TABLE OF CONTENTS

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR....................................................................3

COUNCIL OVERVIEW.................................................................................4

MESSAGE FROM THE DOR DIRECTOR...................................................7

COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE STATE REHABILITATION COUNCIL AND THE DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION........................................8

RECOMMENDATIONS PASSED BY THE STATE REHABILITATION COUNCIL...................................................................................................10

COMPREHENSIVE STATEWIDE NEEDS ASSESSMENT.......................18

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION PORTION OF THE UNIFIED STATE PLAN..........................................................................................................20

CONSUMER SATISFACTION SURVEY....................................................23

STATE REHABILITATION COUNCIL MEMBERS.....................................26

RECRUITMENT ANNOUNCEMENT..........................................................30

DOR DISTRICT OFFICES.........................................................................31

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MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

The California State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) has experienced a productive and exciting year, filled with change and growth. We are pleased to present this report outlining the work we have completed during the 2015-2016 term.

We have enjoyed increased collaboration with the Department of Rehabilitation to expand the employment opportunities, independence, and equality of Californians with disabilities. The Council is extremely appreciative of the many efforts the Department has provided for SRC members to learn more about DOR’s programs

and policies and to provide substantive feedback.

DOR staff and SRC members have engaged in in-depth discussions at SRC quarterly meetings, subcommittee meetings, and inter-quarter teleconferences. SRC leadership meets monthly with the DOR Directorate to further discuss relevant issues. SRC members have also been invited to serve on DOR workgroups and hiring panels. In addition, DOR has held public forums on a variety of current topics in the vocational rehabilitation field, which were well-attended by SRC members.

During the past year, the SRC has strengthened its process for developing recommendations, engaged in a series of facilitated discussions on informed choice, and increased our collaboration substantially with DOR’s Planning Unit on the Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment and the Vocational Rehabilitation Portion of the Unified State Plan.

We look forward to continuing to work closely with DOR and its stakeholders throughout the coming year to increase employment opportunities for Californians with disabilities and avail California’s workforce of their talents.

Danielle Anderson, Chair

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California State Rehabilitation Council

Council OverviewMission StatementThe California State Rehabilitation Council (SRC), in collaboration with the California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) and other community partners, reviews and analyzes policies, programs, and services, and advises the Department on quality and performance in meeting the Department’s mission.

Vision Statement The voice of DOR’s stakeholder community.

Goals and ObjectivesGoal 1: Strengthen the policy guidance capabilities of the SRC.

Identify policy priorities in collaboration with the Department. Collaborate with the Department to identify policy changes under the

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and other federal and state regulations.

Goal 2: Assist the Department in ensuring its vocational rehabilitation programs focus on competitive integrated employment.

Assist in the development of policies and services that promote competitive integrated employment for people with disabilities.

Assist the Department in strengthening business engagement and employment services so the Department meets performance measures under WIOA and its goal of 20,000 competitive, integrated employment closures at $20 per hour by the year 2020.

Promote and monitor the Department’s involvement with America’s Job Center of California statewide and at district levels.

Goal 3: Ensure that the Department of Rehabilitation retains a strong focus on business engagement.

Participate in quarterly discussions with DOR Staff on the Department’s business engagement activities and results.

Learn about best practices on business engagement and innovative strategies being employed by other state vocational rehabilitation agencies.

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Goal 4: Active engagement with advisory bodies and community constituencies.

Develop and implement communication strategies to interact with a variety of constituencies and communities

Enhance collaboration with federally identified advisory bodies with whomthe SRC is required to coordinate and craft communication strategies.

Responsibilities and FunctionsThe SRC works in partnership with DOR to improve vocational rehabilitation programs for people with disabilities. The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 established the SRC to conduct key activities including:

Review and analyze DOR’s programs and services and provide the Department with recommendations to increase their efficiency, effectiveness, and relevance.

Collaborate with DOR to assess the needs of Californians with disabilities through the development, implementation, and evaluation of the Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment.

Advise DOR on the development of the VR Services Portion of the Unified State Plan, including development of the goals and priorities of the plan

Assist with the development of the questions and methodology of the Consumer Satisfaction survey and evaluation of the survey results.

CommitteesThe SRC is comprised of the following standing committees:

The Monitoring and Evaluation Committee Develops recommendations regarding the questions and methodology of

the Consumer Satisfaction Survey. Evaluates the Consumer Satisfaction Survey results. With the Unified State Plan Committee and DOR, conducts and evaluates

the Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment. Reviews and analyzes trends in Office of Administrative Hearing

decisions. Reviews DOR’s progress on federal and state performance measures.

The Policy Committee Analyzes and evaluates current and proposed DOR programs, policies,

and services.

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Prepares recommendations on DOR’s current and proposed programs, policies, and services.

The Unified State Plan Committee Collaborates with DOR to develop the Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Portion of the Combined or Unified State Plan. With the Monitoring and Evaluation Committee and DOR, conducts and

evaluates the Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment.

The Executive Planning Committee Comprised of the SRC Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer, and the Chairs of the

Monitoring and Evaluation Committee, Policy Committee, and Unified State Plan Committee.

Develops the goals, priorities, and agendas of the SRC Quarterly Meetings.

Discusses and makes decisions on time-sensitive issues that may present themselves between SRC Quarterly Meetings (e.g. appointment of SRC members to DOR taskforces and workgroups).

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MESSAGE FROM THE DOR DIRECTOR

I am pleased to recognize the State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) for their many accomplishments throughout the 2015-2016 term.

Over the past year, the Council has worked to improve its capacity to provide the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) with guidance and feedback on our programs and services. They have developed an improved subcommittee structure, which has afforded them the opportunity to engage more DOR staff in substantive discussions on important topics, such as business engagement, services to youth with disabilities, and competitive, integrated employment. SRC members

have also been working very closely with DOR’s Planning Unit to improve our Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment and to be more active participants in the development of the Vocational Rehabilitation Services portion of the Unified State Plan. Each SRC member also meets on a quarterly basis with an assigned DOR District Administrator to learn about the issues that impact DOR staff and consumers in that district.

Reshaping vocational rehabilitation to meet the needs of today’s job-seekers with disabilities and the business community cannot occur in a vacuum. We count on SRC members to share with us the perspectives and concerns of the communities they represent and to keep their communities updated on the programs and services we offer.

We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the SRC. It is only by working together and capitalizing on our various perspectives that we can increase the employment, independence, and equality of Californians with disabilities.

Sincerely,

Joe Xavier, DirectorCalifornia Department of Rehabilitation

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Collaboration between the State Rehabilitation Council and the Department of RehabilitationThroughout the previous year, the State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) has enjoyed collaborating with the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) to work toward our mutual goals of increased employment opportunities, independence, and equality for Californians with disabilities. The Council is extremely appreciative of the many efforts the Department has provided for SRC members to learn more about DOR’s programs and policies and to provide substantive feedback.

Each SRC quarterly meeting includes an in-depth report by DOR Director Joe Xavier and DOR Chief Deputy Director Kelly Hargreaves. SRC members have the opportunity to ask questions and express concerns. Mr. Xavier and Ms. Hargreaves often present additional items on the agenda, including state and agency budget reports.

SRC members have engaged in two 90-minute discussions with DOR Director Joe Xavier and DOR Chief Deputy Director Kelly Hargreaves specifically focusing on strengthening the collaboration between the SRC and DOR.

High-level DOR staff are present at all SRC quarterly meetings to listen, make presentations, engage in discussions, and obtain guidance and feedback.

DOR’s subject matter experts regularly give more in-depth presentations at SRC subcommittee meetings and assist subcommittee members in obtaining the materials and resources they need to study areas of interest in order to develop feasible and relevant recommendations.

The SRC chair and vice-chair have monthly informal conversations with the DOR director and chief deputy director to strengthen the relationship and identify areas of shared interest and concern.

The SRC has assigned each council member to meet with a DOR district administrator on a quarterly basis, to learn about the issues facing DOR staff and consumers in that District and to connect the District to SRC’s knowledge and resources.

SRC members have been invited to participate on DOR’s Employment Services Redesign Workgroup.

DOR holds frequent public forums on topics such as sub-minimum wage, competitive integrated employment, pre-employment transition services,

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and employer engagement. SRC members are frequent attenders and contributors at these forums.

DOR provides the SRC with the support of a full-time executive officer at the staff services manager I level, who assists the council with research, analysis, and communication between the SRC and DOR.

DOR provides the SRC with substantial intermittent support from DOR’s Planning Unit and DOR’s Budgets, Fiscal Forecasting, and Research Section.

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Recommendations Passed by the State Rehabilitation CouncilAs a result of the many productive discussions State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) members have had with Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) staff throughout the year, the Council passed ten recommendations during its 2015-2016 term. SRC members look forward to working closely with DOR in the future on these areas of interest.

Recommendations Development Process

In 2016, the SRC adopted a new recommendations development process: The SRC receives presentations on broad areas of interest, such as

“informed choice,” “customer service,” and “the vocational rehabilitation process.”

Through facilitated discussions, the council identifies topics to be explored further by the three standing subcommittees (Monitoring and Evaluation Committee, Policy Committee, and Unified State Plan Committee).

The three standing subcommittees study these areas in depth, engage in discussion with relevant DOR staff and stakeholders, and develop recommendations.

The recommendations developed by the subcommittees are presented to the full SRC, where they can be voted upon, amended, or postponed for further development.

SRC Recommendation 2016.1

The State Rehabilitation Council recommends that the Department of Rehabilitation’s consumer orientation process be significantly improved statewide to provide comprehensive, consistent, and accessible information on the vocational rehabilitation process and informed choice.

DOR’s Response: The DOR concurs with SRC that the consumer orientation process should provide comprehensive, consistent and accessible information on the vocational rehabilitation (VR) process and informed choice. Districts utilize the DOR orientation video as the primary tool to communicate a consistent message regarding the VR process and informed choice to interested individuals. The DOR will engage in the following activities to identify

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and implement, as appropriate, measures to improve the comprehensiveness, consistency, and accessibility of the consumer orientation process statewide: 

1. A formal review and discussion of current district/office consumer orientation delivery protocols will occur during a district administrator (DA) meeting in early 2017.

2. A “Consumer Orientation Workgroup” comprised of central office and field staff will be established to develop and implement, as appropriate, specific actions to improve the comprehensiveness, consistency, and accessibility of the consumer orientation process statewide. Potential actions may include the following: 

a. Develop an “orientation checklist and/or script” for staff providing the orientation to improve comprehensiveness and consistency.

b. All DOR offices will ensure availability of alternate orientation material formats to interested individuals attending orientation.

c. In collaboration with DOR External Affairs, the “Consumer Orientation Workgroup” will initiate efforts to update the current DOR Orientation Video and relevant materials to improve informational content regarding the VR process and informed choice.

SRC Recommendation 2016.2

The State Rehabilitation Council recommends that the Department of Rehabilitation provide work incentive planning services to consumers during the development of the Individualized Plan for Employment.

DOR Response: The DOR supports this recommendation. DOR recognizes the importance of providing work incentive planning information to individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance benefits as they make informed decisions about employment. The DOR has initially provided work incentive planning services to individuals who are in the job search process, as this support is critical to an individual at this time. DOR will explore additional ways field staff can provide work incentive planning services to consumers earlier in the rehabilitation process. DOR is currently developing a Work Incentives Planning Memorandum of Understanding to broaden resources for the provision of work incentive planning services. Work Incentives Planners will also be educating consumers about other Employment Networks, such as certain Independent Living Centers and America’s Job Centers of California, which can provide them with work

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incentives planning services at varying stages of the vocational rehabilitation process.

SRC Recommendation 2016.3

The State Rehabilitation Council recommends that the Department of Rehabilitation notify the following groups of service providers when the consumer satisfaction survey is being distributed and provide them with guidance and recommendations on how to best encourage and assist consumers in completing the survey:

A. Appropriate field staff, including senior vocational rehabilitation counselors, employment coordinators, service coordinators, work incentives planners

B. DOR’s Community Rehabilitation Program partnersC. The Client Assistance Program

The guidance provided by DOR should include the recommendation that, if a consumer requires assistance completing the survey, someone other than the consumer’s rehabilitation counselor should assist them.

DOR’s Response: The DOR concurs with the recommendation to notify and provide guidance to the group of service providers noted to encourage and assist consumers in completing the consumer satisfaction survey. Currently, when the consumer satisfaction survey is being conducted, the Vocational Rehabilitation Employment Division and the Specialized Services Division receive an email notification that contains instructions for our staff in the field offices to encourage and remind their consumers to complete the consumer satisfaction survey. A sample of the paper survey was included for their reference. For the upcoming survey distribution cycle, the memo notification will also be issued to Community Rehabilitation Program partners and the Client Assistance Program to have them as available resources to support this activity.

SRC Recommendation 2016.4

The State Rehabilitation Council recommends that the Department of Rehabilitation develop strategies to provide local labor market data to consumers in a regular and consistent manner during their plan development and plan implementation.

DOR’s Response: The DOR has provided Labor Market Information (LMI) training to service delivery team staff, particularly employment coordinators (EC’s). In addition, all team staff is provided information and access to the

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following resources, which provide current and on-demand LMI. This LMI is shared with consumers throughout the plan development and subsequent job search process.

Employment Development Department's LMI web page O*Net online DOR's Marketing Guidelines document for staff and providers EDD's Regional Economic Analysis Profile Report

To further support effective utilization of LMI, DOR's Workforce Development Services and Staff Development are developing online training for DOR field staff on "How to Find and Use Labor Market Information (LMI)." The training is in development with an expected completion date of January/February 2017.

The DOR's Workforce Development Services, with support from DOR's Information Technology Services Division plans to launch an "On-Line Job Portal." This portal will contain and stream employment opportunities from DOR business partners interested in recruiting DOR consumers. This information will be accessible to DOR consumers, stakeholders, partners and staff. Individuals will be able to sort and search employment opportunities in their location and determine local labor market needs and requirements for those available positions.

SRC Recommendation 2016.5  In order to increase awareness and knowledge of the breadth of employment opportunities available, the State Rehabilitation Council recommends that the Department of Rehabilitation establish formal networking opportunities for consumers, former consumers, and DOR staff together with individuals with disabilities who are successfully employed.

DOR’s Response: The DOR recognizes the value of affording formal networking opportunities to consumers who could benefit from the information, support and knowledge that could be provided by individuals with disabilities that are successfully employed.  DOR Employment Division staff, including Workforce Development Services, will collaborate with DOR Independent Living and Community Access Division staff to develop a joint-divisional workgroup to analyze the feasibility of and workload requirements necessary to develop a statewide consumer formal networking protocol.  This would include how to identify existing opportunities in the community (e.g., within Independent Living Centers, employer affinity groups, and universities and colleges) and on how to

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develop additional methods for providing these networking opportunities for consumers.

At upcoming statewide district administrator meetings, the topic of “networking opportunities” will be a major agenda item for the purpose of identifying current practices and encouraging and supporting local districts to work with local businesses, local ILCs, and successfully employed current and prior consumers to provide networking opportunities for DOR consumers.

SRC Recommendation 2016.6

The State Rehabilitation Council recommends that the Department of Rehabilitation provide interactive and hands-on training to staff in the field to ensure that they are familiar with their responsibilities and the approved procurement methods to allow consumers to make informed choices about assistive technology and service/training providers that can be based on their overall value rather than based solely on lowest price.

DOR’s Response: The DOR has taken steps to improve and clarify the procurement methods to field staff. Although the lowest cost is the most common and easiest method of awarding bids for State Price Schedule-Assistive Technology (SPS-AT) purchases, it is no longer the sole method of awarding bids. The DOR’s Contracts and Procurement Section (C&PS) has developed a process for reviewing and approving solicitations based on Best Value and Informed Choice for the consumer when requested by the counselor and the buyer. This process has been incorporated into the SPS-AT guidance documents on the DOR’s website for DOR staff to access. Additionally, training was provided twice in 2016 to buyers and other DOR staff, especially those who support Blind Field Services where the largest volume of AT purchases occur, on approved procurement methods to allow consumers to make informed choices about AT and services. The staff were trained on the need to also include considerations of consumer preferences, especially if they are based on consumers’ personal experiences or reliable information when selecting a vendor. A template to authorize SPS-AT purchases has been developed to ensure these considerations are included along with other required buying information. The SPS Workgroup and C&PS will continue to provide future trainings to include a review of approved procurement methods to allow consumers to make informed choices about assistive technology and services.

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SRC Recommendation 2016.7

In order to increase job retention rates, the State Rehabilitation Council recommends that the Department of Rehabilitation create a formal mechanism to ensure that contact is maintained between the Department and consumers in their first 90 days on the job, in order to provide post-employment information, benefits planning and counseling, resume updates, career advancement resources, networking, self-advocacy training, and peer support. DOR’s Response: DOR concurs with SRC in so much that maintaining contact with consumers during their first 90 days of employment presents opportunities to enhance consumer employment retention by ensuring appropriate services are offered and provided as needed. The DOR will review current district practices related to contact with consumers during their first 90 days of employment and investigate the potential to leverage VR Team staff (i.e. employment or service coordinators) to make monthly contacts to assess consumer progress and need for additional services.

SRC Recommendation 2016.8

The State Rehabilitation Council recommends that the Department of Rehabilitation offers to provide materials and training in brand marketing to Community Rehabilitation Programs and other stakeholders as part of its business engagement efforts. The purpose of these trainings and materials would be to improve DOR’s brand recognition, increase the credibility and trust between DOR and its community partners, and deliver a consistent message to businesses.

DOR’s Response: DOR's Workforce Development Section (WDS) will be working with External Affairs staff on a long-term branding strategy in support of business engagement that, per SRC's recommendation, will include specific strategies with Community Rehabilitation Programs, cooperative programs, and other stakeholders and partners. In addition, WDS will work in collaboration with External Affairs to host a teleconference with Cooperative Programs, Community Rehabilitation Programs, and other stakeholders to update them on marketing and outreach activities, opportunities to develop business partnerships, and to increase dual brand marketing.

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SRC Recommendation 2016.9

The State Rehabilitation Council recommends that the Department of Rehabilitation develop a clearly defined plan to address the reasonable accommodation needs of youth being served under Pre-Employment Transition Services. This plan should ensure that Pre-Employment Transition Services are equally accessible and usable by all participants, regardless of their disability/disabilities.

DOR’s Response: The DOR recognizes the importance of reasonable accommodations (RA) for students with disabilities to participate in Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS). Per the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) and in the final regulations, RA is considered to be an individualized vocational rehabilitation (VR) service and therefore the student must apply and be eligible to receive this as a VR, not a Pre-ETS, service.

The DOR intends to address the RA needs of students with disabilities being served under Pre-ETS through the following clearly defined plan:

1 . Policy guidance to DOR field staff on the provision of Pre-ETS services, including considerations for RA such as interpreters, accessible materials, and readers as allowed by RSA for potentially eligible individuals and additional accommodations and supports as an individualized VR service for eligible individuals.

2 . Explore ways DOR might “fast track” the eligibility determination and plan development of students with disabilities who need reasonable accommodations to participate in Pre-ETS.

3 . Staff technical training on the provision of Pre-ETS services, including considerations for RA.

4 . Review with California Department of Education (CDE), the responsibility of Special Education in providing RAs that cannot be charged as Pre-ETS.

SRC Recommendation 2016.10

The State Rehabilitation Council recommends that the Department of Rehabilitation consider adopting a “customer experience” strategy to guide and govern the provision of services to the Department’s consumers. Such a strategy would entail training for field staff in cultural sensitivity, disability etiquette, and basic customer service principles.

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DOR’s Response: The DOR concurs with SRC’s recommendation and holds the provision of excellent customer service by all staff as a high priority. DOR’s Customer Service Unit (CSU) annually provides Team Managers and District Administrators with data and trends regarding consumer complaints/concerns and customer service strategies. All districts were provided a comprehensive Customer Service Training curriculum and have provided training to district staff. The DOR’s CSU, in collaboration with DOR’s Staff Development Section, will develop a customer service training component for all staff training academies.

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Comprehensive Statewide Needs AssessmentThe State Rehabilitation Council (SRC), in partnership with the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR), is federally mandated to conduct a Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment (CSNA) every three years. The CSNA identifies the vocational rehabilitation (VR) needs of specific groups of individuals with disabilities, along with service gaps, barriers, and areas for improvement.

The CSNA must respond to five required information goals with both qualitative and quantitative data. The information goals describe the rehabilitation needs of individuals with disabilities residing in California, particularly the VR service needs of: Information Goal 1 : Those with the most significant disabilities, including their

need for Supported Employment (SE) services. Information Goal 2 : Minorities and those who have been unserved or

underserved. Information Goal 3 : Those served through other components of the statewide

workforce development system. Information Goal 4 : Youth with disabilities and students with disabilities,

including their need for pre-employment transition services, and an assessment of efforts to coordinate with transition services provided under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Information Goal 5 : An assessment of the need to establish, develop, or improve community rehabilitation programs (CRPs) within California.

SRC and DOR are in year three of the current triennial cycle (October 2014 – July 2017).

Year One activities consisted of a general, high-level data and information review.

Year Two activities consisted of collecting and summarizing a significant volume and range of external and internal statistical data to inform all five of the CSNA’s information goals. In addition to the five information goals, data was also gathered that will provide insight into DOR’s progress on meeting its goal of assisting 20,000 consumers find jobs that pay $20 an hour or more by the year

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2020 (“20 @ 20 x 20”). DOR’s Planning Unit has worked to substantially expand, enhance, and improve data collection efforts.

Year Three (which began on October 1, 2016) activities will focus on understanding the perceptions of subject matter experts and consumers on the service needs, barriers, and capacity for each informational goal. Feedback will be analyzed, themed, and summarized to more fully determine understand the nature of DOR’s consumer’s needs.

Members of the SRC’s Monitoring and Evaluation Committee and Unified State Plan Committee are exploring a wide variety of options on how to collaborate with DOR’s Planning Unit on Year Three of the CSNA. The two committees are exploring the following options for collecting qualitative data: focus groups, public meetings, key informant interviews, deeper analysis of the open comments on the Consumer Satisfaction Survey, and surveys for VR counselors, employers, and community rehabilitation service providers.

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VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION PORTION OF THE UNIFIED STATE PLANThe Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) require each state to submit a Unified or Combined State Plan that outlines a four-year strategy for the State’s workforce development system. California elected to submit a Unified State Plan, which includes six core programs:

Adult Program Dislocated Worker Program Youth Program Adult Education and Family Literacy Act Program Wagner-Peyser Services Program Vocational Rehabilitation Program (VR)

WIOA requires that the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) collaborate with the State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) on the VR Portion of the Unified State Plan.

Priorities and Goals

The SRC, in collaboration with DOR, developed the following priorities and goals for the VR Portion of the Unified State Plan:

Priority 1: Youtho Goal 1.1: Increase opportunities and outcomes for training and

employment services for youth with disabilities.o Goal 1.2: Outreach to potentially eligible students with disabilities to

enhance awareness of, and the opportunities to receive, CDOR services.

o Goal 1.3: Increase coordination of services between CDOR and other partners to support youth with disabilities.

Priority 2: Business Engagemento Goal 2.1: Increase partnerships with businesses within the local

areas to develop or expand work experience, internship, and employment opportunities for adults and youth with disabilities.

o Goal 2.2: Promote participation in career pathways to meet business sector and consumer employment needs.

Priority 3: Capacity Building

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o Goal 3.1: Establish or enhance partnerships with WIOA core programs to improve service delivery for adults and youth with disabilities.

Priority 4: Competitive Integrated Employmento Goal 4.1: Increase competitive integrated employment opportunities

and outcomes and supports for adults and youth with disabilities, particularly those with the most significant disabilities and those underserved.

Recommendations

The SRC also developed recommendations in the following areas that were included in the Unified State Plan:

Soft Skills Training Business Engagement Strengthened Engagement with the Workforce Development Board Students with 504 Plans Assistive Technology Consumer Satisfaction Survey

Public Forum

On September 28, 2015, DOR, in conjunction with the SRC, conducted a public forum to obtain stakeholder input on the VR Portion of the Unified State Plan. Participants were asked to consider and answer the following questions:

How can DOR increase opportunities for training and employment services for youth with disabilities?

How can DOR increase competitive integrated employment outcomes for adults and youth with disabilities, particularly those with the most significant disabilities?

How can DOR better engage with business partners to provide employment opportunities that meet business sector needs?

How can DOR improve partnerships with America’s Job Centers of California (and other community partners) to increase quality services to Californians with disabilities?

Ongoing Collaboration21

In addition, DOR and the SRC have strengthened their collaboration on the VR Portion of the Unified State Plan in the following ways:

The SRC has initiated a Unified State Plan Committee to specifically address the SRC’s work on the VR Portion of the Unified State Plan.

DOR’s Planning Unit provides SRC’s Unified State Plan Committee with quarterly updates and solicits feedback on DOR’s progress and activities.

DOR’s Planning Unit has developed a tracking document to assist SRC members with monitoring DOR’s goals and objectives set in the State Plan.

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CONSUMER SATISFACTION SURVEYIn partnership with the SRC, the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) administers the annual Consumer Satisfaction Survey to evaluate the quality, timeliness, and effectiveness of DOR’s services. The survey is sent to a random sample of consumers with open and closed cases. The SRC assists DOR with the development of questions, advises DOR on the survey methodology, and reviews the survey results annually at the August Quarterly Meeting.

Highlights of the 2016 Consumer Satisfaction Survey

Agency Satisfaction: Seventy two percent of respondents expressed overall satisfaction with

the services provided directly by DOR. This reflects a 3% decrease from prior year.

Eighty nine percent of respondents reported they understand the reason for DOR services is to help them become employed. This reflects a 1% increase from prior year.

Eighty two percent of respondents reported they were treated with courtesy and respect from the counselor and DOR team. This reflects a 3% decrease from prior year.

Seventy seven percent responded that they would recommend DOR services to other persons with disabilities who want to become employed. This reflects a 1% decrease from prior year.

Sixty three percent responded that their quality of life has improved because of DOR services. No change from prior year.

Satisfaction with Services from External Service Providers: Sixty nine percent responded they were satisfied with the quality of

service from their service providers. This reflects a 3% decrease from prior year.

Sixty six percent responded they were satisfied with the timeliness of services from their service providers. This reflects a 3% decrease from prior year.

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Provision of Benefits Counseling (Work Incentive Planning): Sixty percent responded that they received benefits counseling from

DOR and/or their service provider(s). This reflects a 2% decrease from prior year.

Satisfaction with Counseling Services Provided: Seventy two percent were satisfied with the prompt response to

questions and requests by the counselor and/or DOR team. This reflects a 2% decrease from prior year.

Sixty nine percent were satisfied with the level of vocational guidance and quality of counseling received. This reflects a 1% decrease from prior year.

Seventy three percent responded that their counselor and/or DOR team clearly explained all services available to them. No change from prior year.

For Consumers Who Were Employed: Eighty one percent reported they were satisfied with their job. This

reflects a 3% decrease from prior year. Eighty one percent reported that the services provided by DOR were

instrumental in their becoming employed. This reflects a 6% decrease from prior year.

Seventeen percent reported they were dissatisfied with health benefits received from their job. This reflects a 3% decrease from prior year.

Ten percent were dissatisfied that their job was not consistent with their employment plan. This reflects a 4% increase from prior year.

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For Consumers Who Were Not Employed(Consumers were asked to check all reasons that prevented their ability to become employed.) Of the total responses:

Twenty two percent reported they need additional help to find a job. This reflects a 1% increase from prior year.

Sixteen percent reported that DOR did not help them find a job. This reflects a 1% increase from prior year.

Fifteen percent reported they are not ready to start working. This reflects a 3% decrease from prior year.

Twelve percent reported there was no job available that was consistent with the DOR employment plan. No change from prior year.

Four percent reported they did not want to give up SSI/SSDI benefits. No change from prior year.

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STATE REHABILITATION COUNCIL MEMBERSMember Photo Member Information

Danielle Anderson, SRC ChairRepresenting Current or Former ConsumerVentura County

Lesley Ann GibbonsRepresentative of Business, Industry, and LaborSonoma County

Patricia Collins-Day, TreasurerRepresenting the Disability Advocacy GroupsSanta Barbara County

Victoria BensonRepresenting the Parent/ Training Information CentersFresno County

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Member Photo Member Information

Inez De Ocio (Ex-Officio Member)Representative of Qualified Rehabilitation CounselorsFresno County

Marc EspinoRepresentative of American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation ProgramsSan Diego County

Jacqueline JacksonRepresenting the State Independent Living CouncilSan Diego County

Abby SnayRepresenting the California Workforce Development BoardSan Francisco County

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Member Photo Member Information

Deanna StrachanRepresenting the Disability Advocacy GroupsSan Luis Obispo County

Michael ThomasRepresentative of the Client Assistance ProgramSacramento County

Michael TorresRepresentative of the CA Department of EducationSacramento County

La Quita WallaceRepresentative of Business, Labor, and IndustryYolo County

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Member Photo Member Information

Marcus WilliamsRepresentative of Business, Labor, and IndustryAlameda County

Joe Xavier (Ex-Officio Member)Director, CA Department of RehabilitationSacramento County

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Edmund G. Brown Jr.,Governor

State of CaliforniaHealth and Human Services

Agency

California State Rehabilitation CouncilRecruitment Announcement

The California State Rehabilitation Council is seeking perspective members!

About the California State Rehabilitation Council (SRC):

The SRC provides analysis and recommendations to the California Department of Rehabilitation on its polices, programs, and services.

The SRC seeks to be the voice of DOR’s stakeholder community to ensure that the Department’s programs and services are relevant and effective in assisting Californians with disabilities find and retain employment.

The SRC consists of 16 Governor appointed members representing diverse areas of DOR’s stakeholder community, including consumers, advocates, service providers, and representatives of business and labor. Fifty one percent of SRC members must be people who self-identify in the application process as having a disability.

Would You Like To Serve?The first step is to complete the online application and fax in the required authorization form to the Governor’s Office. The application and authorization can be found at: http://www.gov.ca.gov/m_appointments.php.The second step is to complete an SRC Interest Form. This can be obtained by contacting SRC Executive Officer Stacy Cervenka at stacy.cervenka@dor.ca.gov. Have questions? Contact SRC Executive Officer Stacy Cervenka at Stacy.Cervenka@dor.ca.gov or at (916) 558-5595.

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DOR District Offices

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA OFFICESGreater East Bay District (210-00) (925) 602-3953 (Voice)(844) 729-2800 (TTY)1485 Civic Court , Suite 1100Concord, CA 94520-5228

Northern Sierra District Office (130-00) (916) 558-5300 (Voice)(844) 729-2800 (TTY)721 Capitol Mall Sacramento, CA 95814Redwood Empire District (110-00) (707) 576-2233 (Voice)(844) 729-2800 (TTY)50 "D" Street , Suite 425Santa Rosa, CA 95404-4764San Francisco District Office (230-00) (415) 904-7100 (Voice)(844) 729-2800 (TTY)301 Howard Street , Suite 700San Francisco, CA 94105-6604San Joaquin Valley District (150-00)

(559) 445-6011 (Voice)(844) 729-2800 (TTY)P.O. Box 240012550 Mariposa Mall Room 2000Fresno, CA 93721-2270San Jose District Office (250-00) (408) 277-1355 (Voice)(844) 729-2800 (TTY)100 Paseo de San Antonio , Room 324San Jose, CA 95113-1479Santa Barbara District (320-00) (805) 560-8130 (Voice)(844) 729-2800 (TTY)509 East Montecito Street , Suite 101Santa Barbara, CA 93103-3216

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA OFFICESGreater Los Angeles District (440-00) (213) 736-3904 (Voice)(844) 729-2800 (TTY)3333 Wilshire Blvd. , Suite 200Los Angeles, CA 90010-4101Inland Empire District (340-00)

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(951) 782-6650 (Voice)(844) 729-2800 (TTY)2010 Iowa Avenue , Suite 100Riverside, CA 92507

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Los Angeles South Bay District (530-00) (562) 422-8325 (Voice)(844) 729-2800 (TTY)4300 Long Beach Blvd. , Suite 200Long Beach, CA 90807-2008Orange / San Gabriel District (550-00) (714) 991-0800 (Voice)(844) 729-2800 (TTY)222 S. Harbor Blvd. , Suite 300Anaheim, CA 92805-3701

San Diego District (350-00) (619) 767-2100 (Voice)(844) 729-2800 (TTY)7575 Metropolitan Drive , Suite 107San Diego, CA 92108-4402Van Nuys / Foothill District Office (410-00) (818) 901-5024 (Voice)(844) 729-2800 (TTY)(818) 901-4509 (TTY)5900 Sepulveda Blvd. , Suite 240Van Nuys, CA 91411-2511

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