1. Job-Driven Technical Assistance Center (JD-VRTAC): Connecticut Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind Using LMI to Improve Client Employment Outcomes: Connecticut BESB's JD-VRTAC Project 
Presenters:
Mary Burgard, VR Supervisor
Julie McLean, Rehabilitation Teacher
Jonathan Richmond, Business Consultant 1

2. Webinar Objectives
Explain JD-VRTAC goals, partners, TA, and Learning Collaborative
Describe, explain, and share Connecticut BESB’s:
Background/services
JD-VRTAC project background
JD-VRTAC project purpose & goals
JD-VRTAC project implementation
JD-VRTAC project accomplishments
Challenges & lessons learned from Connecticut BESB JD-VRTAC project
Current status of JD-VRTAC project
Share what was most helpful from the TA and Learning Collaborative throughout this process
Share next steps, future direction, & goals 2

3. JD-VRTAC Goals
Improve skills of state VR agency staff, other rehab professionals & providers of VR services, who are trained to provide “job-driven” VR services & supports to PWD, employers & customized training providers.
Four Topic Areas:
Business Engagement
Employer Supports
Labor Market Information (LMI)
Customized Training Providers 3

4. JD-VRTAC Partners
Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI), Univ. of Massachusetts/Boston
In Partnership with:
Jobs for the Future (JFF)
Univ. of Arkansas/CURRENTS
Univ. of Washington
Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR)
United States Business Leadership Network (USBLN)
Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD)
In Collaboration with:
National Council of State Agencies for the Blind (NCSAB)
Technical Assistance Center Collaborative 4

5. JD-VRTAC Technical Assistance
The JD-VRTAC provides 3 types of TA:
Intensive: 11 VR agencies participated in Cohort 1 of the center’s Intensive TA and 8 agencies will participate in Cohort 2 of the center’s Intensive TA. Agencies receiving Intensive TA become members of a Learning Collaborative to share strategies and solutions.
Targeted: Several agencies have requested targeted TA related to one of the four job-driven topical areas. Additionally, the Center is hosting communities of practice and forums on relevant issues.
Universal: The Center hosts and archives webinars on topics related to the four job-driven topical areas and presents project information at CSAVR and NCSAB.  5

6. JD-VRTAC Learning Collaborative
As part of receiving intensive TA, states attended 2-3 in-person Learning Collaborative meetings to provide project updates, collaborate across agencies, and participate in discussions
Learning Collaborative states participate in conference calls with their cohort to discuss job-driven topics
18 state VR agencies are part of the JD-VRTAC Learning Collaborative 6

7. Connecticut BESB Background and Services
Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind (BESB) is part of the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS)
BESB has 4 major Divisions: 1) Adult Services, 2) Children Services, 3) Business Enterprise Program, and 4) Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
BESB serves approximately 3,000 active clients with 100 staff.
VR has approximately 850 clients with 17 staff 7

8. Connecticut BESB JD-VRTAC Project Background
New WIOA requirements and measurements (paperwork, partners with employers)
High Case loads: 100 clients/counselor
VR Counselors and clients not accessing LMI to make viable career goals
Not having qualified and prepared clients for employer’s job openings 8

9. Connecticut BESB JD-VRTAC Project Purpose and Goals
Increase VR Counselors’ knowledge and systematic use of LMI
Decrease in the number of clients choosing careers without good job prospects
Help counselors plan educational and career pathways that meet both individuals who are blinds’ needs and business needs
Project goals 9

10. Connecticut BESB JD-VRTAC Project Implementation
Reviewed all VR processes with staff and looked at ways to streamline paperwork
Conducted a pre-survey to assess counselors current knowledge of using LMI
Researched, reviewed, and chose LMI data source
Provided VR counselors LMI professional development through multiple sources
Established a single point of contact for the Career Index Plus 10

11. Connecticut BESB JD-VRTAC Project Accomplishments
Streamlined paperwork and processes in VR
Rolled out the use of Career Index Plus 8 months ago
Conducted a post survey on the use of LMI
All staff are using the Career Index Plus for developing career goals and IPEs
Sent a mailing to all clients informing them about how to access The Career Index Plus and encouraging them to call for training
Assigned a Rehabilitation Teacher as the point person to train clients to use Career Index Plus 11

12. Case Example 1
Training and preparing to become the single point of contact

13. Case Example 2
Client Training

14. Connecticut BESB JD-VRTAC Challenges and Lessons Learned
Multiple staff retirements
Delay with rolling out Career Index Plus
Streamlining the entire VR paperwork process
Introducing several different types of LMI to counselors 14

15. Connecticut BESB JD-VRTAC Project Today
Counselors continue to refer clients to Rehabilitation Teacher for training on the Career Index Plus
Counselors are using Career Index Plus each with personal goals to increase the use
Adding employer information into PC Recruiters to access for clients later
Continue reviewing and implementing new processes and streamlining paperwork 15

16. What was most helpful about receiving TA?
Assistance evaluating VR needs
Guidance with prioritizing needed changes
Leaning about different LMI resources which counselors are using to assist clients with making better career choices
Having clients learn and use the Career Index Plus to establish a career goal
Attending out-of-state cohort meetings (Learning Collaboratives) to learn best practices from other states. 16

17. Next Steps, Future Directions, and Goals
Make Career Index Plus fully accessible to individuals who are legally blind
Continue to assess staff’s knowledge of current LMI and use of the Career Index Plus
Increase client ability to independently research job occupations
Set employer engagement objectives 17

18. Questions? 18

19. Contact Information
Connecticut BESB Agency Presenter Contact Information:
Mary Burgard:
Jonathan Richmond:
Julie McLean:
JD-VRTAC TA Contact Information:
Vito DeSantis:
Dana Jefferson: 19