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WRC Meeting Minutes
August 20, 2009
Green Bay, Wisconsin
Present: Ben Anderson, Cayte Anderson, Rob Buettner, Jim Dobrinska, Charlene Dwyer, Steven Gilles, Jodi Hanna, Alvin Hill, Ron Jansen, Ken Kluever, Gail Kolvenbach, Peter Lucas, John Lui, Ashley Marshall, Cindy Memmel, Paulette Monthei, Roxan Perez, Cindi Pichler, Carol Schaufel, Dan Sippl, Linda Vegoe
Absent: Jill Gonzalez, Monica KamalRossa, Vivian Larkin, Patricia Lerch, William Malone
Resource staff/guests: William Parke-Sutherland, Manuel Lugo, John Haugh, Anna Eggebrecht, Mike Greco, Tom Diedrich, Corky West
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 April 2009 minutes – Greg Bachrach attended the WRC meeting as a representative of Milwaukee Center for Independence and in addition to representing Metro Milwaukee SHRM, Nicole Spaight also represents Adecco.
B. Anderson/Schaufel moved/seconded to approve the minutes with corrections.
Motion carried.
Old Business
None.
New Business
WRC staff support specialist Patricia Severt is on an extended medical leave. A card for her is being routed for WRC members to sign.
Updates
DPI – Steve Gilles
- DPI is working with DHS and DVR to utilize the data sharing portion of the inter-agency agreement. The data will be used to identify students with the most significant disabilities and in the most restrictive environments to help determine if they are eligible for Family Care. This will help target resources to where they are most needed.
- There is a new Opening Doors publication – Adult Services.
NRA – John Lui
- Information about joining NRA will be shared with WRC members.
ILC-W – Ron Jansen and William Parke-Sutherland
- Lapse language was included in the state budget.
- The 2010 budget for the ILC-W was developed and approved in August.
- The process has begun for the 2010-2013 State Plan for Independent Living. In addition to gathering public input at disability councils, there will be an online survey.
Native American Vocational Rehabilitation – Corky West
- Focusing on reauthorization and rectifying weaknesses in the current legislation.
- Currently, NAVR programs must compete against each other, through a grant writing process, to receive funding.
- NAVR programs would like funding to be based on performance and outcomes.
Agenda Item: Committee Reports
Evaluation – John Lui Reported
- Cindi Pichler and Ken Kluever will serve as the new co-chairs.
- Met with DVR staff to begin the process of evaluating the vendor survey results.
Reports – Gail Kolvenbach Reported
- Additions to the FFY 09 WRC Annual Report may include ARRA information and Family Care updates.
Executive Committee – Linda Vegoe Reported
- No Report.
Agenda Item: Biennial Budget and ARRA Funds
Charlene Dwyer, DVR Administrator
Manuel Lugo, DVR Deputy Administrator
- Because of the reduction in GPR allocated to DVR in the state budget, and increases of VR federal funds, approximately $17 million in federal funds allocated to Wisconsin will remain unmatched and undrawn during the 2010-2011 state budget cycle.
- To avoid long term effects of short term state match gaps, the biennial budget includes “lapse” language for the DVR GPR reductions. The lapse provision makes it possible for DVR to request a Maintenance of Effort (MOE) Waiver from the Department of Education. The waiver will cite the lapse language and request that if DVR can demonstrate the intent to restore GPR match levels to the DVR funding base in SFY 2012 that the level of federal funding allocated to Wisconsin won’t be permanently decreased.
- DVR has increased the number of people who are invited off of the waiting list each month from 500 to 1,000 for several reasons:
- Availability of ARRA funds.
- An anticipated $2-3 million in SFY 2009 carryover funds due for the most part to lower that anticipated outcome payments to job placement vendors.
- DVR plans for ARRA funds:
- 3,200 additional applicants will be invited form the DVR wait list.
- 780 successful closures will result from the increase in individuals served.
- 900 employers will partner in the On-the-Job Training Hiring Initiative.
- The DVR ARRA fund focus is to both move individuals from the wait list into services and connect DVR customers to employment.
WRC Member Question: How many people are waiting in Category 3?
Answer: Under 1,200. Category 3 is composed of applicants whose disability does not pose a significant barrier to employment.
- Staffing update: There is a 25% vacancy rate in DVR staffing in Milwaukee County. 30% of the DVR case activity occurs in Milwaukee County.
WRC Member Question: Can DVR hire Limited Term Employees?
Answer: There is limited opportunity to hire LTE’s.
WRC Member Question: Will there be an adjustment to the RSA performance standards because of the effect of the national budget issues?
Answer: RSA performance standards are in regulation and cannot be changed.
Agenda Item: WRC State Plan Recommendations Review
Linda Vegoe and Charlene Dwyer
Linda Vegoe and Charlene Dwyer reviewed the WRC FFY 2010 State Plan recommendations and DVR’s response to the recommendations with council members.
http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/dvr/state_plans/fy10/4_2(c).pdf
Agenda Item: DVR Field Services Update
Mike Greco, DVR
- With 88% of the fiscal year completed, DVR has reached 66% of its successful outcome goal. DVR anticipates reaching 75% of its outcome goal.
- DVR has rolled out its ARRA funded On the Job Training Hiring Initiative.
- The initiative was developed as a team process.
- The goal was to make it as simple as possible for employers to participate.
WRC Member Question: Has this been done before?
Answer: DVR has done OJT before but the new model is less complex and bureaucratic.
WRC Member Comment: Education services to employers will still be important to eliminate stereotypes about hiring and retaining workers with disabilities.
Response: The new initiative provides DVR with another opportunity to talk to employers.
Agenda Item: Collaboration in Workforce Development Area 5
John Haugh, WDA 5 Director
Anna Eggebrecht, WDA 5 VR Supervisor
Options for Independent Living, Tom Diedrich
Oneida Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation, Corky West
DVR WDA 5 update
- There are 28 VRC and 7 CCC’s working in 3 service delivery teams.
- Staff vacancies pose a challenge in meeting timely customer service requirements.
- Access to data has been helpful in planning and assessment of customer service.
- WDA 5 has a close relationship with Wisconsin’s tribal VR programs.
- Small employers seem to be responding the most to the OJT Hiring Initiative.
- WDA 5 will co-host 2 employer recognition events as part of National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October.
- Staff work closely with Options for Independent Living to serve customers.
- Staff collaborate with 65 school districts to serve students in transition.
Options for Independent Living, Inc. Update
- Options for Independent Living serves a 17 county area.
- In 1997, when new office space was need, the center built an accessible model home that also houses the IL Center offices.
- In addition to the required core services, Options also provides:
- Worksite and residential assessments related to assistive technology.
- Promote universal design in residential construction.
- A personal care program with a focus on increasing the vocational and social options for people with disabilities.
Oneida Tribal VR program Update
- Often asked why there is a need for a tribal VR program when there is a state program.
- Creates locally-staffed offices for tribal members who are reluctant to leave the reservation.
- Understand cultural and historical issues.
- Hire local, native staff when possible to create a comfort level for customers.
- Familiar with local, native events and seasons.
- Can offer traditional/healing services that the state program cannot fund.
Agenda Item: State Rehabilitation Council Orientation Module
Linda Vegoe
- WRC members can access training modules that have been developed for State Rehabilitation Council members by the Interwork Institute at San Diego State University and Georgia State University.
Agenda Item: Public Comment
Ron Jansen, North Hudson, WI
- A new DVR pilot project with the Department of Corrections helps to connect offenders with the DVR process within two months of their release date.
Perez/Anderson moved/seconded to adjourn. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m.