1. HOW TO EFFECTIVELY PARTNER WITH STATE DEPARTMENTS OF REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR ENHANCED OUTCOMES Melinda Fruendt, DRS Project Coordinator Linda Jaco, Oklahoma AgrAbility Co-Director Sandra Stevenson, Oklahoma AgrAbility Program Manager

2. Why Partner with DRS State Agency charged with assisting clients (including farmers/ranchers with disabilities) meet their vocational goals DRS receives State and Federal funds to provide needed assistive technology / accommodations to individuals with disabilities in meeting their career objectives Oklahoma AgrAbility built and maintained a relationship with DRS Administration (i.e. Director, VR/VS Division Administrators)

3. Memorandum Of Understanding Definition of a MOU is to formalize an agreement on paper 2006 Oklahoma AgrAbility Work Plan included the MOU as a formalized mechanism for expanded collaboration between Oklahoma AgrAbility and DRS Oklahoma AgrAbilitys long term goal was to contract with DRS with the intent of a fee for service

4. MOU FRAME WORK PURPOSE CURRENT STATUS ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE SCOPE UNDERSTANDING ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES PROJECTED OUTCOMES

5. ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE Collaboration on policy changes to reduce employment barriers Public relations outreach (video, legislative handouts, calendars, etc…) Excess of $350,000 AT expenditures, to date Achievements updated each year when MOU is renewed to identify accomplishments Guidance Technical Assistance Document located on DRS Intranet System

6. ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE DRS Academy Training – New Field Staff DRS represented on OK AgrAbility Advisory Council DRS CADRE Participates at National AgrAbility Conference DRS CADRE Participates in Annual AgrAbility Awareness Day at the State Capitol DRS CADRE Assists with Annual OK AgrAbility Fall Conference

7. MILESTONE CONTRACT 1. On-Farm Site Assessment Fee $2,500 Farm culture/routines/health issues Work environment complexity in relation to disability Work performance Farm machinery and tools Recommendations for assistive technology Comprehensive written evaluation Effective October 2010 2. Successful Case Closure Fee $1,500 Assist with development of specialized self-employment plans Coordinate vendors, resources, referrals

8. CONTACT INFORMATION MELINDA FRUENDT DRS Project Coordinator mfruendt@okdrs.gov LINDA JACO Oklahoma AgrAbility Co-Director linda.jaco@okstate.edu SANDRA STEVENSON Oklahoma AgrAbility Program Manager sandra.stevenson@okstate.edu

9. PROJECT INFORMATION Oklahoma AgrAbility Project Office: 405.744.5182 Toll Free/TTD: 888.885.5588 Fax: 405.744.2487 http://agrability.okstate.edu