Vocational Rehabilitation Services for the Blind (08/12/2015)

Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR THE BLIND

Date:	08/12/2015	ATTENDANCE

Time:	01:02 PM to 03:17 PM	Balmer	X
		Jahn	E
Place:	HCR 0112	Lundberg	E
		Primavera	*
This Meeting was called to order by		Windholz	X
	Representative Danielson	(None), (None)
		Danielson	X
This Report was prepared by
	Katie Ruedebusch
		X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call

Bills Addressed:		Action Taken:
Opening Remarks Overview of Committee Charge and Interim Committee Process Stakeholder Remarks on Vocational Rehabilitation Services Current Vocational Rehabilitation Program Operations Transition Planning and Future Plans for DVR		Witness Testimony and/or Committee Discussion Only Witness Testimony and/or Committee Discussion Only Witness Testimony and/or Committee Discussion Only Witness Testimony and/or Committee Discussion Only Witness Testimony and/or Committee Discussion Only

01:03 PM -- Opening Remarks

Representative Danielson, chair, called the meeting to order. Representative Danielson introduced the committee charge and discussed the meeting agenda. Committee discussion ensued regarding vocational rehabilitation services for the blind. Senator David Balmer was appointed vice-chair of the committee.

01:06 PM -- Overview of Committee Charge and Interim Committee Process

Mr. Bill Zepernick, Legislative Council Staff, came to the table to discuss the committee charge and the interim committee process. The committee received a binder containing several documents, including the committee request letter (Attachments A-F). Mr. Zepernick noted that the committee can have up to six meetings and propose up to three bills for approval by Legislative Council.

Attachment A.pdf

Attachment B.pdf

Attachment C.pdf

Attachment D.pdf

Attachment E.pdf

Attachment F.pdf

01:11 PM -- Stakeholder Remarks on Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Mr. Scott LaBarre, representing the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado (NFB), came to the table. Mr. LaBarre declared that the NFB views this committee as a historic opportunity to address vocational rehabilitation services for the blind in Colorado. He noted that vocational rehabilitation is an important part of giving blind individuals the skills, tools, and resources needed to live the life they want.

01:16 PM

Mr. LaBarre discussed the upcoming transition of vocational rehabilitation services from the Colorado Department of Human Services (DHS) to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE). He informed the committee that the federal government, through the United States Department of Education, provides 78.7 percent of the funding for vocational rehabilitation services in Colorado. He stated that the goal of the committee should be to maximize federal funds for vocational rehabilitation programs. He stated that blind/visually impaired persons in Colorado used to have a specific, separate offices and an identifiable line of funding. He addressed the 2014 National Federation of the Blind of Colorado resolution that called the for the creation of this committee. He hopes the blind community and stakeholders can provide additional advice and better guidance to the agencies involved during the transition.

01:22 PM

Mr. LaBarre continued by noting that his primary hope for this committee is to help connect blind/visually impaired persons with competitive employment. He discussed his personal experience as a blind person and discussed barriers facing blind persons in Colorado. He highlighted lack of access to education, to technology (specifically software-related issues), and, most importantly, to employment for persons who are blind. He stated that persons who are blind face a 63 to 75 percent unemployment rate, depending on the study referenced.

01:29 PM

Mr. LaBarre requested that the committee consider creating a completely separate state agency for the blind or consider a combined agency, such as a separate division or office dedicated to vocational rehabilitation for the blind within the appropriate state agency.

01:37 PM

In response to committee questions, Mr. LaBarre noted that training centers for the blind exist in Colorado, but that there is a lack of services outside of the Front Range. Mr. Labarre also discussed why some programs are moving to CDLE and others are staying with DHS.

01:46 PM

The committee discussed veterans that become blind because of their service and what services exist for those persons. Mr. Labarre noted that the United States Department of Veterans Affairs has a number of programs for blind veterans and discussed several federal contractor employment programs and opportunities. He noted the need to expand the Business Enterprise Program (BEP) beyond food service. In response to committee questions, he addressed school to work transitions for blind youth in Colorado.

01:55 PM -- Presentation on the Current Vocational Rehabilitation Program Operations

Mr. Steve Anton, Interim Director of the Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVR), came to the table. He noted that his charge when joining DVR included stabilizing the organization, ensuring that the recent audits findings are addressed and made part of day-to-day business practices, improving the organization's progress, and implementing a management process. His charge has been expanded to include improving relations with stakeholders and keeping DVR running during the transition to CDLE.

02:02 PM

Mr. Anton continued by stating that this time of transition is an opportunity for better vocational rehabilitation services. He noted that DVR is striving towards better results and making Colorado a leader in services. Mr. Anton stated that the biggest challenge facing DVR in the past was the waitlist. He noted that waitlist has been eliminated. Speaking to funding, he stated that DVR projected to spend about $8 million less than budgeted due to various factors.

02:08 PM

Mr. Anton continued by discussing the recommendations from the 2013 audit of DVR and the implementation of those recommendations. Mr. Anton stated that the DVR has implemented all the recommendations and currently include the recommendations in DVR's best business practices. He further discussed internal vacancy problems and retention issues. He addressed federal indicators and DVR's performance.

02:12 PM

Ms. Laverne Dell, State Coordinator for the Blind, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, came to the table to discuss vocational services for the blind. She stated that DVR employes 15 counselors for the blind/visually impaired across the state, with one dedicated counselor serving blind individuals. She discussed the services DVR offers to both blind/visually impaired youth and adults. She described the process, services, and goals of DVR vocational services for the blind. She noted that blindness-related skills are critical to the program and they are included as part of individualized plans. She addressed services for youth and stated that the current focus on youth begins when students are ready to shift to employment.

02:20 PM

Ms. Dell then discussed the specifics of DVR programs, individualized plans, and costs to individual clients. She also discussed the two dedicated skills centers based in the Front Range. She also mentioned DVR's collaboration with organizations that work specifically with veterans.

02:23 PM

Ms. Dell continued by addressing DVR services for seniors. She discussed the Older Individuals Who Are Blind program and the funds available. She concluded by addressing several collaborations between DVR and other organizations serving the blind/visually impaired.

02:27 PM

Ms. Dell, in response to committee questions, discussed Poppy, her service dog and whether tax credits are available for businesses owned by blind individuals.

02:29 PM

In response to committee questions, Mr. Anton returned to the table to discuss the past waitlist and counselors' caseloads. He noted that the actual number of counselors is 110 and that the caseload peaked at 78 cases per counselors. He stated that DVR tracks time metrics moving persons from eligibility and into individualized plans.

02:30 PM

The committee took a brief recess.

02:47 PM

The committee came back to order.

02:49 PM -- Transition Planning and Future Plans for the Vocational Rehabilitation Program

Mr. Patrick Teegarden, Director of Policy and Legislation at CDLE, spoke about CDLE's work putting together a detailed transition process, which includes stakeholder interviews. A core team has been assembled at CDLE to manage the transition. CDLE is due to take over the DVR program on July 1, 2016. By the time the transition takes place, CDLE is expecting to have held 13 stakeholder outreach sessions across all areas of the state, two of which have taken place thus far. Mr. Teegarden explained that the CDLE transition steering committee includes several members who are actively involved in the disabled community.

Mr. Teegarden responded to questions from the committee regarding the importance of independent living centers and vocational rehabilitation counselors working together given the concern that CDLE is not a typical point of entry for persons with disabilities.

02:59 PM -- Public Comment

Karen Karsh, American Council of the Blind and A3 (Adapt, Adjust, Achieve), spoke about her background and experience as a singer/songwriter. Ms. Karsh introduced Jim Stevens and Barbara Boyer, Executive Director of A3, and spoke about their desire to present to the committee at a later date.

03:05 PM -- Planning for Future Committee Meetings

The committee discussed possible topics for future meetings, including coordinating state services with veterans services, growing BEP and entrepreneurial programs, and discussing when other states start youth in DVR programs. Representative Danielson asked committee members to submit ideas for future presenters/topics of interest.

The committee agreed to hold future meetings on the following dates: August 19, August 27, September 3, September 16 (where committee members will request legislation to be drafted), and October 28 (where the committee will vote on draft legislation).

03:14 PM

The committee continued to discuss topics of interest, including any incentives Colorado is offering to disabled Coloradans who start and own businesses and what businesses are on the cutting edge of what blind people are trying to move into and how the state can encourage this.

03:17 PM

The committee adjourned.