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Strategic Plan 2001-2006

 

 

 

(4) support for the involvement of an individual's representative if an individual with a disability requests, desires, or needs such support; and

(A) Individuals with disabilities, including individuals with the most significant disabilities, are generally presumed to be capable of engaging in gainful employment and the provision of individualized vocational rehabilitation services can improve their ability to become gainfully employed.

(B) Individuals with disabilities must be provided the opportunities to obtain gainful employment in integrated settings.

(C) Individuals who are applicants for such programs or eligible to participate in such programs must be active and full partners in the vocational rehabilitation process, making meaningful and informed choices--

(i) during assessments for determining eligibility and vocational rehabilitation needs; and

(ii) in the selection of employment outcomes for the individuals, services needed to achieve the outcomes, entities providing such services, and the methods used to secure such services.

(D) Families and other natural supports can play important roles in the success of a vocational rehabilitation program, if the individual with a disability involved requests, desires, or needs such supports.

(E) Vocational rehabilitation counselors that are trained and prepared in accordance with State policies and procedures as described in section 101(a)(7)(B) (referred to individually in this title as a "qualified vocational rehabilitation counselor"), other qualified rehabilitation personnel, and other qualified personnel facilitate the accomplishment of the employment outcomes and objectives of an individual.

(F) Individuals with disabilities and the individuals' representatives are full partners in a vocational rehabilitation program and must be involved on a regular basis and in a meaningful manner with respect to policy development and implementation.

(G) Accountability measures must facilitate the accomplishment of the goals and objectives of the program, including providing vocational rehabilitation services to, among others, individuals with the most significant disabilities.

 

Goal B: We will provide opportunity for employment consistent with client's capacities, abilities and choice.

 

Strategies			Timeline
1	Increase qualified staff	Ongoing
1.1	Realize comprehensive system of personnel development requirements for qualified staff	September, 2006
1.2	Increase personnel cap to 525 full time equivalents	July, 2006
1.3	Increase rehabilitation counselor complement to 175 counselors to meet unmet need and to reduce average caseload size to 150	Increase by 8 counselors per year through June 30, 2006
1.4	Employ an additional four Rehabilitation Engineers	One by March, 2002, additional as positions become available
1.5	Increase skills of job placement professionals through development and implementation of credentialing	Ongoing
1.5.1	Explore and establish guidelines for credentialing	March, 2002
1.5.2	Implement training and timelines for credentialing	January, 2003
1.5.3	Job placement professionals are credentialed	September, 2006 and Ongoing
1.6	Increase diversity of staff by recruiting and hiring individuals with most significant and significant disabilities	Ongoing
1.7	Increase diversity of staff by recruiting and hiring individuals from minority populations	Ongoing
1.8	Increase diversity of staff by recruiting and hiring qualified bilingual individuals	Ongoing
2	Cause supported employment services availability statewide	July, 2003
2.1	Target rural areas for supported employment innovations and programming	Increase by 5% per year the number of rural supported employment providers; Ongoing
2.2	Increase supported employment outcomes in districts and at Carl D. Perkins Comprehensive Rehabilitation Center (CDPCRC) by expanding supported employment programming	Increase positive outcomes incrementally through 2006
2.3	Explore the possibility of utilizing the Boston model for supported employment	Report January, 2002
2.4	Assess efficacy of hiring and managing job coaches at increased pay levels, including job coaches in community based work transition and supported employment	June, 2003
2.5	Establish standards for job coaches	June 2003
3	Increase positive employment outcomes, particularly for individuals with the most significant disabilities	Ongoing
3.1	Increase job placement outcomes in districts and CDPCRC by expanding the preparing adults for competitive employment (PACE) program	Ongoing
3.2	Plan and sponsor annual employer recognition dinners	Implement annually
3.3	Continue conversion of selected, existing positions to innovative, essential positions in keeping with commitment to serve Kentuckians with the most significant disabilities	Ongoing
4	Develop teams centered around rehabilitation engineering to enhance efficient, quality provision of assistive technology	By May, 2002
5	Develop additional vendors for driver rehabilitation technology program	Exploration complete by April, 2002
6	Develop goals and strategies for rehabilitation technologists, job placement specialists, and PACE as related to the strategic plan for the Department	October 2002
7	Explore outcome-based payment system for school to work transition programs	June 2002

GOAL II

 

Strategies		Timeline
1	Determine eligibility in an average of 45 days, no greater than 1% variation in 60 days to eligibility determination per caseload		December, 2001
2	Increase the number of consumers achieving a positive employment outcome who earn $10.00 or more per hour with good benefits		Increase by 2% per year
2.1	Enable computerized job match/search at the local level with ability for employers and staff to post jobs		December, 2004
2.2	Install universal work stations in every office for consumer use		District offices by September, 2002; additional ten offices each year through 2006
2.3	Explore greater credit for quality employment outcomes with Kentuckians with the most significant disabilities		December, 2003
2.4	Add Job Placement and Rehabilitation Technology instruction sections to the Service Delivery Manual		June, 2002
3	Increase communication among all staff through computer networking e.g. email, intranet, video conferencing, etc.		Accomplish video conferencing by September, 2003; Emphasis on intranet and email ongoing
4	Explore giving ½ credit for post employment cases		Report October, 2002
5	Enhance staff skills in the area of employment follow-up		June 2002
6	Enhance job placement retention efforts by implementing Retaining A Valued Employee (RAVE)		March, 2002

GOAL III

 

Strategies		Timeline
1	Provide more specialized inservice training, more timely training, more training availability, and more local training		Ongoing
1.1	Conduct consumer needs assessment and design staff training to meet those needs		April, 2003, April, 2005
1.2	Train all staff on vocational rehabilitation history, mission, and values		September, 2003
1.3	Plan and implement statewide inservice training conference on job placement		June, 2002
1.4	Locate or develop dynamic, state of the art training in creative, innovative job placements of individuals with the most significant disabilities		June, 2002
1.5	Identify or develop training for staff in specific disability(ies) including but not limited to mental health, spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, deafness, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, developmental disabilities, diabetes		Ongoing
1.6	Train job placement professionals in skills specific to unique job tasks		June, 2003
1.7	Develop and implement training on rehabilitation technology assessment, vocational assessment, transferable skills and job accommodations		June, 2002
1.8	Train staff in Ticket to Work Incentives Improvement Act (TWIIA), Supplemental Security Income(SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance(SSDI) and Plan for Achieving Self Support (PASS)		January, 2003
1.9	Identify or develop training to upgrade skills and information for counselors engaged in mental health caseloads		May, 2003
1.10	Develop and implement training on casework documentation, fiscal responsibility, informed choice, negotiation skills, confidentiality		March, 2002
1.11	Enhance and improve counselor skills in transition		Ongoing
1.12	Develop training on innovative and creative methods for maximizing positive employment outcomes in rural communities		June, 2002
1.13	Train all staff in personal futures planning and self determination		Ongoing
1.14	Continue to conduct staff training needs assessments and design training to meet those needs		Ongoing
1.15	Secure state of the art, cutting edge speakers, trainers for seminars, professional conferences, etc.		June, 2002 and Ongoing
1.16	Utilize staff to provide local training in area of expertise		Ongoing
2	Practice continuous improvement in management and administration		Ongoing
2.1	Identify and utilize the unique skills of all department staff		Ongoing
2.2	Develop database of staff and team skills and expertise		September, 2002
2.3	Realize performance based job positions and functions to achieve equity		September, 2002
2.4	Develop training for field administrators and administrative staff to achieve effective, consistent leadership		December, 2001
2.5	Perfect performance evaluation as a training and mentoring tool		January, 2002
2.6	Evaluate the effectiveness of part-time and team management		September, 2002
2.7	Assess and revise field administrators’ responsibilities to insure that staff needs are being met fairly and consistently		September, 2002
2.8	Field test revised Skills Enhancement Training with full and part time field administrators to evaluate efficacy		January, 2002
2.9	Improve Team Review to Advance Counselor Skills and Knowledge (TRACKS) to ameliorate casework weaknesses and accentuate strengths		Ongoing
3	Maximize utilization of fiscal resources		Ongoing
3.1	Develop mechanism for counselors to carry over conserved, unspent funds remaining in caseload budget		July, 2002
3.2	Conduct local training on policy development, Kentucky administrative regulations, administrative management to include fiscal issues		April, 2003
3.3	Review Social Security Administration (SSA) reimbursement incentive program to insure equity for all staff		January, 2003
3.4	Explore cost benefit of part-time, job-sharing, floating, telecommuting options for staff		June, 2002
3.5	Replace outdated PCs with docking laptops for positions which routinely require travel		25% June, 2002 25% September, 2003 25% September, 2004 25% September, 2005   25% September 2005
3.6	Explore the use of Blackboard to expand training opportunities through video conferencing and WEB based training		WEB based Ethics January, 2003, WEB based Council orientation June, 2003, and additional ongoing
3.7	Provide field access to CMS via modems to achieve timely casework		July, 2003
3.8	Develop comparable benefits manual on Department INTRANET and update quarterly		June, 2002
3.9	Explore voice recognition technology for staff		February, 2002
4.0	Upgrade physical plant		Ongoing
4.1	Continue the realization of remodeling, redesigning or relocating to achieve more accessible and productive work places		Ongoing
4.2	Upgrade Carl D. Perkins Comprehensive Rehabilitation Center (CDPCRC) facilities		Ongoing
4.3	Achieve timely leases		Ongoing
4.4	Include adequate maintenance in all leases		Ongoing

GOAL IV

 

Strategies		Timeline
1	Assist Kentuckians with disabilities to be self advocacy experts		Ongoing
1.1	Conduct a statewide advocacy conference		September, 2002 September, 2004 September, 2006
1.2	Support, encourage and fund local/district advocacy efforts		September, 2003 September, 2005
1.3	Support an annual legislative advocacy event		Ongoing
1.4	Develop materials to sponsor or conduct consumer advocacy training programs to empower consumers to practice self advocacy		September, 2002 and Ongoing
1.5	Sponsor or conduct consumer advocacy training programs to empower consumers to practice self advocacy		September, 2002 and Ongoing
1.6	Develop a consumer empowerment link on the Department’s WEB page		September, 2002
2	Continue to invite participation of Kentuckians with disabilities at all training conferences sponsored by the Department		Ongoing
3	Provide organizational leadership in advocacy for rights and options of Kentuckians with disabilities		Ongoing
3.1	Support disability related legislative initiatives		Ongoing
3.2	Provide Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) technical assistance to employers, and state, local, county government		Ongoing
4	Research consumer demographics to insure advocacy efforts reach all Kentuckians with disabilities		February, 2003
5	Conduct an annual consumer satisfaction survey and conduct an annual satisfaction survey of CDPCRC consumers and referring counselors		July, 2002 and Ongoing
6	Ensure responsiveness of the Department to consumer needs and desires through inclusion of Kentuckians with disabilities on advisory councils, committees, task forces and in public hearings		Ongoing
7	Staff and fund the Statewide Council for Vocational Rehabilitation (SCVR)		Ongoing
7.1	Provide orientation to SCVR members		June, 2002 and Ongoing
7.2	Support and encourage advocacy efforts of SCVR		Ongoing
8	Staff Statewide Independent Living Council		Ongoing
9	Incorporate advocacy training as part of the curriculum at CDPCRC		September, 2002
10	Incorporate graduate and community members in CDPCRC consumer advisory group and include recommendations in the policy making process		March, 2002
11	Promote integration of consumers at CDPCRC		Ongoing
12	Advocate for long term follow up funding for supported employment		Immediate and Ongoing
13	Continue to support professional organizations, e.g. Kentucky Rehabilitation Association (KRA), Association of Persons in Supported Employment (APSE)		Ongoing
14	Conduct public hearings to collect consumer comment and recommendations for improvement and incorporate in the policy making process		Ongoing

GOAL V

 

Strategies		Timeline
1	Achieve Medicaid buy-in		July, 2002
2	Improve communication and collaboration among Department, Department of Education (DOE) and local school districts to facilitate quality transition outcomes.		Ongoing
3	Cross-Training for improved communication, knowledge, and access with Cabinet for Families and Children, Workforce Investment Act (WIA), DOE, One-Stops, Independent Living (IL) Centers, Health Services, Department of Transportation (DOT), Workers’ Compensation, Supported Community Living, Olmstead Act initiatives, TWIIA, Benefits Counseling		Incrementally and Ongoing
4	Establish a mechanism for regular contact with other agencies which facilitates successful rehabilitations		September, 2002
5	Partner with Kentucky Assistive Technology Loan Corporation (KATLC) to enhance consumer access to technology		Ongoing
6	Improve identification and assessment of Kentucky Transitional Assistance Program (K-TAP) recipients with disabilities		March, 2002
7	Enhance One Stop service delivery to Kentuckians with disabilities		Ongoing
7.1	Continue to partner with One-Stops to better serve customers		December, 2001 and Ongoing
7.2	Assess and clarify the role of VR in the One-Stops		November, 2001
7.3	Achieve program and physical plant accessibility for Department consumers to all One Stop services		Immediate and Ongoing
8	Implement user friendly, accessible, efficient Employ Kentucky Operating System (EKOS) that protects confidentiality		October, 2002
9	Develop rural job opportunities in partnership with Economic Development		May, 2002
10	Achieve visibility in the community through collaboration and communication		Ongoing
11	Pursue reduced tuition rates with postsecondary education		February, 2002

 

Strategies		Timeline
1	Establish viable, state of the art, 21st century training programs at CDPCRC		August, 2002
1.1	Explore innovative programs for developmental classes for individuals with different disability groups at CDPCRC (i.e. deafness, learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder, traumatic brain injury, etc.)		July, 2002
1.2	Develop state of the art customer service training program for CDPCRC consumers		July, 2003
1.3	Establish CDPCRC satellite training/assessment throughout the state		July, 2004
1.4	Explore possibility of expanding the CDPCRC External Diploma Program throughout the state through video conferencing or other technology		July, 2004
1.5	Develop innovative summer program for individuals with learning disabilities at CDPCRC		July, 2002
1.6	Offer evening classes designed to meet the employment needs of the area at the CDPCRC		Ongoing
1.7	Explore expanding Lost Customer Project across state		June, 2002
1.8	Develop a transitional independent living component for CDPCRC residents		July, 2002
1.9	Explore and develop collaborative agreement between CDPCRC and Job Corps to achieve high tech training for consumers		January, 2002
1.10	Implement improved collaboration between CDPCRC and the University of Kentucky Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Program		March, 2002
2	Involve employers in Department training		June, 2002 and Ongoing
3	Improve self employment process and outcomes to enhance participation by individuals with the most significant disabilities		Ongoing
3.1	Collaborate with Kentucky Developmental Disabilities Council to create self employment model		June, 2002
4	Actively engage in the Business Leadership Network		Ongoing
5	Continue to implement Deaf Access System		Ongoing
6	Implement pilot projects for quality vocational rehabilitation service delivery to Kentuckians with the most significant disabilities		October, 2001
7	Establish a mentoring program to assist staff with difficult cases		July, 2002
8	Develop a model project for consumer operated transportation providers		September, 2005
9	Identify innovative programs in other states and emulate		September, 2003
10	Explore the development of a program for individuals who are deaf at CDPCRC, consider the Texas program as a model		July, 2002
11	Investigate feasibility of using video modeling		February, 2002
12	Establish an innovative program to assist individuals with severe and persistence mental illness transition to the world of work (i.e. shadowing, community based trial work opportunities, etc.)		October, 2002
13	Expand the Migrant Farm Workers’ Program		October, 2001
14	Explore the possibility of utilizing the Boston model for supported employment		January, 2002

GOAL VII

 

Strategies		Timeline
1	Hire a qualified marketing professional to develop effective marketing tools and strategies		October, 2001
2	Develop a comprehensive marketing plan to promote the unique services, success, and cost benefit of the Department		December, 2001 and Ongoing
3	Develop a curriculum to train staff, the Statewide Council for Vocational Rehabilitation, consumers, and advocates on effective marketing techniques		December, 2001
4	Provide success stories to newspapers and other publications both locally and on a statewide basis at least monthly		November, 2001 and Ongoing
5	Develop and provide to staff media and other resources to promote vocational rehabilitation and disability issues at speaking engagements in local communities		March, 2002
6	Develop marketing strategies to target local communities		February, 2002
7	Improve marketing efforts to employers to increase consumer employment opportunities		June, 2002
8	Target marketing efforts toward local, state, and federal officials to secure additional funds and improve public awareness		January, 2002 and Ongoing
9	Educate consumers, advocacy groups, service providers and educational institutions on the benefits of vocational rehabilitation services to increase referrals and improve collaboration		June, 2002 and Ongoing
10	Provide data on number of qualified, job-ready consumers available for work to labor and economic development to aid in attracting business to rural areas		March, 2003
11	Utilize the Rehabilitation Services Administration Region IV Job Placement Video to market to employers		June, 2002
12	Develop a website for employers including easy access to job placement services, information on disability issues, and the benefits of employing individuals with disabilities		June, 2003
13	Develop a marketing strategy to attract potential employees particularly among minorities, individuals with disabilities, certified rehabilitation counselors, and those with specialized skills and credentials		February, 2002
14	Coordinate with SSA to provide accurate, attractive marketing of the Department to individuals with disabilities who apply for SSI/SSDI		October, 2002
15	Develop or update Department and CDPCRC marketing videos, brochures, posters, etc.		Posters March, 2002 Brochures December, 2001 Videos September, 2002 Ongoing
16	Market the economic benefits of bringing $78.00 in federal dollars into the Commonwealth for every $22.00 in state dollars		Ongoing

GOAL VIII

 

Strategies		Timeline
1	Establish timely, specialized effective training for new employees		November, 2001
1.1	Implement Department training component of Cabinet’s new employee orientation		October, 2001
1.2	Establish a mentoring program for new counselors		July, 2002
2	Establish a leadership succession program		July, 2002
3	Provide job-shadowing opportunities for employees to explore different job opportunities in the Department		September, 2002
4	Encourage, assist, financially support and facilitate easy access for staff in obtaining and maintaining professional certification		Ongoing
5	Review all job classes and salaries to determine equity		January, 2002
6	Study the classification system and opportunity for advancement		April, 2002
7	Improve employee salaries and incentives		December, 2002 and Ongoing
8	Establish guidelines and budget to implement recognition programs for all levels of staff		November, 2001
9	Develop, conduct, and compile information from exit interviews for all positions for continuous improvement		December, 2001and Ongoing
10	Advocate for improved health and dental benefits		January, 2002 and Ongoing

GOAL IX

 

Strategies		Timeline
1	Conduct a comprehensive review of expenditures and cost benefits to distribute resources more effectively and Improve the quality of Department delivered and purchased services 1.		October, 2001 and Ongoing
2	Reprogram consumer management system (CMS) to include data on specific services delivered, i.e. supported employment, job placement, rehabilitation technology, PACE, CDPCRC, assessment		July, 2002
2.1	Track rehabilitation technology, job placement and other Department provided services		July, 2002
3	Assess staffing patterns to ensure optimum service delivery (job placement, rehabilitation technology, etc.) and realign or increase/decrease staff as necessary		Ongoing
4	Continue efforts to decrease indirect costs		October, 2001 and Ongoing
5	Develop an equitable system for distribution of caseload budget monies to reward good caseload stewards with additional caseload funds		October, 2001 and Ongoing
6	Conduct a comprehensive review of the Driver Rehabilitation Technology Program to improve services and efficiency.		July, 2003
7	Utilize standards and indicators to improve quality positive employment outcomes		October, 2001 and Ongoing

GOAL X

 

	Strategies		Timeline
1		Actively pursue grants for additional funds		November, 2001 and Ongoing
2		Review and update fees charged by the Department (rehabilitation technology, CDPCRC, depositions, etc.)		May, 2002
3		Identify Department services that can generate revenues		May, 2002
4		Actively pursue all possible alternative funding sources for services, e.g., Department of Education		January, 2002
5		Target marketing efforts toward local, state, and federal officials to secure additional funds and improve public awareness		January, 2002 and Ongoing
6		Pursue, explore, and develop corporate sponsorship		June, 2002
7		Explore creation and implementation of a not-for-profit foundation chartered to support CDPCRC and consumers		July, 2003
8		Leverage more SSA money through marketing		January, 2002
9		Maximize utilization of Workforce Investment Act (WIA) dollars		January, 2002