VERMONT’S

REHABILITATION COUNCIL

Respectfully Submitted by

INDEX

1998 Council Highlights ................................................................ 2

1998 Committee Highlights ............................................................ 4

Epilogue ........................................................................................ 6

Policies & Procedures Committee Report .......................................... 7

Policies & Procedures Committee Workplan 1999 ............................ 8

Transition Committee Report ........................................................... 9

Transition Committee Workplan 1999 ............................................. 10

Employment Trends Committee Report ........................................... 11

Employment Trends Committee Workplan 1999 .............................. 13

Membership & Education Committee Report ................................... 14

Membership & Education Committee Workplan 1999 ....................... 15

Steering Committee Report ............................................................ 16

Steering Committee Workplan 1999 ............................................... 17

Appendices: Personal Notes ............................................................. 18

Membership List .......................................................... 19

 1998 Vermont Rehabilitation Council

Annual Report

In 1998 the Vermont Rehabilitation Council moved solidly forward in fulfilling its mission of advocating for consumer-directed, effective vocational services. The year was one of change in both membership and staff and each change proved challenging to the Council. A new Executive Coordinator was hired in March and six members either finished terms or resigned. Due to the strength of the underlying structure of the Council, we were able to meet these challenges and achieve many of our goals for the year. Now in its sixth year, the Council, its committee structure and policies and procedures are well established. This organizational maturity allows the Council to focus on the issues for which it was created. Following is a list of highlights and accomplishments for the year. The annual committee reports provide more detail and background.

 ¨ The Rehabilitation Council wants all consumers who work with Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) to be met with a Welcoming Environment as they enter DVR offices. The Council completed a survey of the district offices which prompted some changes. For example, the Newport office was moving and the contractor was going to build the new offices without walls. The Council pointed out that among other things, privacy is necessary for confidentiality. The Newport office now has walls.

¨ The State Rehabilitation Council, in collaboration with DVR, hired an independent evaluator (Macro International) to perform its consumer satisfaction survey. The Council worked with all stakeholders to make sure that the survey was accessible to VR consumers. We are anxiously awaiting the results of this survey in order to increase our input to VR.

¨ An effort has been made this year to increase communication with the Rehabilitation Services Administration and with other State Rehabilitation Councils around the country by actively participating on the internet listserv and by being available for onsite visits from RSA.

 ¨ The State Rehabilitation Council is pleased that through the Reauthorization of the Rehabilitation legislation the word "Advisory" was removed from the Council’s title. Although we have felt all along that the state of Vermont has taken our input seriously, we realize that in other states this hasn’t necessarily been true and therefore the change is required.

 ¨ The Council has worked hard this year on increasing outreach and cooperation with DVR, the Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC), the State School to Work effort, Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR), The Governor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities (GCEPD), The Council for Families of Children with Significant Disabilities, the Department of Education (DOE), and the Department of Employment & Training (DET) by participating in meetings, completing surveys, and becoming active members of some of these organizations. We also look forward to increased efforts to participate in the Workforce Investment Boards in 1999.

¨ The State Rehabilitation Council is pleased with its ability to work with DVR and to be included in trainings that the Division holds both as presenters and participants. The Council has authorized its Executive Coordinator to reach out to district offices to develop a closer connection to front line staff. The Council has also increased its access to the VR staff in the various regions by visiting with one regional office at each of its quarterly meetings.

¨ Even before the reauthorization of the Rehabilitation Act required such action, the State Rehabilitation Council reviewed and approved the DVR state plan. A letter was sent to RSA stating our approval.

 ¨ The Council was very active this year in advocating for reauthorization of the Rehabilitation Act and IDEA. We participated closely with Jeff Huber from Senator Jeffords’ office and watched both of these bills become law. 

 Policies & Procedures:

* Finished the review and revision of the DVR policy manual.

* Developed a one- page fact sheets explaining policies for consumers.

* Completed implementation of Vision 2000 changes in DVR.

 Employment Trends:

* Participated with DVR and at least four other agencies in developing Vision 2005 goals and implementation plans to increase and improve employment outcomes for consumers through closer liaisons with employers.

* Developed a 1999 focus of assisting Vision 2005 efforts by sharing information with temporary staffing agencies and by learning of triumphs and shortcomings of present processes from past successful VR consumers and their employers.

* Expanded Committee membership to include the Vermont Association of Business and Rehabilitation (VABIR), and will work toward closer ties with the Workforce Investment Boards(WIBS) in Vermont. 

Membership & Education:

* Evaluated thirty (30) candidates and nominated five (5) new members to the Council.

 Transition:

* Revised and clarified the Committee’s mission.

* Reviewed the work of the State Core Transition Team.

* Analyzed barriers to successful transition processes in Vermont.

* Developed and prioritized a workplan to address the most pressing barriers.

Steering:

* Completed the Welcoming Environment Survey and made recommendations to

DVR for changes.

* Hired a new Executive Coordinator.

* Managed the daily affairs of the Council and the Executive Coordinator’s work.

* Proposed, researched and recommended amendments to Bylaws which include

the immediate past Chair as a member of the Steering Committee.

 EPILOGUE

First, in order to continue our work, we must retain our integrity as an organization. This includes maintaining the efficiency of our sub-committee work, and the mutually supportive and inclusive culture of the Council. We must continue to recruit and train energetic, committed members. We must continue to keep informed of developments on legislative issues and continue to nurture existing partnerships with the other stakeholders in Rehabilitation.

Next, we must address our goals for the coming year to:

1) develop relationships with the WIBS,

2) provide training on transition to parents and school boards,

3) review interagency agreements,

4) assist with development of Vision 2005,

1998

The State Order of Selection was reviewed and the Committee also took part in a training on changes in the Rehabilitation Act. We spent some time becoming familiar with the state encumbrance and budgeting system in regards to the Self Employment Policy. During December, the Committee reviewed a new Individual Plan for Employment form which is required by the new Rehabilitation Act. In the course of the year, the Committee also reviewed a new brochure for the Client Assistance Program (CAP).

Finally, the Committee drafted and approved its 1999 Work Plan.

· Revise the Policy & Procedure Manual as required by the changes in the

Rehabilitation Act.

· Assess and review the Welcoming Environment Survey.

· Review of pertinent Interagency Agreements, particularly those with

DET, and the Department of Social Welfare (DSW).

The Transition Committee struggled with some challenges in 1998. The loss of some of its members early in the year, new staff, and difficulty in scheduling meetings with representatives of the Department of Education got the Committee off to a late start.

In August, with a new member on board, the Committee looked at its mission and work plan for the year. The mission was clarified and the Committee decided to print its mission on all minutes and have the mission in front of them at all meetings. This was a valuable exercise and got the Committee working towards a plan of action. Throughout the year, the Committee reviewed the work of the State Core Transition Team and kept abreast of developments in reforming regional core transition teams. After an assessment of barriers to successful transition, the Committee started review of Vermont’s Interagency Guidelines for Transition. Primarily, the Committee will look for gaps or needed changes in the guidelines. In addition, the Committee is working on a one -page resource and fact sheet for parents of students in transition planning.

Finally, the Committee continued its work of getting representation of people with disabilities on the WIBS. A list of the Chairs and contact information was disseminated to all Council members with encouragement for them to attend WIB meetings.

In December, the Committee formulated and approved its workplan for 1999.

· Increase representation of adult services at individual education plan (IEP) meetings.

· Provide training on transition for school boards and principals through an informational packet and having representatives attend a meeting of the educational coalition.

· Assist in the provision of statewide training for IEP caseworkers.

· Aid in maintaining the Regional Core Transition Teams.

· Review the Vermont Interagency Guidelines for Transition and recommend changes.

· Review the cooperative agreements between the DVR and the DOE.

The Employment Trends Committee finished 1998 ready to forge ahead, despite an unsteady start because of a loss of members and the change in Executive Coordinator. During 1998, this Committee lost four members due to resignation and completion of terms. Because of these circumstances and the advent of the Vision 2005 process, the Committee did not hold any employer Forums in 1998. However, four new members were added during late fall and the Committee met to redefine its mission and to establish a work plan for 1999.

The Committee met in June to review and redefine its workplan for the year, where it was determined that new members needed to be brought on before the Committee could continue. In September, the members met with Skip Lamere from DVR to review and assess information obtained at the National Employer Conference held in Washington, DC Members reviewed and discussed current employment trends and formulated projections as to how these changes will affect people with disabilities in Vermont.

Committee Chair, Douglas Dapice, participated as a member of the planning workgroup for DVR’s new initiative, Vision 2005. This initiative focuses on DVR’s other partner, the employer. Doug represented the Rehabilitation Council at a one -day retreat held by DVR to develop a vision, mission, and goals for this initiative. Representatives from DVR, DET, the Human Resource Investment Council (HRIC), VABIR, the State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) and the Governor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities were at the retreat to discuss means of improving services to consumers and employers through systems improvement and outreach efforts. The Employment Trends Committee will continue to be the advisory committee to DVR throughout development and implementation of this initiative.

The Employment Trends Committee maintained contact with The Governor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities and there is now cross- representation on each Committee to facilitate coordination of activities and collaboration between the groups.

Finally, the Committee developed and approved its workplan for 1999.

 GOAL: More meaningful jobs in Vermont for people with disabilities through outreach to the business community.

The 1999 Work Plan consists of three workshops- each targeted to gather information and successful practices from different aspects of the business community.

A fourth meeting will be devoted to working on Vision 2005 with the DVR.

· Invite successful VR consumers and their employers as well as VR consumers who are having trouble finding a job.

· Invite representatives of the staffing industry, including nationwide and local staffing agencies as well as Triad, which has a program for employing people with disabilities.

This has been a busy and productive year for the Membership and Education Committee. There were seven openings on the Council because of member resignations and two long standing term expirations. By years end, five new members were nominated to the Council and several other nominees were being reviewed for potential membership. Throughout the process, the Committee’s goal of maintaining geographic and demographic balance of the Council was achieved. If appointed by the Governor, new members will join us from St. Albans, Rutland, and Barre.

Over 30 candidates were asked to submit applications and supplemental background information for Committee review. The Executive Coordinator presented this material in matrix form and Committee members selected nominees for recommendation to the Governor’s Office.

Two new members and the new Executive Coordinator joined the Council in March. An orientation and training session on member responsibility and the Council/VR relationship was conducted by the Committee for them in Waterbury in April.

GOAL A: Fill the existing three vacancies by February 28, 1999 and conduct training for all new members.

Objective 1 Fill three seats.

Objective 2 Conduct training for all new members by March 30, 1999.

Objective 3 Update membership matrix.

GOAL B: Contact media outlets through press releases.

Objective 1 Send press releases announcing new Council memberships to

business magazines.

During 1998, the day to day management of the Council was aptly carried out by the Steering Committee. During the first quarter of the year, much time and effort went into reviewing applicants for the Executive Coordinator’s position. Regular meetings continued with Committee Chairs and the DVR Director reporting at each meeting.

The Steering Committee dealt with several major issues during the year, including reauthorization of the Rehabilitation Act, the consumer satisfaction survey performed by Macro International, completion of the Welcoming Environment Survey, changes in the Bylaws regarding officers of the Council, defining a member expense reimbursement policy and changes in the Rehabilitation Act following reauthorization. Some of these have been difficult issues and required hard work, open mindedness, and a willingness to continue striving until an acceptable solution was found.

The Committee spent a great deal of time discussing possible changes to the structure of the Council officers. The concern was to build a means of cultivating leadership and providing a continuity of support for incoming officers. The Bylaws change to include the immediate past Chair as a member of the Steering Committee should accomplish both goals.

WORK PLAN FOR 1999

Objective 1 Cut costs by using teleconferencing and interact TV.

Merton Pike finished out his allowed term in September 1998. He was an original member of The Policy Consultation Council, the predecessor to the Rehabilitation Council. The Council would like to thank Merton for his dedication to the Council and its mission. Merton was Chair of the Employment Trends Committee. His insight as both a farmer and a disabled person was invaluable. We will miss his common sense input and willing readiness to serve.

Ben Barewicz’s term expired in September 1998. He has been a member of the Council since 1993. Ben was a member of the Employment Trends Committee. We would like to thank Ben for his ability to help us focus on making meetings accessible for all people. He has shown true dedication. Ben’s jokes will long be remembered and sadly missed.

Susan Atkinson resigned from the Council in 1998 to accept a position with DVR. Susan has also been an member since 1993. We wish Susan the best of luck in her future endeavors.

Connie Curtin’s term expired in September 1998. Connie was a valued member of the Transition Committee.

Dick Virkstis resigned in 1998. Dick is the former Director of Development at the Austine School. Dick was a member of the Transition Committee.

Stuart Lindsay resigned in 1998 to devote his full energies to his business, Step’N Go stand-up cycles.

Sharon Henault, Chairperson Extraordinaire since the Council’s inception turned over the reins of leadership to the new Chair, Kevin Christie. Sharon will continue to keep us on track from her position as Past Chair on the Steering Committee. Without Sharon’s tireless efforts on behalf of the Council, we would not have accomplished so much . Her hard work, dedication and advocacy have made an important difference for all Vermont’s people with disabilities. We would like to thank her for her enormous contribution.