Vocational Rehabilitation Council

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES DETR/ESD Auditorium/Carson City and Nevada Job Link/Las Vegas January 18, 2002

MEMBERS PRESENT STAFF PRESENT Dr. Ralph Baker Barbara Legier, Chief, BSBVI, BVR Dr. Bill Bauer Program Services Ed Guthrie Jim Hadwick, Chief, BVR,BSBVI Beth Horrigan Operations and Special Services Lorraine Marshall Howard Castle, BVR Manager, Las Vegas Karla McComb Rob Johnston, Deputy Chief, BSBVI Charlette Serline Al Roybal, District Manager, BSBVI Gillian Wells Dr. Bill Hamilton, Rehabilitation Division Myrn Wiebe Bob White GUESTS PRESENT Myla Florence, Director, DETR MEMBERS ABSENT Libby Jones, Deputy Director, DETR Barbara Cegavske Donny Loux, Chief, Office of Community Linda Lueck Based Services Dee Pursel Bob Belknap, Global Studio Mike Stubblefield John Alexander, Division of Health Care Pat Williams Finance and Planning Maynard Yasmer Paul Gowins, Office of Community Based Services Kitty Barth, Governor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities Bonnie Dixon, NDALC

EXHIBITS Draft Minutes of November 16, 2001 meeting Updated Council membership roster dated January 8, 2002 Strategic Issues - Disability Issues Task Force report from Donny Loux VRC Brochure: We have the Keys to Winning Job-Ready Employees VRC application résumés: John Giefer, Jean Peyton, George Scott, Jack Mayes, Veronica Wilson 2002 Needs Assessment/Satisfaction Survey –Items for VR Council Consideration VRC 2001 Annual Report – Draft Medicaid Infrastructure Grant – John Alexander presentation outline Ticket to Work report from Gillian Wells Typed statement from Gillian Wells, regarding transition services VRC Approximate Budget 2001/2002 Developmental Disabilities Council Report – January 2002 VRC Minutes Page 2 of 8 January 18, 2002

Performance Indicators for SFY 2002 for BVR and BSBVI CALL TO ORDER, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND ROLL CALL Bill Bauer called the meeting to order at 9:30 am and roll call was taken.

INTRODUCTIONS AND WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS New members are Assemblywoman Barbara Cegavske, representing business, industry & labor, and Myrn Wiebe representing a community service provider.

MINUTES Bob White moved, and Charlott Serline seconded, approval of the minutes of the November 16, 2001 meeting. Approved unanimously.

REPORT ON STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR DISABILITY ISSUES Donny Loux distributed a status report on the work of the task force approved and funded by the 2001 State Legislature. Mission: To develop long-range strategic planning for services to all Nevadans with disabilities, a seamless continuum of support options, enabling them to achieve mainstream personal and economic independence. Guiding principle: Services must be available throughout Nevada in the most integrated and appropriate setting. This should provide equal opportunities and real choices concerning quality of life. Subcommittees are developing a ten-year plan to drive state services for people with disabilities. Packets were distributed in Carson City and were mailed to members in Southern Nevada. Input by Council members and others should go to: Donny Loux (775-687-4452 or 888-337-3839), Gillian Wells, Mary Evilsizer, or Brian Lahren. Following are the sections for input:  Appendix C, the strategic plan components;  A “categorical service inclusions” chart;  A children’s transition committee report, headed by former VRC member Florence LaRoy, is in progress, will be sent to Council members;  The last part of the package, called working documents, involving “impact issues” Of notable importance to many people receiving vocational rehabilitation (VR) services is transportation, without which there is a significant barrier to employment. Also in the report is the issue of personal assistance services and health care benefits, important to some people with disabilities who want to work. Independent living issues for blind individuals, which also can be dealt with in a VR context, are appropriate for the strategic plan. The strategic plan’s direct employment issues focus on sheltered work situations. Because sheltered work is not covered under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), it does not involve the VR programs and the VRC.

PUBLIC COMMENT On behalf of Sue Ballew, and Las Vegas counselor Brenda Nelms, Mr. Hamilton gave or mailed Council members a questionnaire about transition work in VR settings. Ms. Ballew provided self-addressed envelopes to facilitate responses. VRC Minutes Page 3 of 8 January 18, 2002

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT Chairman Bauer gave an overview of the VR program history, dating back to putting disabled veterans to work about World War I, but later encompassing the civilian population. Professional counselors and assessment centers began in the 1950s. Consumers became involved in the process in the 1970s, including goal setting through plans for service. Currently, new areas of emphasis in VR have been placed on students transitioning out of high school to the world of work, and on “most severely disabled individuals.” One role of the VR Council is to look at Nevada’s VR programs and help fine tune it, such as through regular meetings and in instruments like needs assessment/satisfaction surveys and the Council’s annual report.

COMMITTEE REPORTS A. Marketing and Advocacy 1. Legislative . Lorraine Marshall had no report. 2. CD/Technology. Bob White spoke with Linda Lueck, subcommittee chair, and was unsure if Kitti Barth (Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities) is still involved with production of a CD to promote the VR programs to employers. He introduced Bob Belknap, of Global Studio, a full service marketing and advertising firm in Reno, who talked about what his firm can do with CDs, including production of one for the VRC. He distributed a CD-ROM with samples of graphics and animated displays that can work with live scenes, interviews, etc., to help market the VR programs. He recommended that Council members look at the portfolio section of the CD and at sample radio and TV commercials. A CD for the VRC can be produced in phases, allowing costs to be paid over two fiscal years. The Council has the option of providing detailed script or of working with Global Studio on what the Council wants, then determining which parties will do what work. Through these discussions, the production cost will be decided. His business has for- profit business rates and rates for non-profit agencies, such as the VRC. 3. Parents Forum. Gillian Wells encouraged BVR and BSBVI to take an active role in making a parent forum a reality because one is needed and because Nevada PEP lacks funds to support it. The Parents Forum purpose is to gather representation from different agencies associated with adults with disabled youth in the community and to inform parents statewide about services and service providers, especially VR. Mr. Bauer asked Gillian and Bill Hamilton to consult with the Rehabilitation Division about possible funding and to report at the next meeting.

4. Website for Disabled Nevadans. Lorraine Marshall sent Bill Hamilton details useful to prepare a Request for Proposal. Principal items include funding for someone to gather data but also for someone to prepare and update the Website. She will contact Barbara Legier about the RFP, and potential funding through the VRC or another source. 5. Council Membership. If a VRC member misses two consecutive quarterly meetings the Council may take action to continue or discontinue that person’s membership on the VRC Minutes Page 4 of 8 January 18, 2002

VRC. Karla McComb moved, and Lorraine Marshall seconded, that Gillian Wells be retained as a member. Approved unanimously. Mr. Bauer said that Kathy Olson opted to leave the Council. Five new candidates applied for membership: John Giefer, representing the Las Vegas Band of Paiute Indians/VR program; Veronica Wilson, for business, industry & labor; George Scott, for business, industry & labor; Jean Peyton, a former VR client and founder of a 501 ( c ) (3) non-profit business, for business, industry & labor; and Jack Mayes, advocacy group as well as employer. Mr. Giefer’s name was submitted because Tim Dowty, since being approved by the Council and Governor Guinn, has moved into a different position. It was moved by Karla McComb, and seconded, that John Giefer be recommended to Governor Guinn for membership. The motion carried with one member in opposition. Ed Guthrie moved, and Gillian Wells, seconded Jean Peyton’s name for approval and recommendation to Governor Guinn. The motion passed unanimously. B. Oversight 1. Satisfaction survey/needs assessment. Mr. Hamilton referred Council members to a two- page document he mailed for review and input with respect to the forthcoming 2002 Needs Assessment/Satisfaction Survey. Karla McComb moved that proposed 2002 survey questions, and Council concerns about the 2001 survey, be discussed with the Cannon Center, and that a report be submitted to the Council’s March 15 meeting for action. Ed Guthrie seconded the motion. Passed unanimously. 2. Council’s Annual Report. Discussion led to a number of recommended changes to the draft received by the Council. With the recommended changes, Ed Guthrie moved, and Lorraine Marshall seconded, approval of the VRC’s 2001 Annual Report.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT: A. VRC budget update. Jim Hadwick submitted a revised SFY 2002 budget. In listening to the Council discuss items on which it may want to spend money, the budget will need to be revised for the next meeting. The CD, a possible Council training retreat, travel, and the needs assessment/satisfaction survey are among the items to be modified. Ms. Legier said that the VRC could request an augmentation to the VRC budget, at the expense of VR case service dollars. Lorraine Marshall moved, and it was seconded, that the Division report at the March meeting if a work program could be done to augment VR Council funds in the SFY 2002 budget. Passed unanimously. B. New case management computer system. Jim Hadwick reported that this long-desired improvement, to support counselors in their case management and reporting and information retrieval, now has identifiable funding and has been sent to the Interim Finance Committee for decision. The estimated cost is $1.6 million and could take two years to phase in. The new system could increase counselor time to make more employer contacts, more efficiently handle cases, etc. Ms. Legier said that she would try to report at the next meeting on the percentage of VR program money spent on administration, the rest being case service money. C. Self-employment plans. The Division has a new procedure for consumer submission of and Rehabilitation Division evaluation of self-employment plans submitted by VR clients. The evaluation team is to meet monthly. In recent months, only a few plans have been submitted. VRC Minutes Page 5 of 8 January 18, 2002

REPORT ABOUT VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION PROGRAMS A. General Program Report. 1. Adequacy of staff for transition students in Southern Nevada schools. Barbara Legier said three counselors and two rehabilitation technicians handle 29 Clark County secondary schools and 11 alternative schools. The rehabilitation supervisor advised that this is adequate staffing for the student population, based on the request from school districts for VR counselor service. Ed Guthie challenged “adequacy” because only high school seniors seem to receive services. Gillian Wells said many more students could receive service but do not know about them or have not registered for service. Howard Castle said if the VR transition program was marketed there would be a need for many more counselors, especially if service began in the junior year of high school. Gillian Wells, representing Nevada PEP (Parent Training and Information Center), read a statement about the lack of quality transition services that individuals receive in high school or out of school. School officials suggest it is VR’s job to help students find jobs and VR seems to say it is the schools’ job. She made the following requests of VR for the March VRC meeting:  A report from the VR counselors who work with the transition population on how the process works and what services they provide for high school students transitioning into work  From federal or State of Nevada sources, any performance indicator or other data for the VR programs that answers the following items: 1) time elapsed from when a person inquires about potential receipt of services until an intake is done; 2) time elapsed from time of intake to eligibility determination; and 3) time elapsed from eligibility determination to when service begins.  How many clients are in counselors’caseloads  With respect to case closures: 1) definition of the meaning of successful closures; 2) a copy of what, in federal law, defines successful case closure; 3) a copy of performance indicators that show targets and results for successful closures in the VR programs. Paul Gowins stated that, on December 22, 2001, the State Department of Education produced a self-improvement report, in compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act. The report has useful information on transition issues that the Council may want to examine. The Department of Education also has a cooperative agreement with the VR programs. Each item is useful for the Council’s interest in transition planning. Gillian Wells said she has information from Elko, Washoe and Clark counties. 2. VR request for distribution of the new VRC brochures: 600 to N. Nevada counselors; 400 to the rural counselors; 850 to S. Nevada BVR counselors; 100 to S. Nevada BSBVI counselors. They will be targeted to employers, Chamber of Commerce personnel, and job fairs. 3. Performance Indicators. Barbara Legier presented them for BVR and BSBVI. Ed Guthrie asked if VR can provide comparative numbers for the previous fiscal year to the current fiscal year on a month-to-month and year-to-date basis. Such information is useful to question and explain variations. Howard Castle indicated he could do this for Clark County. Barbara Legier and the district managers will attempt to provide it. VRC Minutes Page 6 of 8 January 18, 2002

Several Council members next asked if the number of VR staff drive the number of clients served, or if the number of clients who could be served should be a VR concern. If there are many who are eligible for service but or not receiving it, or who can be found eligible if marketing and outreach occurs, there should be justification for seeking additional resources. In response, Barbara Legier said that if the VR programs do not have the resources needed to serve the clients to be served, an “order of selection” may need to be adopted by the Rehabilitation Division. She offered to discuss the consequences of order of selection at a future meeting. 4. Progress on State Plan. The first two meetings have taken place and included participation by Linda Lueck, Bill Bauer and Charlott Serline. The next meeting takes place February 20, in Las Vegas. All Council members are invited to attend.

WORKFORCE INVESTMENT ACT AND RELATIONSHIP TO VR COUNCIL Myla Florence, Director, Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation, was invited to discuss the relationship between the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and the VRC. As stage setting, she cited from WIA, and the Rehabilitation Act Amendments subsumed under WIA, that interactive partnerships are needed between all employment systems and actors (including VR) within the statewide workforce investment system. Ms. Florence believes the Council can assist the system maturation process in the following ways:  Promote the value of hiring people with disabilities, verified as being dependable, employable and adaptable. If the VRC is doing a promotional CD, the other partners in the workforce investment system need to know that;  Council member visits to one-stop centers to see if they are accessible and friendly to people with disabilities;  Do one-stops have the right kinds of services;  Publicize the availability of the VR programs to employers and that, if an employee becomes disabled, there are ways of accommodating the needs of those employees;  Monitor the Statewide Workforce Investment Board’s subcommittee on employment of people with disabilities, which will be created in February 7, with Karla McComb as Chairman and Ed Guthrie as a member from the VRC. Paul Gowins asked how people can learn about the work of the Statewide Workforce Investment Board. Myla Florence offered to speak to any groups. Day-to-day, the key players are Tom Fitzgerald in Northern Nevada and Richard Blue in Southern Nevada. For their locations and Board member names, call Tami Nash in Myla’s office in Carson City (775.684.3891).

REPORT FROM OTHER ENTITIES AND COUNCILS A. Developmental Disabilities Council. A written report was received from Ken Vogel. B. State Independent Living Council. Ralph Baker reported that one-shot funds for independent living services do not appear to be in jeopardy of being rescinded by Governor Guinn. The Independent Living Program is also revamping its database to streamline applications for independent living service applications. The IL program also was granted some tobacco funds for an assistive technology loan program being handled through C*A*R*E* Chest, in VRC Minutes Page 7 of 8 January 18, 2002

Reno. The loan program could be a resource for VR counselors, if they have clients looking to make assistive technology purchases through loans at low interest rates. C. Mental Health Planning Council. Alice Thresh, of the Council, was unable to attend. D. State Department of Education/IDEA. No report, as the position is still vacant. E. Advisory Group for Medicaid Buy-In. Gillian Wells, Council representative to the Ticket to Work Advisory Board, discussed the group’s work: guidance through a collaborative process to analyze and develop a program in which individuals with disabilities may enter or re-enter the workforce and purchase Medicaid on a sliding scale basis. John Alexander, NV Dept. of Human Resources, Division of Health Care Financing Policy added that the advisory group is trying to develop a program for an Interim Finance Committee meeting regarding Nevada’s Medicaid infra-structure grant, to enable a buy-in for employed disabled individuals. Long term, the goal is to encourage non-employed disabled individuals to enter the workforce with Medicaid coverage. He referred people to website: http://dhcfp.state.nv.us/tickettowork.htm Paul Gowins asked the VRC and VR programs to review the study to see if there are issues in the report that need attention or modification. Barrier removal is of particular concern. F. Governor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities. Kitti Barth gave an update on Senate Bill 175. In the state use plan, community rehabilitation programs may contract with state or governmental entities to provide services or products without those entities needing to accept the lowest bids. Where she has met, this has been received well. Kitti also said that wages paid are usually very good in state use plans across the United States. She cited Maryland’s experience, from which 30% of workers graduate to competitive employment. She believes Nevada’s VR programs should “partner up” with the state use plan and distributed a report about her observations.

COUNCIL LOG Bill Hamilton reported that he is still looking for a good trainer to fill the Council’s desire for a two-day training session in the Spring.

COUNSELOR ISSUES OF INTEREST OR CONCERN: An in-house position of employment specialist in the Las Vegas BSBVI office is vacant and it is unclear if the position will be filled. The program also has been told that it cannot access community job developers, meaning it will be difficult to meet some job placement goals in Southern Nevada.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR BVR/BSBVI WORK CANDIDATES Lorraine Marshall is looking to hire two project managers by the end of January.

NEXT MEETING DATE, LOCATION, AND AGENDA ITEMS March 15 will be the next video conference date. VRC Minutes Page 8 of 8 January 18, 2002

Karla McComb asked that one front-line VR person working at each of the Northern Nevada and Southern Nevada one-stop sites be invited to the meeting to share experiences about how well the one-stops are working.

ADJOURNMENT Karla McComb moved, and Ed Guthrie seconded, adjournment at 2:47 pm. Approved unanimously.

Recorded by:

Denise Phipps, Sierra Nevada Reporters

Edited by:

William Hamilton, Rehabilitation Division

Approved by:

William Bauer, Chairman