The NET: National Employment Team VR and Business

Kathy West-Evans, MPA, CRC Director of Business Relations Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR) April 30, 2010 Washington TBI Conference 1

Personal and Professional Commitment

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A Life Changes in an Instant

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VR: Career Planning and Employment Outcomes

    Employment outcomes are our responsibility Everyone employed in public VR under Title I of The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended is responsible for: providing VR services to assist the individual to “prepare for and engage in gainful employment.” VR is measured on employment outcomes – the quantity but Employment outcomes also include quality measures – integration, wages and benefits April 30, 2010 Washington TBI Conference 4 4

Hallmarks of the Public VR Program

       80 Agencies State-Federal Partnership Partner Programs: VA and AIR Individualized Focus Holistic Comprehensive Plan: IPE Return on Investment April 30, 2010 Washington TBI Conference 5

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Comprehensive Assessment and Individualized Plan

Medical Assistive Technology Psychological Social Financial Legal Independent Living Education Career Planning and Employment Ongoing Supports April 30, 2010 Washington TBI Conference 6

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Business: The

Other

Customer

The NET - A National Approach to Serving Business Through VR Points of Contact April 30, 2010 Washington TBI Conference 8

The NET Vision Statement

April 30, 2010 To create a “one company” approach to serving business customers through a national VR team that specializes in employer development, business consulting and corporate relations. Washington TBI Conference 9

The NET Benefits by Customer Category

Business will have direct access to the qualified candidates and support services provided by State VR agencies on a national basis.

  VR consumers will have access to national employment opportunities and career development resources.

State VR agencies will have a national system for sharing employment resources, best practices and business connections. April 30, 2010 Washington TBI Conference 10

VR’s History with Business

      1970-80’s – individual state agencies with informal connections , Projects with Industry (PWI) Washington State DVR – Business Relations/ EARN 1988 Multi-State Marketing Conference, Michigan – 14 States: Alabama, Colorado, D.C., Georgia, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, Texas General and Blind, Virginia – General and Blind, Washington and West Virginia 2004 National Employment Conference: RSA/CSAVR – Feedback from Business used to design The NET 2005 Commitment of VR Leadership – CSAVR Staff 2006 Design and Launch The NET April 30, 2010 Washington TBI Conference 11

National Employment Conference 2004: Building with Our Business Customers

       AirTran Airways American Red Cross Bridges, Inc.

Cellular One / Western Wireless CVS/Pharmacy GEICO General Motors, Inc.

         infoUSA Intel The Kennedy Center Lenske’s Clamping Tools, Inc.

Manpower, Inc.

Marriott, Inc.

Motor World Miami University Microsoft Corp .

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National Employment Conference 2004: Building with Our Business Customers

      National Bank of Commerce Oklahoma One-Call System, Inc.

On Our Own Principal Financial Group Raytheon Company Safeway, Inc .

     Social Security Administration SouthTrust Bank – Wachovia, Wells Fargo Starbucks Coffee Company State of Delaware United States Army April 30, 2010 Washington TBI Conference 13

National Employment Conference 2004: Building with Our Business Customers

    U.S. Department of Homeland Security University of Alabama at Birmingham Washington Mutual West Corporation April 30, 2010 Washington TBI Conference 14

The NET: A Customer Driven System

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Dual Customer Focus Customer Driven National in Scope VR as One Company Easily Accessible Network

– Points of Contact – VA Employment Coordinators – Community Partners

Leveraging the Strengths of the National VR System at the Local Level

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  

The NET: VR Consumer’s Benefit

Career opportunities….not just job placements

– understand the business environment and work

culture

– “real time” information incorporated into IPE

planning

– informed choice – internal “champions” – corporate culture – benefits & inclusion

Upward mobility opportunities

– life-long learning – mentors on site

Retention

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The NET: Business Customers Benefit

     

Access to VR as a national system with partnerships built at the local, state and multi-state level based on the needs of the business.

Easy Access to a coordinated national network of VR state points of contact and their community partners Access to a national VR system that delivers quality products and services, is responsive and consistent across states. Access to the largest talent pool of applicants with disabilities in the country.

Access to national VR resources, best practices and technical experts at the national, state and local level VR points of contact that are linked to resources at the local, state, regional and national level.

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NET Key Concept: One Company

    Business expects VR to deliver in multiple locations based on their footprint which could be state, multi-state, national or global.

Business access a national talent pool Business expects to receive high quality services that are consistent in various locations around the country The NET: VR’s 80 agencies working together around this customer base April 30, 2010 Washington TBI Conference 18

The Needs Assessment: Dual Customer

Consumer Vocational Assessment

Medical Psychological Social Financial Legal Assistive Technology Independent Living Education Vocational Individual Plan for Employment (IPE)

Business Needs Assessment

Staff Education Job Site Analysis Job Match (KSAs) Technical Assistance A.T./ Rehab. Engineering Reasonable Accommodation Financial Incentives Retention Services Customer Outreach Marketing Plan with Business

Vocational Rehabilitation: Dual Customer Model

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The NET:VR Business Services Defined by Business Customers • Pre-Employment • •

Internships Training

• HR/Staffing • • • •

Recruitment & Promotion Benefits & Compensation Retention Supports Employee Advisory Services

• Accommodations • •

Work Site Assessment Assistive Technology

• Staff Training • •

Disability Awareness ADA/Employment Laws

• Diversity Programs • EEOC/Affirmative Action April 30, 2010 Washington TBI Conference • Universal Design • • • • •

Contracts Facilities Programs/Services Assistive Technology Information Technology

• Financial Supports • •

WOTC Barrier Removal

• Legal & Compliance • • •

Labor Relations Policy Development Risk Management

• Product Development • Customer Service • Marketing & Outreach 20

The Rest of the Story…

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Empowerment and Self Sufficiency

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Challenging Stereotypes and Attitudinal Barriers

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The Foundations of The Rehabilitation Act

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Qualified Staff A Comprehensive Approach Empowerment and Self-Determination

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Holistic and Individualized Planning

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Building Careers Through Employment

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Building Lives Through Independence and Self-Sufficiency

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Your Contacts in VR

  Kathy West-Evans, Director of Business Relations, CSAVR – [email protected]

– 206.999.9455

John Evans, Employer Relations Manager, WA DVR – [email protected]

– 1.800.637.5627

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