Quarterly Meeting FY19

Department of Rehabilitation Services State Office

3535 NW 58th St, Suite 200, Oklahoma City, OK 73112

ORC Website https://orc.okstate.e

State Office, 2nd Floor Conference 3535 NW 58th, Oklahoma City, OK

ORC Meeting AgendaFebruary 21st, 2019 – 9:30 am –

12:00 pm Department or

FULL COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING:

Call to Order/Roll Call Establish a Quorum – 7 voting

Consumer Comments/Announcements:1. Action Items :

Approval of November 15th, 2018

2. Reports:ORC Committee ReportsExecutive Committee – Lori ChesnutProgram & Planning Committee – Theresa Flannery Policy & Legislative Committee– William Ginn Transition Committee– Lori ChesnutDepartment of Rehabilitation Services Melinda Fruendt, Executive Director Mark Kinnison, VR Administrator Tracy Brigham, VS AdministratorSILC Report – Vikki WallsProgram Manager Report - Carolina Colclasure3.

Other Business: New DRS Policy and Policy Changes

for 2019

Dale Rogers Presentation – Theresa Flannery ORC Member Update

4.5

New Business: Adjourn

Next ORC Quarterly Meeting: Thursday, May 16th, 2019

Statement of Compliance with Open Meeting Act requirements. Notice was given and notice was posted 24 hours prior to meeting. If you have any accommodation requests, please let me know 5 days ahead of time to make those accommodations available to you. Carolina Colclasure at 405-951-

Council Members:**Lori Chesnut – Chair - Dept. of Ed.

** Tim Yeahquo – Vice-Chair 121 Project (Tribal)

**William Ginn – Member-At-Large – CAP**Kelli Bates - BIL

**Bill Dunham - BIL**Rick DeRennaux – BIL**Deidra Edwards - OPC

**Audrey Farnum – Advocacy Group**Theresa Flannery – CRP

Melinda Fruendt – DRS Interim Director

**Shelley Gladden – Advocacy Group - ABLE Tech Amy Martin – VR Counselor

**Jeff Newton - Consumer**Jenifer Randle – Advocacy Group

**Donna Sanders - BIL**Valerie Thompson – WDB

**Vikki Walls – SILC Wade Walters – VS Counselor

**Suzanne Williams – Dept. of Mental Health

Associate Members: Tina Calloway Fatos Floyd Renee Sansom Stephanie Roe

Council Support:Carolina Colclasure – ORC Program

Manager Linda Jaco – Director of Sponsored Programs - OSU

Department of Wellness *Workforce Development Board – WDB*Oklahoma Parent Center – OPC** Voting members

Approval - ORC Quarterly Meeting Minutes....................................1Oklahoma Rehabilitation Council Committee Reports.................25

Executive Committee – Lori Chesnut.........................................25Program and Planning Committee – Theresa Flannery..............26Review of P&P Committee Strategic Plan..................................28Policy and Legislative Committee Report – William Ginn...........28Transition Committee Meeting Report – Lori Chesnut...............29Employment Committee Report – Jen Randle............................31

DRS Reports.................................................................................32DRS Director’s Report – Stephanie Roe.....................................32VR Division Administrator Report – Mark Kinnison.....................34VS Division Administrator Report – Tracy Brigham....................34Field Coordinator Report – Teresa McDermott...........................40Workforce Initiative Report – Stephanie Roe.............................42DRS Legislative Report - Kevin Nelson......................................44

Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) Report...................51ORC Program Manager Report.....................................................54Other Business.............................................................................56DRS Policy Changes 2019............................................................56

CHAPTER 10. VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND VISUAL

Approval - ORC Quarterly Meeting Minutes November 15, 2018

Call to Order/Roll Call: The meeting was called to order by Lori Chestnut, Council Chair, at 9:32 am. Role was called. A quorum was established.Members Present: Lori Chesnut, Tim Yeahquo, William Ginn, Theresa Flannery, Jen Randle, Rick DeRennaux, Deidra Edwards (via phone), Audrey Farnum (via phone), Amy Martin (via phone), Jeff Newton, Melinda Fruendt, Wade Walters, Suzanne Williams, Bill Dunham, Kelli Bates (via phone), Donna Sanders (via phone),

Members Absent: Valerie Thompson, Vikki WallsOthers Present:

Tina Calloway, Tiffany Davis, Mark Kinnison, Jon Ringlero,Stephanie Roe, Terry Williams, Brandi Hurley, Rod

Van StavernCouncil Support Present: Linda Jaco, Director of Sponsored Programs OSU Department of Wellness, Carolina Colclasure, ORC Program Manager and Dawn Aaron, ORC Assistant

Consumer Comments/Announcements: Introductions Approval of August 16, 2018 Meeting Minutes: A motion was

made by Tim Yeahquo to approve the August 16, 2018 meeting minutes as presented. Bill Dunham seconded the motion. The motion passed and the minutes were approved.

Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) Reports

DRS Director Report – Melinda Fruendt During the Oklahoma Rehabilitation Council (ORC) Strategic

Plan meeting in September, the committees were asked to contribute information for the Department of Labor (DOL) cohorts that DRS were applying for and were ultimately accepted for two of the three; Customer Service and Accessibility. Customer Service was chosen to see what can be learned to help our one stop system in Oklahoma.

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DRS Strategic Plan was turned in at the beginning of October. If any of the Council members are interested in the DRS Strategic Plan, Director Fruendt will send a copy of the plan to Carolina who can then send out to the Council. This is what DRS has to turn in regarding all of their divisions which include Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), Vision Services (VS), School for the Blind, School for the Deaf and Disability Determination Services. Management and Financial Services are not included in this plan as Management is monitored by Operations and Financial is monitored by Legislature.Council for State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR) have a monthly membership conference call for directors and staff to listen in. Moving forward, notes will be taken during these meetings to ensure valuable information will not be lost and that information can be tracked better. These calls are usually themed topics with the last one on Embedding Customizing Employment into the VR system. This is a Workforce Innovation Technical Assistance Center (WINTAC) Project which would be nice to be involved with or utilize in VRBS. Steve Wooderson, Executive Director of CSAVR, gives highlights of things needed to concentrate on or know. Every Sunday night, Steve sends out combined reports from all of his staff called “Greetings from the Beltway” giving information regarding what his staff is working on; working with WINTAC, Federal Legislation, news from other agency directors such as DRS. Director Fruendt will get that information to Carolina to be dispersed to the Council.

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) data coming up to be shared with local areas in the future. As changes occur, Field Coordinators (FC) will come together as a state to give one report. Moving forward, timing will play a key factor in delivery of that report. It will not be until after the 2020 negotiations as to what the Performance Management Process (PMP) numbers will actually look like on a federal, state and local level.State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) needs to know more about Comprehensive System on Personnel Development (CSPD) which changed under the WIOA and no longer requires VR Specialists serving the clients to sit for the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Certificate, however, that has remained a standard in

o

o

Steve Wooderson spoke about Vision 2020 discussed a slide that stated, “VR is driven by commitment to people with disabilities and businesses at the intersection of career readiness and customized integrated employment”. Director Fruendt discussed how moving forward, everything should be focused on Vision 2020 which includes how VR is viewed nationwide and in the states. Bill Dunham inquired regarding legislature getting rid of DRS or placing it under the Department of Labor or the Department of Education. Director Fruendt reiterated the importance of getting our story out there with the use of Success

o

On October

9 Former Director Noel Tyler presented awards at theGovernor’s Disability Awards where 20 successful clients,

their families, and their employers (Walmart, Best Buy, etc.) were honored. October 11th, Director Fruendt attended the Oklahoma Works for All (OWFA) local launch meeting in Lawton for the Lawton area. OWFA was started by Wanda Felty two and a half years ago and is in partnership with the workforce system to assess employment of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and why these individuals are not getting off of the waiting lists any sooner than they currently are.Workforce System: Currently slow moving as there is a transition to a new Governor and new contacts are being made. Currently working on an administrative transition plan to give to Governor Stitt so previous progress is not lost under the current workforce partner initiatives. There are Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) being worked on between lawyers for a data shared agreement at the state level under the workforce system. All of the infrastructure funding agreements have not been completed due to a system issue. Vacancies in VR unit areas in co- locations make it difficult to cover all areas causing co-location outages in direct linkages which could be ongoing issue. The main focus is to keep support to the clients with disabilities in all locations needing VR, VS and the Workforce System partner areas.On November 29th, the Alumni Awards will take place. Counselor Melissa Newton nominated two clients and one client was chosen to speak and to be recognized.Success stories are still an issue. A meeting will be

Effective October

1 under Rehabilitation Services Administration, thestate teams were restructured under the State Monitoring

and ProgramImprovement Division placing Oklahoma DRS under State Team 4 led by State Facilitator Joe Doney and State Liaison Zera Hoosier.Fatos Floyd is doing a remarkable job with Business Services. She found out that Arkansas has a Business Engagement Team and invited them in for a discussion and training with all of her staff and invited Director Fruendt and Stephanie Roe to attend. When working with clients, we need to be talking with them about their ownership, responsibilities and accountabilities in their career paths and their futures versus them blaming, excusing and justifying their excuses or denial. Fatos will share slides with the Council. Wade Walters asked for Business Concierge cards to be shared so they could be handed out to various businesses when out in the

VR Administrator - Mark Kinnison

Mark Kinnison and Terry Williams recently attended the Individual Placement Support (IPS) Summit.500 individuals have just been released from Priority Groups 1 & 2. Approximately 1500 individuals have been released within the last month. Priority Group 1 has officially been cleared and will continue checking for new names to clear every one to two weeks.Mark recently attended VR Tribal Program and presented on Ethics and Social Media. He also was involved in a meeting including a presentation regarding how VR agencies were doing nationally with the new performance measures. Benchmarks will not really be established until the year 2020 or a little later but we will be held accountable once those are in place. Oklahoma is doing really well in the transition area in terms of the 15% dedicated funding money; we are a trial state to spend the money as required. Pretty high in area of potential measurable skill gains and will fine tune data system to capture that information. A little low in performance rate after the second and fourth quarter but will improve once the data management is fine tuned to capture more of that information.Completed VR Performance Evaluation process. There will be

allow the capture of all measurable skill gains and visual attainments for clients. This is a new performance measure by WIOA. For the counselors, implementing case reviews to ensure we have adequate documentation of visual skill gains and attainments.Today, the Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital will be hosting a luncheon where VR will be recognized for their outreach project increasing employment of our veterans with disabilities in the workplace.VR is starting the third year of quarterly visits to workshops regarding employee integrated employment. There still is some confusion of the 24 year old and younger group seeking employment and the steps needed to happen; need to go through application process and receive identifying services from transitions before they can seek employment. Issues with guardians wanting to seek minimum wage and for VR to produce right away. We have to work within the guidelines to help people meet the qualifications, it is not an overnight process. There are currently approximately 3,000 individuals working through sheltered workshops receiving minimum wage. There was a concern voiced regarding reaching the high school aged kids transitioning out to the workforce; closed under 24 or ineligible and closed not receiving proper training. Jen Randle commented that the Council is working on a grant bringing in Family Employment Awareness Training (FEAT) which is about raising the expectations for competitive employment. More information

Vision Services (VS) Administrator Report – Mark Kinnison VS Field Services participated in the White Cane Day

Awareness activities on October 13th in Oklahoma City with the Heartland Council of the Blind and in Muskogee with the Azalea Council of the Blind. The focus was the importance of the white cane as a tool to achieve independence and a symbol of people with vision loss. Former DRS Commissioner Jack Tucker was recognized for this tireless efforts advocating for Oklahomans with disabilities at the Muskogee celebration.Division Administrator (DA), Tracy Brigham, participated in the RSA Y-TAC meeting to develop ideas to utilize the Y-TAC in bettering services to the blind and visually impaired, specifically customized employment services, offered by

the Community Rehabilitation Providers Project Managers meeting as an extension of the first meeting as well as a team introduction call with thenew

Oklahoma

Department

of

Rehabilitation

Services

(OKDRS)Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) Liaison,

Zera Hoosier.VR and VS staff have attended training at the National Rehabilitation Association Conference, the Zarrow Mental Health Symposium, the Oklahoma Transition Institute (OTI) and the Division on Career Development and Transition Conference.VS staff also participated in a Business Services planning meeting with the Arkansas Department of Rehabilitation Business Services Program. Arkansas has a successful business services program that we are going to use as a model for some of our services.VS staff met with Marsha White of the Cherokee Nations, who is a Programs Manager for the Disability Initiative Grant, in an effort to network and understand how to better serve DRS clients and, specifically, VS clients who are blind and vision impaired. This grant would allow the Cherokee Nation to target those clients who would fall into our Priority Groups 2 and 3. Ms. White and her team will work more closely with other VR and VS offices in their area and will also be working with the VS team to learn more about blindness and the needs of our consumers in an effort to place more of our blind consumers in gainful employment.The Tulsa World project, in partnership with New View, is progressing well and is now entering a new phase. The 3 clients placed last year in outbound calls are now doing so well, the Tulsa World would like to move them to the inbound customer call area which will require more assistive technology and accommodations. Once they are successfully performing those jobs that will open the door for more of our consumers to be hired into the outbound call center. The Tulsa World works with 31 local newspapers across the United States, so this is a huge undertaking for the call center.

The Transition Coordinator attended the ABLE Transition at the Oklahoma School for the Blind (OSB) for a day and will be meeting with VS staff for future planning to expand the Pre-ETS services. The coordinator also is in

discussion about peer mentoring and career exposure week in Oklahoma. Transition has been developing a tool (both map and spreadsheet) that can be used statewide to assist counselors, students, parents and other agencies to find transition counselors and their schools at a glance. The Transition Coordinator, VS DA, and VR DA traveled to the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge to discuss greater accessibility for WOW Camp in the future with several option explored.Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped: After an 18 month absence, the library’s Oklahoma Recorded Magazine cartridge is back! This cartridge contains five magazine titles: Bright Future, Cowboys & Indians, Guideposts, Oklahoma Today and Reader’s Digest. If you, or someone you know, would like to listen to any of these magazines, you can sign up by calling 1-800-523-0288 or 405-521-3514 and ask to speak to a librarian or email requests to olbph@okdrs.gov.The Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped was recognized by the National Library Service for the digital publication of the book “Right Down the Middle: The Ralph Terry Story” as a recording the “lends local color and character to our collection and highlights regional culture”. The recording was produced in the library recording studio and we congratulate them on the recognition!Business Enterprise Program (BEP): The BEP continues to add facilities and will be holding the next training for new managers soon. Management and the consultants have been working hard to open the very first Micro Market location in Oklahoma which is located in the Page Belcher District Court Building in Tulsa. The location opened on October 22 and the new facility manager is Kenny Blair. Micro markets are the new big push across the nation and we are excited to venture into this business with our blind managers.Business Services Program: The Business Services Program became official on September 1, 2018, however, Business Services Coordinator, Fatos Floyd, and her team have been working tirelessly to begin creating a foundation for a strong program. In addition to Fatos, the team consists of 7 Business Services Liaisons which will serve the state aligned

employment trends for DRS staff agency partners and businesses, assist businesses to identify barriers to employment, help resolve issues related to integration and independence for DRS clients seeking employment and much more.Division Administrator Activities: The DA attended several conferences including the CSAVR and the National Council of State Agencies for the Blind (NCSAB), numerous trainings including BEP training, statewide VR/VS trainings, and many meetings including the Quarterly Oklahoma Rehabilitation Council (ORC), Oklahoma Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation, VA Advisory Committee and VS Unit Staff meetings. The DA also

ORC Committee ReportsExecutive Committee Report - Lori Chestnut All objectives and activities for FF18 were met with

assistance from the DRS Executive Team. Th

eOklahoma

Rehabilitation (ORC)

FFY18

Budget

wassuccessfully closed and

was presentedtothe Department

ofRehabilitation Services (DRS) prior to this meeting. In closing of this budget, ORC purchased and donated 2 microphone systems with special features for individuals with hearing loss or hard of hearing to DRS.The Council is now full with the following new appointments:

o Kelli Bates, from Galt Foundation as a Representative of

o Donna Sanders fromthe

Oklahoma

Employment

SecurityCommission as a Representative of a Business, Industry

and Labor.o Bill Dunham, from Hanger Industries as a Representative of a Business, Industry and Labor

The Executive Committee was also in charge of approving four requests for sponsorship in 2018:

o Foster Walk 2018: presented by the Foster care Alumni of America (FCAA) Oklahoma Chapter in the amount of $500. The walk took place on June 16, 2018 in Oklahoma City.

o The Individual Placement and Supports (IPS) Program received$514 to hold the conference room for the 2018 IPS

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o The 2018 Oklahoma Transition Council requested 600 pens and10 stand up flip charts, for the 2018 Oklahoma Transition Institute (OTI), October 16 - 17, 2018.

o The Oklahoma City Mayor’s Committee on Disability Concerns, requested a $250 sponsorship for their yearly Awards. The ceremony took place on October 25th, 2018. Lori Chesnut, Tim Yeahquo, William Ginn and Carolina Colclasure attended the Luncheon as ORC representatives.

The Executive committee has decided to make one change to the FFY19 Strategic Plan from the FFY18 plan, Activity 3 was assigned to the Employment Committee as it requires

Program and Planning Committee – Theresa Flannery The Program and Planning (P&P) Committee met all

objectives and activities for the FY18 and recognized their strong relationship with the DRS Process Improvement (PI) Unit which helps make their work very effective.The P&P Committee decided to make several changes to the FY19 Strategic Plan.

o Combine Objective 1.1 with 1.2 into one Objective for the FY19 Strategic Plan. That objective will now read:

Objective 1-1: Review, analyze, and advise the Designated State Agency (DSA) regarding the performance of the State unit's responsibilities, particularly responsibilities related to-

a.b

Eligibility, including order of selection.The extent, scope and effectiveness of services providedc

.Functions performed by DSA that affect or potentially affect theability of individuals with disabilities in achieving

employment outcomes.Submit reports to the RSA Secretary under the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services (OSERS) regarding the effectiveness of the vocational rehabilitation programs

o Eliminate Objective 1.4o Revise Activity 7 to include more details and will read:Activity 7: Request tracking of additional information/data from the DSA regarding employee benefits for consumers who have gone to work. Include health insurance, paid leave, retirement and other benefits available.

9

The Committee will continue to actively support the PI Unit and DRS in the planning and development of the State Plan, the Customer Satisfaction Survey and any other Survey that

Policy and Legislative Committee - William Ginn The Policy and Legislative (P&L) Committee reported 20

success stories for the FY18 and will be included in the Annual Report used for advocacy efforts at the Capitol in Oklahoma City and the Hill in D.C.All Objectives and Activities were met for FY18.There are plans for a Transition Training Retreat with Tribal VR. More details coming later.Lori Chesnut, Tim Yeahquo, Theresa Flannery and Carolina Colclasure participated in the 2018 NCSRC and CSAVR Fall Conferences, from October 27th – 31st, in Long Beach, CA. The Project Manager (PM) will have more details in her report.The P&L Committee made several changes to the FFY19 Strategic Plan and are as follows:

o To change the number of Success Stories per year from 24 to a minimum of 12 Stories per year.

o Activity 7 of FFY18 SP was completed, and it will not be included for FY19.

o Activities 8, 9 and 11 from FY18 will not be included in FY19.

Transition Committee – Lori Chestnut All Objectives and Activities from FY18 were met. Several changes were made to the FY19 Strategic Plan and

are noted as follows:o Eliminate Objectives 1.2 and 1.3 from FY18, as they

data from the DSA showed that there was no correlation between the On Demand occupations and the Agency’s Closures

o Change 2 Activities from FY18 and add them as Objectives for FY19 and those are:

Objective 5.3: ORC will invite the regional transition teams (including educators and VR counselors) to share information (via a one pager, virtually, in person, etc.) regarding the progress of their team plans, including best practices, at the quarterly ORC meetings.

Objective 5.4: The ORC will support participation of the Oklahoma Transition Council (OTC) including its collaboration with National Centers- National Technical Assistance Center on Transition (NTACT).Activity 3: The DSA Transition Coordinator will increase communication with the Tribal VR by including the VR Tribal Liaison in all correspondence that is disseminated to VR Transition Counselors.Activity 4: The Transition Committee will research ways to better facilitate communication between Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE),

The OTI was held October 15-17 in Norman. The PM attended as the ORC representative and as a member of the Oklahoma Transition Council (OTC). There were several sessions, activities and a training held on October 15th. On October 16th, the official first day, there was a Tribal Blessing and Welcome, several team meetings and breakout sessions. Mike Veny was the keynote speaker. Chad Gerlt with Chick-Fil-A in Yukon was the keynote speaker the second day. Presentations and handouts for the 2018 OTI are available at: http://www.ou.edu/education/centers-and-

Employment Committee – Jen Randle Due to circumstances beyond their control (member

separations during 2018) the committee had difficulty meeting their objectives and activities for FY18. The committee has new members now.New objectives and activities were established at the Strategic Planning Meeting and are as follows:

o Revised Objective 1.1 and divided it into Objective 7.1 and 7.2 and added Objective 7.3.

o Added Activities 3, 4 and 5o Kelli Bates, a committee member, has emailed the PM

regarding completion of Objective 7.1.The committee will also continue to support the IPS Program from the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and

VR Field Coordinator Report – Terri Williams

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For October 1st, 2018 to September 30th, 2019 As of November 11th, 2018 for FFY 2019Combined VR and VS

Active Cases in the System

11,642Number of cases in each Priority

Group:o Priority Group 1:o Priority Group 2:o Priority Group 3:o Not yet

determined:Closed cases

o Closed Rehabilitated

o Closed Other

4,2836,1288597561869 Transition

o Students w/ Disabilities 2294

(Ages Enrollment)

16-21

with

High

School

o Transition Age Youth

6298 (Ages 14-24) Total number of clients served

16,156Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)As of November 11th, 2018 for FFY 2019

Active Cases in the System

10,615Number of cases in each Priority

Group:o Priority Group 1:o Priority Group 2:o Priority Group 3:o Not yet

determined:Closed cases

o Closed Rehabilitated

o Closed Other

3,6775,7977927359366 Total number of clients served

11,294Visual Services (VS)As of November 11th, 2018 for FFY 2019 Active Cases in the

System1,027 Number of cases in each Priority

Group:o Priority Group 1:

606

12

o Priority Group 2:o Priority Group 3:o Not yet

determined: Closed cases

o Closed Rehabilitated

33167232252

o Total Closed Total number of clients served

1,057Legislative Update – Kevin Nelson There’s not much to report since the last meeting as

everyone is holding their cards close until the elections in November. There were two interim studies I shared with you at the last meeting that were held, the UNITED WE RIDE and workforce study. A summary of both is attached.Oklahoma continues on an upward economic trend like the rest of the nation. This has encouraged some of the larger agencies to request massive budget increases, topped by the Department of Education at $3.4 billion and the Department of Corrections at over $1 billion. Problem is, there isn’t that much new money. Budget priorities will depend some on the new governor, and a lot on the number

House Transportation Committee considers United We Ride Council- Author: Shawn AshleyDate: 09/18/2018(eCap) Oklahoma's disparate transitprograms

would benefit from the codification of the United We Ride Council and the creation of an Office of Mobility, members of the House Transportation Committee were told Tuesday. The comments came near the end of IS-H18-010, a study of the governor's United We Ride Council, which was requested by Rep. Carol Bush, R-Tulsa. "I thought we had resolved this issue when I was at the Health Department," Bush said, "and 20 years later it is still an issue."The issue, a number of speakers explained, is the need to provide transportation to Oklahoma's vulnerable populations, including the homeless, disabled, elderly and those who cannot afford transportation of their own.It was near the end of the meeting that Rep. Marcus McEntire, R-Duncan, asked what the Legislature could do to resolve those problems. "I'm for your thing here," he said, calling the stories

Mark Jones, director of community living and support services for the Department of Human Services and a United We Ride Council member, said the council needed to be codified to have the backing of the Legislature. The council was created in 2006 by an executive order of then-Gov. Brad Henry. That executive order was continued by Gov. Mary Fallin. Governor's have 90 days after taking office to continue the effectiveness of existing executive orders.The council is charged with assessing passenger transit service in Oklahoma and making recommendations to the governor for its improvement.Codification, said Jones, "creates permanency" and "draws attention to the seriousness of the problem." He also said it would allow its membership to be modified to get more actives members involved. State agency participants, he said, have been active, but some transit agency representatives have not. The council's currently membership list also lacks faith-based organizations, education groups and law enforcement, he added."Having the will of the Legislature behind the council would generate new energy and commitment from the players to solve this problem," Jones said.Mark Nestlen, executive director of the Oklahoma Transit Association, urged lawmakers to go further and create an office of mobility in an agency like the Department of Transportation to grow and coordinate transit program across the state. "The real issue before the Legislature is the transportation system as a whole," Nestlen said.The association currently is involved in two studies related to transit, Nestlen said. One will examine the economic benefits of transit and the other will update the state's needs assessment, he explained.Transit, he said, is really about economic development. "There are two reasons people ride the bus: To make money or to spend money", he said.Funding was an issue both Nestlen and Jones touched addressed. Nestlen $20 million to $25 million was needed to address the state's transit needs. He suggested the funding should come from a dedicated source and noted increased funding would lead to increased oversight."The Legislature has the chance to take that next step and to take

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Transit programs in Oklahoma rely on a mixture of federal, state, local and charitable funds, Jones said, but only $5.7 million of state funding goes directly into transit programs.Shane Faulkner, public information officer for the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs and chair of the United We Ride Council, said transportation for veterans to medical appointments at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs facilities was one of the biggest challenges facing his agency, especially for vets in rural parts of the state. The agency often calls on veteran’s service organizations to provide that transportation, he said.Jeff Hughes, who is disabled, said the most significant challenge for him and those like him is accessible, affordable transportation. It called Oklahoma's transit systems "worlds apart" from others in cities like San Francisco, Denver, San Diego and Washington, D.C.One of the big issues, said Hughes, is Americans with Disabilities Act compliance. He said he had worked with the late Rep. Claudia Griffith, D-Norman, and Rep. Emily Virgin, D-Norman, on legislation that would have required cab companies to be ADA complaint, which would have been enforced through the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, which regulates cab companies. The proposal, however, ran into opposition, he said.Hughes said a trip from Norman to Yukon and back in an ADA compliant vehicle can cost upwards of $300.Hughes said the Legislature should work with municipalities to ensure that the Americans with Disabilities Act is enforced. "We're not charity cases," he said. "It is our right to participate in the community."Jeremy Moses, who also is disabled, also encouraged ADA compliance. He went on to say, "The Legislature needs to be willing to work with cities to provide services where the need currently exists."The Department of Human Services' aging services division oversees a $2.3 million federal grant that helps provide transit services in the state, Patricia Heer, with the division, told the committee. In fiscal year 2017, the various providers who received portions of the grant money provided 635,000 transports covering8.5 million miles.Ed Long, with the Governor's Interagency Council on

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by a man fighting to keep his home that he would rather lose it than his car. He could sleep in his car and still get to work, Long noted.Twenty-five percent of Stevenson Cancer Center patients reported stress related to transportation to their treatments, Alyse Lesher and Raina Leckie, from the center said. Leckie said the treatments sometimes require patients to be at the center daily and transportation to and from the center can be an issue. One of their ride service providers said they provided 600 rides but had to turn down 300 others for various reasons, Lesher said.Judy Kilby, with Gateway to Prevention and Recovery, a substance abuse and mental health non-profit in Shawnee, said many of her agency's clients have limited access to transportation, making receiving assistance difficult. "Sometimes it is easier to stay sick than it is to get healthy…We kind of give them a hand up and a slap down," she said.Gertrude Hurd-Bower, with the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, told committee members about the agency's Sooner Ride program, which provides transportation to SoonerCare members to appointments for Medicaid compensable services. The service receives approximately 30,000 calls monthly and reservations of at least three days and up to 14 days in advance are required, she said.McEntire asked what the agency did if it received a call from Senate

Business,

Commerce,

Tourism

Committee

discusses

workforcedevelopment program

models Author: Shawn Ashley(eCap) The Senate Business, Commerce and Tourism Committee heard Monday from individuals in the workforce development field and about how Oklahoma might benefit from integrating its Sen. Robert Standridge, R-Norman, said he requested the study, IS-S18-037, after seeing during his tenure in the Legislature the state's fragmented approach to workforce development. That, he said, led him to wonder if the state, its workers and businesses might benefit from a one-stop shop.One of the people with whom Standridge has spoken is Eddie Foreman, chief executive officer of the Central Oklahoma Workforce Innovation Board. The board serves nine counties in

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training. Foreman said one of the problems his office faces is coordinating with state and local agencies that also receive federal funding related to workforce development. As a result, the board has 33 memorandums of understanding with various local and state agencies and other service providers.That means someone who needs services in addition to workforce training and placement, such as child care assistance or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), they have to travel to the other partners' locations to receive those services, said Foreman. That is the kind of issue an integrated service model would address, Foreman told the committee.One state that utilizes an integrated model is Texas. Mike Temple, director of the Gulf Coast Workforce Board, said his agency serves a workforce of more than three million people spread over a 13 county area in southeast Texas around Houston. Each year it provides services to from 400,000 to 425,000 workers and between 25,000 and 30,000 businesses, he said.When Texas implemented its workforce development law 20 years ago, Temple explained, it put the workforce development boards in place to bring together the various funding streams that support programs for training workers and helping businesses find skilled workers. That included funding for some related social programs, such as child care, he said.Responding to a question from Sen. Stephanie Bice, R-Oklahoma City, Temple said the program worked because "everyone had a vision of how it would work, and once we got over the bumpiness, it has worked and we have saved money." The savings, he added, allows the boards to put money back into their programs to support job seekers and employer programs.Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair, asked Temple what advice he would give Oklahoma in dealing with its workforce programs. Temple suggested consolidating the programs under one entity. Asked by Bergstrom if that would be done without too much bureaucracy that resulted in under-service or harm to existing programs, Temple said he believed it could, particularly if the systems were designed so that they were not focused solely on funding sources."We organized things so that it was functional," he said.Temple said there were some but few stumbling blocks in Texas process. One change, he noted, was that service providers began

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Solutions but does have contracts with other firms that provide similar services in its facilities.Dunn said an integrated system allows community-based partners and agencies to coordinate their services so that clients, whether job seekers or businesses seeking employees, are better served.Leisten said the integrated model allows them to "access any and all funding" that is available to support an individual, whether that is child care assistance, job training or other programs. "It allows us to provide really good customer service," she said, adding they can "serve the individual holistically," rather than focus on one particular need or service.Dunn said the integrated model also eliminates the duplication of services.Erin Risley-Baird, executive director of the Oklahoma Office of Workforce Development, which oversees Oklahoma's seven workforce development boards, said $144 million comes into the state from the federal government for workforce development efforts, including funding for TANF and other social support programs. Approximately $20 million is allocated directly to the boards, she said.One of the challenges the state faces, said Risley-Baird, is the complexity of the federal system. "We succeed," she said, "despite a very large, very bureaucratic system by federal design."Risley-Baird said the office was focusing much its efforts on the occupations that had been identified as the fastest growing with the highest wages in the state, many of which would not require a college degree but some other form of certification, such as that offered by the Department of Career and Technology Education. Asked by Bergstrom where she saw Oklahoma's workforce headed in the next five to 10 years, Risley-Baird said the majority of new jobs that would be created would require credentials, rather than degrees."It is critical, I believe, that we get our training in line with business’ needs," said Bergstrom.Risley-Baird noted that the office's high-growth, high-wage occupation list had been shared with the State Regents for Higher Education, which utilized it in its evaluation of programs colleges and universities requested to add to their campuses. She noted

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Hawkins suggested that any changes to the workforce development boards "add on to what we are currently doing but do not disrupt what we are currently doing successfully." Federal and state laws require 51 percent of the boards represent the private sector, noted Hawkins."Would it be beneficial if we could speed up the train a bit? That what we're here today to try and figure out," Hawkins said.Hawkins said the boards work with all levels of education in Oklahoma - higher education, career technology education and common education - to encourage workforce development. He also pointed to several privately funded programs, such as

science, technology, engineering andmathematics academies sponsored by Google, new

apprenticeship programs and soft skill programs like Leader in Me that teaches life and job skills, as efforts that have proven successful for students and in bringing the private and public sectors together. "We are getting traction, more so than we have in the past," said Hawkins.Foreman, however, said he feels the state's workforce development system "never made any sense" since it was first created on a fragmented basis in the 1970s."Local (workforce development) boards are responsive to the community and business need but state agencies are responsible to their federal funders," Foreman said.Asked by Bice who would oppose efforts to integrate the state's workforce development system and funding, Foreman said, "Almost every state agency, because they are more concerned about holding onto the money that goes to the agency rather than their communities," a statement Chair James Leewright, R-Workforce Initiative Update – Stephanie Roe

DRS submitted applications to participate in cohorts addressing three topic areas: Customer Service, Accessibility and Employer Engagement. OKDRS was selected for both the Accessibility and Customer Service cohorts and chose to participate in Customer Service. Other states selected to participate in the Customer Service cohort are Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and Nebraska. The Oklahoma team consists of representation from all core partners, DRS, Career Tech, OESC, Gretchen Evans- One Stop Operator

19

Board). All states participating have been granted money from the Department of Labor for employment initiatives within their states. The Cherokee Nation was awarded $8 million for employment initiatives for Native Americans as well as Oklahoma Employment Security Commission (OESC) for training of dislocated energy workers. Charlie Watt, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator, and Title 1 representatives participating as well.System Oversight Committee: Committee is focused on updating the System Building and Center Certification Toolkit titled “New Day, New Way” to incorporate the changes from the WIOA as well as include best practices identified that promote an excellent customer experience in the Oklahoma Workforce System.General Workforce Information: The Okmulgee American Job Center had to move from the OSU Okmulgee Campus but has found a new space at an old Sear’s location. Charlie Watt has completed an initial accessibility review of the building and the build out will begin once the plans are approved.DRS is in the process of co-locating in the Enid American Job Center. Significant staffing issues in the Enid location so staff members are assisting until a full staff is re-established.Oklahoma Works Alumni Celebration had to be rescheduled due to continuous construction at the capitol. The new date is November 29th at 1:00pm in the House Chambers on the 4th floor of the State Capitol. As mentioned earlier, one client will be recognized and will receive the Governor’s Accommodation at that event.Save the Date: Oklahoma Works Annual Partners Conference will be held on May 1-3, 2019 at the Reed Center in Midwest City. Conference planning is underway and includes members from DRS, ABLE Tech, and the ORC. Registration for this event will be open in December.Director Fruendt mentioned the transition information provided to the Oklahoma Office Workforce Development over the last several months as they develop a transition plan showing the successes of the Oklahoma Works Initiatives throughout the state. They asked for 3-5 achievements from DRS for their annual report. Numerous achievements were submitted and the apprenticeship program that Fatos Floyd help developed in Tulsa was

ORC Program Manager Report - Carolina Colclasure On August 7th, gave Vikki Walls the ORC New Member

Orientation and provided her with all the basic information for the role.Presented at DRS’s Academy on August 8th. The ORC presentation occurred during the 2nd week of Academy and included information on the Council’s Mission and a detailed explanation regarding the purpose and benefits derived from all ORC Committees through the annual partnership with the agency.On August 17th, the PM met with Collier Sims for a Success Story Interview, she works for VS 90 as a Tech in Oklahoma City.Attended the Oklahoma Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation (OKTVR) Meeting on August 22nd in Mustang.Attended and was in charge of the Registration Committee during the 2018 Summit on Performance Management Excellence, which took place in Oklahoma from September 4th – 6th at the Skirvin Hotel in Oklahoma City.On September 7th, gave two new Member Orientations to Kelli Bates from GALT and Donna Sanders from the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission.The ORC Strategic Planning Meeting took place on September 20th, and we had great participation from our Members, and all the Committees worked really hard to set goals, objectives and activities that can be achieved in Fiscal Year 2019.On September 28th the PM attended the SILC Quarterly Meeting. The SILC appointed new Officers during this meeting and Vikki Walls will continue to serve as Chair for FY19.Attended via Zoom the Post-Summit Conference call on October 11th. Based on the comments and evaluations the PEQA Summit was a success and the Committee is starting with the organization for the 2019 Conference.The PM attended and assisted the OTC Committee with the 2018 OTI, held in Norman on October 15th – 17th. During those days the PM assisted in the Registration Table, the

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State Rehabilitation Council should play in the Success of the DSA, some of the presentations included:

Foundation for Building a Strong SRC Developing an Informative Orientation Structuring your Business Meetings SRC By-Laws that work for the Council Consumer Input – Why is it importantState Plan Management & How the Council should be involved. The take away from this Conference is that

o o o o o o

services

possible.In order to do this, we need to be actively involved with

the Customer Satisfaction Survey, and not just use the good feedback in it, but focus on the red flags to improve the service. Some of the recommendations listed by other SRCs are:Hold Focus Groups with Clients: develop a Survey or a list of questions, which will be given at the beginning of each session for the attendees to have time to look through it and make notes, that way the person will be more likely to participate and give honest feedback.Create an App for DRS Clients to give feedback after milestone (interviews, release to work, closure) interactions with their Counselors or Service Providers.Train the Council on their duties and responsibilities, to make sure we are all working towards the same goal and objectives. Carolina will start organizing a one day training in the spring for the Council. Reach out to DRS offices and give trainings on ORC’s mission and what we can do for their clients and them. Carolina presents at Academy, a 3 week training by DRS for DRS staff but

o

o

o

o

Create Committees for By-Laws and Membership: they will work as needed and will make sure the Council’s By-Laws are current and the Council has all the Members.Make the SILC position as a Standing Position like the DRS Director, this way we make sure the SILC is represented and we don’t have to wait for the appointment when the Chair changes.

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The new NCSRC website will be launched on November 14th, and will have a lot of new resources and all the information used in the Conference, as soon as we get the information with the new website address the PM will email it to the Council.The PM also attended the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR) Fall Conference in Long Beach, CA from October 27th – 31st. The Conference provided the State Agencies with information about CSAVR’s stand on Vision 2020 and what they hope to accomplish by then and how. The highlight of the General Sessions, was how the States Agencies need to collaborate with their partners to accomplish their goals and objectives. There is a lot of work to be done but the main focus should be the

materials from the Conference

can

be

found

athttps://www.csavr.org/conference-

presentationsOther Business:New Standards and Indicators – Rod Van Stavern Common Performance Measures instead of “standards

and indicators” per WIOA based on the 6 common measures that all Workforce Agencies are responsible for. We all need to provide and share information on employment outcomes for the people served in workforce, services provided to employers, and the educational attainments of the people being served.Not necessarily interested in the number of cases closed but interested in if the client is still working after closed, after 6 months, after a year, and their earnings for that second quarter (6 months). We are being compared across the country to other workforce partners. Target expectations are unknown and will probably remain unknown until 2024. This year, we have one of the lower employment rates compared to other states but when the order of selection takes place, things can change.Focus on attainment of education. Must have proof of education with DRS assistance to take to potential

o

o

o

23

Services to Employers is an emphasis by WIOA and we are good in that area. There are 100 new data recording areas set out by WIOA within the past 3 years.The 911 is a quarterly report regarding closed cases. Sadly, this report does not accurately capture all that is being done by DRS. Terri Williams added that the DOL and DRS VR do not count closures the same way; DRS doesn’t consider a case closed until after 90 days of employment (180 days moving forward), DOL considers a case closed if they worked one day. This causes huge discrepancies in reporting.We are an AWARE state and have decided to model Missouri, another AWARE state regarding high school

o

o

o

New ORC Member Introductions – Lori Chesnuto Bill Dunham – Hanger Prosthetics. He had served 7 years

and now is back as a person with a disability; knee amputee. He serves on Case Management Eastern Oklahoma, Adaptive Sports USA Board which encourages paralytic activities such as the Endeavor Games. He has

Dale Rogers Presentation by Theresa Flannery was tabled until the next meeting due to time constraints.

By-Laws Revision and Vote:

SECTION VA quorum will consist of seven (7) eligible voting members. If it is determined that a quorum will not be present, members will be notified. A motion was made to amend and make changes to the by-laws by Bill Dunham. Jeff Newton seconded the motion. Motion passed and the by- law changes were approved.

Lori Chesnut – Yes Tim Yeahquo – YesWilliam Ginn – Absent at time of voting Theresa Flannery – YesJen Randle – YesRick DeRennaux – Yes Deidra Edwards – Yes

o o o o o o o o o

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Jeff Newton – YesMelinda Fruendt – Non Voting Member Valerie Thompson – AbsentVikki Walls – Absent Suzanne Williams – Yes Bill Dunham – YesKelli Bates – Yes Donna Sanders –

o o o o o o o o o o

Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at

12:10pm.The next ORC Quarterly Meeting will be held on Thursday, February 21, 2019 at the DRS Building, 2nd floor conference room.

Oklahoma Rehabilitation Council Committee Reports

Executive Committee – Lori ChesnutThe ORC PM together with Lori Chesnut (Chair), Tim Yeahquo (Vice Chair) and Theresa Flannery (Member at Large) reported on the National Coalition of State Rehabilitation Council (NCSRC) Fall

Reports to ORC – Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) and Committees. NCSRC recommends to keep the reports simple. Due to the Open Meetings Act, reports are due in writing one week before the meetings so they are available for packets and on the website, both DRS and Committee Chairs will forward the reports to ORC PMPolicy Information – it was discussed that one of the main difficulties for State Rehabilitation Councils (SRCs) is to keep them informed in regards to Policy changes both National and Statewide. In order to keep our Council informed Director Fruendt is sending emails weekly with RSA’s updates. Statewide, Tina Callaway has been invited to the Planning and Program (P&P) Committee meeting to explain changes. After that meeting the ORC will create a letter to support or suggest changes to the new DRS Policy. The Public Hearings have been set for February 4th, 5th and 6th.

in Tulsa, and the 6th at the Great Plains Tech Center in Lawton. William has requested more information regarding the Federal Guidelines for Poverty LevelTrainings for ORC Members: The training would be a daytime meeting maybe spring/early summer. The training would be a way for the members to learn what DRS does and to learn how the council can help. Director Fruendt and Stephanie Roe will contribute with information regarding Vision 20/20 from Steve Wooderson’s presentation. ORC will try to get ideas or highlights from Field Counselors, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) points, address

Success Stories – Capitol Visitso We have 4 referrals for this year, 3 from Jeff Newton.o Director Fruendt will hold a meeting 1/17/19 with Carolina,

Mark, Tracy, Field Coordinators and Communications to discuss success stories. It will be a 2-part meeting.

o There are 3 people ready to go visit with legislators and share their story; not on Disability Awareness Day, but on another day. ORC PM will go with these 3 people, a representative from DRS, and others are invited as well.

Customer Satisfaction SurveyThe Council is aware of the process and wants to help DRS improve its Satisfaction Survey. DRS will use the same format for this year so maybe next year a new process can be implemented. There was an 85% response rate last year.ORC PM has been in contact with the DRS PI Unit, and a pilot has been discussed to implement the Survey not only at the closure of the case but after each milestone in the case has been completed, this way we will get feedback from the clients sooner and minor issues can be addressed faster.Review of Executive Committee Strategic Plan:All objectives are ongoing, and the Committee is working hard to Program and Planning Committee – Theresa FlanneryCustomer Satisfaction SurveyThe P&P Committee reviewed the 2019 DRS Open Case with the PI Unit. The 2019 Open Case Survey has 21 questions and a comment section. The

committee suggested some changes in the wording of some questions, added questions regarding assistive technology and the referral process, and shortened some questions to better fit the client’s understanding. Spanish and large print versions will IPads with survey applications

arebeing

researched

for

theirreader/communication capabilities with a projected date of fall of

2019. The goal is to provide the survey at different times during the process which will give an overall satisfaction picture.

Policy Updateso DRS’s Public Hearing Officer presented the changes to

chapters 1, 10 and 25 of DRS policies to the committee. A follow-up meeting with the DRS Division Administrators was held on February 1st, the meeting addressed the new policies and was used to answer the Council’s questions. After the meeting the Committee drafted the letter with the comments of suggestions that was presented at the Public

State Plan Update / Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act (WIOA) a

.There is no planning for the state plan at this time. DRS is starting to plan for the next rewrite of the state plan to takeplace within the next 6 months.The previous state plan, which included a 2 year modification has been approved but has not be published as of this meeting.WIOA: Workforce system and services is in a lull due to the quiet time between governors. The 1st

Governor’s Council on Workforce and Economic Development will take place on Friday, January 25th.For ORC planning purposes, there is a work group assembled to expand the Access for All certification adding elements including the STAR rating system. Other added elements have not been fully finalized but will include cultural awareness and outreach, and training for staff. Completion will be at the end of February and will

b.

c.

d.

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Review of P&P Committee Strategic Plan:All objectives are ongoing, and the Committee is working hard to make sure all goals are met by September 30th, 2019.

Policy and Legislative Committee Report – William GinnSuccess StoriesDirector Fruendt held a meeting on January 17th that included DRS’s Division Administrators, Field Coordinators, the Communications Office, Project Coordinators and ORC. The meeting was a great exchange of ideas and gave all participants a chance to share the importance of the Success Stories for their unit. Everyone agreed that the Success Stories are the best way to illustrate what DRS can do for Oklahomans with Disabilities, so in order to make sure those stories are presented in the best way possible and to increase the number of them, a Committee was formed and they were tasked with creating a new Success Story form that can be used by all participants, including ORC. The Committee met on Monday, January 28th and the form was updated. DRS will now process the form through OMES and once they approve it, it will be launched at DRS and Counselors will be told to use the new form. Once DRS receives the form, the National Coalition of State Rehabilitation Council (NCSRC) and Council of State Administrators Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR) – Update1

.We continue to get CSAVR updates through the email Director Fruendt sends weekly with the subject “Business Week Ending” sent by Steve Wooderson.NCSRC- Most important are the customer satisfaction surveys that ORC can work on, success stories and the reports. Reports need to be submitted in writing one week in advance to make ready for the ORC Quarterly Meetings packets and to be compliant with the Open Meetings Act. Officers have the opportunity to attend NCSRC to learn what to ask DRS and to get updates.

2.

Disability Awareness Day – Tuesday, March 12th, 2019 12pm-4pm.ORC will have a booth and Council Members are invited to come and provide information to participants. If you are interested in

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know so she can make the necessary arrangements. Please remember to register at http://www.okdrs.org/pwdad-registration.

ORC – Oklahoma Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation (OKTVR) Retreat1. There was an initial meeting scheduled on December

5th, but had to be cancelled due to President Bush passing away and the Federal Government was given that day off which included Tribal Offices.

2. PM and Tribal Liaison will attend the OKTVR meeting scheduled at the end of January and will talk to Tribal Directors and will try to get more information on this

Client Assistance Program (CAP) Brochure – Braille Copies1. The CAP brochures need to be updated. William has

some changes in to his administrator for approval; the simplified to a

6 grade reading level, and the format will bechanged to be more appealing to the consumer. ORC

will review it and give feedback before printing.2. Printing of the Braille copies will be on hold until the

new brochure is ready.

Review of Policy and Legislative Committee Strategic Plan:All objectives are ongoing, and the Committee is working hard to make sure all goals are met by September 30th, 2019.

Transition Committee Meeting Report – Lori ChesnutResources:The Committee wants to provide as many resources as possible to Counselors to make their job easier, among those resources we have:

1. Career Index Plus Information Review – Breaking Barriers. Oklahoma Rehabilitation Council (ORC) Program Manager (PM) will clean up the Career Index Plus document as suggested by the committee, send out the new document for feedback when ready, collaborate with Brett and then publish as an article in Breaking Barriers. PM will also send a copy to Renee’ Sansom for dissemination to the Department of

29

2. Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Toolkit for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Youth will be shared with DRS Counselors either through DRS, Jason, or through Breaking Barriers. The toolkit has a great deal of beneficial information and will be sent out to Transition

Regional Transition TeamThe Transition Committee has chosen to present to the Council in May and will invite Ponca City to attend and share. Ponca City Transition is holding a spring Workforce Job Fair and also has a Facebook page set up for the Northwest Transition Group. Lori or Brandi will reach out to the Ponca City group and give them the

Oklahoma Transition Council (OTC) UpdateA meeting was held mid-January. Lori Chesnut has set up 5 teams to review plans and be able to give a report at the February meeting. Date, speakers and venue for the 2019 OTI are still to be determined. Professional Development webinars were conducted with a goal to get more student involvement. OTC has reached out to the Zarrow Center and has several doctoral students

State Department of Education Special Child Count Data UpdateLori Chesnut reported to the committee that the total number of students on Individualized Education Programs (IEP) has increased from last year (109,000 to 115,290). Those in transition age, 14-21, are down to 30,790 from last year’s 35,000. Those ages 6-21

Tribal TrainingThe Oklahoma Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation (OKTVR) Transition Counselors have asked DRS for training. OKTVR will meet on Wednesday, January 30th at which time the PM with one DRS counselor will attend and ask what specific types of training is being requested or in what specific areas. PM will confirm with OKTVR that they are currently on the Oklahoma Transition Institute (OTI) mailing list and will also get a list of counselor

DRS Transition Coordinator Report:1. Three people have recently been hired to fill vacancies

in Pre-ETS leaving only 2 vacancies.

30

2.

Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Camps will be 3 days this summer; Lawton and OKC Public Schools have confirmed thus far. Oklahoma School for the Blind (OSB) and Oklahoma School for the Deaf (OSD) will have their STEM Camps when school resumes after the summer break.WOW Camp will be one week this year, June 10-14, in the Ouachita Mountains.Regional DRS Transitional Staff meeting plans are underway for transition counselors, program managers and techs. This regional meeting will be held in March to discuss case management issues. It was suggested that OKTVR be invited to attend for networking purposes.Project Searches are having their open houses and

3.4.

5.

Review of Transition Committee Strategic Plan:All objectives are ongoing, and the Committee is working hard to make sure all goals are met by September 30th, 2019.

Employment Committee Report – Jen Randle Soft Skills DocumentThis document supports Objective 1.1 of the strategic plan. The committeereviewed and discussed the document provided prior to the meeting and decided that more research will be done regarding how to proceed; what is currently out there, looking at other state’s (Missouri, Arkansas) documents, DRS handouts, Oklahoma Works and other agency information, etc.A draft document will be pulled together to be sent out later for

Job Readiness and Soft Skill Toolkit for EmployersThis supports Objective 1.2 of the strategic plan. The committee discussed the differences between job readiness and soft skills. There will need to be a separate document/training for employers

Flyer with Benefits to business when they employ people with disabilities – DRS Business Service Program (BSP)PM assisted the BSP unit create the Concierge Card and will translate to Spanish to make it accessible for all employers.

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Business Advisory Council (BAC) ReportThe BAC will be meeting in 2-3 weeks to plan the 2019 Job Fair. Currently, there is a tentative date of October 2019.

Individual Placement Support (IPS) Update Suzanne reported to the committee.6

.Suzanne informed the committee the Annual Report will be emailed out February 21st and will be a 15-month report from October 2017to December 2018 due to a fiscal year change.Currently there are 7 teams providing IPS services in 19 Oklahoma counties with a goal to have teams in all 22 counties.IPS 101 and Fidelity Training will be offered in February.IPS recently met with a team from Michigan who visited DRS and met with Vocational Rehab (VR) staff to address the opioid epidemic. Oklahoma is first in the nation to address homelessness, student mental health and the opioid epidemic. Currently doing this without funding but will secure a state MOU between Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse

7.8.9

closures.10

.DRS will pilot a program in Oklahoma County.

Review of Employment Committee Strategic PlanAll objectives are ongoing, and the Committee is working hard to make sure all goals are met by September 30th, 2019.

DRS Reports

DRS Director’s Report – Stephanie Roe

Remembrance : The DRS family remembers our friend and former co- worker Larry E. Bishop who passed away on January 13, 2019. Larry was the very first assistant to the Commission for Rehabilitation Services, a member of the original DRS Executive Team and administrator of Policy Development and Programs Standards Unit. He retired from

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DRS Budget Hearing – Director, CFO, and Legislative Liaison presented to the Health Appropriations Subcommittee (Senate and House).Oklahoma School for the Deaf (OSD) Senior Days – Director participated and gave a Director’s Welcome at the annual event hosted by the DRS Service for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing unit in partnership with OSD. Senior Days includes activities and transition learning experiences for the senior class to prepare these students for life beyond high school. Students engage in interactive activities related to budgeting, applying for financial aid and college, mock job interviews, and other independent living and employability scenarios to prepare students to pursue their career goals after graduation. So proud to hear from each of the Senior students on their planned next steps of their future. All should be very proud!United We Ride Meeting – Director attended the meeting held at the Vezey Veteran Center in Oklahoma City. A special presentation was given by the Oklahoma Department of

new commissioner.

Received an overview of the “Leveraging thePossibilities of The Federal Family First Prevention Services

Act and the Preschool Development Grant” from the Oklahoma Partnership of School Readiness Program (OPSR).

Client Success Story meeting – DRS staff and ORC came together to streamline the process on success stories.Able Tech Advisory Council meeting – Director attended. Received an overview on Financial Education and Money Smart collaboration.Governor’s Council on Workforce and Economic Development – Director and staff attended. Received a talent pipeline report summary; council bylaws revisions; WIOA PY 17 Annual report; Update on the Reach Higher Adult Degree Completion Program. State Board and Strategic Planning will be held April 25-26, 2019.Oklahoma Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation Council meeting– Director and staff attended and gave remarks. DRS is committed to updating the MOU with the tribal programs and providing letters of support for the grant submissions. This meeting is set for February 27.

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VR Division Administrator Report – Mark Kinnison

Trish Osborn has been assigned the detail to duties as the Program Manager for the Norman, South OKC, and Stillwater Offices. Trish has been an outstanding employee throughout her DRS career and I appreciate her service.Terri Murphy and ESS staff are working with IPS (Individual Placement and Supports) in regards to an MOU pilot project that will focus on employment services for those with significant mental health and substance abuse disabilities.A meeting was held with DDS Division Administrator Brain Nickles to discuss transportation options for clients and SSI/SSDI applicants.Ray Turner sat in on a meeting with Langston University and the National Advisory Panel regarding research projects that Langston University is pursuing.Tracy Brigham and I worked with the ORC and Tina Calloway regarding policy development.After 30 plus years of Service our Queen of Supported Employment (Teri Egner) retired. She leaves big shoes to fill.

VS Division Administrator Report – Tracy BrighamChris Brannaman has been selected as the new Programs Manager in Tulsa VS #64.His official start date was February 1. Chris has been with the agency for several years and has held multiple positions, including VS Counselor, VS Transition Counselor and Job Placement Specialist. Chris brings a wealth of knowledge and experience with him to this position and we are excited to have On Tuesday, January 22, 2019 Debra Mendez and Jeff Baker attended the Caddo Kiowa Technology Center Job Fair in Fort Cobb. They spoke with representatives from a number of employers and organizations in Western Oklahoma, answered their questions about hiring people with disabilities, and distributed information about DRS and Visual Services.Employers represented at the job fair included:Caddo Kiowa Technology Center, Cowley College, Hamm & Phillips, GEO Group Great Plains Correctional Center, City of Anadarko, Corn Heritage Village and Rehab, Binger Nursing Center, The Physicians Hospital, Kiowa Tribe, Kiowa

Casino, Bar S Foods, Delaware Nation Vocational Rehabilitation, Cohesive Healthcare (Carnegie Hospital) and Wichita Tribe/Sugar Creek Casino. This is a great example of VS staff working with area partners to get the word out about what DRS does, and to cultivate new employers, as well as work alongside one of our

On January 25, 2019, VS was proud to host an eye pathology training which was attended by all of our counselors, Rehabilitation Teachers, O&M Specialists and AT Specialists. It was presented by Dr. Ann Acres-Warn from Dean McGee Eye Institute and was intended to help teach and refresh knowledge and understanding of common eye disorders and treatments that might affect our clients and for which we might be able to On January 29, 2019, the OKTVR meeting was held, which consists of directors from all of the Tribal VR programs, as well as staff from DRS, ORC and the VA, in addition to other interested parties who meet and discuss how all of the agencies can partner to better provide services to our clients who are Native American. This collaborative meeting, which is held in different locations each time and hosted by Tribal VR offices, was held in the Chickasaw Community Center on NW 39th in Oklahoma City. DRS Director Melinda Fruendt was present, as were Teresa McDermott, There’s a new type of Project Search employment training program in the works for an adult population, the OKC Disability Inclusion Initiative. Mercy Hospital is taking the lead as the employer. Other participating partners are DRS, OU, Dale Rogers

Vacant Positions: Counselor- Enid=1 Tulsa=2; Rehabilitation Teacher- Idabel=1 Tulsa=1; Orientation and Mobility Specialist- Tulsa=1TransitionTransition Coordinator (TC) attended a conference on Division and Career Development in Transition and gained ideas and skills for the Pre-Ets (pre- employment transition services) contract that OU has begun hiring for the pilot. It started in full swing on February

Project Search meetings are being held every month at each location and Brandi Hurley and TC are making every effort to attend those meetings and to be a

35

resource to staff, the host locations, skills trainers and job coaches at each site. There are currently 9 sites. Students are doing well at each site. There has been one current Project Search client hired at Integris in Yukon as the hospital loved her and the work she was doing. It is the time now where our job coaches and employment. Project Search will be celebrating their

1 year this year forProject Search. Very exciting times! Still in the process of

discussion with Georgia and OU about another Project Search site to be in Muskogee VA where we will focus on the School for the We have attended multiple Open House opportunities for Project Search this month.

Bonnie Allen from the Edmond Office and TC have met with Whitefield’s (another OJA facility for at risk youth) and she is currently meeting with those students on a regular basis and we are developing a SWS contract so that the kids can work and help

TC has been involved with the Oklahoma Transition Council and they are in theprocess of developing their

1 Annual Transition Institute for some time inOctober 2019. No date has been

confirmed.TC, Jonathon Cook, OU, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Coalition, Chris Dvorak and Lisa Barnum with Edmond Public Schools are in the process of developing a one week Deaf and Hard of Hearing Camp with the name of Summer Career Academy. MOU has been developed and sent to Joe Hill. Working on contract information

Pre-Ets contract through OU is up and running. 3 people have been hired to work in the schools. One was hired to work in the Oklahoma City Public School System (all high schools); another is hired to work the “west” part of the start (at this time including Lawton and surround schools, up to Tuttle, Newcastle, Blanchard and other rural schools; the 3rd will be focusing on Moore/Norman and down through Little Axe, Purcell and other surrounding schools in that area. We are very excited! Judi Goldston and the TC presented the information last week at the Student Success Summit and plan on taking it around the state to educate. The hope is to expand as we go along. Working with the workforce TC with Rick DeRennaux from Tech Now, Brian Zamarripa from the Tulsa office, Brandi Hurley and Tracy Brigham for Rick to show us his “newest” way for the

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students at OSB to build a car for STEM camp this summer. He did an amazing job and created templates for the students to utilize. Our very own Brian put the car together with little to no guidance and Brandi Hurley was blindfolded and it was equal. He has dedicated many hours and completely developed the idea on his own and for complete accessibility to our blind students. We are

TC has attended, with OSB staff and Teresa McDermott, quarterly meetings at OSB to discuss the students and plan for current and future transition and employment needs.

TC attended Business Services Meeting and is always getting information from Fatos Floyd about new ideas for the Transition programs. There are plans to start a vending machine program in

We are currently in the process of developing the summer programs, which consist of Camp WOW – June 10th – 14th for one week. Applications are being developed currently for accessibility.

We are currently in the process of developing flyers for STEM camps this summer as well. Working on accessibility, locations and date/times for the summer. This will include OSB and OSD

The new name for the summer employment program formerly known as iJobs is STEP, Summer Transition Employment Program. We don’t have a start date yet, but the flyers have been sent out for deadlines to applications and applications are being developed currently for accessibility. We will be having the STEP in Norman/Moore, Edmond and Owasso this year. We are bringing in 2 new counselors this year to learn how to begin and develop to TC and Brandi Hurley will be having regional transition meetings in March for staff to learn more hands on about actual services and how to record them in AWARE as well as other training needs for transition counselors. These meetings will include PM’s, Counselors and Techs. We will be conducting 4 different meeting locations as Enid will be having a large unit meeting and we will attend her meeting to incorporate Woodward and Guymon areas.

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TC sent out a quarterly Trendy Transition Newsletter for the counselors and Transition staff to keep them apprised of what is going on in Transition and what to be looking for.

We are working with Brett Jones on new brochures for Transition to include a parent brochure, a school brochure and one designed for the student. We are also, working on brochures to just focus on the programs that Transition currently has and will be doing.

TC and Brandi Hurley attended Senior Days at OSD with Deaf and Hard of Hearing staff to encourage, teach, present and mentor the young students who are leaving in May for college or other experiences. It was fun and we really appreciated the invitation

TC and Brandi have had multiple conversations state wide regarding students and guardians who have needed some guidance and assistance with getting their case moving along. We have met with schools and those guardians to be the “mediator” between the counselor and family. All has turned out well, but those meetings are happening and our staff are responding well to those request. Brandi and TC have offered to help take applications at parent nights and open houses for Project Search TC and Brandi met with Lori Chesnut on January 29th to discuss the MOU with Department of Education to develop a strategic plan for the upcoming fiscal year.Business Services Program:BSP staff continued to forge relationships and create awareness of Business Services by attending and presenting to workforce partners and workforce business services committee meetings in the Tulsa and Altus areas.BSP staff made visits to DRS unit meetings in Tulsa, Ardmore,

The first BSP internal committee meeting was held December 4 at state office with all the stake holders from various areas of the state, including VR and VS counselors, Program Managers and specialty area reps from Transition Services, and Assistive Technology.December 21, the BSP Coordinator meet with Oklahoma

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Reasonable Accommodation training was also provided to the group that day by Charles Watt.

BSP representatives also toured the following facilities in December and January;

Ebsco Spring, Tulsa, OK Cintas,

BSP staff represented DRS at the Innovative Employment Opportunity Council meeting in Tulsa January 3 and will be representing monthly.BSP staff represented DRS at the Mosaic meeting at Oklahomans for Equality in Tulsa, OK January 15 and will be representing monthly.Liaisons began working relationships with the Lions Club of Waurika, Ok; Davis Chamber of Commerce, Business Professional Women of Lawton and the Hispanic Resources Association of

Began work on the Asset Creation and Preservation for People with Disabilities Summit to be held April 24 and 25th in Norman, OK.Business Advisory Council meetings were held in OKC, Tulsa and Lawton in the month of January.

BSP Coordinator and Area Liaison meet with President of the Lawton Chamber of Commerce

BSP was featured in the Lawton Monday Minute newsletter January 28Kickoff of Brown Bag Lunch and Learn in the Tulsa area (open to businesses and the public) was held January 31 at Brookside Business Enterprise Program (BEP):Interviews have been set for February 20 for the BEP Program Coordinator position.

We will begin the next training program for new managers after the new Program Coordinator has been hired.

Currently working on inventory statewide.

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Field Coordinator Report – Teresa McDermottService Activity 10/1/2018 to 1/31/2019

Current Case Status as of 2/13/2019

Priority Group Assignment – Active Cases as of 2/13/2019

Delayed – Waiting List as of 2/13/2019

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Waiting List per Priority Group V VS TotalPriority Group 1 27 1 28Priority Group 2 1,542 51 1,593Priority Group 3 348 21 369Total 1,917 73 1,990

Active V VS TotalPriority Group 1 3,518 621 4,139Priority Group 2 3,630 262 3,892Priority Group 3 417 45 462Total 7,565 928 8,493

Statu V VS TotalApplicants Pending Eligibility 577 55 632Applicants participating in Trial Work Experiences to determine Eligibility

71 71

Individuals determine Eligible & currently on Waiting list

1,917 73 1,990

Eligible Participants pending IPE 614 41 655Active Participants Pending IPE 6,651 856 7507Participants Employed, pending Successful Case Closure

272 22 294

Total 10,102 1,047 11,149

Statu V VS TotalTotal Individuals with an Open Case 12,062 1,124 13,186Individuals Determine Eligible 1,061 91 1,152Released from Waiting List 719 13 732IPE Developed 1,441 102 1,543Closed Employed 234 13 247

Transition vs. Adult Participants as of 2/13/2019

Active Cases – Age Group Breakdown

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Age

15 to 16

16 to 18

18-24 25-44 45-54 55-59 60+ Total

Total %

VR 279 1,658 3,848 2,343 1,013 482 507 10,130 91%VS 28 77 255 278 177 97 144 1,056 9%Total 307 1,735 4,103 2,621 1,190 579 651 11,184 100%

Case Status VR VR VR VS VS VS Total TotalDelayed 63 1,280 1,917 17 56 73 1,990Eligible 23 376 614 9 32 41 655Service 3,224 3,427 6,651 25 603 856 7,507Employed 75 197 272 3 19 22 294Total 4,174 5,280 9,454 28 710 992 10,446

Workforce Initiative Report – Stephanie Roe Customer Service CohortThe Oklahoma team is continuing to participate in the Department of Labor Customer Service Cohort along with Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and Nebraska with a focus on ensuring individuals with disabilities experience seamless customer service across WIOA core programs at American Job Centers. During our last session, the teams agreed on developing a disability inclusive WIOA cross partner training plan with emphasis on customer service, effective delivery of service, and ability to increase

Access for All Certification RestructureThe Access for All subgroup is attempting to restructure the Access for All certification and have developed the framework based on the Department of Labor’s AJC accessibility study. The group has expanded the certification to five levels and added additional criteria to certification like customer service, training and outreach to disability groups and individuals. The subgroup is still in process of determining the factors that differentiate one level from another and will meet again next week to continue the process. After the sub-group completes recommendations for the restructure, the Access for All committee will review and provide input and comments about the proposed changes. The committee intends to provide the completed recommendations to the Council Center Certification TaskforceThe Center Certification taskforce has had two meetings to review the system certification standards and measures with a target date for revision by the end of April. The goal is to reduce duplication of the standards and measures and streamline the certification process. To date, the standards and measures have been consolidated into three categories- Governance, Job Seeker Services and Business Services and each local workforce area will need to meet all three categories to be certified. At this time, The overarching themes used during development are:

Providing easy accessibility to all job seeker and employer customers 4

2

Ensuring non-duplication of services to both job seekers and employers among all partners.Ensuring partner staff are able to develop an individualized plan for each customer that will fully meet their needs either by an entry point agency or others within the system.

General Workforce InformationOkmulgee American Job Center has a target move-in date of March 4, 2019 Gretchen Evans- Northeast One-Stop Operator resigned at the end of January and a replacement has not yet been hired. Gretchen was always a big supporter of the Access for

Upcoming EventsMarch 12, 2019-People with Disabilities Awareness Day - Oklahoma State Capitol. Register at http://www.okdrs.org/pwdad-registration.April 26, 2019 OESC and ODOT Semi-Annual Job Fair-Bricktown Event CenterMay 1-3, 2019- Registration is open: Oklahoma Works Partner ConferenceThe Oklahoma Works Conference is the educational training event of the year for partners working in workforce development. The

Case Management Customer Service EEO/Accessibility Apprenticeships Financial/Infrastructure HSE Testing VendorsAdult Basic Education Program Strategies ABE/Workforce Co-enrollment Strategies Career Pathways

Jim Stovall who is a blind author of the book, The Ultimate Gift, a national champion Olympic weightlifter and President of Narrative Television Network will be a keynote speaker during the

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DRS session topics that will be presented during the conference are:Dan Shephard-VS Assistive Technology on ways assistive technology can assist employers to hire and/or retain employees.Fatos Floyd- Business Engagement: The Dual Customer Approach. Charlie Watt- Serving job seekers with disabilities- Customer Service. Mark Ferguson- Accessing

DRS Legislative Report - Kevin NelsonWe have completed review of the 2,818 bills for the 2019 session. Of these there are 1,200 on our tracking list, but 636 are shell bills (no substantive language). Major topics for this year are again education and teacher pay raises, guns, marijuana and

On government reform, Pro Tem Treat has filed a series of bills allowing the Governor to appoint the top ten agency directors (we are 18 by state appropriations). Rep. McCall has bills to change the top ten boards to advisory boards appointed by the governor and the legislature. Like last year, Sen. Julie Daniels, filed SB 270, which permits the governor, Speaker and Pro Tem to remove any commission.

And a new bill, SB0630, by Sen. Brent Howard, R-Altus, thatrequires the Governor, elected and nonelected state officers, and

any appointed member of a state board or commission to be liable and subject to impeachment for willful neglect of duty, incompetency, or any offense involving moral turpitude committed while in office.

Of the remaining 567 bills, there are 13 we have identified of particular interest to the agency on our Watch List. Our request bills are on the list (SB 75,76, 77, and 95), along with a number of bills making us a part of various studies (HB1979(TBI), HB2136 (United We Ride counsel), and SB154 (LEAD K, deaf education).

Both of Sen Standridge's bills would make changes to the Workforce system and the agencies involved with it. SB 174 and its companion 175 would create an office of Workforce agencies and programs under it. exempted.

It is unclear if we would be included or

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Sen Dahm's bill, SB 329, prohibits an agency subject to a federal rule or regulation from following, interpreting or abiding by any requirements of the rule or regulation if disapproved by the Legislature. This could jeopardize our federal funding.

Finally, SB0913, by Sen. Kay Floyd, makes major changes to the Oklahoma Personnel Act. While we do not necessarily see any issues, the scope of the bill makes it one we will need to watch.

The next legislative deadline is February 28 to report out Senate bills from Senate committees.

Active Bills; In tracking list 'Watch List'HB1979, by Rep. Trish Ranson, D-Stillwater, requires a traumatic brain injury (TBI) information packet to be given to the family of the TBI survivor in rehabilitation. It creates the TBI Advisory Council. It requires the advisory council to consist of an executive director, a representative of the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature, a representative of the Brain Injury Association of Oklahoma, an individual representing veterans, a representative of the State Department of Rehabilitation Services, a state representative or senator, a doctor who provides rehabilitative services, a family advocate and a special education teacher. It provides for the purpose of the council. It requires every survivor to be provided an individual plan for rehabilitation and reintegration. It requires students living with and without disabilities as well as young adults who have sustained a HB2136, by Rep. Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, creates the Oklahoma Council on Access to Transportation. It provides the duties of the Council. It provides for Council membership. It requires the Council to appoint an Advisory Committee to assist transportation

services in recommendations theirimprovement. It requires these members to serve the Council for

a three-year term beginning upon appointment and can be reappointed at the discretion ofthe Council. It requires each Advisory Committee member to continue to serve until a new appointment has been made for his or her position. It provides for Advisory Committee membership. It requires the Council to meet at such times and places as it deems appropriate. It requires Council and Advisory Committee members

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It requires the Council to elect a chair and vice-chair from its membership. It requires the Council to report to the Governor regarding its progress and status on January 1, 2020, and annually thereafter.Status : H Introduced

SB0075, by Sen. Frank Simpson, R-Ardmore, clarifies references to the Division of Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired of the State Department of Rehabilitation Services. The bill removes the requirement that the library standards of the National Accreditation Council for Agencies Serving the Blind and Visually Handicapped be observed and followed in providing special library services.Status : S Introduced SB0076, by Sen. Frank Simpson, R-Ardmore, clarifies references to the Disability Determination Service at the Department of Rehabilitation Service.Status : S Introduced

SB0077, by Sen. Frank Simpson, R-Ardmore, adds payment for unused leave to the list of administrative rules required to be adopted by the Commission for Rehabilitation Services.Status : S Introduced Status Date :

SB0095, by Sen. Frank Simpson, R-Ardmore, permits the Commission for Rehabilitation Services to accept and receive gifts, donations, devices, bequests, grants or contracts of any kind for money or property, either real or personal, for the benefit of the Oklahoma School for the Blind and the Oklahoma School for the Deaf. It directs, authorizes and empowers the commission to hold such funds or property outright or in trust, invest or sell the property and use the principal or interest or proceeds of sale for the benefit of the Oklahoma School for the Blind and the Oklahoma School for the Deaf. It requires the commission to utilize its best efforts to comply with the terms of any conditional gift, devise or bequest in fulfillment of the donor's stipulations and provisions of applicable laws. It permits any real or personal

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to be sold and the proceeds of the sale deposited in the commission's general fund or the property may be further donated in kind.Status : S

SB0154, by Sen. Frank Simpson, R-Ardmore, creates, until Dec. 31, 2020, the 17-member Language Equality and Acquisition for Deaf Kids (LEAD-K) Task Force to develop a resource for parents to monitor and track deaf or hard of hearing children's expressive and receptive language acquisition using American Sign Language, English or both, and developmental stages toward English literacy and developing a framework for assessing children who are deaf or hard of hearing to determine their competencies in language and literacy skills for the purpose of ensuring they have the opportunity to achieve kindergarten readiness in an equitable manner. The bill establishes membership and meeting requirements. The bill requires the task force to submit a report of its findings and recommendations by Dec. 31, 2020, to the Governor, Senate President Pro Tempore, House Speaker, chairs of the Senate and House education committees and chairs of the Senate and House health SB0168, by Sen. Frank Simpson, R-Ardmore, creates the Blind Persons Literacy Rights and Education Act. The bill requires that in developing an individualized education program (IEP) for a student with a visual impairment, a provision shall be made for instruction in Braille and the use of Braille, unless determined otherwise. It clarifies that nothing therein requires the exclusive use of Braille if other special education services are appropriate to the student's educational needs and the provision of other appropriate services will not preclude Braille use or instruction. It outlines specifications for a student's IEP if it includes such a provision for instruction in Braille and use of Braille. It requires instruction in Braille reading and writing to be sufficient enough to enable each student with a visual impairment to communicate effectively and efficiently with the same level of proficiency expected of the student's peers of comparable ability and grade level. The bill requires any teacher who is certified to teach students with a visual impairment to be required to demonstrate competency in reading and writing Braille, beginning July 1, 2020.

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for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. It requires that in the absence of a federal law or regulation establishing a national standard for electronic files to be used for production of accessible instructional materials, a file format standard must be prescribed by the State Department of Rehabilitation Services. It requires the agency to include a requirement that the electronic version is encoded in text suitable for conversion into Braille or synthesized speech and has been prepared using a markup language which maintains the structural integrity of the information and can be processed by Braille translation software. (Emergency Measure)SB0174, by Sen. Robert Standridge, R-Norman, requires all state and federal grants relating to the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and the authority of the State's Workforce Investment Board to be administered by the Department of Labor for use and benefit of the Division of the Office of Workforce Development and the Work-based Learning Program, beginning July 1, 2020. It consolidates all state and local grant programs designed to further the development of employment opportunities and workforce training services in this state, except those relating to the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, under the authority of the Department of Labor, Division of the Office of Workforce Development for convenience to the citizens who utilize said programs and services and for expedited and efficient administration. It creates the Division of the Office of Workforce Development in the Department of Labor to continue until July 1, 2026. It requires the Commissioner of Labor to administer and regulate the Division of the Office of Workforce Development through the powers and duties set forth and in the respective state and federal laws pertaining to the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, and the authority of the State's Workforce Investment Board. It requires the Division to coordinate its efforts and responsibilities with the Work-based Learning Program to establish a comprehensive workforce development program. It creates the Workforce Development Revolving Fund in the State Treasury for the Department of Labor. It specifies the purpose of the fund. It requires the Commissioner of Labor to, no later than March 1, 2020, and thereafter each time the position becomes vacant, hire a Director of the Office of Workforce

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private partnerships, sharing governmental resources and all applicable laws relating to the Department of Labor administering workforce development programs. It requires the Commissioner to establish and coordinate all Division of the Office of Workforce Development with the Governor's Council For Workforce and Economic Development, which is recognized as the State's Workforce Investment Board for purposes of federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funds, the Work-based Learning Program and the Secretary of State to form a comprehensive Office of Workforce Development program. It requires the Commissioner of Labor to promulgate rules, procedures and forms to establish, implement, regulate, administer and enforce the provisions of this act and all applicable laws and rules relating to the Division and its responsibilities for workforce development in SB0191, by Sen. Robert Standridge, R-Norman, creates the Oklahoma Workforce Development Act. The bill creates the Oklahoma Office of Workforce Development as a division of the Department of Labor, beginning July 1, 2020, and continuing until July 1, 2026, to administer federal grant funding allocations from the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and other federal grants and sources of funding relating to state workforce development programs, employment and training services to various citizens of this state and those recipients of federal assistance funds. The bill provides the Oklahoma Office of Workforce Development will operate without direct state appropriated funding and will be contingent upon federal funding and other sources of monies derived from federal resources and nonappropriated funds, except as otherwise specifically authorized for state interagency agreements, state agency personnel resource sharing agreements, monies earned from office space rental agreements between state agencies, state agency contractual agreements, memorandum of understanding agreements between state agencies, or other state agency resource sharing agreements. It requires any grant funds for the office requiring state matching dollars be declared and brought before the Legislature for approval and budgeting before such funding source may be accepted by the department on the office's behalf. It also requires any state budgeted and appropriated dollars to be allocated and used by the Department

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requires the Legislature to monitor and evaluate the financial structure of this division annually in each budget request, or as may be required by the Legislature. The bill permits the Department of Labor to accept and apply for gifts, grants, donations, and funds from public and private sources to support the duties of the office and to use money from job training funds and other money to implement the requirements of this act. The bill defines applicable terms. The bill establishes duties of the Department of Labor. The bill requires the office to ensure that an individual employment plan developed for a recipient of financial assistance or an individual participating in an employment program includes specific postemployment strategies to assist the recipient or the participant in making a transition to stable employment at a wage that enables the person and the person's family to maintain self-sufficiency. It establishes specific requirements for the plans. The bill requires the office, in cooperation and collaboration with local workforce development boards, to develop an electronic system for tracking employment services and referral programs that includes a database with each provider's performance indicators for services and the success or outcomes of such referrals. The bill establishes requirements for financial literacy training. The bill permits the office to provide ongoing job retention and reemployment assistance for a recipient of federal public assistance or an individual who has participated in a job training program. The bill establishes requirements for various programs. The bill requires activities of the Governor's Council for Workforce and Economic Development be coordinated with the Oklahoma Office of Workforce Development's executive director. The bill establishes a July 1, SB0321, by Sen. Frank Simpson, R-Ardmore, makes the Department of Rehabilitation Services immune from liability for monetary damages to licensed individuals or their subcontractors.Status : S Introduced Status Date :

SB0329, by Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, requires state agencies upon receipt of a requirement to adopt, follow or otherwise submit to any new federal rule or regulation, change to an existing federal rule or regulation or interpretation of any rule

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electronic mail to the Senate President Pro Tempore, the House Speaker and Governor. It permits the Legislature by adoption of a joint resolution to disapprove the implementation of any federal rule or regulation imposed on a state agency. It prohibits an agency subject to a rule or regulation from following, interpreting or abiding by any requirements of the rule or regulation if disapproved by the Legislature. It requires the agency to file notice of legislative disapproval with the Oklahoma Attorney General. It provides a federal rule or regulation will be deemed authorized if a joint resolution disapproving the rule is vetoed by the Governor and the veto is not overridden. It exempts from liability state agencies and their employees complying with the provisions of the bill. It provides any rights, privileges or interests gained by any person by operation of a federal rule or regulation applied prior to the adoption of a joint resolution will not be affected by reason of any subsequent disapproval or rejection of SB0913, by Sen. Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City, renames the Oklahoma Career Service Act from the Oklahoma Personnel Act. The act states the intent is to allow agencies flexibility in human resource management within a framework of consistent best practices across all the state agencies and entities, retaining employees based on performance and counseling inadequate performance and unacceptable conduct and assuring employees are protected against coercion from partisan political purposes and are prevented from using their official authority. The act redefines multiple human resources practices covered in the act and removes multiple required training and assessment programs. The act renames the Merit Rules of Personnel Act the Career Service Act, it changes the Merit Rules of Personnel Administration to the Career Service System of Human Resources Administration as well as other similarly named offices. The act adds the Minority Leader of each chamber to annual fiscal reports

Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) Report

ADA Special SessionSILC was a co-sponsor of the Oklahoma City Mayor’s ADA Special Session. The sponsors were Oklahoma SILC, the OKC Mayor’s Committee on Disability Concerns, the Great Plains ADA Center and the SW ADA Center. The session was

geared towards architects, engineers, ADA coordinators, designers, building and facility managers, and anyone who wants a better understanding of the changes in the ADA. It was a full-day presentation and awarded certified professionals 6 credit hours. The speaker for the event was Richard Sternadori, who is also the coordinator for the ADA Symposium, which is held annually across the nation and attracts well over 500 participants. This

one-day

curriculum

examined

the

architectural

requirementsaccessibility to new/altered construction and existing buildings under theAmericans with Disabilities Act. It explored all 10 chapters of Standards for Accessible Design in depth, with recent interpretations and clarifications from the US Access Board, the Dept. of Justice and others. Richard discussed errors, conflicts, questions and concerns that have been raised by design,

The course also explored the significant architectural changes approved by the International Code Council (ICC) in the 2018 ANSI A117, such as: Changes to wheelchair footprints, turning radius, “T” turns, bed height and other fundamentals. These changes are not harmonized with the 2010 DOJ Standards.

Oklahoma Transition CouncilSILC will also begin participating in the Oklahoma Transition Council and help with planning for the future Oklahoma Transition Institutes.NationallyOklahoma SILC also has a presence on two National boards in regards to Independent Living: APRIL (the Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living) and SILC Congress (Oklahoma SILC

SILC Congress will be held February 23-25, 2019 in Orlando, FL and will have sessions from ACL in regards to the upcoming SPIL cycle. Currently there are 115 registrants, representing 45 states and territories. Each year SILC Congress draws more and more presence from CILs who want the instructional content that is

The 2018 APRIL Conference was held in October in Denver, CO and was the largest attended APRIL conference on record. The Board is making changes to accommodate the growth of the conference and membership, which means it

will hard to remain in rural places, as most rural places don’t have hotels and accommodations that can support a conference this large. The Youth conference was also the largest attended to date. The conference was a huge success with the least amount of ‘complaints’ received by the Board too, and the weather in Denver cooperated while we were there. SILC sent 3 of its council

The fall APRIL conference will be October 25-28, 2019 in Grand Rapids, MI at the Amway Grand Hotel. SILC is sending 2 members. The ARPIL Board meeting will be held in either April or May in Orlando, FL to begin preparations for the 2020 conference.

704 ReportWorked with Kevin Statham to complete the 704 Report and it was submitted by the deadline. There aren’t many changes with that report from year to year, other than changes to the amount of funding, and maybe some changes in partnerships and new

Veteran’s CouncilThe SILC E.D. has been participating in the Council meetings, which are by invitation only. She has been asked to become an associate member, and is waiting her turn to ‘present’ at their meeting and be voted on. Her membership will be to represent SILC. In the meantime, She has been actively participating in any

MayorWe continue to work closely with the OKC Mayor and have been able to easily communicate with him. This also includes communication in regards to the new OKC Streetcar, which we asked to be involved in since ‘mock up’.OKC Annual Mayor’s luncheon was the largest we have had to date. The Mayor wanted and got a larger role in the presentation of awards and we received more compliments than ever. We revamped the script and the entire ceremony. We also included a memoriam to Pam Henry, and in the future will name one of our

Governor’s OfficeWe are working with the Governor’s office to continue to get appointments. Even though our Board is 11, the more we have, the easier it is for committee to meet and be productive. We are also working with the Dept. of Veteran’s Affairs to get

someone to represent Veterans on the Council. We have 2 new appointments (Nancy Ward and Torrel Miles) and 2 others who are applying.Current Council Executive Committee Vikki Walls – ChairJeanne Self – Vice Chair Rachel Allen – Secretary Kyle King – At LargeDr. Phillip Lewis – At Large

State PlanWe have begun another State Plan (SPIL) cycle and will start meeting with the center directors to put together a new plan for IL for 2020-2022.MeetingOur next quarterly meeting is April 26, 2019

ORC Program Manager Report Carolina Colclasure

Since our November meeting the PM has:Participated in Virtual Session #2 and Session #3 of the Customer ServiceCohort (November

2 and December

1 respectively). The Cohort haspresented Oklahoma with a great opportunity to share

information with otherStates, and use the experiences from other States to improve the way the services are provided in the Oklahoma State Agencies.Attended the VR Program Manager training on November

2 and gave anupdate on what the Council is working on and the new goals and

activities forFY19.Attended the 2018 Annual Workforce Alumni Celebration at the State Capitol with Linda Jaco and Director Fruendt.Presented at the VR #23 Unit Meeting. Introduced the unit to what ORC is doing for FY19 and provided information on how the Council could help the Agency.Worked on the 2018 ORC Annual Report. The PM sent the draft on December 6th to the Council for their review and after their input the final version was sent to RSA on December 13th, 2018 and

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On December 20th, 2018 the PM attended the Oklahoma Works Planning Committee Meeting, in Oklahoma City.Participated in the OTC Zoom Meeting on January 15th, 2019.Attended the Business Advisory Council meeting in Oklahoma City on January 15th. The BAC has at least 2 big activities coming up in 2019 and the ORC will be assisting as part of the Strategic Plan of the Employment Committee. The main support will be given with the coordination and assistance during the Fall Job Fair that will be held on October 10th, 2019 from 10am to 3pm at Shepherd Mall.On January 17th, PM attended the Success Story Meeting organized by Director Fruendt. This meeting included both VR and VS Division Administrators, Field Coordinators, the DRS Communications Unit and ORC. The meeting was very successful, we found out that DRS has been receiving Success Stories directly from clients and the Communications Unit has kept a database with all of them and they are given to Legislators at the Capitol on Disability Awareness Day.Just in the last year (2018) they received 34 Success Stories, which is more than what ORC gets, so from now on ORC, the Communications Unit and the Field Coordinators will work together in a Committee to create one Success Story questionnaire, that will be standardized for ORC and DRS and that will get us the information for our Success Stories and the Workforce Alumni Celebration Nominations.We set a goal of 77 Success Stories per year, one per County so we can give each legislator a success story from the county they serve, it may not be one of their constituents but at least someone in their county.The Success Story Committee met on January 28th and created a new Success Story form, it will be used by DRS Counselors and ORC. This new form will allow us to have a first look of the Story and will give us the information to contact the client and a follow up for an interview.Attended the Oklahoma Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation (OKTVR) Regular Meetings:Department of Rehabilitation Services Commission Meeting ABLE Tech Advisory MeetingOklahoma Transition Council (OTC) Meetings

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ORC Committee Meetings

Other Business

DRS Policy Changes 2019

CHAPTER 10. VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND VISUAL SERVICES612:10-3-5. Basic living requirements [AMENDED]

(a) A basic living requirement has been established for different size family groups. A family member is an individual who is a relative or guardian of an applicant or eligible individual.

612:10-7-2. Field staff responsibilities [AMENDED]612:10-7-2.1 Applications for employees or family member(s) of employees [NEW]In order to provide fair and equal access to vocational rehabilitation services, and to avoid the appearance of impropriety or conflict of interest, an applicant who is a DRS employee or an immediate family member of a DRS employee, shall adhere to the procedures below when such an individual wishes to apply for rehabilitation services. Immediate family members may include a spouse, children, or any other individual who might be considered immediate family.The employee shall advise the Field Services Coordinator of the intent to apply for services. If the Field Services Coordinator, his/her immediate family member, his/her direct report, or an immediate family member of his/her direct report intends to apply for services, the employee shall advise the appropriate Division Administrator of the intent to apply for services.612:10-7-2.2 Applications for friends or family member(s) of friends [NEW]

In order to provide fair and equal access to vocational rehabilitation services, and to avoid the appearance of impropriety or conflict of interest, the following procedure will be followed. If an applicant is familiar to the point of friendship or an immediate family member of an individual who is familiar to the point of friendship, an application/referral will not be processed by the impacted DRS staff member. The relationship will be

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612:10-7-2.3 Services for Employers [NEW]DRS's focus is to inform businesses about the benefits and opportunities associated with a workforce that is diverse and inclusive, and support business to develop that workforce. DRS values employer input into the VR program. DRS and workforce partners engage in activities that include employer input on workforce topics. Within the core services to business, DRS contributes by:(1) Informing businesses about the DRS talent pool and the full offerings of DRS programs, services, and incentives.(2) Informing employers about opportunities to provide work-based learning and career exploration options to students and youth through internships, on the job work experiences, and pre-employment transition services.(3) Enabling employers to recruit, job match, hire, train, and retain qualified talent from the DRS talent pool.(4) Connecting employers to community resources that support individuals with disabilities.(5) Providing consultation, technical assistance, and support to employers on workplace accommodations, assistive technology, and accessibility.(6) Providing information and consultation regarding employment of people with disabilities, including the benefits/return on investment of enhancing diversity in the workplace, disability awareness, and the Americans with Disabilities Act.(A) Assist employers in identifying and preparing individuals with 612:10-7-2.4 Annual Outreach and Review Services [NEW]DRS will provide this service by DRS qualified staff or under a contractual relationship. DRS is required to provide annual outreach and review services for individuals earning subminimum wages under a 14c certificate. DRS is responsible for providing the required services only when an individual becomes known to DRS. The individuals will receive information about career counseling, supported employment, customized employment, career advancement, benefits counseling, and referrals to DRS and other available job placement resources within their local communities.For individuals hired at subminimum wage, these services must be carried out once every six months for the first year of the

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to DRS. An individual may become known to DRS via self-identification by the person with a disability, via referral by a third party, through the individual's involvement with the vocational rehabilitation process, or any other method.Individuals will receive documentation as soon as possible, but no later than 45 days after services are completed, or, 90 calendar days if additional time is necessary due to extenuating circumstances, which should be interpreted narrowly. At a minimum, documentation must include:(1) Name of the individual with a disability;(2) Description of service or activity completed;(3) Name of the provider of the required service or activity;(4) Date required service or activity completed;(5) Signature of DRS personnel transmitting documentation to the

612:10-7-24.1. Basic eligibility requirements for vocational rehabilitation services [AMENDED]

(7) Mental Disorders. Individuals may be eligible for vocational rehabilitation services based on a mental health diagnosis made by a qualified professional (612:10-7-98 (17)(A)(1-5)). Documentation must be filed from a qualified professional indicating the client is participating in a treatment plan and in compliance with all medication as prescribed. Treatment must be

612:10-7-130. Maintenance [AMENDED](b) Provision of maintenance(3) Maintenance for training. Maintenance can be authorized for full time vocational school students or college students. Maintenance can be authorized for a client granted an exception to the full-time attendance requirement under 612:10-7-150(a). DRS will not pay for assistance with room and board expenses if there is a state funded vocational school, college or university within 40 miles of the client’s official residence. In addition, DRS will only sponsor room and board expenses related to on-campus housing options with the lowest cost. Exceptions to this policy may be granted due to issues such as disability requirements. All

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612:10-7-152. [AMENDED]

Payment of tuition and fees at colleges and universities

(a) Public institutions of higher learning. Tuition and fees for DVR and DVS clients attending public colleges and universities will be paid at the rate set for resident students by the Oklahoma Regents for Higher Education and within limits prescribed by the Legislature. DVR and DVS will pay those fees charged to all students and special fees associated with required courses in the student's major field of study. After the completion of the first semester, a grade report, proof of enrollment, and an itemized to providethis support

documentation.The client may provide

thisdocumentation electronically or as a printed document in the standard format used by the school.For the first 60 credit hours or during the completion of an Associate’s degree, DRS will only sponsor up to the cost of tuition and fees charged by the local state funded community college or state university within 40 miles of the client’s official place of residence. If the client chooses to attend a different training site, DRS will only sponsor an amount equivalent to the amount that would be sponsored if attending the local college/university. Additional transportation or maintenance costs related to attending another training site will not be sponsored by DRS.For the completion of a Bachelor’s degree, DRS will only sponsor up to the cost of tuition and fees charged by the state funded college or university closest to the client’s official place of residence that offers a program to reach the vocational objective. Additional transportation or maintenance costs related to attending another training site will not be sponsored by DRS.Exceptions to the policies for college/university training must be approved by the Programs Manager through justification and must be documented in the case. Possible exceptions include but are not limited to:(1) The need to attend a school outside of the 40 mile limit is due to disability related factors such as the need for accessible on-campus housing.(2) The degree major approved by the DRS Counselor for the client is not available at the local college or university.After the completion of the first semester, a grade report, proof of

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612:10-7-240. Overview of transition from school to work services [NEW](a) Transition services is a coordinated set of activities for a student that promotes movement from the public schools to post-school activities. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Rehabilitation Act use the same language to describe transition services and their purpose. No break in required rehabilitation services will occur for eligible students exiting the secondary school when a case has been opened while in high school. The transition process is outcome based, leading to post-secondary education, vocational training, integrated employment (including supported employment), continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living, and/or community participation consistent with the informed choice of the individual. The goal of the Transition from School to Work Program is to help eligible individuals with disabilities make the transition from school to work in order to function as a productive member of society.(b) The Transition from School to Work Program is implemented through a cooperative agreement between DRS and each participating local secondary school district, private school, charter school, home school organization and Career and Technology Education Center, through an MOU with the State Department of Education. The Transition Coordinator in DRS State Office acts as the liaison with the State Department of Education, and provides statewide coordination and technical assistance for the Transition from School to Work Program.(c) Transition services must be based on the individual student's needs, taking into account the student's preferences and interests. Transition planning will include, to the extent needed, services in the areas of:(1) instruction;(2) community services;(3) employment and other post-school adult living objectives, including job skill training available through vocational-technical schools;(4) acquisition of daily living skills and a functional vocational

evaluation;(5) supported employment services can be initiated during the final graduating semester of high school; and

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612:10-7-241. Subminimum Wage for Youth with Disabilities [NEW]DRS must provide documentation in collaboration with the local school district of specific services to youth ages 14-24 if those individuals are known by DRS to be seeking subminimum wage work. This documentation must be provided as soon as possible but no later than 45 days after services are completed, or 90 calendar days, if additional time is necessary due to extenuating circumstances which should be interpreted narrowly.The documentation must include the following:(1) Pre-Employment Transition Services provided by the school and/or DRS as applicable;(2) Application for DRS where they are found eligible or ineligible;(3) Youth had an approved IPE with a competitive integrated

employment goal;(4) Youth with a disability was unable to achieve the employment outcome specified in their IPE and has a closed case with DRS;(5) Youth received career counseling, and information and referrals from DRS to other Federal and State programs and other 612:10-7-242. Pre-Employment Transition Services [NEW](a) Students with a Disability. Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) must collaborate with local educational agencies (LEAs) to provide, or arrange for the provision of, Pre-employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) for all students with a disability in need of such services.(1) A "Student with a Disability" as defined in Oklahoma is ages 16 through 21 and eligible for and receiving special education or related services under an Individualized Education Program (IEP); or an individual with a disability for purposes of Section 504 (individual does not need to have a 504 plan to meet the definition requirements).(2) An individual as young as 14 years old may be considered a "Student with a Disability" if Pre-ETS is determined necessary by the IEP team.(3) The definition of "Student with a Disability" applies to all students enrolled in educational programs, including postsecondary education programs or other recognized education programs, so long as they satisfy the age requirements. The definition is inclusive of secondary students who are homeschooled, as well as students in other non-traditional

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(1) Job exploration counseling.(2) Work-based learning experiences, which may include in-school or after school opportunities or experience outside the traditional school setting, including internships, that is provided in an integrated environment to the maximum extent possible.(3) Counseling on opportunities for enrollment in comprehensive transition or postsecondary educational programs at institutions of higher education.(4) Workplace readiness training to develop social skills and

independent living.(5) Instruction in self-advocacy, including instruction in person-centered planning, which may include peer mentoring, including peer mentoring from individuals with disabilities working in competitive integrated employment.(c) Delivery of Services. Pre-ETS may be delivered in collaboration with school districts/LEAs via any combination of:(3)(A)

Other entities contracted with VR such as: Community Rehabilitation Programs Independent Living

(d)

Considerations under 00S. VR must continue to provide Pre-ETS to studentswith disabilities who were receiving such services prior to being

determined eligible for VS and are placed in a closed category.(e) Pre-Employment Transition Coordination.(1) District office staff will be responsible for attending IEP meetings for students with disabilities when invited; using conference calls and video conferences, when necessary;(2) working with local workforce development boards, job centers and employers to develop work opportunities for students with disabilities, including apprenticeships, internships, summer employment and other employment opportunities available throughout the school year;(3) working with schools to coordinate and ensure the provision of

Pre-ETS; and

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