Alternate Format?
If you have comments regarding any documents on DVR's website or need an alternate format, you may contact us via email at dvr@dwd.wisconsin.gov, or you can reach us by phone at 800-442-3477 (Toll Free), 608-266-1133 (FAX), or 888-877-5939 (TTY).
WRC Meeting Minutes
April 15, 2009
Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Present: Ben Anderson, Rob Buettner, Jim Dobrinska, Charlene Dwyer, Steven Gilles, Jodi Hanna, Alvin Hill, Ron Jansen, Vivian Larkin, Peter Lucas, Patricia Lerch, Monica KammalRossa, Ken Kluever, Gail Kolvenbach, Ashley Marshall, Paulette Monthei, John Lui, Roxan Perez, Cindi Pichler, Carol Schaufel, Linda Vegoe
Absent: William Malone, Dan Sippl
Resource staff/guests: Patricia Severt, William Parke-Sutherland, Manuel Lugo, Lea Collins-Worachek, Cindy Cain
Interpreters: Carol Goeldner, Amy Schroeder
Recorder: Kristin Rolling
Call to Order
Linda Vegoe, Chair, called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
Roll Call
Introductions
Announcements
None.
Review of Minutes
Correction to January 2009 minutes – Rob Buettner provided the report for the Evaluation Committee.
Anderson/Buettner moved/seconded to approve the minutes with correction.
Motion carried.
Old Business
None.
New Business
None.
Updates
DPI – Steve Gilles
- The Wisconsin Statewide Transition Initiative newsletter feature features the DPI/DVR/DHS agreement.
- There is a new Opening Doors publication – Self-Determination Skills.
- About $200 million will be available to local school districts for special education through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. DPI will provide guidance to districts on how the money can be spent.
- DVR, DPI and DHS are looking at ways to share data that will assist in making determinations about the effectiveness of the interagency agreement for those exiting high school.
NRA – John Lui
- March 22, 2009 was designated as Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Appreciation Day.
- Kareem Dale was appointed as the Special Assistant on Disability Policy in the Obama administration.
ILC-W – Ron Jansen
- The state budget proposes a 56% GPR cut for independent living centers. ILCW funding would remain intact. Centers will be required to provide the same core services.
- Charlene Dwyer and Mike Bachuber will present at NCIL in February about how DVR and ILCW work together to develop the SPIL.
- Public input hearings for the State Plan for Independent Living will be held in the summer.
Native American Vocational Rehabilitation – Patricia Lerch
- There are 4 tribal VR programs in Wisconsin – Oneida, Menomonie, Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council and Lac Courte Oreilles.
Agenda Item: Committee Reports
Evaluation – John Lui Reported
- The committee is in the process of analyzing the results of the DVR Vendor Survey and determining next steps.
- The committee is addressing succession planning with the retirement of the two committee co-chairs.
Reports – Ashley Marshall Reported
- The WRC Annual Report for FFY 08 is complete and has been sent to the Governor and RSA.
- The committee is addressing succession planning with the addition of a new co-chair.
Executive Committee – Linda Vegoe Reported
- A meeting etiquette section will be added to the WRC Member Resource Binder. If WRC members have information from other councils regarding meeting etiquette, they can be forwarded to the Executive Committee for review.
Agenda Item: Affirmative Employment Program
Greg Bachrach, Milwaukee Center for Independence
Nichole Spaight, Metro Milwaukee SHRM/Adecco
- It is a public/private partnership - Metro Milwaukee SHRM, Milwaukee Public Schools and DVR.
- Employers commit to providing work experience for high school students with disabilities with the option to hire them permanently.
WRC Member Question: Is it a statewide program?
Answer: Currently it is only available in the metro-Milwaukee area.
WRC Member Question: Does the program advocate for living wages?
Answer: Adecco provides wage guidelines for employers – they are required to provide the same wages and benefits as other employees doing the same work. A motto of the program is “Real Work for Real Pay.”
Agenda Item: Transition and Assistive Technology
Cindy Pichler and Jill Gonzalez Reported
- FACETS is considering a summit in December 2009 to address drop out rates of high school students with disabilities.
- Assistive Technology Presentation.
WRC Member Question: Does Independence First have Assistive Technology guides for students with disabilities?
Answer: The Department of Public Instruction has several guides available.
Agenda Item: State of DVR Workforce Development Areas (WDAs) 2 & 3
WDA 2 - Lea Collins-Worachek – WDA 2 Director Reported
- There are 3 offices in Milwaukee.
- There are 3 bilingual counselors – 2 Spanish and 1 Hmong.
- 219 successful case closures since October 1, 2008.
- There are 3,600 active consumers in the WDA and 1,722 eligible applicants waitlisted.
WDA 3 - Cindy Cain – WDA 3 Director Reported
- Three offices in the WDA and one counselor housed at the Workforce Development Center in Pewaukee – Waukesha, Mequon and West Bend.
- 151 successful case closures since October 1, 2008.
- Average weekly wage for cases closed successfully is $415.50, and working 31.5 hours per week.
- There is a high volume of high school transition students in the WDA.
WRC Member Question: How do you keep staff motivated in this economy?
Answer: DVR teams help to keep people focused. Also working on developing employer relationships that focus on what DVR can do for the employer.
WRC Member Question: How do you address long-term cases?
Answer: The teaming process is used to identify new strategies. The focus is on engaging the consumer in activities that move them to employment. If that’s not possible, case closure is considered.
Agenda Item: Consumers with Learning Disabilities Report
Mike Greco, DVR Director, Bureau of Consumer Services
Agenda Item: DVR Administrative Reports
Charlene Dwyer, DVR Administrator
Manuel Lugo, DVR Deputy Administrator
- The state of the economy, employment, and the state budget challenges DVR. However, DVR has realized some of its best opportunities and most enduring systems improvements during times of great challenge. DVR’s transition to a team-based service delivery which emanated from state staff downsizing a few years ago is an example of a positive outcome.
- DVR Update Presentation.
- State Plan public comment.
WRC Member Question (related to wage subsidy): Will employers be required to maintain the employee when DVR funding is done?
Answer: The goal is that they will retain the employee after the subsidized on-the-job training period, but they are not required to.
Agenda Item: Public Comment
Paulette Monthei, Milwaukee
- Concerned with accessibility issues related to the new Job Center of Wisconsin web site.
- Customers are being required to use a system that is not accessible.
- DWD needs to insure that technology is accessible before mandating its use.
Don Statza, Franklin
- DVR consumer since February 1998
- Has not experienced effective communication from DVR staff
- Does not believe consumers are allowed to exercise informed choice
- DVR staff do not have enough expertise in mental health issues
- The common denominator with his problems with DVR has been communication
- The impartial hearing process is adversarial
Anderson/Buettner moved/seconded to adjourn. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.