SCPD Employment first oversight commission
FEBRUARY 19, 2013
bAILEY tRAINING rOOM, sMYRNA wELLNESS cENTER
Present: Lloyd Schmitz, Chair; Dan McGannon, Co-Chair; Marissa Catalon, DHSS/Division of Developmental Disabilities; Helen Harper (for Robert Doyle), DHSS/Division for the Visually Impaired; Micki Edelsohn, Parent/Homes for Life Foundation; Andrea Guest, DOL/Division of Vocational Rehabilitation; Tony Horstman, Parent; Kim Marsh, United Health Care; Sandy Merritt, DelARF; Denise Robbins, OMB/HRM-EEO; Howard Shiber, Governor’s Advisory Council for Exceptional Citizens; Cindy Sterling, Service Source Delaware; Kyle Hodges, Staff.
Call to Order/Welcome/introductions
Lloyd called the meeting to order at 11:12 am. Everyone introduced themselves.
Motion was made, seconded and approved to accept the December 19, 2012 minutes as submitted.
Additions or Deletions to the Agenda
none
Business
Review of Agency Responses and Discussion on Path Forward
Kyle referred to a generic letter (handout) that was sent to State agencies explaining theCommission’s charge based upon H.B. 319. The baseline request included five specific questions (handout).
The following agencies responded:
- DDDS - Marissa reviewed DDDS’s information (handout).
Sandy questioned the data on Sheltered Workshops, which differed greatly from data given at another meeting (comparable to numbers given by providers). Sandy will provide this data to Kyle.
Cindy stated that ServiceSource pays minimum wage, not sub-minimal (27-30 people).
Marissa stated that DDDS serves 3,600 people, with 1,900 people in Day Services and 900 people in the Residential Program (these could be represented in the Competitive Employment and Supported Employment numbers). Marissa explained that they do not track people in Competitive Employment and are not confident about the number given.
Comment was made about importance of consistency in definitions and that this is a first step.
The status of DDDS’s Strategic Plan will be followed-up next year since it is in the development stage.
- DVI – Helen Harper reviewed DVI’s information (two of three handouts).
She explained the eligibility criteria for DVI services and referred to a FY 2012 Statewide Placement Report (handout).
Helen noted that DVI’s transition program picks up children at age 14 and has been restructured with a focus on providing career counseling to younger children so they are exposed to different careers prior to 11th-12th grade. Children are mentoredby a visually impaired person in their field of interest(s).
- DVR – Andrea reviewed DVR’s information.
DVR is currently serving approximately 5,000 people and have 30 VR Counselors.
Over 700 employers have hired 1,020 VR clients. This number has steadily risen every year, which is a very good number, especially considering the economy.
There are a lot of job opportunities for both highly technically skilled jobs and unskilled jobs.
While DVI serves blind/visually impaired individuals, DVR serves individuals with any other type of disability.
To be eligible for DVR services, one must not only have a disability, but show real barriers to attaining employment.
There currently is a waiting list of 250.
Referrals are received from a variety of sources (DDDS, mental health providers,physicians, school transition (including every special ed student). Lack of staff is a barrier to reaching students prior to their last year of school. The Early Start Program, in collaboration with DDDS, DVR, DOE and local districts, serve students two years prior to their last year.
Success in employment for those with disabilities is equated with students who have had work experience while in school.
- DOC, DOE, DSAAPD, DSAMH, DSCYF/PBHS – Kyle reviewed each of these agency's submissions.
DOE:
Andrea noted that Career Cruising is a great tool and every student in high school has access to this—this program starts in middle school, but there is a challenge to make sure that all special ed students have access and are using this program. Students have access to Career Cruising for 5 years after leaving school.
Other known programs are not listed in the information submitted. Kyle will follow-up with Dale.
DSAMH:
Andrea noted that 35-40% of DVR’s clients are those with serious mental illness (of the 1,020). DSAMH has ACT Teams and 15 providers that work with clients.
Andrea explained that the data on the Supported Employment Program is a point in time look at the data.
DSCYF/PBHS:
Kyle will follow-up on this to determine a best path forward.
Dan spoke about how this Commission can be most effective. We are still developing a working definition of goals. The focus is to ensure that competitive employment is the first option in services provided for persons with disabilities. In order to facilitate this, he suggested forming a subcommittee who can address some of the issues, identify and develop questions about the data submitted and have agency representatives attend a meeting for follow-up. He suggested that he, Kyle and Lloyd meet separately and then present to the Commission. Dan thinks this will help us be more productive and stay focused on the mandate. Structure details need to be worked out. Dan asked if everyone was comfortable with this. Lloyd agreed that this would be good. Andrea commented that it was important to address how agencies are implementing employment discussions and that competitive employment has to be the initial discussion. Andrea recommended having another brief survey asking this question. Micki suggested that this needs to be a two-tiered approach as schools already have a process to assess that needs to be evaluated and others who are in the system that need to be reassessed. Andrea suggested surveying the providers. Kyle added that if anyone had other questions, thoughts or suggestions to send him an email in the next week. He will also contact several others to be part of this subcommittee. Lloyd suggested also sending the email to the general membership, for those who could not attend today so they have an opportunity to offer comments.
Update on Governor’s NGA Initiative
Kyle explained that Andrea (serves as Chair), Denise and he are part of this group. Andrea stated that this is a task force work group in line with the Governor’s NGA initiative: Employment of people with disabilities as his year-long platform as Chair. All the states are being asked to bring back best practices for an initiative in June. Delaware’s initiative focusses on expanding opportunities for people with disabilities within State government. Andrea noted that the State is the largest employer in Delaware. All on this workgroup but two are State employees; one is DelARF, which has the State contract to employ people with disabilities who work in State government. This work group is reviewing policies, legislation, developing website and web portals and doing an initial analysis. Andrea stated we do not currently know how many people in State governments have disabilities. One reason is that there is a check-off on the application, but most people do not answer this, so the data does not accurately tell how many. Using a model that the Delaware Bar Association uses to collect good data, the University of Delaware will be collecting data from a survey that can be filled out anonymously so we can get baseline data. Kyle added that this data would be very useful for this Commission.
Andrea stated that they are working on best practices and models. The Selective Placement Program is underutilized. The ultimate goal is to make the State of Delaware the employer of choice for people with disabilities. State Personnel is involved in this work group. Andrea noted that 65 VR clients were hired as State employees last year. Micki commented that job coaching is an important aspect for successful long term outcomes. Marissa commented that providers are working to have better partnerships with employers through education and developing natural supports. She added that some people do not require job coaches, but have behavioral support issues that may require more personal care and support. Cindy commented that retention services beyond that group do not provide long term support and the Employee Assistance Program could be expanded to support people with disabilities.
Kyle commented that Denise did a lot of work on a draft web portal. He also stated that they are trying to schedule a meeting with Dr. Peuquet soon about the survey that Andrea referenced.
DOL Employer Conference
Kyle referred to the handout for this upcoming conference. There was discussion on the extent of this Commission’s participation. There was also discussion about participation in job fairs and other opportunities for promoting employment for persons with disabilities. Dan commented that he sees this Commission’s role as an evaluator and we are in the infancy stages until we have established our identity. Andrea commented that there will be a lot of groups attending that will be promoting employment for persons with disabilities. Andrea added that another group she is involved with is the Workforce Investment Board; one of their three strategic initiatives is employment of people with disabilities because of the Governor’s initiative.
Meeting Schedule
Kyle reviewed the next several meeting dates (currently scheduled for the third Tuesday of every month). Andrea requested that we use Outlook Calendar when sending out the meeting notices.
Announcements
none
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at12:56 am. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 19, 2013, 11 am, Smyrna Wellness Center—Bailey Training Room.
Respectfully submitted,
Jo Singles
SCPD Administrative Assistant
Employment First/minutes 2-19-13
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