor programs in the school system, schools provide transition services outlined in agreements as the responsibility of the school and carried out by school funding, while vendors provide the Pre-ETS core services not provided by the school. School teachers monitor and oversee the delivery of Pre-ETS core services in their classrooms. With the OWL contracts, schools fund and provide career exploration, self-advocacy, and counseling on postsecondary education, as well as some soft skills training prior to a work experience. ARS funds the work experience and work readiness skills that are taught and reinforced on the job.  
• Signed a statewide Memorandum of Agreement outlining the duties and responsibilities of all agencies working in Pre-ETS and Transition. It emphasizes collaboration between ARS, Arkansas Division of Services for the Blind, the Department of Education – Special Education Unit, and the local school districts. 
• Developed individualized MOUs with school districts regarding the implementation of Pre-ETS within the district. 
• Conducted Transition Expos across the State, and assisted in the planning and training of the Arkansas Transition Services bi-annual State Transition Summit.
• Referred students to College Bound Arkansas. Developed, implemented, and executed the Youth Leadership Forum, and participated in Disability Awareness activities offered by the Statewide Independent Living Council.
• Implemented a Film Camp offered by Joey Travolta’s Inclusion Films. 
• Ensured all students found eligible for vocational rehabilitation services have plans for employment prior to graduation. Part of the continuum of services in transition is to identify and refer Pre-ETS students to Transition counselors in their senior year so individual plans for employment can be written and implemented for students as they exit high school. 
• Provided, through the ARS Transition Program and ACTI, the four-week Transition Employment Program (TEP), where students received a comprehensive assessment/evaluation, OSHA certification training, job readiness and soft-skills development, self-advocacy instruction, and work-based learning experiences including three internship rotations at ACTI. TEP crossed program years; therefore, participants cannot be calculated strictly by program year. In 2018, TEP was held June 24 – July 20, and had 114 participants with 103 completers (90% completion). In 2019, TEP was held June 23 – July 19, and there were 74 participants with 70 completers (95% completion).
• Partnered with ten Arkansas businesses to host the Project SEARCH® program to provide on-the-job training consisting of three ten-week internship rotations for all participants. Currently, ARS partners with the ACCESS Group, Inc. to provide Project SEARCH® sites at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, CHI St. Vincent (Hot Springs and the Hot Springs Lakeside and Fountain Lake School Districts), Ouachita County Medical Center, St. Bernard’s Regional Medical Center, Mercy Hospital (Fort Smith), University of Arkansas – Pine Bluff, and the Bentonville School District at Embassy Suites in Rogers. ARS supports the Washington Regional Medical Center Project SEARCH® site in partnership with Lifestyles, Inc. and the Fayetteville and Springdale School Districts, and with Friendship Community Care, Inc. at the Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center site. There are 115 Arkansas businesses that serve on the Project SEARCH® Business Advisory Council.
• Provided 59 individual trainings through Access and Accommodation staff including ICAN, which included individuals with disabilities, family members or guardians of individuals with disabilities, education representatives, employers, allied health facilities representatives, community living representatives, technology field representatives, and ARS field and managerial staff. Training included the provision and implementation of individual pieces of technology or accommodations and the “dos and don’ts” of providing accommodations in an employment setting.

Goal 6: Develop and improve Community Rehabilitation Programs.

• ARS will continue assigning a rehabilitation counselor as a liaison to each CRP in each District. 
• ARS district managers will assume a more active role with CRPs to develop more positive working relationships. 
• ARS will train CRPs on the WIOA requirements for services to youth and students with disabilities as it relates to Section 511 – Limitations on Sub-Minimum Wage. 
• ARS will initiate purchased service agreements focused on moving CRPs from fee for service to performance-based outcome payments. 
• ARS, in partnership with the AR Employment First State Leadership Mentoring Program, the Arkansas SRC and the RSA State Liaison, will establish technical assistance guidelines focused on CRPs transitioning from facility-based services to community- based services. 
• ARS will, in consultation with RSA, develop short-term and long-range maintenance plans for ACDC, a state owned and operated CRP.
• ACDC will continue to utilize the Professional Career Performance Program designed to reinforce positive behaviors essential to attaining and maintaining employment.
• ARS will expand the OSHA ten-hour training as a weeklong stand-alone program. 
•  
• A Heavy Equipment Operation program will include a collaborative training agreement with a local two-year college to provide CDL training and licensing as well as a six-week hands-on training on hydraulic excavator simulator. 
•  

Goal 6: Evaluation and Progress

ARS:

• Hosted Lunch and Learns to increase quality of relationships with CRPs. 
• Provided training on Pre-ETS and job placement, which enabled CRP partners to provide new job placement services, and new Pre-ETS services such as job exploration, postsecondary guidance, and work-based learning in the schools.
• Added 15 new CRP vendors. ARS assigns a rehabilitation counselor as a liaison to each CRP, and liaisons complete a monthly report to help monitor CRP needs. 
• Trained approximately 50 CRPs and 14(c) Certificate holders (65 participants) on WIOA requirements, and ensured the 3,500 employees at 14(c) Organizations received career counseling, information about competitive integrated employment, and referrals as deemed appropriate.
• Initiated new purchased service agreements for community-based services with outcome reimbursement payments.
• Encouraged and provided information to CRPs interested in transformation on how to apply for technical assistance from the Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy (DOL ODEP) Provider Transformation Program. CRPs also received information on how to utilize the ODEP “Provider Transformation Pilot Version” manual released May 2017. 
• ARS, in partnership with DHS – DDS, offered Transformation and Pre-ETS training offered by subject matter experts (SME) to CRPs. Thirty CRPs were trained. In addition, Employment First Strategic Planning was initiated through a SME as part of the DOL ODEP grant.
• Based on results from the annual ACTI monitoring, concluded ACTI should move from a residential services program to a community-based program known as the Arkansas Career Development Center (ACDC). Short- and long-term maintenance needs indicated the residential model was not cost effective to continue. Initial plan development for the new model is underway. 
• Saw a reduction in discharges as a result of utilizing the Professional Career Performance Program, which is designed to reinforce positive behaviors.  
• Expanded the OSHA 10 stand-alone program and approximately 200 students have completed the two-day program.
• Discontinued Call Center Training for lack of interest. 
• Observed limited interest in CDL training and hands-on hydraulic excavator training.

Goal 7: Improve training, resources, and continuing education.

• ARS will review the needs identified in the Training Needs Assessment conducted by ARS Staff Development and Training to identify significant training and continuing education activities. 
• Staff Development and Training will coordinate and conduct task force meetings representing a cross section of agency personnel to analyze the identified needs submitted. Information from the task force will be incorporated, if appropriate, into the proposed Career Development Enhancement Program and the employees’ training and education plans. Training delivery method will vary depending on the subject matter and all resources available will be considered.
• ARS will train staff to increase awareness related to Employment First (E1st) provider transformation and integrated community-based services as it relates to Community Rehabilitation Programs, Supported Employment Programs, and External Job Placement vendors. 
• ARS/ACDC will undertake a feasibility study and memoranda of agreement with Higher Education providers to further the agency’s desire to provide continuing education and training for VR clients wishing to pursue higher accreditation in skilled trades and to enhance employment outcomes. 
• Access and Accommodations (AT@Work) in collaboration with Increasing Capabilities Access Program (ICAN, State AT Program) and community partners will provide training to appropriate staff as it relates to the legal provisions of assistive technology in education and employment settings.

Goal 7: Evaluation and Progress

ARS:

• Trained staff on the external employment vendor services with the addition of the 2018 implementation of the ARS/DDS service partnership and on how to complete case management.
• Provided information from Field Services management to Staff Development and Training about staff training needs on a monthly basis. Staff Development and Training monitored the effectiveness of the trainings offered and reviewed all training needs with the Employee Engagement Team, a cross section of staff. After discussion with the Employee Engagement Team, the Career Development Enhancement Program was modified.
• Increased online training during 2018.

ACTI:

• Prior to conversion to ACDC, partnered with National Park College to arrange an articulation agreement for the Certified Production Technology class.
• Prior to conversion to ACDC, assisted ACTI students pursuing higher education in obtaining credit for the training completed.

Access and Accommodations/ICAN:

• Partnered with the University of Arkansas’ Partners for Inclusive Communities to provide statewide trainings focusing on accessibility of facilities, documentation, and digital media. Those attending included individuals with disabilities, education settings representatives, allied health program representatives, and ARS field and managerial staff. 

Goal 8: Improve ARS’ ability to act as a resource when assisting individuals with disabilities and employers in addressing accommodation needs.

• ARS will reorganize/realign its Special Programs section to better communicate the availability of resources to assist in the accommodation process. As part of this change Special Programs will be renamed Access and Accommodations. 
• ARS will rename its Retaining a Valued Employee (RaVE) program to Stay-at- Work/Return-to-Work (SAW/RTW). This language is consistent with programs/practices in private/public sector employment and communicates functional intent. 
• As part of the Governor’s Employment First Task Force, ARS will assume a lead role in the implementation of a SAW/RTW program within Arkansas state government. 
• ARS will work with WIOA partners at both the state and local level to support SAW/RTW efforts in both public and private sector employment. 
• ARS will sufficiently staff its Assistive Technology at Work (AT@Work) program to meet referral demands from the ARS Field Program and SAW/RTW initiative. Staff will have expertise to address accommodation needs in training and employment settings.

Goal 8: Evaluation and Progress

Access and Accommodations:

• Created the Community Service Program Director position, under Access and Accommodations, which reports to the Associate Commissioner of Access and Accommodations. This position oversees five Community Service Programs, provides guidance and direction, and enables more diligent administration of those programs. 
• Renamed the Retaining a Valued Employee (RaVE) program to Stay at Work/Return to Work (SAW/TRW) to better reflect programs/practices in the private/public sector employment and to better communicate functional intent. 
• Made presentations and conducted training about SAW/RTW efforts at WIOA partners meeting, State Agency Model Employer (SAME) trainings, and regional Society of Human Resource Managers (SHRM) trainings. 
• Sufficiently staffed AT@ Work by filling one Occupational Therapist position and by transferring one Physical Therapist position formerly located at ACTI to AT@Work. 

Goal 9: Increase the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery for agency clients.

• ARS will ensure the development and implementation of comprehensive training for rehab area managers and counselors to effectively serve clients. 
• ARS will adequately staff the field program to reduce caseloads and allow counselors to devote additional time to direct consumer contact and provision of services. 
• ARS will examine the agency referral sources and ensure counselors are trained to provide effective services to clients with mental health concerns and intellectual/developmental disabilities. 
• ARS will increase the role of the rehab area manager in the areas of outreach and marketing at local levels statewide to cultivate positive working relationships with employers, partners, and stakeholders. 
• ARS will implement training that will focus on increasing the number of individuals exiting the system with quality employment outcomes. 
• ARS will evaluate the Supported Employment services provided statewide and focus on expansion in rural areas. 
• ARS will strengthen the relationships with WIOA partners such as Workforce Services, Services for the Blind, Adult Education, and Department of Human Services to better serve agency customers with resources. 
• ARS will implement and develop policies for WIOA and provide statewide training for the field program. 
• ACDC will evaluate programs on effectiveness and implement new talent development programs that give student’s competitive training for the 2020 workforce. 
• ACDC will implement efficient communication processes with the field program to ensure counselors are aware of ACDC programs. 
• ACDC will improve marketing and outreach to employers, schools, and prospective clients. 

Goal 9: Evaluation and Progress

ARS:

• Compiled data on services provided during the FFY2018 to establish baselines for annual service evaluation. 
• Trained field staff utilizing the Quality Assurance Department, rehab area managers, Office of Personnel Management, and Staff Development and Training, which reduced data entry error ratios and audit findings. 
• Provided training for rehab area managers on the Hidden Rules of Social Class offered by University of Arkansas CURRENTS. 
• Reduced the counselor vacancy rate from 17% to 4.5 %, which lowered the caseloads statewide by 5%.  The national caseload average is 156 and ARS is at 160 cases per counselor. ARS field programs established specialty counselors for Pre-ETS and deaf and hard of hearing to reduce caseloads. 
• Partnered with DDS to provided E1st services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. ARS partnered with the University of Arkansas – Fayetteville to provide career counseling to all sub-minimum wage 14(c) providers serving over 6,000 clients. 
• Collaborated with WIOA partners. For example, the Chief of Field Services sits on the WIOA Executive Board and rehab area managers sit on local WIOA Boards, participate in Partner Meetings, and provide informational presentations on vocational rehabilitation services to local WIOA partners. The WIOA Executive Board hosted two statewide trainings to provide education and referral alignment throughout the state. ARS is working on a unified referral process.
• Collaborated with DHS to provide individuals with developmental disabilities work opportunities through the State Agency Model Employer program. 
• Updated the agency’s policy to include the WIOA changes, with an effective date of January 1, 2019. Rehab area managers trained staff on the policy updates and reviewed and monitored policies and procedures at monthly staff meetings.

ACTI:

• Prior to conversion to ACDC, converted its paper case management system to an electronic system in June 2018. This change improved communication between ACTI counselors and field counselors. In addition, communication protocols are in place that support and enhance the shared roles of case management.
• Prior to conversion to ACDC, participated in community outreach activities throughout the state with the goals of increasing referrals and of raising community awareness of ACTI services. In total, ACTI staff participated in 654 activities through presentations, exhibit booths, conference attendance, and other activities that targeted field staff, the general community, potential employers, high school teachers, and parents.
• Prior to conversion to ACDC, continued to offer talent development programs at ACTI. In PY2017, ACTI served 649 clients through 15 programs. In PY2018, 874 clients were served through 15 programs. 

Outreach: Strategy

ARS provides outreach activities to individuals from minority backgrounds, individuals with the most significant disabilities, and others who are unserved or underserved. For PY 2018, ARS’ focus was to provide training to improve outreach activities, and to utilize its network of CRPs to identify individuals with disabilities who are minorities and/or have the most significant disability. These individuals, who because of rural living, a lack of transportation, or English as a second language, can be referred to ARS and other support service networks needed to reach employment.

Outreach: Evaluation and Progress

ARS:

• Developed a multi-pronged program for serving the state’s Hispanic community.
• Implemented training for counselors and professional assessment staff to learn the cultural values of the state’s Hispanic community and ways to break down cultural and language barriers to accessing VR services.
• Worked with the state’s Hispanic transition clients to encourage them to consider VR counseling as a career. 
• Developed a statewide strategy with the state’s graduate VR programs to recruit more Hispanic/Spanish speaking students who would subsequently be recruited by ARS.
• Established an itinerary point to better serve the Marshallese community, and to disseminate pamphlets and vocational information.    
• Located new itinerary points across the state to better serve the underserved and unserved. 
• Explored ways to partner with the Centers for Independent Living to provide awareness about ARS’ services for individuals with disabilities.  
• Increased efforts to work with WIOA partners to more effectively provide services to individuals with disabilities throughout the state.