RSA Sponsored Training and Technical Assistance for Older Blind Programs BJ LeJeune, The National Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision (NRTC) at Mississippi State University (MSU) Priscilla Rogers, American Foundation for the Bind (AFB) Doug Bedsaul, NRTC-MSU RSA Grant #H177Z150003

The Collaborative Partners American Foundation for the Blind Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults VisionServe Alliance Stakeholder’s Advisory Council Service Providers Consumers Consultants

Primary Objective of the Grant Implement an effective program: Support DSAs and OIB-funded service providers as they strengthen… fiscal and management practices, comply with program standards, provide and expand independent living services, increase program efficiency, conduct evaluations, and improve outcomes for older individuals who are blind.

Identified Areas of Need Community Outreach Best Practices in the Provision of Services Program Performance including data reporting and analysis Financial Practices including grant administration requirements (CFR 34)

Project 1: Intensive Training for 3 DSAs per year Advisory Council will work with staff to set up criteria for selection of DSAs to receive intensive training and technical assistance each year. A TA Team made up of consultants and NRTC staff will develop and implement a intensive training and TA Program including the development of a plan to improve areas of functioning

Project 2: Electronic Training Online courses, webinars and teleconferences developed by AFB, HKNC and the NRTC Topics include NRTC – Training on administrative practices including the development of 5 courses in and update existing Basics of Blindness AFB – Best Practices in the Older Blind Program and the Basic of Blindness – over 50 courses HKNC – Best practice in working with older adults with vision and hearing loss

Project 3: OIB Collaborative of OIB and related agencies Annual Conference to be held in conjunction with the American Foundation Leadership Conference 2016 – March 3-5 in Arlington, VA 2017 – March 2-4 in Arlington, VA – to be announced Special track on Aging and Vision Loss with special sessions specifically for OIB Program Directors Chapter-2 Listserv from the NRTC

Project 4: Community of Practice To be developed this year as a collaborative of the NRTC, AFB, HKNC and VisionServe Alliance Website that you can join that will include: Tools and instruments including Assessments Curriculum Models of Service Delivery Best Practice Papers Successful program initiatives and projects Opportunities for Mentors, expert assistance and on-going interactions

Project 5: Communication and Dissemination Network To develop alliances with related organizations to promote their training and technical assistance among OIB Program and to promote our training and TA among their programs Promote ways to outreach underserved groups including those representing minorities, rural settings and seniors at risk

Project 6: Evaluation Activities to promote quality training and TA throughout the project and to ensure outcome goals are met. Use of Knowledge Acquisition Activities, Goal Attainment, Logic Models and short, intermediate and long range outcomes.

OIB NEEDS ASSESSMENT A Clicker Adventure…

Clicker Test Question: What is your Gender? 1. Male 2. Female

What is your position? 1. OIB Program Director (main responsibility) 2. OIB Program Director (one of many other responsibilities) 3. Administrator 4. Direct Service Provider 5. Other

How long have you been in your current position? 1. Less than 2 Years Years years 4. More than 10 years

Which best describes your program goal? 1. To assist older blind individuals to become as independent as possible. 2. To provide a multifaceted program of support and encouragement. 3. To provide targeted instruction to empower older blind persons to become their own advocates. 4. To provide the necessary services to help older blind individuals stay in their own homes or apartments. 5. Other

How do you evaluate your program success? 1. Comprehensive External Program Evaluation 2. Internal evaluation conducted by grants and contracts officer (monitoring) 3. Conduct an annual consumer satisfaction survey 4. Use measurable objectives to determine if we reach outcome goals 5. Stakeholder Advisory Council Provides feedback 6. We do not conduct a program evaluation.

How do you use your evaluation results? 1. Management Team analyzes and acts on them. 2. Stakeholder Advisory Board reviews and recommends changes 3. Used for administrative justification and budget allocation 4. Used to report on the 7-OB 5. Other

What do you think is your primary training/TA need? 1. Training in how to manage and administrate the program effectively 2. Assistance in finding qualified personnel 3. Training current personnel in best practices of service delivery 4. A more effective community outreach program 5. Understanding various models of service delivery, and how to best structure our program 6. Help in working with Subcontractors 7. Other

What would be your next most pressing need? 1. Training in how to manage and administrate the program effectively 2. Assistance in finding qualified personnel 3. Training current personnel in best practices of service delivery 4. A more effective community outreach program 5. Understanding various models of service delivery 6. Help in working with Subcontractors 7. More financial and personnel resources 8. Other

What best describes your primary case service workers? 1. Vision Rehabilitation Therapists 2. Orientation & Mobility Specialists 3. Social Workers 4. Case managers with a blindness background 5. Case mangers with no blindness background 6. Occupational Therapists 7. None of the above 8. A mix of the above

Where do you provide instructional services? 1. Consumer’s home 2. In small short-term community based groups 3. At rehabilitation center 4. Through support groups 5. Combinations depending on need

If you feel you need assistance…. Please contact us and check out our websites: Coming soon:

Contact Us - NRTC BJ LeJeune, Project Director Kendra Farrow, Research/Training Associate RSA Older Blind Project National Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision Mississippi State University Coming soon:

Contact Us - AFB Priscilla Rogers VisionAware Program Manager American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) Ables Lane Dallas, TX Phone: (214)

Contact us - HKNC Paige Berry, National Coordinator Senior Adult Services Helen Keller National Center C/O: Virginia Commonwealth University Department of Rehabilitation Counseling PO Box Richmond, VA Voice: Video Phone:

Contact us – VisionServe Alliance Roxann Mayros, Executive Director VisionServe Alliance 8760 Manchester Road St. Louis, MO

RSA Project Officer Mary Williams, Project Officer U.S. Department of Education Rehabilitation Services Administration th Street, SW, PCP, Room 5144 Washington, DC