A Case Study of Effective Vocational Rehabilitation Agency Practices in Managing Outreach, Service Access, and Case Flow to Serve Individuals with Most Significant Disabilities Cheryl Bates-Harris Senior Disability Advocacy Specialist National Disability Rights Network 900 2nd Street NE, Suite 211 Washington, DC 20002 Phone: (202) 408-9514 Ext. 117 Fax: (202) 408-9520 Email: Cheryl.bates-harris@ndrn.org EXPERT DELPHI PANEL Cheryl Bates-Harris is a Senior Disability Advocacy Specialist for the Training and Advocacy Support Center (TASC) of NDRN where she has experience and expertise working with employment issues of people with disabilities, including Vocational Rehabilitation, Social Security Return to Work, TANF, and other work programs that impact people with disabilities, including DOL One-Stops. Cheryl has been responsible for the development of the Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) nationwide and provides training and technical assistance to the 57 Protection and Advocacy agencies nationwide including training on TWWIIA and Vocational Rehabilitation Services. Cheryl was appointed in September 2004, by President Bush, to the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Advisory Panel. Pisnu Bua-Iam Senior Manager Program Evaluation and State Planning West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services Department of Education and the Arts State Capitol Complex P. O. Box 50890 Charleston, WV 25305-0890 Phone: (304) 766-2548 Fax: (304) 766-4905 Email: Pisnu.bua-iam@wv.gov Pisnu Bua-Iam, a senior manager of the State Plan and Program Evaluation unit at the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services (WVDRS), has been conducting research on vocational rehabilitation issues for over two decades. Prior to joining WVDRS, he was a research faculty member of the West Virginia Research and Training Center at West Virginia University in Morgantown. At WVDRS, he is responsible for organizing and developing the
agency s strategic planning, the State Plan, the quarterly cumulative caseload report (RSA-113), the case service report (RSA-911), the Social Security cost formulas, and program evaluation activities. To promote effectiveness and efficiency of the state-federal VR operation, he continuously monitors, analyzes, and disseminates data and findings relating the programmatic input, process, and outcomes of the service delivery system to the VR stakeholders. He has conducted/supervised quantitative and qualitative evaluation studies relating the comprehensive statewide needs assessment, standards and indicators, cost-benefit analyses, authorizations for services, and consumer satisfaction for state-federal VR agencies. Charlene Dwyer, Ed.D. Administrator Wisconsin Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Department of Workforce Development 201 E. Washington Ave. Madison, WI 53707-79046 Phone: (608) 261-2126 Fax: (608) 260-3163 Email: charlene.dwyer@dwd.wisconsin.gov Charlene Dwyer, Ed.D., has served as the Administrator of the Wisconsin Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) within the Department of Workforce Development since July 2001. Charlene has 33 years of experience in the development and provision of services to persons with disabilities. In addition to her government sector employment, she worked 7 years in higher education and 17 years in the Milwaukee non-profit sector. She earned her master s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling (1976) and a doctorate degree in Counselor Education (1984) from Northern Illinois University. Christine Johnson, M.A., C.R.C. Program Manager Technical Assistance and Continuing Education (TACE) Region 5 130 Spring Creek Drive Springfield, IL 62702 Phone/Fax: (217) 670-1359 Email: chrisj@siu.edu; scorpio.chris@comcast.net Christine Johnson, M.A., C.R.C., is a Program Manager with the Region 5 Technical Assistance and Continuing Education (TACE) Center at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. She has over 25 years experience in the field of vocational rehabilitation, also having served as the Staff Specialist for CRP s with the Maryland Division of Rehabilitation Services. In partnership with Maryland s Mental Health Administration, she has assisted with leadership, policy and systems integration for the implementation of the Evidence-Based Practice in Supported Employment Project. Her areas of interest include career counseling, vocational assessment, job development, staff competencies, and disability law and policy.
Don Kay Assistant to the Director Washington State Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Department of Social and Health Services PO Box 45340 Olympia, WA 98594-5340 Phone: (360) 725-3623 Fax: (360) 438-8007 Email: kayd@dshs.wa.gov Don Kay serves as Assistant to the Director at the Washington State Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. He has been with DVR for 24 years and served in a number of leadership roles, including Chief of Field Services, Regional Administrator, and Independent Living Program Manager. Prior to joining DVR, Don worked as a Senior Policy Analyst for the Washington State Governor s Committee on Disability Issue and Employment. He began his career in the Washington State Governor s Office as liaison to the 1976 White House Conference on Individuals with Disabilities. Don was a client of Washington DVR from the time he graduated high school until he went to work after earning his bachelor s degree from the University of Washington. Neil McNeil Area Director Worcester Area Office Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission Department of Health and Human Services 359 Main Street Worcester, MA 01608 Phone: (508) 754-1757 Ext. 232 Fax: (508) 799-7576 Email: Neil.McNeil@MRC.state.ma.us Neil McNeil, M.A., L.R.C., is an Area Director for the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission. He has led MRC Area Offices in Quincy, Plymouth and is the current Area Director in Worcester. In this role he leads a field office with a staff of fifteen vocational rehabilitation counselors providing services to persons with significant physical and mental disabilities. He has led and participated in a large number of task forces and initiatives within and outside the Commission focusing on policy development, service system improvements, and staff training. Neil s additional professional activities have included being a study group member and chapter author for the 33 rd Institute on Rehabilitation Issues, and serving as a career consultant for the Norcap Center for Addictions in Norfolk, Massachusetts and as an Employee Assistance Specialist for Family Services of Central Massachusetts. He has been a guest lecturer for the Rehabilitation Continuing Education Program at Assumption College in Worcester, Massachusetts and at the Rehabilitation Counseling Program at the University of Massachusetts in Boston.
Patricia Rogan, Ph.D. Executive Associate Dean School of Education University of Indiana Office: ES 3138A 201 North Rose Ave. Bloomington, IN 47405-1006 Phone: (317) 274-6862 Fax: (317) 274-6864 Email: progan@iupui.edu Patricia Rogan, Ph.D is the Executive Associate Dean of the Indiana University School of Education at IUPUI, Indianapolis, and Professor in the area of special education. Pat works with faculty and staff to promote an exemplary urban teaching, research, and service agenda, and to expand the School s partnerships and impact at the local, state, national, and international levels. Pat served as a Board member and then President of the National Association for Persons in Supported Employment (APSE) from 1996-2002 and is now a founding member of the National APSE Emeritus Circle. She was appointed to the National Adequacy of Incentives Task Force by the U.S. Social Security Administration from 2003-2005. Pat has coordinated the National Organizational Change Coalition from 2000- present, and was Chair or Co-Chair of the Indiana Conversion Task Force from 1998-2003. She was a Governor Appointed Member of the Indiana Work Incentives Council from 2002 2005. Pat is the Director of the Back Home in Indiana Alliance, a statewide housing/home ownership initiative for people with disabilities, and remains active as a disability rights advocate at the state and national levels. Pat has written numerous articles and book chapters, and has co-authored several books: Natural supports in the workplace: A manual for practitioners, Closing the shop: Conversion from segregated to integrated employment, and Make the day matter: Promoting typical lifestyles for adults with significant disabilities. Fredric K. Schroeder, Ph.D. Research Associate ARPE/Interwork Institute College of Education San Diego State University and the SDSU Foundation 3590 Camino del Rio North San Diego, CA 92108 Phone: (619) 594-4650 Fax: (619) 594-4208 Email: schroede@interwork.sdsu.edu Fredric K. Schroeder is a research professor with San Diego State University working in the area of Vocational Rehabilitation. Prior to this appointment, Dr. Schroeder served as the ninth commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), having been appointed to this position in 1994 by President Clinton. In the early 1980's, Dr. Schroeder helped establish the New Mexico Commission for the Blind. Beginning in 1986, Dr. Schroeder worked for eight years as the first Executive Director of the newly created Commission for the Blind where he was responsible for a variety of statewide services which helped blind people in the state acquire the skills and confidence to work and live normal, productive lives. Dr. Schroeder was the first blind person in the nation to be admitted to a university program in orientation and mobility, although he was denied certification on the basis of blindness. Dr. Schroeder went on to earn a Ph.D. in educational administration from the University of New Mexico in May, 1994. Dr. Schroeder is a tireless advocate for the blind and other people with disabilities; an accomplished scholar with over fifty published articles to his credit; the First-Vice President of the National Federation of the Blind; and he is a nationally and internationally recognized lecturer on disability policy. He has made numerous presentations before the general public, consumer groups, rehabilitation professionals, and educators on the future of disability policy in the United States and the world.
Jo-Ann Sowers, Ph.D. Research Professor Regional Research Institute on Human Services Portland State University PO Box 751 Portland, OR 97207 Phone: (503) 725-8128 Fax: (503) 725-4180 Email: sowersj@pdx.edu Jo-Ann Sowers, Ph.D., is a Research Professor at the Regional Research Institute on Human Services in the School of Social Work at Portland State University. For over 30 years, her work has focused on enhancing the employment opportunities for people with disabilities. She has been the Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator on over 30 model development, demonstration, and research grants focused on employment and transition to employment. Jo- Ann has published widely in these areas. She has had the opportunity to work with Vocational Rehabilitation agencies throughout her career. Beverlee J. Stafford Executive Director National Rehabilitation Association 633 South Washington Street Alexandria, Virginia 22314-4109 Phone: 1-888-258-4295 Fax: (703) 836-0848 Email: Beverlee@nationalrehab.org Beverlee J. Stafford has recently joined the National Rehabilitation Association (NRA) as its Executive Director. NRA, housed in Alexandria, Virginia, is a membership organization of rehabilitation professionals. The mission of NRA is to promote ethical and state of the art practice in rehabilitation with the goal of achieving the personal and economic independence of persons with disabilities. Prior to joining NRA, Ms. Stafford recently served as Director of the Training and Service Programs Division at the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), U.S. Department of Education, Washington, DC. This Division administered eleven programs -- including training for rehabilitation professionals and special projects and programs focusing on the employment of people with disabilities. She worked with RSA for over 30 years, including several years in the Region V office in Chicago, where she was the head of Management and Support Services. She moved to the RSA headquarters office in 1990 to take over policy development for the State Vocational Rehabilitation Services program and has also served as a Special Assistant to the RSA Commissioner. Sue Swenson Systems Advocate Email: sue.swenson@gmail.com Sue Swenson was a Kennedy Fellow in the US Senate Subcommittee on Disability Policy in 1996. In 1998, she was appointed by the Clinton White House to serve as commissioner for developmental disabilities in the US DHHS. Sue was executive director of the Kennedy Foundation from 2001-2003 and was at The Arc of the United States from 2003 through 2007, serving as executive director beginning in 2005. She is a frequent speaker, trainer and facilitator and an active systems advocate who works wherever possible to improve management systems in human services. Sue has AB and AM degrees from the University of Chicago and an MBA from the University of Minnesota, and most important -- is the mother of three adult sons including a 27-year-old man with severe and profound disabilities.
Leslie Waite Former Walgreens Project Manager Formerly with the Connecticut Bureau of Rehabilitation Services Phone: (860) 721-0557 Email: leslie.waite@cox.net With over 32 years of experience with the public vocational rehabilitation program in Connecticut (Bureau of Rehabilitation Services/BRS), Leslie Waite has experience in a number of key areas serving persons with significant disabilities. She spent the majority of her early years with the agency specializing in working with consumers with significant hearing impairments (primarily deafness). As an administrator/consultant, she was responsible for overseeing supported employment services, including coordination of the agency s systems change grant, as well as administration and development of innovations in the agency s program for ongoing supports. Leslie managed BRS relations with community rehabilitation programs and as an attorney, was responsible for policy development, administrative hearings, legislation, ethics and other legal issues. Most recently, she served as manager of Connecticut s Walgreens project, where over one-third of the employees being hired are persons with disabilities. Ms. Waite holds a B.A. in psychology, M.A. in counseling and a degree in law, as well as CRC certification.