Investing in America - Council of State Administrators of Vocational

:
Investing in America
2012–2013
The Public Vocational
Rehabilitation Program:
Employing the Talents of
Individuals with disabilities
in America’s Workplace
www.rehabnetwork.org
Investing in America S
VR’s Return The NET–Business
on Investment Partnerships
Since its creation in 1920, the Public Vocational Rehabilitation Program has worked with public and private-sector
employers to assist more than 18.2 million people with
disabilities acquire, maintain or advance in competitive
employment. Approximately ninety three percent (93%)
of those served are individuals with significant disabilities.
Annually, the VR Program serves approximately one
million individuals with disabilities. As part of that
overall number served in FFY 2011, 330,206 individuals
with disabilities worked with a VR Counselor to develop a new Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE).
An IPE is comprehensive and individually focused,
including multiple services that support the independence and employment of individuals served by the
VR program. The average length of time consumers
are provided services under an IPE is 24 months.
This past fiscal year VR assisted 178,188 individuals achieve
gainful employment. This was an increase of about 9% over
the number of consumers who achieved gainful employment
in FFY2010. Consumers who went to work together earned
about 3.1 billion in wages in their first year of work and paid
a little over 1 billion in federal, state and local taxes. They will
pay back the cost of their VR services in two to four years.
A portion of VR consumers are Social Security Disability
beneficiaries with significant disabilities. According to the
Social Security Administration, VR’s assistance to these SSA
recipients will result in a projected lifetime SSA recoupment
rate of $7.00 to every $1.00 reimbursed to VR. These former
SSA beneficiaries will generate $828 million in savings to the
Social Security Trust Fund and the federal treasury.
The Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation
(CSAVR) sponsors The NET (National Employment Team). The NET is
supported by VR leadership and was designed with the input of business. Based on the feedback from 35 private and public sector companies, The NET is a national collaboration among the 80 VR agencies to
support business customers. The NET offers a wide array of business
services that are available across the country, in the territories and the
District of Columbia. VR business consultants work with community
partners to support business based on their needs and the company
footprint. At the national level, The NET works with the Veterans
Administration VR program and the American Indian Rehabilitation programs to provide business partners access to the largest talent pool of
qualified candidates with disabilities in the country, including Veterans.
Through The NET, VR is taking a dual customer approach. For people
with disabilities served by VR agencies, the relationships with business
provide VR staff and individual customers with “real time” information
from an employer that is incorporated into the career planning process.
The relationships also provide access to increased employment opportunities as well as on-the-job or business based training, supported
employment and retention services that keep valued employees in the
workplace after developing or acquiring a disability.
The NET has partnerships with a number of major corporations, small/
medium sized businesses and federal agencies. In 2011, The NET was
recognized by the U.S. Business Leadership Network (USBLN) as
Partner of the Year. CSAVR has recognized several business customers for their leadership in employing the talents of individuals with
disabilities. The logos of our business and federal award winners are
displayed below. We applaud these business partners in the public and
private sector for leading the way. It benefits America when we employ
the talents of all of our citizens. The NET/VR stand ready to partner
and put tax payer dollars back to work in America’s business!
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Retaining Talent: It’s a Win-Win
Kevin McAllister, age 36, is a great example of how timely intervention by the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) team in the Delaware Division for the Visually Impaired kept
a talented person in the workforce. McAllister has both a Bachelor and Master’s degree in Engineering. He is a Texas native who relocated to Delaware for a promotional
opportunity with the DuPont Company. Kevin began having problems with his eyesight, accompanied by flu-like symptoms. His central vision was deteriorating making
it difficult to read e-mails and text messages. Kevin sought help at Johns Hopkins in
Baltimore where the ophthalmologists diagnosed him with Sarcardosis which resulted
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in optical nerve damage. He was prescribed steroids and eye drops to stop the progression of the disease.
Kevin is legally blind. He didn’t know where to turn until his co-worker told him about VR. A VR Counselor worked with Kevin to
coordinate a plan of services – including an Independent Living Services team member to perform a home assessment and a Technology
Services Trainer to provide training and assistance in purchasing Zoom Text magnification software and a home magnifier.
Kevin continues to prosper at DuPont with the support of his employer and VR assistance. He is a project manager in the supply chain area of
the Chemicals & Fluoroproducts business and is a Six Sigma Black Belt. Kevin looks forward to continuing his career with DuPont using his skills
in engineering and technology. Kevin is also active in his community and was recently named to the Delaware State Rehabilitation Council.
Kevin’s advice to other individuals who acquire a visual impairment is to “better yourselves and be examples for others.” Kevin is clear
that he didn’t wallow in his issues and illness. Kevin states, “I turned a negative into a positive. I connected with things that I wouldn’t
have if I hadn’t lost my vision,”adding that “it helps to have good support like my friends, family and the management of DuPont.”
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A Veteran with Disabilities Finds Her Niche
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Laura Hulsing (left) and Emma Blackwelder (right)
“She is a strong presence for our company,” says Emma Blackwelder, Co-owner of
Home Helpers, which offers in-home care supportive services. As the face of the company, Marketing Assistant Laura Hulsing networks and educates the community and local
businesses about Home Helpers. Laura attends marketing luncheons, makes presentations, and conducts meetings with individual businesses, day cares, doctor’s offices and
other assisted living facilities. “She is extremely well received by the community,” says
Emma. Trotting alongside Laura is her service dog, Autumn, who Laura received through
Canines for Veterans. Autumn helps Laura with her anxiety and nervousness from PostTraumatic Stress Disorder, giving her the security and confidence she needs to do her job.
Laura also has severe sleep and major depression disorders as well as Attention Deficient Disorder.
“Laura was very passionate about finding a job where she could not only impact her own life, but the lives of others,” says her Florida
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Counselor. VR provided Laura with guidance and counseling, physical and mental restoration, treatment
and therapy. To help place her in a suitable career, VR enrolled Laura in an On-the-Job Training (OJT) program with Home Helpers. Now,
employed with Home Helpers, VR exceeded her expectations. “It’s not like they enable you,” she says, “They ‘able’ you.”
Laura has also learned to create marketing materials.“She’s definitely driven and a hard worker,” states Emma, who says the impact Laura has had
on Home Helpers has been tremendous.“She’s an asset to our company.” Laura says that without VR she never would have realized her strengths
in marketing and networking.“Once VR finds a place for you, it’s a place you really love and you have support,” says Laura, who wants to go to college and eventually own her own marketing business.“VR gives you the tools to be able to take care of yourself and support yourself,” says Laura.
Employing the Talent of America’s Youth
Fabian Gonzalez is a young man with a big smile and a lot of enthusiasm for the
opportunities which life holds for him. Fabian was born with muscular dystrophy,
weakness in his upper extremities, a heart condition and learning disabilities. He had
no work experience and lives in a small desert town in New Mexico which has limited
employment opportunities. Fabian’s DVR counselor knew that it would be a challenge
to help him find suitable employment.
Fabian didn’t know what he wanted as a career. New Mexico DVR assisted him
with career exploration, a vocational evaluation and an assessment of his accommodation needs. The results provided Fabian and his DVR counselor insight into
the types of employment at which Fabian would do well. DVR hired a job developer
to assist him with job search. After speaking with several local businesses about
positions that fit Fabian’s goals, DVR decided to concentrate on securing an on the job training opportunity (OJT). For Fabian the OJT
allowed him to develop his workplace interaction skills, learn how to perform new job tasks, get his foot in the door of a business to
highlight his abilities and obtain employment. The business had the opportunity to know Fabian and become familiar with his skills.
Pepper’s Supermarket, a large supermarket specializing in Mexican food offered Fabian a two month part time OJT. Pepper’s was very
happy with the way that Fabian performed his job tasks, assisted customers to find items and reported spills or other cleaning needs to
management. Fabian was told recently that his work hours would increase later this year. No one could miss the smile on his face!
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Life Changes–A Career Continues
R.J. Lewis’ career as a heavy equipment operator took a detour when he lost his leg in a
motorcycle accident. That did not alter his desire to continue working in a physically-active
profession.
After several attempts at self-employment didn’t work out Lewis went to South Carolina VR for
counseling, guidance, job readiness training services, and to complete his G.E.D. When an opportunity for a job as a furniture repair technician at La-Z-Boy’s distribution center near Rock Hill became
available he applied.
VR sponsored his training in furniture repair and R.J. earned his certification as a master
service technician for La-Z-Boy. He assembles and inspects furniture that comes through the
distribution center. He’s also made several suggestions that improve the assembly process.
His boss says,“if I could find others like R.J., I’d hire them in a minute!”
In his spare time, Lewis has started his own furniture touch-up and repair
business. He’s grateful for the assistance from his counselor and other
VR staff. “Everybody is 100 percent nice. They’re there to help.”
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A Veteran Continues to Serve Her Country
Ms. Sylvia Melendez is a Veteran with multiple disabilities. Sylvia had been out of the
workforce for over 10 years. She was referred to the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative
Services where VR staff assisted Sylvia with guidance and counseling services, a clothing
allowance for interviewing and transportation costs. She also participated in a Job Club
and was provided job search support.
She completed her Bachelor degree in Business Administration at Strayer University
where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. The Virginia VR Business Development Manager
Sylvia Melendez with Virginia
worked with Sylvia to prepare for a national disability hiring fair hosted by the Office of
Commissioner Jim Rothrock
Personnel Management (OPM). She was not initially selected for hire but the federal hiring
initiative spurred her into action and she became very active in her job search. She attended a federal job fair and met with the hiring coordinators from the Veteran Employment Coordination Services (VECS) in the Department of Veteran Affairs. She was invited to interview
and was hired as a Program Specialist at a Grade 9. She was offered a career conditional position due to her professionalism and
“can do” attitude. Ongoing services were provided by VR to assist Sylvia with organization and planning skills as she transitioned back
into the workforce. She has been very successful in her career and was recognized with an outstanding performance rating.
Sylvia was recently selected as one of 39 participants from a field of 350 candidates to participate in a leadership program. The federal
program, Aspiring Leadership Program (ALP), is a year-long commitment to intensive federal leadership training. Syliva is leading the way
for other people with disabilities, including Veterans.
Living My Dream
As a young man Andrew Bosch wanted to be a Chef but his learning disability was a major barrier
to his enrollment in a traditional culinary school. He was unable to pass the state required high
school equivalency test and he received a special diploma – which is regarded lower than a GED.
He was not college bound, so his VR Counselor in Florida told him about an alternative culinary arts
training program at a local Hyatt Hotel. That is where Andrew’s career began.
Andrew enrolled in the Hands On Education Program, a VR funded training option for transitional
youth who are interested in working in the hospitality industry. The program began in 1998 through
a unique partnership between Hands On Educational Services, Hyatt and Vocational Rehabilitation.
The partnership has now grown to 24 Hyatt properties and 8 State VR Agencies–Colorado, D.C.,
Florida, Maryland, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Texas. The students are supported by VR as temporary employees of the Hyatt and
are paid for all hours of training.
Andrew completed the training and was hired by the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay. He later moved to a local restaurant and then to a
Marriott Renaissance Hotel in Tampa. He continued to work hard and now, at the young age of 27, he is an Executive Chef making
a highly competitive salary and receiving full benefits.
Andrew is a great example of what business values–passion, hard work and motivation! Even if you can’t obtain a high school diploma,
you can still be successful. Andrew is reaping the rewards of having a VR Counselor who saw an alternative way to gain the skills he
needed to be competitive in the hospitality industry. Thanks to his VR Counselor, he is now a productive and
well-respected Chef who appreciates the support of the VR agency that assisted him. Andrew
never wanted Social Security benefits – he just wanted to fulfill his dream of
becoming a Chef. Andrew states, “Thanks to VR, Hyatt and Hands
On Educational Services, I am living my dream.”
Federal Partner
of the Year:
U.S. Department
of Agriculture
A little bit of fate, a lot of hard work, and a strong collaborative partnership were the
catalyst for positive change in the life of Forest Service employee, Tawan Weeden. As a
student enrolled at the Blackwell Job Corps Center in Wisconsin, Tawan connected with
several key contacts that help employ individuals with disabilities in the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
While pursuing a vocational trade in business as a Job Corps enrollee, Tawan‘s Business Administration instructor referred him for an
interview as a Mail and File Clerk at the Forest Service‘s Eastern Regional Office in Milwaukee. He was hired to oversee the mailroom
as a temporary employee through the Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP).
Tawan worked steadily and purposefully, learning the routine and forming relationships with fellow employees. He quickly grasped the
essence of his duties, guaranteeing that mail was collected and distributed on time. In addition, his easy going personality and quick
smile, won the hearts of many in a short period of time.
Although performing well, Tawan‘s supervisor noticed that some of his tasks were challenging, and created a barrier to his advancement. He discussed the challenges with his Supervisor, and they agreed to seek some resources for additional support.
Soon after this discussion, Civil Rights Department hosted a Disability Employment Awareness Month event. The guest speakers from
the Wisconsin Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) presented information about a range of services available to help individuals
with disabilities obtain and maintain employment.
Following this presentation, Tawan and his supervisor sought assistance from the Wisconsin VR agency. The VR Business Relations staff
met with them on a Saturday morning to do an assessment and identify the issues. Tawan was determined eligible for VR services
that afternoon. The assessment results outlined his need for accommodations and his eligibility for the Schedule A Hiring authority.
Schedule A allows managers to non-competitively hire qualified individuals with disabilities who are ready to work. After two years of
successful performance, employees hired under Schedule A are converted to competitive service.
Tawan‘s experience demonstrates that individuals with disabilities can obtain a career and advance within Federal service. This is an
excellent model of how Federal leaders, hiring managers and VR can create a successful employment environment for individuals
with disabilities.
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Business Partner
of the
Year:
The Lowe’s Companies
Dwane Myers, Clifton Little, NC.
Dwane Myers
Clifton Little
Dwane Myers’ deteriorating eyesight had put an end to his 20-year
career as a truck driver. When he came to North Carolina VR,
he’d been unemployed for a year, at a loss for what to do next
and how to do it. VR assisted Dwane with treatments that led to
improvement in his eyesight and with other, physical limitations.
But his unemployment persisted.
A personable young man with a contagious smile, Clifton Little was
born Deaf. His guiding philosophy is “If somebody thinks I can’t, I’ll
prove them wrong!” With North Carolina VR’s assistance, Clifton
started working for Lowe’s regional distribution center in a temporary position and performed so well that his managers asked VR to
put them back in touch so they could bring him back full-time.
A VR business relations representative heard about a temporary position at a nearby Lowe’s regional distribution center. Dwane jumped
at the chance and got the job, ending three years of unemployment.
Now operating a forklift in the receiving department, he recently
celebrated his first anniversary as a full-time, permanent employee.
Since his hire, Clifton has received training in organizational skills
and operating a forklift. When he first started, some co-workers
were unsure about how to interact with him, but he has worked
with them to overcome the barriers to good communication. For
their part, Lowe’s is helping ensure his safety and success by providing the necessary accommodations.
He is thankful for Lowe’s giving him a new career and says the
company’s care and concern for their employees make it the best
company he has ever worked for. Nowadays the once-discouraged
Dwane is happy in his career, working toward exceeding his production quotas and, maybe later on, moving up in the organization.
Now, excelling in his assignments, Clifton says he loves working at
Lowe’s and that his co-workers and supervisors are the best part of
the job. He says one goal is to coach future Deaf and hard of hearing employees at the Lowe’s facility.
CSAVR and its Members Believe:
• Every individual with a disability should have the opportunity to work competitively,
• VR serves a dual customer base–individuals with disabilities and businesses (public and private),
• Transitioning youth and veterans with disabilities are key VR customers,
• All programs and services for persons with disabilities must be physically and programmatically accessible,
• Individuals with significant and most significant disabilities need trained qualified rehabilitation
professionals to assist them into employment, and
• Publicly funded programs need to be accountable
and deliver a strong return on investment.
www.rehabnetwork.org
CSAVR and its Members Believe:
RECOMMENDATIONS WHY
New dedicated line-item funding
for transition youth services.
Transition from school to work for youth with disabilities needs
more attention and resources than it has had until now to ensure youth have access to opportunities in the new labor market.
Maintain line-item funding for Supported Employment, Migrant and
Seasonal Farmworkers, and Projects
with Industry as complementary
programs to the Rehabilitation Act.
Public VR, due to high demand within the general population of
people with disabilities, needs to focus more on service delivery
to specialized populations such as recipients of Supported Employment and Projects with Industry, and Migrant and Seasonal
Farmworkers.
Amend The Rehabilitation Act to
include language that acknowledges
and supports business as a customer
of Vocational Rehabilitation as well as
the eligible individual with a disability.
Rehabilitation Act language does not address the obvious
reality that VR and employers need to work together so people
with disabilities can fully employ their talents in the workforce.
Maintain the requirements of the
Comprehensive System of Personnel
Development (CSPD) in current law.
There is a need for qualified staff within Public VR who are
trained to deal with the unique vocational rehabilitation and
counseling needs of people with significant disabilities.
Amend The Rehabilitation Act to
strengthen the authority of the
State VR Director, to ensure that
funds appropriated to serve individuals with significant disabilities
are spent only for that purpose.
States sometimes have challenges ensuring the VR funds allocated to them for the purpose of assisting eligible people with
disabilities to go to work are used only for that purpose. When
these funds are so redirected, it is detrimental to Public VR’s goal
of assisting the maximum number of people with disabilities to
go to work, including people with the most significant disabilities.
Secure a dedicated line-item to
fund the infrastructure costs of
One-Stop Centers.
States are having to use Public VR monies for supporting
infrastructure costs of One-Stop Centers, thereby reducing
resources available for case services. To alleviate that situation
at the federal level there should be a line-item to fund OneStop Centers and not scarce partner’s resources.
Ensure the physical and programmatic accessibility of One-Stops, Job
Training Programs, Educational Programs and other service programs.
Not all manpower training programs in each state are physically and programmatically accessible to people with disabilities.
Ensure that State VR Directors
maintain seats on State and Local
Workforce Boards.
Public VR needs to be an integral part of manpower training
at the state and local level to ensure the employment needs of
individuals with disabilities are adequately represented.
A publication of the
Council of State Administrators
of Vocational Rehabilitation
www.rehabnetwork.org
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