NATIONAL STATE REHABILITATION COUNCIL FORUM

JUNE 24, 2013

SRC Roles and Responsibilities

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Today’s Presentation

Historical PerspectiveRole of the SRCResponsibilities of the SRCProgram EvaluationChallengesResourcesQ&A

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Historical Perspective 3

Rehabilitation Act Amendments

1992 Amendments

•Expanded involvement by individuals with disabilities in the rehabilitation process

•Focused on consumer empowerment and concept of “consumer choice”

•Created consumer-controlled Statewide Rehabilitation Advisory councils

1998 Amendments

•Rehab Act became Title IV of Workforce Investment Act

•Strengthened consumer empowerment

•Changed SRCs from being advisory to being a partner

•Grandfathered consumer controlled independent commissions

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Role of the SRC

1.Act as the voice for consumers and other stakeholders in the VR system

2.Advocate for VR to the public Educate legislators, do not lobby legislators

3.Advise the state agency on a variety of issues

4.Work in partnership with the agency to maximize employment and independent living5.Always ask: How will this affect the customer?

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SRC Benefit to VR Program

Provides local, external perspectives

Provides the voice of the consumer

Reaches out to other service providers, community groups and state agencies

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Responsibilities of the SRC

FunctionsThe Council must:

1.Review, analyze and advise the agency;

2.Develop, agree to, and review State goals and priorities;

3.Advise and assist in the preparation of the State Plan;

4.Review consumer satisfaction;

5.Prepare an annual report to the Governor;

6.Coordinate activities with other councils in the State;

7.Coordinate relationship between DSA and SILC/CILs; and

8.Perform other functions as appropriate.

34 CFR 361.18(h)(1)-(8)

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Responsibilities of the SRC

The State Plan

Comprehensive System of Personnel Development Description must specify the SRC has an opportunity to review

and comment

Assurances must provide:

1. Summary of input from the SRC State plan and any amendments to the State plan

2. Policy and procedures Special consultation requirement with the SRC

34 CFR 361.18; 34 CFR 361.20(c); 34 CFR 361.20(d)

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Evaluating VR Program Effectiveness

IMPORTANT!The SRC conducts a review and analysis of the effectiveness of and consumer satisfaction with:

1.Functions performed by VR;

2.VR services provided to consumers; and

3.Employment outcomes achieved.

34 CFR 361.17(h)(4)

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Program Evaluation Includes…

1. Input and review of the State Plan

2. Completing consumer satisfaction surveys

3. Completing SRC annual reports

4. Collaborating in the consumer statewide needs assessment process

5. Being aware of and contributing to RSA monitoring reports

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Challenges to Fulfilling SRC Role

Recruitment and Retention - Most SRC members are volunteers

Term Limits - Most members may serve no more than two consecutive full terms

Expertise - Most members do not have an in depth knowledge of the Rehabilitation Act or VR program

Time Commitment - Most councils meet only quarterly

Mandates - Councils have MANY responsibilities

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Overcoming the Challenges

SRC-VR agency partnership Collaboration on State Plans, comprehensive statewide needs

assessments and consumer satisfaction surveys Relationship between SRC Chair and Administrator is critical

Delegation of SRC responsibilitiesUse of data

VR agency must provide the SRC with comprehensive and relevant data in a timely manner

Data is more effective when accompanied by contextual explanations

Utilize data resources

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SRC Panel Discussion

What roles and/or responsibilities do you find the most challenging to carry out as an SRC and why?

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SRC Panel Discussion

How does your SRC evaluate the performance of the agency?

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SRC Panel Discussion

Describe how your SRC works to complete the Annual Report.

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Resources

36th IRI The State Rehabilitation Council – Vocational Rehabilitation Partnership at: http://iriforum.org/books.aspx#36ua

RSA Website: http://rsa.ed.gov

Formal Guidance: http://rsa.ed.gov/policy.cfm

State Liaisons: http://rsa.ed.gov/people.cfm

SRC On-Line Training Series: www.erehab.org

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Thank you!

Corinna Stiles, JDVR Program SpecialistRehabilitation Services Administration202-245-7374corinna.stiles@ed.gov

Lourdes MesaChair, Guam SRC

671-472-5952

lagmesa@yahoo.com

Michele ManosaGuam SRC

671-888-6104

michelemanosa@yahoo.com

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