MissouriStateRehabilitationCouncilfortheBlind

Providingindividualswhohavevisualdisabilitieswithvaluableservicesthateffectivelyaddresscommonbarrierstoemployment.

Program Year 2018 Annual Report

MissouriStateRehabilitationCouncilfortheBlind

RehabilitationServicesfortheBlind

AdministrativeOffice

615HowertonCt.,POBox2320

JeffersonCity,MO65102-2320

TollFree:800-592-6004

PH:573-751-4249—Fax:573-526-4984

Program Year 2018Annual Report

RSBAdministrativeOffice

615HowertonCt.,

POBox2320

JeffersonCity,MO

65102-2320

TOLL FREE800-592-6004

REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR THE BLIND

KansasCity

615E.13thSt.–Rm.409

KansasCity,MO 64106

816-889-2677

Southwest

149ParkCentralSq.–Rm.640

Springfield,MO 65806

417-895-6386

Mid-MO

3418KnippDr.–Ste.A-2

JeffersonCity,MO65102

573-751-2714

St.LouisNorth

9900PageAve.–Ste.105

St.Louis,MO63132

314-264-7601

St.LouisSouth

3867MagnoliaAve.

St.Louis,MO63110

314-933-7311

Southeast

106ArthurSt.–Ste.E

Sikeston,MO 63801

573-472-5240

KatherineCronin,

DistrictSupervisor

St.LouisSouthoffice.

SouthwestDistrictOfficeSupervisor,RandyCusterpresentingYearsofServiceCertificatestostaff.Sr.VocationalRehabCounselorLindyPierce(left),10yearsofservice;RehabTeacherNicoleHanlin(right)with20yearsofservice.

LetterfromtheChair,SRC,ClayBerry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

TheYearinReview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

LetterfromtheDeputyDirector,RSB,KeithRoderick. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

HighlightsforProgramYear2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PurposeoftheSRC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CouncilMembersandCommittees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

StandardsandIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MallorieHenke:SuccessStory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MonicaBethards:SuccessStory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SamuelHarris:SuccessStory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SuccessStory:NathanMerzlicker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

EconomicImpact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PY2018BlindAgency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

VocationalRehabilitation:EarningsandFundingResources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

VocationalRehabilitationServices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ClientSatisfactionSurvey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PublicForums. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

VisionfortheFuture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

RSBDistrictOfficeMapwithAddresses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Quotables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Icannotthankyou

enoughforthe

servicesyouhave

providedme.ItwasGod-given.As

promisedIwillgoonworkingas

longasIcan.Iwillbeforever

grateful.GodblessRSB.

—RSBClient

YOU CAN QUOTE ME

23456789

10111214161718202122232425

Brian Mulvany, RSB Mobility Specialist, workswithpeersusingsleepshadestoperformcookingtasks.

YOU CAN QUOTE ME

WhenitcomestoeveryonefromRSBtheyallwereveryhelpfuland

listenedtomyneeds.

BetweenKatieCawdronandKaylaMcFarland,Icould

nothavebeenmorepleasedwiththeassistanceI

received.

Appreciatealltheservices

thatwereprovidedtome.

Helpedmebeawell-rounded

person.JaneZerrisawesome

andverycaring.Iwould

recommendhertoanyonein

needofservices.

IreallyenjoymycounselorMr.PhillipTucker.Heis

alwaysveryprofessionalwithassistingmeaswellas

Mrs.SharonSilverstein.Ireallyappreciatealloftheir

helpwiththeservices.

Thisisanexcellentprogram!I

trulybelievethatwithoutRSBI

wouldnothavemadeit

throughcollege.Iamso

thankfulforeverythingRSB

hasdone.Thankyousomuch

youareallamazing.

DonaldGoosensandthestaff

dideverythingpossibletohelp

me.Theywereveryniceand

helpful.Icouldn'taskforany

better.

Ali,Mycaseworkerissokind

andhelpful.

DearFellowMissourians:

AsChairof theStateRehabilitationCouncil for theBlind(SRC),itismyhonortosubmitthe2019AnnualReportonthestatusofservices,inaccordancewithSection105(5)oftheRehabilitationActof1973,asamendedbyCongressin1998.TheSRC,createdbyMissouriExecutiveOrder93-01,

isresponsibleforreviewing,analyzingandadvisingMissouriRehabilitationServices for the Blind (RSB), an agency in the Missouri Division of

Family Support (FSD), on its policies and provision of rehabilitationservices toMissourianswhoareblindorvisuallyimpaired.

TheservicesthatRSBprovidesarecriticaltothisgrowingsegmentofourpopulation. The CDC reports that during the next three decades, thepopulationofadultswithvisionimpairmentandage-relatedeyediseasesisestimated to double because of the rapidly aging U.S. population. In

addition, the epidemic of diabetes, aswell as other chronic diseases,willcontributetoanincreasingpopulationofpeoplewhoexperiencevisionloss.

TheSRCisdedicatedtoworkingwithRSBtoassistblindandvisuallyimpairedMissourians become self-supporting and fully participating members ofsociety. Missourians with vision loss have a voice through the SRC, ourquarterlyreviewsofagencypolicies,proceduresandoperations,alongwithpublic forums and our customer satisfaction survey, have given clients acriticalsourceofinputintotherehabilitationprocess.

The SRC is committed to its purpose and is rising to meet the growingchallenges facing peoplewith vision loss.We feel this report provides aninformative overview of RSB and the activities of the SRC. We wouldbe pleased to answer any questions about this report, the operations of

RSB,and theworkoftheStateRehabilitationCouncil.

RespectfullySubmitted,

ClayC.Berry

Alphapointe,DirectorofEducation&Rehabilitation

Chairman,StateRehabilitationCouncilfortheBlind

Clay C.Berry

Chairman,Missouri StateRehabilitation

Council forThe Blind

LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN, MSRCB

232

AsRSBStrivestocreateopportunitiesforthepersonalandvocationalsuccessofblindandvisually

impairedMissourians,theSRCbelievesthatwiththepropertraining,alternativeskillsandassistive

technology,thoseindividualswhoareblindcanbevocationally,sociallyandeconomicallycompetitive.

TheSRCwillcontinuetoworkcooperativelywithRSBtoimprovetheservicesofferedtomeetwhatwe

considertobetheuniquerehabilitationneedsofclientswithvisualdisabilities.Thefollowingtopfive

strategicprioritiesweredevelopedbytheSRCtoensureongoingsuccessforvisuallyimpaired

Missourians:

1. Promotethefullinclusion,participationandintegrationofMissouriblindandseverelyvisually

impairedintheeconomic,social,culturalandeducationalmainstreamofsociety.

2. ThroughtheSRC'sadvisorycapacity,assurethatappropriateeducationandrehabilitation

servicesincreasetheemploymentrateofblindandvisuallyimpairedindividualsinMissouri.

3. Promoteandassurethecontinuationofspecializedvocationalrehabilitationservicesto

consumerswhoareblindandseverelyvisuallyimpairedthroughspeciallytrainedprofessional

staffwithuniqueskillsandknowledgeofblindness.

4. InpartnershipwithRSB,develop,agreeto,andreviewtheannualstategoalsandpriorities,

includingstrategiestoaddresstheunprecedentedturnovertheagencyhasexperiencedinrecent

yearstoensureMissourianswhoareblindreceivehighqualityservicefromqualifiedpersonnel.

5. InpartnershipwithRSB,theSRCwillworktoimplementnewprocedurescongruentwiththe

expectationsoftheWorkforceInnovationandOpportunityAct,inordertoensurecoordinationof

allentitiesinvolvedincreasingaccessofblindMissourianstotoday'sjobmarket.

VISION FOR THE FUTURE

MidMissouriDistrictOffice,StudentGroupActivities.

RunandcoordinatedbyChildren'sspecialist,SamanthaScott,thisgroupworkswithRSByouthintheMidMissouriareatoteachimportantindependenceandsocialskillsthattheydonotgettheopportunitytolearninschool.Theseactivitiesgivestudentsthefundamentalskillstobecomeandremainsuccessfulinschoolandfuturecareers.

TheSRCcontinuedtoholdpublicforumsthroughoutthestate,allowingindividualstovoiceopinionsand

concernsabouttheservicesofRSB.Toassistthosewithdifficultytraveling,theCouncilprovidesphone

conferencingaswell.

August:St.Louis,Mo–AmandaDovinandherSeeingEyedog,Sonya,sharedwiththepublic

differentmobilityoptionsavailabletothosewhoarevisuallyimpaired.Amandaalsosharedherstory

ofsuccessgoingthroughcollegeandultimatelyacceptingajobwithRSBasaRehabilitationTeacher

intheSt.LouisNorthoffice.

November:KansasCity,Mo–CathyWolfordsharedwiththepublicstoriesofindividualswhoare

deafandblind.Cathysharedherdesiretoseemoreemploymentopportunitiestothosewhoare

deaf/blindandsharesthattherearemanyassistivetechnologydevicesthatcanhelpthose

individualsbecomesuccessfulineducationandcareergoalstheymayhave.Asecondspeaker,

LaurenMcDaniel,sharedhispersonalstoryabouthisrecentlossofvisionduetobeingshot.Lauren

sharedhisstoryoftriumphasheworkedwithRSBandColoradoCenterfortheBlindtoadjusttolife

withthecompletelossofhisvision.Laurenexpressedthenewfoundoptimismforhisfuturewitha

“nothingcanstopmenow”attitudethatwasveryinspiringtoeveryoneintheroom.

February:Joplin,Mo–MatthewHolloway,

EmploymentServiceManageratPreferred

EmploymentServicesandAdrianMarcos,

anRSBclient,cametospeaktothepublic

inJoplin.MatthewsharedaboutPreferred

EmploymentServicesandtheirworkwith

RSBclients.AdrianMarcossharedabout

hisexperiencewithPreferred

EmploymentServicesaswellasRSB.He

sharedwiththepublicabouthissummer

workexperienceandhowthathashelped

preparehimformorejobsinthefuture.

May:JeffersonCity,Mo–AmyNicklessfromWolfnerLibrarycametoshareaboutWolfnerandthe

servicestheyprovide.WolfnerLibraryisMissouri'sLibraryforindividualswithvisual,physicaland

readingdisabilities.Wolfnerprovidesbraille,audio,largeprint,printbraillebooks,audiodescribed

DVDs,printbraillegames,activitykits,programming,magazinesandnewsletters.

322

YEAR IN REVIEW

TheSRCanalyzedtheresultsofclientsatisfactionsurveys,whichwerereceivedfromRSBclientsatthe

timeofcaseclosure.CommentsandconcernsexpressedinthesurveyswerediscussedbytheSRC.

RSBcontinuedtoupdatetheSRContheWorkforceInnovationsOpportunitiesAct(WIOA), includingWIOA'sinfluenceonYouthinTransition,Pre-EmploymentTransitionServices,CompetitiveIntegrated

Employment,andhowRSBcollaboratedwithandhavecreatedPartnershipswithotherstateagencies.

TheSRCprovidedinputandrecommendationsontheVRservicesportionoftheUnifiedorCombined

StatePlan,reviewedtheAnnualReport,reviewedandanalyzedtheconsumersatisfactionsurveys,and

otherCouncilreportsthatmayhavebeendevelopedaspartoftheCouncil'sfunctions.

TheSRCapprovedRSBtosetmaintenancelimits,removingfinancialrequirementsandspecifying

reimbursementforexpenses.TheSRCalsoencouraged,requestedandsupportedRSBtosendaccessible

electronicsurveystoimprovereturnrateofClientSatisfactionSurveys.

PublicForumswereheldquarterlyinvariouslocationsacrossthestate.

RSBkepttheSRCupdatedonthevacancieswithinRSB.Issueswithdifficultyinrecruitmentwere

discussed,aswellashowaccessibletheapplicationprocessisfortheblindandvisuallyimpaired.

RSBinformedthecouncilonthenewcasemanagementsystemthatbecame'Live'inJuly2019.Staff

havebeenworkinginthiscasemanagementsystemsuccessfullyandRSBmadesuretheCouncilwas

updatedonthatsuccess.

PUBLIC FORUMS

StateRehabilitationCouncilfortheBlind,

Picturedatoneofthe4PublicForum'sheld

throughouttheStateofMissouri.

YOU CAN QUOTE ME

LindyandRSBhavebeenbothablessingandsaving

grace.Iwouldnothavebeenabletocontinue

employmentinapeacefulenvironmentwithmycurrentemployer

withouttheresourcesprovidedbyRSBandthesagewisdomand

advicefromLindy.IwouldliketothanktheRehabilitation

Servicesforalltheyhelpedmedo.

—RSBClient

4 21

This annual report, presented by the Missouri State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind for program year 2018, provides information on the Missouri Department of Social Services, Family Support Division, and Rehabilitation Services for the Blind (RSB) vocational rehabilitation employment program for individuals with visual disabilities.

The Department of Social Services' mission is to lead the nation in building the capacity of individuals, families and communities to secure and sustain healthy, safe, and productive lives. RSB completed another successful year in meeting this mission by providing 1,556 individuals vocational rehabilitation services to assist 188 individuals to obtain or retain competitive integrated employment. Approximately $12.3 million federal and state dollars allow RSB to provide effective, high-quality services to blind and visually impaired Missourians. Successful services in program year 2018 resulted in a $46.8 million economic impact on Missouri.

RSB continues to be a national leader in the provision of vocational rehabilitation services. For the fourth time, the federal Department of Labor and Rehabilitation Services Administration selected RSB and the Missouri workforce team to serve on a national cohort to assist in developing national guidance, processes and best practices in Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act implementation. The Rehabilitation Services Administration recognized RSB as the top performing

agency for the blind in the nation for program year 2018 “Employment Rate 2nd Quarter after Exit” at 68.5 percent, compared to a 38.8 percent median rate for agencies for the blind and 49.2 percent median rate for all vocational rehabilitation agencies.

The Rehabilitation Services Administration reports the program year 18 “Median Earnings 2nd Quarter after Exit” measure resulted in $5,117 for Blind VR Agencies compared to $3,714 for all VR Agencies. The state and national results support the benefits of a separate agency serving blind and visually impaired individuals. Specialized services move families to economic stability and self-sufficiency.

In closing, I offer my sincere appreciation for your interest and support in serving Missourians with visual disabilities.

Sincerely,

Keith Roderick, Deputy Director

Rehabilitation Services for the Blind

KeithRoderick

Director,RehabilitationServices for

the Blind

LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR, RSB

ClientSatisfactionSurveysareadministeredtoindividualsafterclosingtheirVocationalRehabilitation

casewithRSB.

Clients closed in competitive integrated employment.............................188Clients who returned their survey................................................................56Rate of return...............................................................................................30%

Clients closed in a status other than competitive employment.............130Clients who returned their survey....................................................................3

2%Rate of return..................................................................................................

1. IwasemployedwhenIappliedforservicesfromRSB.

2. ThechoiceofservicesavailablefromRSBwassufficienttomeetmyneeds.

3. Ihadthefinalsayintheselectionofserviceproviders.

4. IreceivedservicesfromRSBinareasonableamountoftime.

5. RSBstaffreturnedmyphonecallswithin1-2businessdays.

6. RSBstaffwasknowledgeableaboutmyneedsasapersonwhoisvisuallyimpaired/blind.

7. RSBstaffhelpedmebuildmyconfidenceinmyabilities.

8. Myrehabilitationplanwasindividualizedtomeetmygoals.

9. Ihadthefinalsayintheselectionofmyvocationalgoal.

10. Uponcompletionofmyvocationalrehabilitationplan,Iwaspreparedtoseek/maintainemployment.

11. TheservicesRSBprovidedweresufficienttohelpmesecure/continueemployment.

12. AsaresultoftheservicesprovidedbyRSB,mypresentworksituationisbetterthanitwasbeforeIbegantheprogram.

13. ThesupportIreceivedfromRSBfollowingmyemploymentwasadequatetoensurecontinuedsuccess.

14. IampleasedwiththeoveralloutcomeofmyexperienceinthevocationalrehabilitationprogramprovidedbyRSB.

Client SatisfactionSurvey Questions

Twodifferentsurveysaregiven:

a14-questionsurveyissentto

individualswhosecasesare

and;

asimilar11-questionsurveyissentto

individualswhosecaseswere

Source: Rehabilitation Services for the Blind - Independent Living Program - FY 2020 Program Participant Survey

0

60

80

100

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 Q6 Q7 Q14Q13Q12Q10Q8 Q9 Q11

20

40

66%

88%86%

13%

81%

56%

94%

69% 69% 69% 69%81%

63%

0%

92%

94%84%

89% 89%83%

78%88%

78%

92%

CLIENT SATISFACTION SURVEY

closed in competitiveemployment;

closed in any statusother than competitiveemployment.

69%73%

The Rehabilitation Services Administration

recognized RSB as the top performing agency

for the blind in the nation for program year

2018 “Employment Rate 2nd Quarter after

Exit” at 68.5 percent, compared to a 38.8

percent median rate for agencies for the blind

and 49.2 percent median rate for all

vocational rehabilitation agencies.

520

Individuals ServedIndividualswithblindness/visualimpairmentsservedinProgramYear2018............................4,074

Older Blind Independent Living ProgramIndividualswereservedintheOlderBlindIndependentLivingProgram......................................1,242Individualswereclosedsuccessfullyrehabilitated.........................................................................................573

IndividualsreceivedcasemanagementservicesinthePreventionofBlindnessProgram...........500Individualsscreenedforintraocularpressureandothereyeconditions........................................4,238

Prevention of Blindness Program

IndividualsservedintheVocationalRehabilitationProgram..............................................................1,556Closinginsuccessfulemployment..........................................................................................................................188

Vocational Rehabilitation Program

ChildrenreceivedservicesintheChildren’sServicesProgram.................................................................516Children’s Services Program

IndividualswereservedintheIndependentLivingProgram....................................................................260Closedsuccessfullyrehabilitated.................................................................................................................................76

Independent Living Program

HIGHLIGHTS OF PROGRAM YEAR 2018

BusinessEnterpriseProgramfacilities.....................................................................................................................33

Peopleemployed..................................................................................................................................................939Grosssales................................................................................................................................$41,689,061

Business Enterprise Program

1Militaryinstallations...................................................................................................................................................

23Managers.....................................................................................................................................................................

Individualswhohaveaseverevisualdisabilityencountersomecommonbarrierstoemployment.

Commonbarriersrecognizedare:accesstoprintinformation,transportation,negativeattitudes

regardingtheskillsandabilitiesoftheblindaswellasmarketable21stcenturyjobskills.

RehabilitationServicesfortheBlindprovidesvaluableservicesthateffectivelyaddressthesebarriers

andothers.

Inprogramyear2018,RSBsuccessfullyrehabilitated188Missouriansinpursuitoftheiremployment

goal.Thefollowingdataprofilesshowthosesuccessfulclosures:

InPY2018,throughtheservicesofRSB,188individualshavebeenabletogainorretainemployment.

Theiroccupationsareasfollows:

ArchitectureandEngineering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Arts,Design,Entertainment,

Sports,andMedia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

BuildingandGroundsCleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

BusinessandFinancialOperations . . . . . . . . . . . 13

CommunityandSocialService . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

ComputerandMathematical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

ConstructionandExtraction

Occupations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

EducationalInstruction,andLibrary . . . . . . . . . . 7

Farming,FishingandForestry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

FoodPreparationandFoodServing . . . . . . . . . . . 9

HealthcarePractitionersandTechnical . . . . . . 18

HealthcareSupport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Installation,Maintenance,

andRepair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

LegalOccupations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Life,Physical&SocialScience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

OfficeandAdministrative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

PersonalCareandService . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Production. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

SalesandRelated. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

TransportationandMaterialMoving . . . . . . . . . . . 4

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SERVICES

10%

0%

20%

30%

40%50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Competitive Employment 173

(92.02%)

Self- Employment 15

(7.98%)

Rehabilitation Rate

(71.31%)

196

TheMissouriStateRehabilitationCouncilfortheBlindwasestablishedinFebruary1993byExecutive

Order93-01to:

Actasaforumthroughwhichcitizenswithblindness,parents,providers,andotherinterested

Missourianscanvoicetheiropinionsandconstrictivecriticisms,makerecommendationsandgive

publicrecognitionforservicesbeingperformedontheirbehalfbyRSB;

ServejointlywithRSBinitsactivitiestoimprovetheservices,programsandfacilitiesforindividuals

withblindnessandvisualimpairments;

ReceivefromRSBinformationconcerningtheintentsandobjectivesofRSBsothattheCouncil,in

turn,canpassthisinformationontoindividualswithblindness.

MissouriStateRehabilitationCouncilfortheBlind

615HowertonCourt-P.O.Box2320

JeffersonCityMO65102-2320

Phone:(573)751-4249—Fax:(573)751-4984

PURPOSE OF THE STATE REHABILITATION COUNCIL

AverageHourlyWage $16.34

2014$14.51

2016$16.07

2017$18.75

$12

2018$16.34

$14

$16

$18

$20

Average Hourly Wage at Closure

State Fiscal Year 2018 Missouri Funding Sources

Federal Funds 78.1% GR Funds 18.5% BEST 2.7% Donations .07%

10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%0%

PY2018

2015$17.08

YOU CAN QUOTE ME

WasnotawareofRSBuntilreferredto

them.WithouttheirhelpIwouldnot

stillbeemployed.TheyrelievedalltheanxietyI

hadaboutmyvisualimpairments,justknowing

thereishelpfromtheRSBstaffwhoarewonderful

people.

—RSBClient

718

ThemembershipoftheCounciliscomprisedofnomorethan21individualsappointedbytheGovernor,withthefollowingrepresentationmandatedbytheRehabilitationAct.

Atleastonerepresentativefromeachofthefollowing:

StatewideIndependentLivingCouncil

ParentTrainingandInformationCenter

ClientAssistanceProgram

RSBVocationalCounselor

CommunityRehabilitationProgramservice

provider

Stateeducationagencyresponsibleforthe

publiceducationofstudentswith

disabilities

StateWorkforceInvestmentBoard

Disabilitiesgrouprepresentingindividuals

whoareblind

EvaluationCommittee

Evaluatestheperformanceand/oroperationofRSB,suchassurveysandannualreports.

GovernmentalAffairsCommittee

Worksonthingshappeningatthestateandfederallevelandthataregovernmentalinnature.

PlanningCommittee

ThestateplanandanyotherplanningoperationoftheCouncil,includingthebusinessnetworkissues.

Program&PolicyCommittee

HandlesnewpolicyandorprogramitemsfromRSBratherthanwaitinguntilthenextCouncilmeeting.

COUNCIL MEMBERS & COMMITTEES

Representativeofindividualswhohave

blindness,havemultipledisabilities,and

havedifficultyrepresentingthemselvesdue

todisability

Business,laborandindustry

Advocacygroupsforindividualswith

blindnessorotherauthorized

representativesofindividualswith

blindnesswhoareunabletorepresent

themselves

CurrentorformerrecipientsofVRservices

AndtheDeputyDirectorofFSD/RSBasan

ex-officiomember.

Council Members

Committees

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION:

367 1,556

Thefollowinginformationisbasedontheaboveamount:

Earnings and Funding Resources

$584MO State Taxes Paid

Per Rehabilitated Client...............................................

$1,650Federal Taxes Paid

Per Rehabilitated Client.................................................

$2,234Total Taxes Paid

Per Rehabilitated Client.........................................

$419,992Total Combined Yearly Taxes Paid

by all Rehabilitated Clients....................................

$27,336Average Annual Earnings

Per Rehabilitated Client.............................................

NewVRcasesopened ClientsservedPY2018

178

TheSRC’sfunctionsinclude,butarenotlimitedto,actinginpartnershipwithRSBto:

Review,analyze,andadviseRSBregardingRSB'sperformanceofresponsibilitiesunder

TitleIoftheAct,relatingespeciallytoeligibilityforVocationalRehabilitation(VR)

services;theextent,scopeandeffectivenessofVRservicesthatRSBprovides;and

functionsperformedbyStateagenciesthatpotentiallyaffecttheabilityofblindindividuals

toachieverehabilitationgoalsandobjectives.

AssistRSBwiththedevelopmentandreviewoftheStategoalsandpriorities;assistinthe

preparationoftheStateplan.

Conductareviewandanalysisoftheeffectivenessof,andconsumersatisfactionwith,VR

servicesandotherfunctionsperformedbyStateagenciesandotherpublicandprivate

entitiesresponsibleforperformingfunctionsforblindindividuals.

PrepareandsubmitanannualreporttotheGovernoroftheStateofMissouri,tothe

CommissioneroftheRehabilitationServicesAdministrationoftheU.S.Departmentof

Education,andtotheDirectoroftheFamilySupportDivision(FSD).

CoordinatewithothercouncilswithintheState.

ProvideforcoordinationandtheestablishmentofworkingrelationshipsbetweenFSD,RSB

andtheStatewideIndependentLivingCouncilandCentersforIndependentLivingin

Missouri.

SelectapoolofindividualstoserveasimpartialhearingofficersforVRapplicantsand

recipientswhowishtoappealadecisionofRSB.

FUNCTIONS

Thisisaremarkableplacethatwasreallytherefor

mewhennobodyelsewas.Thestaffgenuinely care formywell-beingespeciallymyCounselor.Thankyoufor

everythingyouhavedoneforme.

—RSBClient

Section116ofWIOAestablishesperformanceaccountabilityindicatorsandperformancereporting

requirementstoassesstheeffectivenessofStatesandlocalareasinachievingpositiveoutcomesforindi-

vidualsserved.RSAhasusedtheirtransitionauthorityunderWIOAsec.503(a)todesignateprimary

indicatorsofperformanceas“baseline”indicatorsinthefirstplansubmission.Theactualperformance

datareportedbyStatesforindicatorsdesignatedas“baseline”inthefirsttwoyearsoftheUnifiedor

CombinedPlanwillserveasbaselinedatainfutureyears.

Duringthistransitionperiod,RSBisutilizingthefollowingmeasurementsforstatelevel

performancereporting:

PY 2018 BLIND AGENCY Summary of RSB Performance

68.5%

Individuals who achieved integrated

employment, who had significant

Disabilities.......................................................

89.4%

Percentage of Individuals Achieving

Self-Sufficiency (Relying Primarily on

Their Own Income) After Successfully

Completing the Program................................

72.3%Vocational Rehabilitation Rateof Successful Rehabilitation..........................

YOU CAN QUOTE ME

We Invest in the Potential of the Most Amazing People

IndividualsintheBusinessEnterpriseProgramreceivingAwardsforoutstandingachievement

inprofessionaldevelopmentaswellasexemplaryperformanceinmanagement.

GloriaCarson Albert“Jim”Piel DavidK.Pinkley

916

Thereareatotalof80Statevocationalrehabilitationagenciesorcommissionsthatprovide

rehabilitationservicesforindividualswithdisabilitiesintheUnitedStatesandassociatedterritories.

Currently,24stateshaveaseparatevocationalrehabilitationagencyorcommissionthatprovides

servicesexclusivelyforconsumerswhoareblindorvisuallyimpaired.Thealternativeskillsofblindness

aremarkedlydifferentfromtheskillsrequiredbyotherdisabledpersons.Themethodologyof

instructingtheblindandconfrontingtheissuesofblindnessinoursocietyrequirethedevelopmentof

specializedserviceprograms,withservicedeliverybyspecializedpersonnel.

STANDARDS & INDICATORS General Information

Total Annual Wages after Services for

Employed Vocational Rehabilitation Clients.......$5,139,256

188Achieved Employment................................................................

1Net Gain Over Last Year................................................................

1,556Served in VR Program.....................................................

RehabilitationServicesfortheBlindinProgramYear2018...

PROGRAM YEAR 2018 Economic Impact

$13million

Economic impact on Missouri:

Successful services and employment outcomes

between the Vocational Rehabilitation Program,

as well as the Business Enterprise Program..........$45.3million

This Annual Report outlines these successful services

provided by RSB, as well as shares personal success stories by RSB clients.

Allinvolvedwerepolite,hardworkingandseemed

interestedinhelpingmeachievemygoal.

—RSBClient

YOU CAN QUOTE ME

Federal and State dollars allowed RSB to

provide effective, high quality services to

blind and visually impaired Missourians...................

15

FollowinghiscompletionofBlindandSociallySavvy,

Nathanparticipatedinapaidsummerwork

experienceprogram,withtheassistanceof

RehabilitationServicesfortheBlind,through

PreferredEmployment.Nathanworkedatalocal

grocerystoreasacourtesyclerkfor20hoursaweek

forsixweeks.Hisdutiesincludedbagginggroceries,

gettingcartsfromtheparkinglot,assisting

customerswithfindingitemsinthestore,and

returningitemstostoreshelves.

Inadditiontotheseduties,Nathanreceivedsoft

skillsinstruction.Ajobcoachwasavailableto

assistthestudentsinlearningandperforming

theirjobduties.

Inregardstothesummerworkprogram,Jennifer

Merzlickercommented:"Nathan'sparticipationin

theSummerWorkProgramispossiblythe

greatestcontributorthatIhaveseentohelpwith

hisgrowthanddevelopmentofskillsneededfor

adulthood.Heneverwouldhavebeenableto

succeedinatraditionalsummerjob,butwiththe

coachinginthisprogram,Isawhimblossom.He

begantakinginitiativeandhismaturitymade

leapsandboundsthissummer.Wehaveseen

thosegainscontinueintotheschoolyearaswell.

Hestillhasawaytogoandalottolearntogain

independenceintoadulthood,butIhavebeenso

verythankfulfortheopportunityhehadinthis

programandtheprogressthathehasmade."

Nathanhadthistosayabouttheworkexperience

program:“Ienjoyedthatwegottopracticeskills

intheSummerWorkProgramthatcanhelpusin

life.Thepeopletherewereniceandwillingto

helpwithanyissueswemayhavehad.Iwould

definitelywanttodoitagainifIcould."

Blind and Socially Savvy is a program sponsored by

Rehabilitation Services for the Blind designed to help

transition-age blind students how to carry themselves

confidently in various social circumstances.

NathanMerzlicker

10

MonicaBethardsfirstlearnedaboutRehabilitationServicesfortheBlindwhileonaroutinevisittoher

eyecareprofessional,Dr.LauraMontgomeryin

Bolivar,Missouri.Monicawasbornwithmacular

dystrophy,andsawDr.Montgomeryonaregular

basistomain-tainhereyehealth.

Whenshewasfirstdiagnosed,itwasassumedthat

ashervisiondecreased,shewouldnotbeabletocon-

tinueatherjob.“RSBmadeaninvestmentinme,and

thisinvestmenthashelpedmeremaingainfullyem-

ployed.Theresultsyieldedfromthatinvestment

haveledtomealsobecomingmoreindependent,

contributingtooursociety,andbeingrecognizedas

atopperformerinmycompany.Iammostgrateful

foralltheseserviceshavemeantformeandmyfam-

ily.”

MonicacontactedtheSpringfieldofficeofRSBtosee

iftheycouldhelphermaintainherjobasaprogram

manageratDuckCreekTechnologiesinBolivar,a

companythatdevelopsandimplementssoftwarefor

insurancecarriersworldwide.Hervisionhadgrown

steadilyworseovertheyears,andsheneededhelp

withassistivetechnologythatwouldallowherto

morereadilyaccessprintedmaterialandhercom-

puterscreen.Additionally,sheneededassistance

withorientationandmobilityskills,assheisre-

quiredtotravelaroundthecountry.Mobility

SpecialistBenVercellonewasassignedtoworkwith

Monicaonhertravelskills.“MyjobrequiresthatI

travel,andtheuseofacaneandtravelinstruction

hasbeenagamechangerformetotravelinde-

pendently.ThetechnologyprovidedbyRSBhas

helpedmeadapttodifferingenvironmentswhenI

findmyselfinnewsurroundings.”

Monica'scasewasassignedtoBradyClevenger,

ProgramDevelopmentSpecialistintheSouthwest

Districtoffice.BradyhelpedMonicaobtainaCCTV

videomagnifier,magnificationsoftware,anda

handheldmagnifiertohelpherreadhardcopy

printedmaterial.Withthehandhelddevice,she

wasabletotakeitwithherandaccessprintwher-

evershemightbe,inavarietyofworksettings.

“Bradyhasbeenanexcellentcounselortowork

with.Ibelieveitisbecausehetrulyunderstands

thedailystrugglehisclientsgothrough.Hehas

providedgreatinsight,andpowerfulresourcesre-

gardingthevarioustypesofskillsIneededtocon-

tinueinmydailylife,andtrulycustomizedaplan

formethathashelpedmesucceed,”Monicasaid.

Monicawasrecognizedwithinhercompanyasa

SpecialImpactAwardwinner.“Thetechnology

andservicesprovidedbyRSBhavegivenmethe

opportunitytocontinuewithcareergrowth,pro-

motions,andbeingacknowledgedasatoppro-

ducerwithinmycompany.Theuseoftheassistive

software,largescreenmonitor,CCTV,Ipad,acane,

andhandheldmagnifiersareusedonadailybasis

forvariouspartsofmyjob.Thesetoolshavetruly

givenmetheabilitytooperateindependentlyand

continueperformingmyjobduties.”

“Manypeopleoftenask,'Howdoyoucontinueto

dothethingsyoudothatyoureallyshouldnotbe

abletodo?'AndIamabletogivegreatcreditto

thetechnologyandtrainingIhavebeenblessed

withfromRSB.”

Success StoryMonicaBethards

“Thetechnologyandser-

vicesprovidedbyRSBhave

givenmetheopportunity

tocontinuewithcareer

growth,promotions,and

beingacknowledgedasa

topproducerwithinmy

company.”

14

Success StoryNathanMerzlicker

feelmorecomfortableandpreparedforcollegeand

theprofessionalworldinthecomingyears.”

Nathanadded:“MyfavoritepartoftheBlindand

SociallySavvyprogramwaslearningtodineina

professionalenvironment.Ifeelmorecomfortable

doingthatnow.”

NathanMerzlicker,astudentatFrancisHowell

HighSchool,wantedtoearnhisownmoney

duringthesummertobuythethingsthathe

wanted.Heneededanopportunitytopracticehis

socialskillsbeforehewenttowork.

Nathanparticipatedinaprogramsponsoredby

RehabilitationServicesfortheBlind,fortransition

agestudents,calledBlindandSociallySavvy.In

thisprogram,withsixotherhighschooland

collegestudents,Nathanlearnedaboutetiquette

andprotocolinabusinesssetting.Thisincluded

howtogiveaproperhandshakeandintroduce

oneself,tableetiquetteinformalandcasual

settings,howtominglewithothersina

networkingsetting,howtoconductan

informationalcareerinterview,socialmediaand

cellphoneetiquette,andhowtocarryoneself

confidentlyduringcollegeandjobinterviews.

ThisiswhatJenniferMerzlicker,Nathan'smother,

hadtosayaboutBlindandSociallySavvy:

"ImaginemysurprisewhenIcametothefinal

lunchoftheBlindandSociallySavvyprogramand

heardthatmyintrovertedandextremelyshyson

wouldbetheonemakingtheopening

introductionstotheprogram!Itwassucha

joytoseethegrowthhehadmadethatweek

inhisconfidenceandoverallprofessional

skills.

“Ithinktheexperienceandknowledgethathe

gainedinthisprogramwilldefinitelyhelphim

“Nathan'sparticipationinthe

SummerWorkProgram

ispossiblythegreatest

contributorthatI

haveseentohelpwithhis

growthanddevelopment

ofskillsneededforadulthood.”

—JenniferMerzlickerNathan’smom

“MyfavoritepartoftheBlindand

SociallySavvyprogramwas

learningtodineinaprofessional

environment.

Ifeelmorecomfortable

doingthatnow.”

—NathanMerzlicker

11

Success StoryMallorieHenke

Malloriegrewuplikemanyotherchil-

dreninColumbia,Missouri.Goingto

school,playingwithfriends,enjoying

theoutdoors;thatis,until9thgrade.

Duringher9thgradeschoolyear,she

foundoutthatshewasatypeonedia-

betic.Throughthedifficultiesofbeing

diabetic,Malloriegraduatedfrom

HickmanHighschoolandenrolledat

UniversityofMissouri,Columbia.

There,sheattainedamastersinac-

counting,graduatingin2009and

wenttowork.

Unfortunately,Mallorie'shealthtooka

turnfortheworse;andby2015,

Malloriewassufferingfromseveredia-

beticcomplications.Theseproblems

startedwithkidneyandpancreasis-

sueswhichledtoextremeswelling,

waterretention,kidneyfailure,and

finallydialysisforeightmonths.

BecauseMallorieneededbothkidneys

andapancreas,shewasplacedatthe

topofthetransplantlist.

Whilewaitingonthetransplantlist

andtryingtocontrolbloodglucoselev-

els,Mallorielostvisioninone

eyefromdiabeticretinopathy.

Malloriehadtoquitworking

inMarch2016.

Malloriesuccessfullyreceived

akidneyandpancreastrans-

plant,butduetothelongsur-

gery,thesightworsenedsig-

nificantlyinhergoodeye.

Duringthistime,Malloriewas

recoveringfromsurgeryandlivingwithherparentsbecauseof

herdecreaseinvision.

MalloriesignedanapplicationforRSBserviceson10/24/2018.

Duringtheinitialinterview,Mallorieexpressedherdesireto

workandbeindependent,butstatedthatsheneededtolower

herexpectations.Aftermuchdiscussion,Mallorielearnedthat

therewasnoneedtolowerherexpectationsforhercareerand

lifegoals.Acasewasopenedandrehabteachingandvocational

rehabilitationcounselingservicesweredelivered.Equipment

wasevaluatedandtrainingwasdonesoadaptiveequipment

couldbeusedonceworkwasfound.Malloriewasreferredtoa

communityrehabprogramvendor;andwithinjustafewweeks

hadlandedajobatMFAOILintheaccountingdepartment.

Mallorie'sstrength,positiveattitudeandresiliencearewhyshe

isasuccessstory.Shehastakeneveryopportunitytopullher-

selfbackupandsetherselfonaproductivepathagain.Shenow

livesindependentlyandworksfulltime.Mallorienowknows

thatshewillbeabletoworkconsistentlyinherfieldofstudy

andwillhaveavailableassistancewhensheneedsit.

MALLORIEEXPRESSEDHER

DESIRETOWORKBEINDEPENDENTAND

NONEEDTOLOWER

CAREERANDLIFEGOALS.

EXPECTATIONSFORHER

HER

12 13

SamuelHarrisisa74-year-oldfarmerwhobecameaclientofRehabilitationServicesfortheBlindonJune

18,2018.Helostalotofhisvisionduetoglaucomaandcataractscausingmanynewchallengesinhisev-

erydaylife.SamuelcametoRSBinneedofassistancewithhisfarming.Samuelandhiscounselor,Vickie,

decidedtheAgrAbilityprogramwasthebestfitforSamuel'sneeds.Samuelandhiswife,Dorothy,liveon

their102acrefarmandSamuelhasbeenfarmingfor46years.Theyhave26cows,13calves,18chickens,

10geeseandacoupleofturkeys.Outsideoftakingcareoftheirlivestock,Samuelalsodoestherotatingof

crops,mowing,rakingandbailingofthehayandcomputerwork.

AfterhavingtheAgrAbilityrepresentativevisitthefarm,Samuelreceivedtwogatesystems.Thesegatesys-

temsmakeiteasiertoopenandclosethepasturegatestofeedthecowsaswellasmovethemfromfieldto

field.Samuelalsoreceivedcomputertrainingondifferentprograms,IndependentLivingtraining,equip-

mentandmagnifiers.AllofthetrainingandequipmentprovidedallowedSamueltodohisworkbetterand

moreefficientlywithhisvisionchanges.Samuel'scomputerworkconsistsofkeepinginventoryofhis

stock,cropreports,andgrazingreports.

SamuelhasbeenontheMissouriAgricultureBoardasamemberforsixyears,currentlyservingastheir

treasurer.Samuelandhiswifehaveaclearpassionfortheirwork.ThisyeartheyreceivedaMissouri

AgricultureLegacyAward.Thisawardisgiventoindividualsthatstrivetoinnovatetheirfarmorranch,

givebacktotheircommunities,andcommittolandstewardshiporstandasagreatexampleforfuturegen-

erations.Therecipientswerenominatedbyfellowfarmers,ranchersandagricultureleaderswhowerein-

spiredbytheircontributionsinMissouriagriculture.

SamuelhasstatedthatheisverymovedbythehelpandassistancethatRSBandAgrAbilityprovidedhim.

Hestatedthattheseserviceshavebetterequippedhimtocontinuetodohisfarminginabetterandsafer

manner,expressingthattheserviceshavebeenwonderfulandplayedcrucialpartsinallowinghimtocon-

tinuetodothejobheknowsandloves.

Samuel'scasewasclosedsuccessfullyonMay14,2019byhisSVRCVickieL.Yovich.

Success StorySamuelHarris

Samuel...received

computertrainingon

differentprograms,

IndependentLiving

training,equipment

andmagnifiers.

Allofthetrainingand

equipmentprovided

allowedSamueltodo

hisworkbetterand

moreefficientlywith

hisvisionchanges.

12 13

SamuelHarrisisa74-year-oldfarmerwhobecameaclientofRehabilitationServicesfortheBlindonJune

18,2018.Helostalotofhisvisionduetoglaucomaandcataractscausingmanynewchallengesinhisev-

erydaylife.SamuelcametoRSBinneedofassistancewithhisfarming.Samuelandhiscounselor,Vickie,

decidedtheAgrAbilityprogramwasthebestfitforSamuel'sneeds.Samuelandhiswife,Dorothy,liveon

their102acrefarmandSamuelhasbeenfarmingfor46years.Theyhave26cows,13calves,18chickens,

10geeseandacoupleofturkeys.Outsideoftakingcareoftheirlivestock,Samuelalsodoestherotatingof

crops,mowing,rakingandbailingofthehayandcomputerwork.

AfterhavingtheAgrAbilityrepresentativevisitthefarm,Samuelreceivedtwogatesystems.Thesegatesys-

temsmakeiteasiertoopenandclosethepasturegatestofeedthecowsaswellasmovethemfromfieldto

field.Samuelalsoreceivedcomputertrainingondifferentprograms,IndependentLivingtraining,equip-

mentandmagnifiers.AllofthetrainingandequipmentprovidedallowedSamueltodohisworkbetterand

moreefficientlywithhisvisionchanges.Samuel'scomputerworkconsistsofkeepinginventoryofhis

stock,cropreports,andgrazingreports.

SamuelhasbeenontheMissouriAgricultureboardasamemberforsixyears,currentlyservingastheir

treasurer.Samuelandhiswifehaveaclearpassionfortheirwork.ThisyeartheyreceivedaMissouri

AgricultureLegacyAward.Thisawardisgiventoindividualsthatstrivetoinnovatetheirfarmorranch,

givebacktotheircommunities,andcommittolandstewardshiporstandasagreatexampleforfuturegen-

erations.Therecipientswerenominatedbyfellowfarmers,ranchersandagricultureleaderswhowerein-

spiredbytheircontributionsinMissouriagriculture.

SamuelhasstatedthatheisverymovedbythehelpandassistancethatRSBandAgrAbilityprovidedhim.

Hestatedthattheseserviceshavebetterequippedhimtocontinuetodohisfarminginabetterandsafer

manner,expressingthattheserviceshavebeenwonderfulandplayedcrucialpartsinallowinghimtocon-

tinuetodothejobheknowsandloves.

Samuel'scasewasclosedsuccessfullyonMay14,2019byhisSVRCVickieL.Yovich.

Success StorySamuelHarris

Samuel...received

computertrainingon

differentprograms,

IndependentLiving

training,equipment

andmagnifiers.

Allofthetrainingand

equipmentprovided

allowedSamueltodo

hisworkbetterand

moreefficientlywith

hisvisionchanges.

14

Success StoryNathanMerzlicker

feelmorecomfortableandpreparedforcollegeand

theprofessionalworldinthecomingyears.”

Nathanadded:“MyfavoritepartoftheBlindand

SociallySavvyprogramwaslearningtodineina

professionalenvironment.Ifeelmorecomfortable

doingthatnow.”

NathanMerzlicker,astudentatFrancisHowell

HighSchool,wantedtoearnhisownmoney

duringthesummertobuythethingsthathe

wanted.Heneededanopportunitytopracticehis

socialskillsbeforehewenttowork.

Nathanparticipatedinaprogramsponsoredby

RehabilitationServicesfortheBlindfor

transitionagestudents calledBlindandSociallySavvy.Inthisprogram,withsixotherhigh

schoolandcollegestudents,Nathanlearned

aboutetiquetteandprotocolinabusiness

setting.Thisincludedhowtogiveaproper

handshakeandintroduceoneself,tableetiquette

informalandcasualsettings,howtomingle

withothersinanetworkingsetting,howto

conductaninformationalcareerinterview,

socialmediaandcellphoneetiquette,andhowto

carryoneselfconfidentlyduringcollegeandjob

interviews.

ThisiswhatJenniferMerzlicker,Nathan's

mother,hadtosayaboutBlindandSocially

Savvy:

"ImaginemysurprisewhenIcametothefinal

lunchoftheBlindandSociallySavvyprogram

andheardthatmyintrovertedandextremely

shysonwouldbetheonemakingtheopening

introductionstotheprogram!Itwassucha

joytoseethegrowthhehadmadethatweek

inhisconfidenceandoverallprofessional

skills.

“I think the experience and knowledge that he

gainedinthisprogramwilldefinitelyhelphim

“Nathan'sparticipationinthe

SummerWorkProgram

ispossiblythegreatest

contributorthatI

haveseentohelpwithhis

growthanddevelopment

ofskillsneededforadulthood.”

—JenniferMerzlickerNathan’smom

“MyfavoritepartoftheBlindand

SociallySavvyprogramwas

learningtodineinaprofessional

environment.

Ifeelmorecomfortable

doingthatnow.”

—NathanMerzlicker

11

Success StoryMallorieHenke

Malloriegrewuplikemanyotherchil-

dreninColumbia,Missouri.Goingto

school,playingwithfriends,enjoying

theoutdoors;thatis,until9thgrade.

Duringher9thgradeschoolyear,she

foundoutthatshewasatypeonedia-

betic.Throughthedifficultiesofbeing

diabetic,Malloriegraduatedfrom

HickmanHighschoolandenrolledat

UniversityofMissouri,Columbia.

There,sheattainedamastersinac-

counting,graduatingin2009and

wenttowork.

Unfortunately,Mallorie'shealthtooka

turnfortheworse;andby2015,

Malloriewassufferingfromseveredia-

beticcomplications.Theseproblems

startedwithkidneyandpancreasis-

sueswhichledtoextremeswelling,

waterretention,kidneyfailure,and

finallydialysisforeightmonths.

BecauseMallorieneededbothkidneys

andapancreas,shewasplacedatthe

topofthetransplantlist.

Whilewaitingonthetransplantlist

andtryingtocontrolbloodglucoselev-

els,Mallorielostvisioninone

eyefromdiabeticretinopathy.

Malloriehadtoquitworking

inMarch2016.

Malloriesuccessfullyreceived

akidneyandpancreastrans-

plant,butduetothelongsur-

gery,thesightworsenedsig-

nificantlyinhergoodeye.

Duringthistime,Malloriewas

recoveringfromsurgeryandlivingwithherparentsbecauseof

herdecreaseinvision.

MalloriesignedanapplicationforRSBserviceson10/24/2018.

Duringtheinitialinterview,Mallorieexpressedherdesireto

workandbeindependent,butstatedthatsheneededtolower

herexpectations.Aftermuchdiscussion,Mallorielearnedthat

therewasnoneedtolowerherexpectationsforhercareerand

lifegoals.Acasewasopenedandrehabteachingandvocational

rehabilitationcounselingservicesweredelivered.Equipment

wasevaluatedandtrainingwasdonesoadaptiveequipment

couldbeusedonceworkwasfound.Malloriewasreferredtoa

communityrehabprogramvendor;andwithinjustafewweeks

hadlandedajobatMFAOILintheaccountingdepartment.

Mallorie'sstrength,positiveattitudeandresiliencearewhyshe

isasuccessstory.Shehastakeneveryopportunitytopullher-

selfbackupandsetherselfonaproductivepathagain.Shenow

livesindependentlyandworksfulltime.Mallorienowknows

thatshewillbeabletoworkconsistentlyinherfieldofstudy

andwillhaveavailableassistancewhensheneedsit.

MALLORIEEXPRESSEDHER

DESIRETOWORKBEINDEPENDENTAND

NONEEDTOLOWER

CAREERANDLIFEGOALS.

EXPECTATIONSFORHER

HER

15

FollowinghiscompletionofBlindandSociallySavvy,

Nathanparticipatedinapaidsummerwork

experienceprogram,withtheassistanceof

RehabilitationServicesfortheBlind,through

PreferredEmployment.Nathanworkedatalocal

grocerystoreasacourtesyclerkfor20hoursaweek

forsixweeks.Hisdutiesincludedbagginggroceries,

gettingcartsfromtheparkinglot,assisting

customerswithfindingitemsinthestore,and

returningitemstostoreshelves.

Inadditiontotheseduties,Nathanreceivedsoft

skillsinstruction.Ajobcoachwasavailableto

assistthestudentsinlearningandperforming

theirjobduties.

Inregardstothesummerworkprogram,Jennifer

Merzlickercommented:"Nathan'sparticipationin

theSummerWorkProgramispossiblythe

greatestcontributorthatIhaveseentohelpwith

hisgrowthanddevelopmentofskillsneededfor

adulthood.Heneverwouldhavebeenableto

succeedinatraditionalsummerjob,butwiththe

coachinginthisprogram,Isawhimblossom.He

begantakinginitiativeandhismaturitymade

leapsandboundsthissummer.Wehaveseen

thosegainscontinueintotheschoolyearaswell.

Hestillhasawaytogoandalottolearntogain

independenceintoadulthood,butIhavebeenso

verythankfulfortheopportunityhehadinthis

programandtheprogressthathehasmade."

Nathanhadthistosayabouttheworkexperience

program:“Ienjoyedthatwegottopracticeskills

intheSummerWorkProgramthatcanhelpusin

life.Thepeopletherewereniceandwillingto

helpwithanyissueswemayhavehad.Iwould

definitelywanttodoitagainifIcould."

Blind and Socially Savvy is a program sponsored by

Rehabilitation Services for the Blind designed to

help transition-age blind students to carry

themselves confidently in various social

circumstances.

NathanMerzlicker

10

MonicaBethardsfirstlearnedaboutRehabServices

fortheBlindwhileonaroutinevisittohereyecare

professional,Dr.LauraMontgomeryinBolivar,

Missouri.Monicawasbornwithmaculardystrophy,

andsawDr.Montgomeryonaregularbasistomain-

tainhereyehealth.

Whenshewasfirstdiagnosed,itwasassumedthat

ashervisiondecreased,shewouldnotbeabletocon-

tinueatherjob.“RSBmadeaninvestmentinme,and

thisinvestmenthashelpedmeremaingainfullyem-

ployed.Theresultsyieldedfromthatinvestment

haveledtomealsobecomingmoreindependent,

contributingtooursociety,andbeingrecognizedas

atopperformerinmycompany.Iammostgrateful

foralltheseserviceshavemeantformeandmyfam-

ily.”

MonicacontactedtheSpringfieldofficeofRSBtosee

iftheycouldhelphermaintainherjobasaprogram

manageratDuckCreekTechnologiesinBolivar,a

companythatdevelopsandimplementssoftwarefor

insurancecarriersworldwide.Hervisionhadgrown

steadilyworseovertheyears,andsheneededhelp

withassistivetechnologythatwouldallowherto

morereadilyaccessprintedmaterialandhercom-

puterscreen.Additionally,sheneededassistance

withorientationandmobilityskills,assheisre-

quiredtotravelaroundthecountry.Mobility

SpecialistBenVercellonewasassignedtoworkwith

Monicaonhertravelskills.“MyjobrequiresthatI

travel,andtheuseofacaneandtravelinstruction

hasbeenagamechangerformetotravelinde-

pendently.ThetechnologyprovidedbyRSBhas

helpedmeadapttodifferingenvironmentswhenI

findmyselfinnewsurroundings.”

Monica'scasewasassignedtoBradyClevenger,

ProgramDevelopmentSpecialistintheSouthwest

Districtoffice.BradyhelpedMonicaobtainaCCTV

videomagnifier,magnificationsoftware,anda

handheldmagnifiertohelpherreadhardcopy

printedmaterial.Withthehandhelddevice,she

wasabletotakeitwithherandaccessprintwher-

evershemightbe,inavarietyofworksettings.

“Bradyhasbeenanexcellentcounselortowork

with.Ibelieveitisbecausehetrulyunderstands

thedailystrugglehisclientsgothrough.Hehas

providedgreatinsight,andpowerfulresourcesre-

gardingthevarioustypesofskillsIneededtocon-

tinueinmydailylife,andtrulycustomizedaplan

formethathashelpedmesucceed,”Monicasaid.

Monicawasrecognizedwithinhercompanyasa

SpecialImpactAwardwinner.“Thetechnology

andservicesprovidedbyRSBhavegivenmethe

opportunitytocontinuewithcareergrowth,pro-

motions,andbeingacknowledgedasatoppro-

ducerwithinmycompany.Theuseoftheassistive

software,largescreenmonitor,CCTV,Ipad,acane,

andhandheldmagnifiersareusedonadailybasis

forvariouspartsofmyjob.Thesetoolshavetruly

givenmetheabilitytooperateindependentlyand

continueperformingmyjobduties.”

“Manypeopleoftenask,'Howdoyoucontinueto

dothethingsyoudothatyoureallyshouldnotbe

abletodo?'AndIamabletogivegreatcreditto

thetechnologyandtrainingIhavebeenblessed

withfromRSB.”

Success StoryMonicaBethards

“Thetechnologyandser-

vicesprovidedbyRSBhave

givenmetheopportunity

tocontinuewithcareer

growth,promotions,and

beingacknowledgedasa

topproducerwithinmy

company.”

We Invest in the Potential of the Most Amazing People

IndividualsintheBusinessEnterpriseProgramreceivingAwardsforoutstandingachievement

inprofessionaldevelopmentaswellasexemplaryperformanceinmanagement.

GloriaCarson Albert“Jim”Piel DavidK.Pinkley

916

Thereareatotalof80Statevocationalrehabilitationagenciesorcommissionsthatprovide

rehabilitationservicesforindividualswithdisabilitiesintheUnitedStatesandassociatedterritories.

Currently,24stateshaveaseparatevocationalrehabilitationagencyorcommissionthatprovides

servicesexclusivelyforconsumerswhoareblindorvisuallyimpaired.Thealternativeskillsofblindness

aremarkedlydifferentfromtheskillsrequiredbyotherdisabledpersons.Themethodologyof

instructingtheblindandconfrontingtheissuesofblindnessinoursocietyrequirethedevelopmentof

specializedserviceprograms,withservicedeliverybyspecializedpersonnel.

STANDARDS & INDICATORS General Information

Total Annual Wages after Services for

Employed Vocational Rehabilitation Clients.......$5,139,256

188Achieved Employment................................................................

1Net Gain Over Last Year................................................................

1,556Served in VR Program.....................................................

RehabilitationServicesfortheBlindinProgramYear2018...

PROGRAM YEAR 2018 Economic Impact

$13million

Economic impact on Missouri:

Successful services and employment outcomes

between the Vocational Rehabilitation Program,

as well as the Business Enterprise Program..........$45.3million

This Annual Report outlines these successful services

provided by RSB, as well as shares personal success stories by RSB clients.

Allinvolvedwerepolite,hardworkingandseemed

interestedinhelpingmeachievemygoal.

—RSBClient

YOU CAN QUOTE ME

Federal and State dollars allowed RSB to

provide effective, high quality services to

blind and visually impaired Missourians...................

178

TheSRC’sfunctionsinclude,butarenotlimitedto,actinginpartnershipwithRSBto:

Review,analyze,andadviseRSBregardingRSB'sperformanceofresponsibilitiesunder

TitleIoftheAct,relatingespeciallytoeligibilityforVocationalRehabilitation(VR)

services;theextent,scopeandeffectivenessofVRservicesthatRSBprovides;and

functionsperformedbyStateagenciesthatpotentiallyaffecttheabilityofblindindividuals

toachieverehabilitationgoalsandobjectives.

AssistRSBwiththedevelopmentandreviewoftheStategoalsandpriorities;assistinthe

preparationoftheStateplan.

Conductareviewandanalysisoftheeffectivenessof,andconsumersatisfactionwith,VR

servicesandotherfunctionsperformedbyStateagenciesandotherpublicandprivate

entitiesresponsibleforperformingfunctionsforblindindividuals.

PrepareandsubmitanannualreporttotheGovernoroftheStateofMissouri,tothe

CommissioneroftheRehabilitationServicesAdministrationoftheU.S.Departmentof

Education,andtotheDirectoroftheFamilySupportDivision(FSD).

CoordinatewithothercouncilswithintheState.

ProvideforcoordinationandtheestablishmentofworkingrelationshipsbetweenFSD,RSB

andtheStatewideIndependentLivingCouncilandCentersforIndependentLivingin

Missouri.

SelectapoolofindividualstoserveasimpartialhearingofficersforVRapplicantsand

recipientswhowishtoappealadecisionofRSB.

FUNCTIONS

Thisisaremarkableplacethatwasreallytherefor

mewhennobodyelsewas.Thestaffgenuinelcyarefor

mywell-beingespeciallymyCounselor.Thankyouforeverything

youhavedoneforme.

—RSBClient

Section116ofWIOAestablishesperformanceaccountabilityindicatorsandperformancereporting

requirementstoassesstheeffectivenessofStatesandlocalareasinachievingpositiveoutcomesforindi-

vidualsserved.RSAhasusedtheirtransitionauthorityunderWIOAsec.503(a)todesignateprimary

indicatorsofperformanceas“baseline”indicatorsinthefirstplansubmission.Theactualperformance

datareportedbyStatesforindicatorsdesignatedas“baseline”inthefirsttwoyearsoftheUnifiedor

CombinedPlanwillserveasbaselinedatainfutureyears.

Duringthistransitionperiod,RSBisutilizingthefollowingmeasurementsforstatelevel

performancereporting:

PY 2018 BLIND AGENCY Summary of RSB Performance

68.5%

Individuals who achieved integrated

employment, who had significant

Disabilities.......................................................

89.4%

Percentage of Individuals Achieving

Self-Sufficiency (Relying Primarily on

Their Own Income) After Successfully

Completing the Program................................

72.3%Vocational Rehabilitation Rateof Successful Rehabilitation..........................

YOU CAN QUOTE ME

718

ThemembershipoftheCounciliscomprisedofnomorethan21individualsappointedbytheGovernor,withthefollowingrepresentationmandatedbytheRehabilitationAct.

Atleastonerepresentativefromeachofthefollowing:

StatewideIndependentLivingCouncil

ParentTrainingandInformationCenter

ClientAssistanceProgram

RSBVocationalCounselor

CommunityRehabilitationProgramservice

provider

Stateeducationagencyresponsibleforthe

publiceducationofstudentswith

disabilities

StateWorkforceInvestmentBoard

Disabilitiesgrouprepresentingindividuals

whoareblind

EvaluationCommittee

Evaluatestheperformanceand/oroperationofRSB,suchassurveysandannualreports.

GovernmentalAffairsCommittee

Worksonthingshappeningatthestateandfederallevelandthataregovernmentalinnature.

PlanningCommittee

ThestateplanandanyotherplanningoperationoftheCouncil,includingthebusinessnetworkissues.

Program&PolicyCommittee

HandlesnewpolicyandorprogramitemsfromRSBratherthanwaitinguntilthenextCouncilmeeting.

COUNCIL MEMBERS & COMMITTEES

Representativeofindividualswhohave

blindness,havemultipledisabilities,and

havedifficultyrepresentingthemselvesdue

todisability

Business,laborandindustry

Advocacygroupsforindividualswith

blindnessorotherauthorized

representativesofindividualswith

blindnesswhoareunabletorepresent

themselves

CurrentorformerrecipientsofVRservices

AndtheDeputyDirectorofFSD/RSBasan

ex-officiomember.

Council Members

Committees

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION:

367 1,556

Thefollowinginformationisbasedontheaboveamount:

Earnings and Funding Resources

$584MO State Taxes Paid

Per Rehabilitated Client...............................................

$1,650Federal Taxes Paid

Per Rehabilitated Client.................................................

$2,234Total Taxes Paid

Per Rehabilitated Client.........................................

$419,992Total Combined Yearly Taxes Paid

by all Rehabilitated Clients....................................

$27,336Average Annual Earnings

Per Rehabilitated Client.............................................

NewVRcasesopened ClientsservedPY2018

196

TheMissouriStateRehabilitationCouncilfortheBlindwasestablishedinFebruary1993byExecutive

Order93-01to:

Actasaforumthroughwhichcitizenswithblindness,parents,providers,andotherinterested

Missourianscanvoicetheiropinionsandconstrictivecriticisms,makerecommendationsandgive

publicrecognitionforservicesbeingperformedontheirbehalfbyRSB;

ServejointlywithRSBinitsactivitiestoimprovetheservices,programsandfacilitiesforindividuals

withblindnessandvisualimpairments;

ReceivefromRSBinformationconcerningtheintentsandobjectivesofRSBsothattheCouncil,in

turn,canpassthisinformationontoindividualswithblindness.

MissouriStateRehabilitationCouncilfortheBlind

615HowertonCourt-P.O.Box2320

JeffersonCityMO65102-2320

Phone:(573)751-4249—Fax:(573)751-4984

PURPOSE OF THE STATE REHABILITATION COUNCIL

AverageHourlyWage $16.34

2014$14.51

2016$16.07

2017$18.75

$12

2018$16.34

$14

$16

$18

$20

Average Hourly Wage at Closure

State Fiscal Year 2018 Missouri Funding Sources

Federal Funds 78.1% GR Funds 18.5% BEST 2.7% Donations .07%

10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%0%

PY2018

2015$17.08

YOU CAN QUOTE ME

WasnotawareofRSBuntilreferredto

them.WithouttheirhelpIwouldnot

stillbeemployed.TheyrelievedalltheanxietyI

hadaboutmyvisualimpairments,justknowing

thereishelpfromtheRSBstaffwhoarewonderful

people.

—RSBClient

520

Individuals ServedIndividualswithblindness/visualimpairmentsservedinProgramYear2018............................4,074

Older Blind Independent Living ProgramIndividualswereservedintheOlderBlindIndependentLivingProgram......................................1,242Individualswereclosedsuccessfullyrehabilitated.........................................................................................573

IndividualsreceivedcasemanagementservicesinthePreventionofBlindnessProgram...........500Individualsscreenedforintraocularpressureandothereyeconditions........................................4,238

Prevention of Blindness Program

IndividualsservedintheVocationalRehabilitationProgram..............................................................1,556Closinginsuccessfulemployment..........................................................................................................................188

Vocational Rehabilitation Program

ChildrenreceivedservicesintheChildren’sServicesProgram.................................................................516Children’s Services Program

IndividualswereservedintheIndependentLivingProgram....................................................................260Closedsuccessfullyrehabilitated.................................................................................................................................76

Independent Living Program

HIGHLIGHTS OF PROGRAM YEAR 2018

BusinessEnterpriseProgramfacilities.....................................................................................................................33

Peopleemployed..................................................................................................................................................939Grosssales................................................................................................................................$41,689,061

Business Enterprise Program

1Militaryinstallations...................................................................................................................................................

23Managers.....................................................................................................................................................................

Individualswhohaveaseverevisualdisabilityencountersomecommonbarrierstoemployment.

Commonbarriersrecognizedare:accesstoprintinformation,transportation,negativeattitudes

regardingtheskillsandabilitiesoftheblind,aswellasmarketable21stcenturyjobskills.

RehabilitationServicesfortheBlindprovidesvaluableservicesthateffectivelyaddressthesebarriers

andothers.

Inprogramyear2018,RSBsuccessfullyrehabilitated188Missouriansinpursuitoftheiremployment

goal.Thefollowingdataprofilesshowthosesuccessfulclosures:

InPY2018,throughtheservicesofRSB,188individualshavebeenabletogainorretainemployment.

Theiroccupationsareasfollows:

ArchitectureandEngineering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Arts,Design,Entertainment,

Sports,andMedia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

BuildingandGroundsCleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

BusinessandFinancialOperations . . . . . . . . . . . 13

CommunityandSocialService . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

ComputerandMathematical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

ConstructionandExtraction

Occupations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

EducationalInstruction,andLibrary . . . . . . . . . . 7

Farming,FishingandForestry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

FoodPreparationandFoodServing . . . . . . . . . . . 9

HealthcarePractitionersandTechnical . . . . . . 18

HealthcareSupport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Installation,Maintenance,

andRepair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

LegalOccupations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Life,Physical&SocialScience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

OfficeandAdministrative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

PersonalCareandService . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Production. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

SalesandRelated. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

TransportationandMaterialMoving . . . . . . . . . . . 4

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SERVICES

10%

0%

20%

30%

40%50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Competitive Employment 173

(92.02%)

Self- Employment 15

(7.98%)

Rehabilitation Rate

(71.31%)

4 21

This annual report, presented by the Missouri State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind for program year 2018, provides information on the Missouri Department of Social Services, Family Support Division, and Rehabilitation Services for the Blind (RSB) vocational rehabilitation employment program for individuals with visual disabilities.

The Department of Social Services' mission is to lead the nation in building the capacity of individuals, families and communities to secure and sustain healthy, safe, and productive lives. RSB completed another successful year in meeting this mission by providing 1,556 individuals vocational rehabilitation services to assist 188 individuals to obtain or retain competitive integrated employment. Approximately $12.3 million federal and state dollars allow RSB to provide

effective, high-quality services to blind and visually impaired Missourians. Successful services in program year 2018 resulted in a $46.8 million economic impact on Missouri.

RSB continues to be a national leader in the provision of vocational rehabilitation services. For the fourth time, the federal Department of Labor and Rehabilitation Services Administration selected RSB and the Missouri workforce team to serve on a national cohort to assist in developing national guidance, processes and best practices in Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act implementation. The Rehabilitation Services Administration recognized RSB as the top performing

agency for the blind in the nation for program year 2018 “Employment Rate 2nd Quarter after Exit” at 68.5 percent, compared to a 38.8 percent median rate for agencies for the blind and 49.2 percent median rate for all vocational rehabilitation agencies.

The Rehabilitation Services Administration reports the program year 18 “Median Earnings 2nd Quarter after Exit” measure resulted in $5,117 for Blind VR Agencies compared to $3,714 for all VR Agencies. The state and national results support the benefits of a separate agency serving blind and visually impaired individuals. Specialized services move families to economic stability and self-sufficiency.

In closing, I offer my sincere appreciation for your interest and support in serving Missourians with visual disabilities.

Sincerely,

Keith Roderick, Deputy Director

Rehabilitation Services for the Blind

KeithRoderick

Director,RehabilitationServices for

the Blind

LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR, RSB

ClientSatisfactionSurveysareadministeredtoindividualsafterclosingtheirVocationalRehabilitation

casewithRSB.

Clients closed in competitive integrated employment.............................188Clients who returned their survey................................................................56Rate of return...............................................................................................30%

Clients closed in a status other than competitive employment.............130Clients who returned their survey....................................................................3

2%Rate of return..................................................................................................

1. IwasemployedwhenIappliedforservicesfromRSB.

2. ThechoiceofservicesavailablefromRSBwassufficienttomeetmyneeds.

3. Ihadthefinalsayintheselectionofserviceproviders.

4. IreceivedservicesfromRSBinareasonableamountoftime.

5. RSBstaffreturnedmyphonecallswithin1-2businessdays.

6. RSBstaffwasknowledgeableaboutmyneedsasapersonwhoisvisuallyimpaired/blind.

7. RSBstaffhelpedmebuildmyconfidenceinmyabilities.

8. Myrehabilitationplanwasindividualizedtomeetmygoals.

9. Ihadthefinalsayintheselectionofmyvocationalgoal.

10. Uponcompletionofmyvocationalrehabilitationplan,Iwaspreparedtoseek/maintainemployment.

11. TheservicesRSBprovidedweresufficienttohelpmesecure/continueemployment.

12. AsaresultoftheservicesprovidedbyRSB,mypresentworksituationisbetterthanitwasbeforeIbegantheprogram.

13. ThesupportIreceivedfromRSBfollowingmyemploymentwasadequatetoensurecontinuedsuccess.

14. IampleasedwiththeoveralloutcomeofmyexperienceinthevocationalrehabilitationprogramprovidedbyRSB.

Client SatisfactionSurvey Questions

Twodifferentsurveysaregiven:

a14-questionsurveyissentto

individualswhosecasesare

and;

asimilar11-questionsurveyissentto

individualswhosecaseswere

Source: Rehabilitation Services for the Blind - Independent Living Program - FY 2020 Program Participant Survey

0

60

80

100

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 Q6 Q7 Q14Q13Q12Q10Q8 Q9 Q11

20

40

66%

88%86%

13%

81%

56%

94%

69% 69% 69% 69%81%

63%

0%

92%

94%84%

89% 89%83%

78%88%

78%

92%

CLIENT SATISFACTION SURVEY

closed in competitiveemployment;

closed in any statusother than competitiveemployment.

69%73%

The Rehabilitation Services Administration

recognized RSB as the top performing agency

for the blind in the nation for program year

2018 “Employment Rate 2nd Quarter after

Exit” at 68.5 percent, compared to a 38.8

percent median rate for agencies for the blind

and 49.2 percent median rate for all

vocational rehabilitation agencies.

TheSRCcontinuedtoholdpublicforumsthroughoutthestate,allowingindividualstovoiceopinionsand

concernsabouttheservicesofRSB.Toassistthosewithdifficultytraveling,theCouncilprovidesphone

conferencingaswell.

August:St.Louis,Mo–AmandaDovinandherSeeingEyedog,Sonya,sharedwiththepublic

differentmobilityoptionsavailabletothosewhoarevisuallyimpaired.Amandaalsosharedherstory

ofsuccessgoingthroughcollegeandultimatelyacceptingajobwithRSBasaRehabilitationTeacher

intheSt.LouisNorthoffice.

November:KansasCity,Mo–CathyWolfordsharedwiththepublicstoriesofindividualswhoare

deafandblind.Cathysharedherdesiretoseemoreemploymentopportunitiesforthosewhoare

deaf/blindandsharedthattherearemanyassistivetechnologydevicesthatcanhelpthose

individualsbecomesuccessfulineducationandcareergoalstheymayhave.Asecondspeaker,

LaurenMcDaniel,sharedhispersonalstoryabouthisrecentlossofvisionduetobeingshot.Lauren

sharedhisstoryoftriumphasheworkedwithRSBandColoradoCenterfortheBlindtoadjusttolife

withthecompletelossofhisvision.Laurenexpressedthenewfoundoptimismforhisfuturewitha

“nothingcanstopmenow”attitudethatwasveryinspiringtoeveryoneintheroom.

February:Joplin,Mo–MatthewHolloway,

EmploymentServiceManageratPreferred

EmploymentServicesandAdrianMarcos,

anRSBclient,cametospeaktothepublic

inJoplin.MatthewsharedaboutPreferred

EmploymentServices, andtheirworkwith

RSBclients.AdrianMarcossharedabout

hisexperiencewithPreferred

EmploymentServicesaswellasRSB.He

sharedwiththepublicabouthissummer

workexperienceandhowthathashelped

preparehimformorejobsinthefuture.

May:JeffersonCity,Mo–AmyNicklessfromWolfnerLibrarycametoshareaboutWolfnerandthe

servicestheyprovide.WolfnerLibraryisMissouri'sLibraryforindividualswithvisual,physicaland

readingdisabilities.Wolfnerprovidesbraille,audio,largeprint,printbraillebooks,audiodescribed

DVDs,printbraillegames,activitykits,programming,magazinesandnewsletters.

322

YEAR IN REVIEW

TheSRCanalyzedtheresultsofclientsatisfactionsurveys,whichwerereceivedfromRSBclientsatthe

timeofcaseclosure.CommentsandconcernsexpressedinthesurveyswerediscussedbytheSRC.

RSBcontinuedtoupdatetheSRContheWorkforceInnovationsOpportunitiesAct(WIOA).Including

WIOA'sinfluenceonYouthinTransition,Pre-EmploymentTransitionServices,CompetitiveIntegrated

Employment,andhowRSBcollaboratedwithandhavecreatedPartnershipswithotherstateagencies.

TheSRCprovidedinputandrecommendationsontheVRservicesportionoftheUnifiedorCombined

StatePlan,reviewedtheAnnualReport,reviewedandanalyzedtheconsumersatisfactionsurveys,and

otherCouncilreportsthatmayhavebeendevelopedaspartoftheCouncil'sfunctions.

TheSRCapprovedRSBtosetmaintenancelimits,removingfinancialrequirementsandspecifying

reimbursementforexpenses.TheSRCalsoencouraged,requestedandsupportedRSBtosendaccessible

electronicsurveystoimprovereturnrateofClientSatisfactionSurveys.

PublicForumswereheldquarterlyinvariouslocationsacrossthestate.

RSBkepttheSRCupdatedonthevacancieswithinRSB.Issueswithdifficultyinrecruitmentwere

discussed,aswellashowaccessibletheapplicationprocessisfortheblindandvisuallyimpaired.

RSBinformedthecouncilonthenewcasemanagementsystemthatbecame'Live'inJuly2019.Staff

havebeenworkinginthiscasemanagementsystemsuccessfullyandRSBmadesuretheCouncilwas

updatedonthatsuccess.

PUBLIC FORUMS

StateRehabilitationCouncilfortheBlind,

picturedatoneofthe4PublicForumsheldthroughouttheStateofMissouri.

YOU CAN QUOTE ME

LindyandRSBhavebeenbothablessingandsaving

grace.Iwouldnothavebeenabletocontinue

employmentinapeacefulenvironmentwithmycurrentemployer

withouttheresourcesprovidedbyRSBandthesagewisdomand

advicefromLindy.IwouldliketothanktheRehabilitation

Servicesforalltheyhelpedmedo.

—RSBClient

DearFellowMissourians:

AsChairof theStateRehabilitationCouncil for theBlind(SRC),itismyhonortosubmitthe2019AnnualReportonthestatusofservices,inaccordancewithSection105(5)oftheRehabilitationActof1973,asamendedbyCongressin1998.TheSRC,createdbyMissouriExecutiveOrder93-01,

isresponsibleforreviewing,analyzingandadvisingMissouriRehabilitationServices for theBlind (RSB),anagency in theMissouriDivisionofFamilySupport (DFS), on its policies and provision of rehabilitation services toMissourianswhoareblindorvisuallyimpaired.

TheservicesthatRSBprovidesarecriticaltothisgrowingsegmentofourpopulation. The CDC reports that during the next three decades, thepopulationofadultswithvisionimpairmentandage-relatedeyediseasesisestimatedtodoublebecauseoftherapidlyagingU.S.population.Inaddition,theepidemicofdiabetesaswellasotherchronicdiseases,willcontributetoanincreasingpopulationofpeoplewhoexperiencevisionloss.

TheSRCisdedicatedtoworkingwithRSBtoassistblindandvisuallyimpairedMissourians become self-supporting and fully participating members ofsociety. Missourians with vision loss have a voice through the SRC, ourquarterlyreviewsofagencypolicies,proceduresandoperations,alongwithpublic forums and our customer satisfaction survey, have given clients acriticalsourceofinputintotherehabilitationprocess.

The SRC is committed to its purpose and is rising to meet the growingchallenges facing peoplewith vision loss.We feel this report provides aninformative overview of RSB and the activities of the SRC. Wewould bepleasedtoansweranyquestionsaboutthisreport,theoperationsofRSB,ortheworkoftheStateRehabilitationCouncil.

RespectfullySubmitted,

ClayC.Berry

Alphapointe,DirectorofEducation&Rehabilitation

Chairman,StateRehabilitationCouncilfortheBlind

Clay C.Berry

Chairman,Missouri StateRehabilitation

Council forThe Blind

LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN, MSRCB

232

AsRSBStrivestocreateopportunitiesforthepersonalandvocationalsuccessofblindandvisually

impairedMissourians,theSRCbelievesthatwiththepropertraining,alternativeskillsandassistive

technology,thoseindividualswhoareblindcanbevocationally,sociallyandeconomicallycompetitive.

TheSRCwillcontinuetoworkcooperativelywithRSBtoimprovetheservicesofferedtomeetwhatwe

considertobetheuniquerehabilitationneedsofclientswithvisualdisabilities.Thefollowingtopfive

strategicprioritiesweredevelopedbytheSRCtoensureongoingsuccessforvisuallyimpaired

Missourians:

1. Promotethefullinclusion,participationandintegrationofMissouriblindandseverelyvisually

impairedintheeconomic,social,culturalandeducationalmainstreamofsociety.

2. ThroughtheSRC'sadvisorycapacity,assurethatappropriateeducationandrehabilitation

servicesincreasetheemploymentrateofblindandvisuallyimpairedindividualsinMissouri.

3. Promoteandassurethecontinuationofspecializedvocationalrehabilitationservicesto

consumerswhoareblindandseverelyvisuallyimpairedthroughspeciallytrainedprofessional

staffwithuniqueskillsandknowledgeofblindness.

4. InpartnershipwithRSB,develop,agreeto,andreviewtheannualstategoalsandpriorities,

includingstrategiestoaddresstheunprecedentedturnovertheagencyhasexperiencedinrecent

yearstoensureMissourianswhoareblindreceivehighqualityservicefromqualifiedpersonnel.

5. InpartnershipwithRSB,theSRCwillworktoimplementnewprocedurescongruentwiththe

expectationsoftheWorkforceInnovationandOpportunityAct,inordertoensurecoordinationof

allentitiesinvolvedincreasingaccessofblindMissourianstotoday'sjobmarket.

VISION FOR THE FUTURE

MidMissouriDistrictOffice,StudentGroupActivities:RunandcoordinatedbyChildren'sspecialist,SamanthaScott,thisgroupworkswithRSByouthintheMidMissouriareatoteachimportantindependenceandsocialskillsthattheydonotgettheopportunitytolearninschool.Theseactivitiesgivestudentsthefundamentalskillstobecomeandremainsuccessfulinschoolandfuturecareers.

KatherineCronin,

DistrictSupervisor

St.LouisSouthoffice.

SouthwestDistrictOfficeSupervisor,RandyCusterpresentingYearsofServiceCertificatestostaff.Sr.VocationalRehabCounselorLindyPierce(left),10yearsofservice;RehabTeacherNicoleHanlin(right)with20yearsofservice.

LetterfromtheChair,SRC,ClayBerry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

TheYearinReview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

LetterfromtheDeputyDirector,RSB,KeithRoderick. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

HighlightsforProgramYear2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PurposeoftheSRC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CouncilMembersandCommittees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

StandardsandIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MallorieHenke:SuccessStory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MonicaBethards:SuccessStory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SamuelHarris:SuccessStory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SuccessStory:NathanMerzlicker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

EconomicImpact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PY2018BlindAgency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

VocationalRehabilitation:EarningsandFundingResources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

VocationalRehabilitationServices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ClientSatisfactionSurvey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PublicForums. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

VisionfortheFuture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

RSBDistrictOfficeMapwithAddresses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Quotables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Icannotthankyou

enoughforthe

servicesyouhave

providedme.ItwasGod-given.As

promisedIwillgoonworkingas

longasIcan.Iwillbeforever

grateful.GodblessRSB.

—RSBClient

YOU CAN QUOTE ME

23456789

10111214161718202122232425

BrainMulvany,RSBMobilitySpecialist,workswithpeersusingsleepshadestoperformcookingtasks.

YOU CAN QUOTE ME

WhenitcomestoeveryonefromRSBtheyallwereveryhelpfuland

listenedtomyneeds.

BetweenKatieCawdronandKaylaMcFarland,Icould

nothavebeenmorepleasedwiththeassistanceI

received.

Appreciatealltheservices

thatwereprovidedtome.

Helpedmebeawell-rounded

person.JaneZerrisawesome

andverycaring.Iwould

recommendhertoanyonein

needofservices.

IreallyenjoymycounselorMr.PhillipTucker.Heis

alwaysveryprofessionalwithassistingmeaswellas

Mrs.SharonSilverstein.Ireallyappreciatealloftheir

helpwiththeservices.

Thisisanexcellentprogram!I

trulybelievethatwithoutRSBI

wouldnothavemadeit

throughcollege.Iamso

thankfulforeverythingRSB

hasdone.Thankyousomuch

youareallamazing.

DonaldGoosensandthestaff

dideverythingpossibletohelp

me.Theywereveryniceand

helpful.Icouldn'taskforany

better.

Ali,Mycaseworkerissokind

andhelpful.

24

RSBAdministrativeOffice

615HowertonCt.,

POBox2320

JeffersonCity,MO

65102-2320

TOLL FREE800-592-6004

REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR THE BLIND

KansasCity

615E.13thSt.–Rm.409

KansasCity,MO64106

816-889-2677

Southwest

149ParkCentralSq.–Rm.640

Springfield,MO65806

417-895-6386

Mid-MO

3418KnippDr.–Ste.A-2

JeffersonCity,MO65102

573-751-2714

St.LouisNorth

9900PageAve.–Ste.105

St.Louis,MO63132

314-264-7601

St.LouisSouth

3867MagnoliaAve.

St.Louis,MO63110

314-933-7311

Southeast

106ArthurSt.–Ste.E

Sikeston,MO63801

573-472-5240

25

MissouriStateRehabilitationCouncilfortheBlind

Providingindividualswhohavevisualdisabilitieswithvaluableservicesthateffectivelyaddresscommonbarrierstoemployment.

Program Year 2018 Annual Report

MissouriStateRehabilitationCouncilfortheBlind

RehabilitationServicesfortheBlind

AdministrativeOffice

615HowertonCt.,POBox2320

JeffersonCity,MO65102-2320

TollFree:800-592-6004

PH:573-751-4249—Fax:573-526-4984

Program Year 2018Annual Report