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10/16/20 RSA COVID-19 Questions & Answers: Administration of the VR Services, AIVRS, and Business Enterprise Programs

RSA COVID-19 Questions & Answers: Administration of the VR Services, AIVRS, and Business Enterprise Programs (PDF)

Today, the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services’ Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) issued this Questions and Answers document in response to inquiries concerning the administration of the State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services and American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services (AIVRS) programs under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Rehabilitation Act) and Business Enterprise programs under the Randolph-Sheppard Act as grantees seek to provide continuity of operations for individuals with disabilities in the current COVID-19 environment.

RSA COVID-19 Questions & Answers: Administration of the VR Services, AIVRS, and Randolph-Sheppard Programs

Today, the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services’ Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) issued this Questions and Answers document in response to inquiries concerning the administration of the State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services, American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services (AIVRS), and Randolph-Sheppard programs as grantees seek to provide continuity of operations for individuals with disabilities in the current COVID-19 environment.  You can download the document by clicking on the link below:

RSA COVID-19 Questions & Answers: Administration of the VR Services, AIVRS, and Randolph-Sheppard Programs

Webinar: Discussion on Data Integrity Strategies During COVID-19

WINTAC will host a discussion on Data Integrity Strategies During COVID-19 on Tuesday, May 19, from 3:00 P.M. to 4:30 P.M. Eastern Time.

COVID-19 has created a situation where VR agency staff (as well as many other service providers) must work remotely. Agencies are developing policies and procedures specifically around providing services remotely while maintaining data integrity and confidentiality.

This webinar will feature discussion on the following topics:

  1. Data Integrity – both collecting and reporting -- in a remote service environment;
  2. Lessons learned that will inform Data Integrity policies and procedures moving forward; and
  3. Plans for possible additional pandemic waves and future opportunities for remote working.

Four State VR agencies will share information in a Q&A format about how they are addressing this change in service model and maintaining data integrity. Attendees will have an opportunity to share their approaches and pose additional questions to the panel with the time available.

The panel, facilitated by WINTAC’s Nikki Powis, includes Mariah Krueger (Alaska Division of Vocational Rehabilitation), Alicia Kucharczyk (Connecticut Department of Rehabilitation Services), Allison Flanagan (Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation) and Dacia Johnson (Oregon Commission for the Blind).

To attend this event, click this link to register.

Newest Autism Training Webinar Available!

Engaging and Communicating with Individuals with Autism before, during and after the Intake Process through Eligibility Determination (ID200302) (Recorded training)

The WINTAC announces the release of the 2nd webinar in the new series focused on autism spectrum disorders presented by renowned researcher and autism specialist, Dr. Mary Baker-Ericzén. This 2nd webinar provides information on how to engage individuals with ASD during the enrollment and eligibility intake processes. Practical information is presented on how to adjust communication and interaction styles and environmental accommodations to support individuals with autism along with research information on the current state of VR services and autism.

For other training materials, visit the Training page under the Resources and Strategies for Competitive Integrated Employment section.

VR 100 Series Webinar on Innovative Strategies from VR During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The VR 100 Series Webinar on Innovative Strategies from VR During the COVID-19 Pandemic is now available. This Webinar includes Acting Assistant Secretary for the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services and RSA Commissioner Mark Schultz, State Directors and staff from five VR agencies and the WINTAC. You can view the recorded Webinar by clicking here. CRC credit is available by clicking the link on the last side.

Calculating VR Performance for MSG Tool - RSA TAC 20-02

The WINTAC, in partnership with RSA, developed this Calculating VR Performance for Measurable Skill Gains (MSG) Tool to demonstrate how RSA will calculate performance after each Program Year ends. The tool includes two examples that show how RSA will use negotiated levels of performance, the Statistical Adjustment Model’s (SAM) estimated levels of performance, and the State VR program’s actual level of performance to calculate the Individual Indicator Score for MSG. This Excel file includes the SAM’s estimated levels of performance and MSG performance for Program Years 2017 and 2018 for each State VR program. These tools and RSA TAC 20-02: Negotiating and Sanctions Guidance, are available on the Transition to the Common Performance Measures Resources Page.

Case Service Report (RSA-911) Training Series

The Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), in partnership with the WINTAC, has completed it's series of eight pre-recorded trainings related to the RSA-911. The purpose of these trainings is to provide technical assistance to help State VR agencies prepare for the implementation of the revised RSA-911 (PD-19-03) effective July 1, 2020. The trainings are available on the Transition to the Common Performance Measures Training Page.

Presentations and Trainings on Individuals with Autism Spectrum Conditions

The WINTAC is pleased to announce the first in a series of presentations and trainings on individuals with Autism Spectrum Conditions. Renowned Autism researcher and trainer Dr. Mary Baker-Ericzen has joined the staff at Interwork Institute and will be creating a series of trainings that are being developed to increase access to, and engagement of individuals with Autism in the VR process. In addition, the trainings will increase the knowledge, expertise and capacity of VR staff and partners to identify and implement strategies that will increase competitive integrated employment opportunities for these individuals. The first training in this series is Understanding Individuals with Autism Spectrum Conditions with Vocational Rehabilitation Services. Click here to view the presentation.

Sharing American Job Center Costs Using “Customer Count”: One Approach to Cost Allocation Under WIOA

The use of square footage and FTEs as a basis for a local funding mechanism to support cost sharing in American Job Centers is common across the country. Joint guidance in RSA 17-03 “IFA and Cost Sharing” (corresponds to OCTAE 17-3 and TEGL17-16), issued January 18, 2017, includes examples in which other methods might be considered for certain kinds of costs (Attachment 1).  In Sharing American Job Center Costs Using “Customer Count”: One Approach to Cost Allocation Under WIOA, the WINTAC and the RSA, in consultation with the OCTAE and the ETA, present an example of programs adopting “Customer Count” as a method for the allocation of costs related to career services available in an AJC.

Summary of Changes in 14c Holders

The Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor has published the current 14c certificate numbers through July 2019.  We have analyzed these numbers and have included a summary and State-by-State breakdown of the changes since January 2016 through July 2019.  Click to see a summary of the changes and the specific breakdown of the changes by State.

Click to view more details on Section 511 Resources page.

Recorded Webinar: Pre-Employment Transition Services Topic Area Update

This pre-recorded session can be viewed at any time, and provides states with information regarding the pre-employment transition service tools, resources, and products available on the website; as well as a brief description of the common activities, outcomes and impact expectations around pre-employment transition services for State VR Agencies. We also highlight joint collaborative work across the WINTAC topic areas, and partnerships with other TA centers.

Click this link to view the webinar