VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION ADVISORY COUNCIL for the Division for the Visually Impaired State of Delaware

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MAY 11, 2015, 9:30am-1:00pm

I. CALL TO ORDER – CHAIRPERSON, Sonya Lawrence

II. ROLL CALL –

Dan Madrid

Blake Roberts

Carma Carpenter

Stacey (PIC) – non- voting

Kevin McAllister

Shirley Bryson

Joe Malone – guest

Julissa Cully

Debbie Briddell

Walter Harper

Daryl Garner

Sonya Lawrence

Alice Coleman Dawn Jackson

Jocelyn Langeghr

Suzanne Howell

Alfred Perkins

III. CONSENT AGENDA –

APRIL MEETING MINUTES – Minutes unanimously accepted by voting members of the Council.

INDEPENDENT LIVING MINUTES. Minutes accepted by voting members of the Council for informational purposes.

*BALLOT – BYLAWS CHANGES – this item removed from the Consent Agenda for discussion.

IV. COMMITTEE/AGENCY/COUNCIL REPORTS

- CLIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM – Mr. Roberts reported that he had no new matters to discuss. Debbie Briddell asked Mr. Roberts to provide to the Council more details related to the work CAP does on behalf of disabled consumers. Mr. Roberts gave an overview of his work with CAP. Daryl Garner requested more information regarding the consumers CAP serves. Kevin McAllister requested additional information regarding the specific nature of CAP’s work and its implications for visually impaired consumers. Given the nature and extent of questions identified by the Council, Mr. Roberts will present to the Council a more detailed discussion of CAP’s work consumers, and other activities at the June 8, 2015 meeting.

- INDEPENDENT LIVING COUNCIL – Suzanne Howell reported that Melodye May from DVI’s Independent Living Unit will address the Council during the June meeting. She will address the consumers served by their unit and discuss the extent to which transition students are included in their work.

- VRAC COMMITTEES ( EDUCATION, PUBLIC RELATIONS, MEMBERSHIP, EXECUTIVE)

- PUBLIC RELATIONS: Alice Coleman reported that the Committee needs to identify all print media outlets in circulation in Delaware. The Committee also requested that DVI distribute to parents information regarding Camp Lenape. Finally, the Committee seeks assistance from internal DVI resources to assist with their work. The Council suggested that the Committee begin working with Debbie Talley from DVI and the Committee agreed to pursue that relationship.

- POLICY/EMPLOYMENT – Mr. Perkins reported that the Committee has made significant strides since it began its work. Some of the matters that have been addressed include:

- 1. Creation of an employer resource guide and toolkit;

- 2. Counselor training – just in time training for counselors needed. Certain staffing vacancies have been filled. Ongoing assessment necessary to determine current needs.

- 3. Job placement goal – VR’s goal is currently at 16. VR is expected to reach 33 by June 30, 2015.

- 4. DART – transportation improvements are still necessary. Kevin McAllister discussed the fact that Delaride is still not operational in Delaware.

 UBER discussion – the Council discussed whether and to what extent UBER can address some of the transportation deficiencies in Delaware. Before engaging UBER, the Council was encouraged to consult with the State Council for Disabilities.

 Amtrak - The Council discussed additional transportation service providers with whom we can collaborate. Jocelyn Langrehr reported that the O&M unit is working to reconnect with Amtrak after their presentation at the SRC Retreat.

- 5. Self-advocacy – the Committee identified self-advocacy is still a significant need among VR consumers. Educational information, CAP workshops, participation in self-advocacy conferences, Mock Advocacy sessions are means through which to improve self-advocacy. PIC may be a significant partner for the Council and DVI to support these efforts. Daryl Gardner reported that self- advocacy work groups are also available the 3rd Tuesday of each month at Modern Maturity in Dover.

- 6. Business Enterprise opportunity – the Committee reported that connecting entrepreneurs to BEP is a significant priority at present.

- 7. The employment segment of the Delaware Libraries is also a significant resource for job seekers. SCORE, SBA, Women’s Enterprise Agency are examples of such opportunities. - MEMBERSHIP – Kevin McAllister reported that the current membership has been confirmed with the Governor’s office and renewal applications have been filed. The Council discussed the need for proactive succession planning and preparation of updated recruitment packages.

- EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Council discussed the proposed changes to the Bylaws and unanimously voted to change the name of the Council to the State Rehabilitation Council for the Delaware Division of the Visually Impaired (pending proper approvals) to harmonize it with the current Rehabilitation Act and to reduce the number of months that a member must wait before reapplying to the council after serving maximum term limits from six to three months.

- EDUCATION

1. MOU – The Vision Task Force discussed potential opportunities to enhance the MOU between DOE/DVI/ and LEAs based upon facts and recommendations examined during task force meetings. While the Council agrees that the MOU should include the most recent developments related to education , we also expect that the document receive appropriate approvals to facilitate implementation before the 2015-16 school year begins.

2. Vision Task Force – Meetings are proceeding and the task force has entered the recommendation phase of work. A report to the joint legislature is due June 1, 2015.

V. SPECIAL PRESENTATION

THE JOB DRIVEN VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER Joe Marrone Senior Program Manager, Public Policy Julisa Cully, Knowledge Translation Program Director Institute for Community Inclusion, School of Global Inclusion and Social Development UMASS BOSTON, Boston, MA.

VI. OLD BUSINESS

- COMMUNITY OUTREACH REPORT

Kevin McAllister reported on a successful May 2, 2015 event at Dover Days. Approximately 120 people received information and vision screening during the event. Debbie Talley was recognized for her efforts on this project. The Council was reminded of the importance of their participation in SRC-sponsored events. Mr. McAllister reported that we need to obtain merchandise to market available services to potential consumers. We will work on establishing an enhanced web presence, securing merchandise to distribute, and creating a logo for use on correspondence and marketing materials. We will contact Debbie Tally and Jim Damato of DIB to facilitate complete these tasks.

VII. NEW BUSINESS

- DELAWARE WHITE CANE SAFETY AND RECOGNITION DAY 2015

- Kevin McAllister gave an overview of White Cane Day. This year, we will focus the event upon recognition of stakeholders, supporters, and others. Such a focus will increase the visibility of issues for blind and visually impaired persons in Delaware. We are investigating use of Dover Downs and will need for each Council member to take on a significant role in the planning and implementation of this event.

VIII. DVI VR Administrator Report

Shirley Bryson, VR Administrator provided information responsive to questions posed by the Council related to Transition age youth (age 14-21).

1. If there are 91 transition-aged students eligible for VR services, how many of them are actively receiving transition/VR services?

To date there are 92 transition age youth in VR age 14–24. There are 75 transition students in VR age 14-21.

2. In 2013, 2014, and 2015 to date, how many students' VR cases have been closed because the VR counselor did not make successful contact with a parent or guardian? In instances in which the cases were closed due to lack of contact with a parent, please identify the steps taken to inform school officials or other child-advocacy agencies that a student is not receiving services because of lack of parent cooperation.

Please see below data on closures for transition students from FY 2013-2015. The information on alerting school officials and other child-advocacy agencies is not readily available. This would require in-depth research of case notes. However, I have discuss this with VR counselors and they stated that the practice was to work with school officials and if this did not work VR Counselor/or Education staff would contact child-advocacy or truancy agencies.

FY 2015 ( TO FY2014 FY2013 DATE) Total Served 92 75 48 Total Closures 16 25 12 Achieved 2 3 5 employment Transferred 0 2 1 Impediments to 0 1 1 employment Significantly 1 1 0 disabled No longer 7 14 2 interested Unable to contact 6 4 1 All Other Reasons 0 0 1

DVI Director’s Report

A. Delaware Industries for Blind (DIB): State agencies are closing out their fiscal years. If they have surplus of funds, they put in orders. This time through October is busiest time. Doing screen printing, bags, totes, squeeze balls, embroidered clothing, etc. Now only 10% of work is being sent out. DIB staff has not gotten any of their hours back. Neckerchief contract ending in June. May be able to maintain contract with federal government. Training regarding proper handling of financial transactions underway. Policies are being created to prevent future difficulties and promote accountability. BEP - Gift shop opens at Smyrna Rest Stop on June 1, most products will be DIB products. Initial apparel will be DIB products. Education: DVI reports that two TVIs will be added to their staff by Fall 2015. Purchases – newly created purchasing limitations requiring review if items costing more than $5,000.00 will likely include technology purchases for VR consumers. Council members voiced objections to this policy, since VR consumers rely upon technology for successful employment and educational experiences. Mr. Madrid agreed that the current OMB approval process does not involve substantive review; thus, delays related to these reviews are not value added.

IX. ANNOUNCEMENTS/PUBLIC COMMENTS X. ADJOURNMENT