Welcome to Southeast TACE Webinar Real Time Captioning Helpful Tips Captioning is available through the webinar system - Select the “CC” button on the top of your screen to turn-on captioning Captioning will begin 10 minutes prior to webinar start Put captioning & webinar windows side by side Southeast TACE, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 2011 All Rights Reserved Start Time: 2:00 pm (Eastern) / 1:00 pm (Central) Sound Check: Periodically you should hear a moderator speak. Check and adjust your volume as needed before the webinar. **You may listen to the audio through your computer speakers or call the phone conference bridge number below. Questions or Help? Type them in the text chat area. Improving Employment Outcomes for Individuals with the Most Significant Disabilities January 27, 2011 Phone Conference Bridge Toll Call: [voice] Helpful Tips Use the Phone Bridge if unable to hear sound Dial in min. before webinar Mute your phone line so other’s will not hear participants’ incidental noises

Improving Employment Outcomes for Individuals with the Most Significant Disabilities How Can You Establish a Climate that is Excited about Serving Individuals with the Most Significant Disabilities Abby Cooper Kennedy Douglas Consulting January 27, 2011

Southeast TACE: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 2011 All Rights Reserved 3 Webinar Series: Serving Individuals with Most Significant Disabilities Helping Your Team Improve Employment Outcomes 1. How Can You Establish a Climate that is Excited about Serving Individuals with the Most Significant Disabilities January Impact of How VRCs View Individuals with the Most Significant Disabilities on their Caseload February Approaches to Understanding What an Individual Has to Offer an Employer March Steps of Customized Job Development Whether Developing Job Yourself or Contracting with a CRP May 5, Self-Employment as a Viable Option for Individuals with the Most Significant Disabilities June 9, 2011

Southeast TACE: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 2011 All Rights Reserved 4 Areas to be Covered The tension between what Vocational Rehabilitation values and the reality of serving individuals with complexities. Supporting VRCs. The role support services can play. Ideas on restructuring work to allow for more success.

Southeast TACE: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 2011 All Rights Reserved 5 The Elephant in the Room What does your agency value? Successful Closures Individuals who have transferable skills Individuals with marketable skills Education Costly cases Lengthy, time consuming cases Wasting public dollars

Southeast TACE: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 2011 All Rights Reserved 6 The Problem Public Vocation Rehabilitation was established on a labor market approach helping injured veterans return to work. The process tends to first look at transferable skills, if transferable skills do not result in employment,then the system will retrain and/or provide new skills, along with counseling and guidance that are expected to result in employment. The client is to follow the plan and obtain employment in a reasonable time frame. This approach has worked for many VR clients but it has not worked well for individuals with the most significant disability.

Southeast TACE: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 2011 All Rights Reserved 7 Complexity of Today’s Caseload There are increasing number of individuals who have multiple needs related to their disability. These needs impact their ability to be successful.  Individuals who return to VR – with lack of support  Individuals who get stuck- they have completed education/training but did not become employed  Individuals who are closed when the severity of their disability gets in the way of developing a plan  Who “failed to cooperate” and drifted away

Southeast TACE: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 2011 All Rights Reserved 8 The Beauty of Vocational Rehabilitation The Rehabilitation Act has created one of the most flexible systems to meet client needs. There really is not anything a VRC or supervisor can not do to assist a client to obtain or maintain employment (if it is legal) That does not mean it will be easy. Multiple exceptions to policies may need to be requested but there is the ability to provide the right assistance.

Southeast TACE: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 2011 All Rights Reserved 9 Successful Employment Successful employment for individuals with significant disabilities requires the ability to see the positive and build on it.

Southeast TACE: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 2011 All Rights Reserved 10 Conflicts within the VR System The more closure you obtain the better your evaluation VR's role is help person's with disabilities to obtain or maintain employment Lack of support to help think through what the person could do AT, tasks, negotiation skills, self-employment Few CRPs are skilled at placing individuals with significant disabilities Many individuals with significant disabilities have complex issues that take time to resolve prior to placement There is a growing expectation that everyone can and should work, yet there is limited training on how to make that happen Speed and effective plans are important to being successful VRS. Yet many of the tools VRCs have available do not work well for complex individuals

Southeast TACE: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 2011 All Rights Reserved 11 Understanding Resistance & Fear No one becomes a VRC: To do a rotten job To wreck some one’s life To ensure people do not obtain employment To do endless seas of paperwork Understanding VRC Concerns Fear of failure Lack of knowledge Lack of success Not believing it is their role Not being able to picture the person working

Southeast TACE: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 2011 All Rights Reserved 12 Current Conflict The VR system has struggled with how to be successful with complex individuals. That has resulted in at least two very different perspectives: One is the belief that people need to be “job ready” and that some individuals can not work or are not appropriate for VR services. Yet the Rehabilitation Act requires that “clear and convincing evidence” is shown why the person can not work. This is against the back drop of “employment for all policies”.

Southeast TACE: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 2011 All Rights Reserved 13 Perspectives The other perspective is, it is VR’s job to figure how to make employment work for individuals. Depending on your perspective you approach how services are provided very differently. If as a VRC I believe it my job to help you figure out what you can do? Then I am open to trying an array of ideas. If as a VRC I believe is it the client’s role to prove to me what he or she can do? I am more prone to test.

Southeast TACE: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 2011 All Rights Reserved 14 Being Able to See Both Sides The VR system is set up to first focus on the applicant’s impediments to employment in order to find the person eligible for VR services. After eligibility to focus on the person’s unique strengths, abilities and interest. The difficulty for some VRCs is seeing past the disabilities to the unique strengths when working with an individual with the most significant disability.

Southeast TACE: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 2011 All Rights Reserved 15 How Supervisors Can Help Do not let people complain how difficult or impossible a case is. Always ask:  What would it take to make this work?  Whose help do we need?  What resource do we need to establish? VRCs tend to be good problem solvers. It is important as leaders we view placing individuals with the most significant disabilities as a solvable puzzle. “What can you do with this case that will increase your belief employment is possible?” “What would it take to make this work?”

Southeast TACE: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 2011 All Rights Reserved 16 How Supervisors Can Help It is important as a supervisor you provide your counselors with a picture of what a placement could look like. To help VRCs see the positive side and possibilities. That means with all the other things you have to do you also must keep informed of new approaches and developments in rehabilitation.

Southeast TACE: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 2011 All Rights Reserved 17 Helping Your VRCs No one cannot be expected to be “experts” in all areas of services and supports, such as:  Assistive Technology  Benefit Counseling  Independent living Can you create a case counseling review?  Could VRCs be able to present complex cases to the agencies experts for ideas and supports?  The experts help with the development of an action plan for the individual. Can preplans be done that are shorter than IPE but lay the foundation for success?

Southeast TACE: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 2011 All Rights Reserved 18 How do Staff get the Support They Need? Few VRCs have extra time. Serving individuals with complexities can be time consuming. Can you pull together a team within your unit or between units that have a variety of expertise that are willing to brainstorm difficult cases? The brainstorming could occur in person or online.

Southeast TACE: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 2011 All Rights Reserved 19 Who Should be Involved? Would you want any of your CRPs or other agencies to be part of that discussion? Would your agency be willing to set up a community of practice that focuses on individuals with significant disabilities

Southeast TACE: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 2011 All Rights Reserved 20 Using Your Unit Meetings In order for VRCs to provide effective services to individuals with the most significant disabilities they need current information. At your unit meetings can agency experts present on:  Advancements in Assistive Technology  Understanding SSA Work Incentives  The importance of having a Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP)  What businesses in your community are re-entry employers

Southeast TACE: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 2011 All Rights Reserved 21 What Can Be Restructured? VRCs could partner with each other or a CRP to run a discovery group as an alternative to assessment. Discovery groups help individuals identify the contributions they can offer an employer, their conditions for employment and the tasks they would like to do for pay. The Discovery group could lay the foundation for an effective IPE.

Southeast TACE: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 2011 All Rights Reserved 22 What Can Be Restructured? (part 2) Utilizes a team concept for service delivery for individuals with significant disabilities. VRCs maintain responsibility for the core rehabilitation functions of eligibility certification, for goal planning, and the development of the original IPE. Routine details regarding additional services and case management, could become the duty of a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Assistant (VRCA) working under the instruction of a VRC.

Southeast TACE: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 2011 All Rights Reserved 23 What Can Be Restructured? (part 3) Clients would maintain the ability to access a VRC and receive counseling supports to appropriately obtain a successful rehabilitation outcome. Clients, would also have other staff members to turn to for more routine needs and supports.

Southeast TACE: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 2011 All Rights Reserved 24 What about Lack of Resources? Not every community has CRPs that can place individuals with the most significant disabilities. How can you develop and expand your communities ability to place individuals with the most significant disabilities? Do you need to develop a task force made up of partners to determine what training and supports are needed? VR frequently is just one piece of the puzzle in obtaining successful closures. Do your VRCs know what MOUs are in place?

Southeast TACE: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 2011 All Rights Reserved 25 Not Everyone Succeeds Is there a clear criteria in your unit when to close a case or are there cases that have had no progress for years but still remain open? Can you put a system in place where:  The VRC identifies the reason for lack of progress  A list of strategies are developed to address the problem  If progress is not shown in a designated time frame the case is closed

Southeast TACE: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 2011 All Rights Reserved 26 Questions What in today’s presentation made sense to you? What did not? What can you implement soon to assist your VRCs? What additional information do you need?

Southeast TACE: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 2011 All Rights Reserved 27 Comments & Questions

Southeast TACE: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 2011 All Rights Reserved 28 Contact Information Abby Cooper Kennedy Douglas Consulting Phone: (206)

Southeast TACE: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 2011 All Rights Reserved 29 THANK YOU!

Southeast TACE: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 2011 All Rights Reserved 30 TACE Center: Region IV Toll-free: (866) [voice/tty] Fax: (404) Web: TACEsoutheast.org My TACE Portal: TACEsoutheast.org/myportal

Southeast TACE: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 2011 All Rights Reserved 31 Education Credits CRCC Credit - (pending) Approved by Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) By Friday, February 4, 2011, participants must score 80% or better on a online Post Test and submit an online CRCC Request Form via the MyTACE Portal. CEU Credit - (pending) Approved by the University College at Syracuse University By Friday, February 4, 2011, participants must submit an online CEU Request Form via the MyTACE Portal. My TACE Portal: TACEsoutheast.org/myportalTACEsoutheast.org/myportal **For CRCC credit, you must reside in the 8 U.S. Southeast states served by the TACE Region IV [AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN]. If beyond TACE Region IV, you may apply for CEU credit.

Southeast TACE: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 2011 All Rights Reserved 32 Upcoming Webinar Impact of How VRCs View Individuals with the Most Significant Disabilities on their Caseload February 24, 2011 Abby Cooper

Southeast TACE: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 2011 All Rights Reserved 33 Disclaimer This presentation was developed by the TACE Center: Region IV ©2010 with funds from the U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) under the priority of Technical Assistance and Continuing Education Projects (TACE) – Grant #H264A However, the contents of this presentation do not necessarily represent the policy of the RSA and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government [34 CFR (b)].

Southeast TACE: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 2011 All Rights Reserved 34 Copyright Information This work is the property of the Southeast TACE Region IV Permission is granted for this material to be shared for non-commercial, educational purposes, provided that this copyright statement appears on the reproduced materials and notice is given that the copying is by permission of the authors. To disseminate otherwise or to republish requires written permission from the authors.