National Coalition of State Rehabilitation Councils

National Coalition of State Rehabilitation Councils Sunday, November 7, 2010 San Diego, California

5 year Anniversary Meeting

San Diego November, 2005 to San Diego November, 2010

Meeting was called to order at 9 am. Marlene Malloy, Michigan SRC – Welcome and Overview of the day’s agenda Don Uchida, Utah VR Administrator, gave an overview of the Institute of Rehabilitation Issues. The topics for this year were Program Evaluation and the SRC and VR Partnership. Previous publications can be found at http://iriforum.org/books.aspx Welcome and presentation “One size does not fit all” from the California SRC – Janet Eaton, Executive Director

Group Activity Responses: How are councils fulfilling their SRC Responsibilities?

 Ensure all members take part in all aspects of the responsibilities. All mandates fall into one of two groups: 1) planning and policy or 2) monitoring and evaluation.

 Needs Assessments – collect data from other sources, other state agencies; focus groups, counselor survey, client survey, public hearings, focuses forums on one topic rather than open.  Input on the State Plan – comments are collected during SRC meetings; facilitator is brought in to develop goals and priorities; strategic plan is done in partnership SRC and VR.

 Annual Report – full councils report on accomplishments; staff person does wordsmithing; in some states, staff write the report.

What type of Resource Plan does your SRC have?

 States vary, state agency funds services for SRC based on if the activity falls within roles and responsibilities of SRC.

 State university contract provides support to SRC.

 Council has control/responsibility over budget.

 Separate budget for the SRC that they operate, which allows them to avoid state purchasing rules and restrictions such as out-of-state travel.

 In kind support. Access to VR agency staff time and office services are parts of the resource plan.

 In-house staff assigned to council, liaison, contracted staff.

NCSRC – the next 5 years: feedback from participants SRC attachment to the state plan is a critical piece. NCSRC list serv will be an important tool to help councils communicate and learn from each other. Session connected to CSAVR has been critical to building the partnership with VR and SRCs - should definitely continue. Joining NCSRC gave an individual council a feeling of being part of something bigger, a national movement. Hope NCSRC continues to meet with CSAVR; attending CSAVR sessions also important to NCSRC members to get national perspective. Attending one of the CSAVR committees can provide more in depth information on an issue of importance to a VR agency and council. Debbie Lovely complimented the NCSRC leadership and noted that NCSRC serves as the mentors for SRCs. Leadership development: bring more than just the chair or staff to CSAVR to grow new leadership for the SRC.

CSAVR Stephen Wooderson, new CEO of CSAVR (8 days new)

Bio: Steve Wooderson was selected as the CEO of CSAVR on November 1, 2010. Prior to joining CSAVR, Steve was the administrator of Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services. He oversaw the state VR and independent living programs, as well as the disability determination services bureau. His experience in VR spans nearly 30 years of service in the public program. Steve started as a VR counselor in south central Missouri in January of 1981 and he enjoyed a 20 year career with the Missouri VR agency. In March of 2000, Steve moved to Iowa to become the rehabilitation services chief, and then was appointed agency administrator in December of 2002. He has served at all professional levels in the public vocational rehabilitation program; which gives him a unique perspective of the local, state and national implications of VR service delivery. During Steve's tenure in Iowa, he also was adjunct facility in the Drake University rehabilitation counseling program. He is a certified Dale Carnegie trainer and a retired Army Reserves Lieutenant Colonel.

Steve told us he looks forward to a continued partnership with NCSRC. He said his vision of CSAVR is the vision of the CSAVR membership. Meeting adjourned.