DVRDivision of Vocational Rehabilitation

DSHS 24-327 (Rev. 9/17)

Nick Harris, Bellingham DVRAlec Forsloff

2017ANNUAL REPORT

COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCEAlec, who has autism, graduated from the Bellingham School District’s Community Transitions Program, which prepares students with disabilities for a successful transition to

independent living and employment. After graduation, he teamed up with both DVR and Work Opportunities in his search for employment. Little did he know that opportunity would come knocking much closer to home. Alec’s dad Bryan, who’s been with Cascade for six years, mentioned his son’s job search to company CEO Cheryl Persse, and she felt there might be a place for him in the company. Cascade has several successful employees with disabilities.

Alec started work in the production lab, making “Flippers,” which are sample swatches of padding, strap, and transfer designs. His supervisor, Vince Mulcahy, thinks Alec is perfect for the job. “Alec has continued to show success as a valued member of our Production Team. Every shift he arrives with the enthusiasm and motivation to complete his work to the highest degree of quality. Alec is a strong, unique individual who has blended exceptionally well with the rest of our employees. Watching Alec succeed has been a gift to all of us at Cascade, and we are fortunate to have him on our team,” says Vince.

Alec has a job coach, RJ Halloran of Work Opportunities, who accompanies him at work. RJ finds Alec to be a very capable, independent worker, who needs minimal assistance. According to his dad Bryan, Alec loves coming to work and feels really good about his job. “He’s a hard worker, and he’s able to stay focused on the tasks he’s given. His success gives him a sense of independence and accomplishment.”

Clearly, it’s a win-win for Alec and Cascade. Congratulations, Alec, from everyone at Cascade Dafo and DVR.

Cascade employee Alec Forsloff recently received the Jena Johnson Employment Achievement award from Work Opportunities. This award recognizes individuals who show a commitment to excellence in their career path, as Jena did during her years as a transition counselor with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) in Bellingham. Jena passed away in 2012, and the award was created in her honor.

DSHS Mission – To Transform LivesDSHS is an integrated organization of high-performing programs working in partnership for

statewide impact to help transform lives.

Together we will decrease poverty, improve safety and health status and increase educational and employment success to support people and communities in reaching their potential.

A DREAM COME TRUE When DVR Counselor, Amy Diederich, reached out to Vadis for Community Based Assessment (CBA) services for Sam Christiansen, a gateway was opened.

When discussing his employment goals Sam insisted that he wanted to work at the Apple store. Debby pushed for more details, asking what is was about the Apple store that made him want to work there so much. Sam revealed that he wanted to work around lots of people and have the opportunity to help them. Identifying that Sam was really most interested in providing customer service, not necessarily technology, she went to work to find a great fit for him.

Debby met with YMCA Member Services Director, Tina, and Volunteer Coordinator, Michael, and secured a CBA at the YMCA. Sam had agreed that greeting and assisting the members would be something he would like to try. Sam was determined to learn everything there was about being a member service representative. YMCA staff and members alike appreciated having him there because of the great job he did during the CBA. When it ended, he chose to stay on as a volunteer while Vadis began looking for a paid job for him in the community. Shortly after, a position opened up at the YMCA. Debby helped Sam submit an application and prepare for the interview. Sam was hired and his first paid day of work was just a little over a month from the day he began the CBA.

Working together and identifying what was most important to Sam made for a successful outcome. Sam now smiles a lot. Sam recently said he is thankful to DVR and Vadis for “helping me fulfill my dream job!” “My life has changed since I (began) working and being a part of the community. I would like to thank Vadis and the YMCA for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to prove I can be somebody.”

Division of Vocational RehabilitationWashington State Department of Social and Health Services

PO Box 45340 • Olympia, WA 98504-53401-800-637-5627 or (360) 725-3636

Washington Relay: 711www.dshs.wa.gov/strategic-planning/division-vocational-rehabilitation

Providing VR Services Since 1933

Sam revealed that he wanted to work around lots of people and have the opportunity to help them.

Sam ChristiansenAmy Diederich, Tacoma DVR

DVR CREATES INDEPENDENCE$$4,704 average yearly

earnings at application

$19,047 average yearly earnings at closure

AGE GROUPS OF CUSTOMERS REHABILITATED

800

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

14-20 21-25 26-30 31-35 36-40 41-45 46-50 51-55 56-60 61-70 71-75 76-90

144

735

380

288236 238

283254 256

181

16 2

Age Groups

26%

ASSESSMENT GROUP

1%

Assessment Services

CASE SERVICE EXPENDITURES

11%

Independent Living Services

2%

CASE SERVICE %

42%

15%

3%

Other

Physical/Mental Restoration/Rehab Tech

Placement Services

Training

Transportation

TOTAL PAID

$8,393,267

$360,582

$3,490,647

$796,728

$13,800,725

$5,071,240

$934,470

“This year’s Annual Report will highlight several inspirational customer success stories, in addition to information about happenings within DVR.”

DIRECTOR’S LETTERI was honored to take the helm of DVR in March of 2017, and at that time, I shared my values with DVR in order to support our mission to Transform Lives:

• Greater Transparency: DVR will involve customers, DVR staff, and our partners in our decisions that affect them. Effective communication is the foundation of transparency.• Greater Accountability: DVR exists to meet our customers’ VR service-needs and our performance measures. We will hold ourselves accountable.• Greater Engagement: DVR will continue to participate in meaningful dialogue and action with customers, partners, and the community to advance employment opportunities for people with disabilities.• Great Customer Experiences: DVR will work with customers, partners, and

the community with the goal of creating great customer experiences (not just good customer service).

I also committed that I’d concentrate my efforts on the following priorities:• Better communication with customers, stakeholders,

and staff• Actively promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion • Creating a DVR advisory workgroup• Marketing DVR to the community• Prioritizing training for staff• Modernizing DVR’s work

The above focus areas will take a lot of time and effort, but I can report that we’ve made some progress:• Communication: We’ve reached out and listened to the concerns of customers, the community, staff,

and stakeholders. During our statewide forums, one comment we’ve heard is that DVR customers want to have more time with their VR Counselors, in order to discuss their employment goals. We are working to make that happen.

• Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: We’ve begun to develop strategies for DVR staff to better reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. One way we plan to do this is to canvas our communities and personally invite people from diverse groups to apply for our job openings. This personal touch will take time and effort, but could really pay off.

• Advisory Workgroup: We’ve recruited talented DVR staff to this new workgroup and have begun developing their task list. One of their first projects will be making recommendations for and testing a new VR case management system.

• Marketing: We’ve been delivering DVR news and information through the use of DSHS social media and various other media. We don’t want DVR to remain the “best kept secret,” any longer.

• Training: We’ve launched the first in a series of multi-modal training offerings entitled, “Rehabilitation University.” Staff will have the ability to take some courses online and then follow up with in-person, hands-on training within a classroom cohort.

• Modernizing: We’ve identified ways to improve our case management and document management systems and have begun the procurement process to identify the right products and services to get the job done. We are also including new design concepts within our workspaces to promote better collaboration and support mobile work-options.

Finally, I wish to thank our staff, stakeholders, employers and especially our partners: the Washington State Rehabilitation Council, Client Assistance Program, Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation programs, and the Community Employment Alliance.

With your help, DVR is able to assist people with disabilities to achieve greater independence through employment. Thank you!

Nick Harris, Bellingham DVRKaitlen Butenschoen

DVR BY THE NUMBERS

BIG NEWS FOR DVR DVR returns to the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Social and Health ServicesFor several years, DVR was placed within the Rehabilitation Administration (formerly JJRA), but Cheryl Strange, the new Secretary of DSHS, understood it was time for a change. After meeting with DVR staff and community stakeholders, Secretary Strange decided to make the change effective January 1, 2018.

DVR implements an order of selectionThe decision to implement an Order of Selection, effective November 1, 2017, has not been easy. However, an Order of Selection assures that DVR prioritizes resources to serve individuals with disabilities who face the greatest barriers to employment, which is a fundamental requirement of the federal Rehabilitation Act. Our state is now joining the majority of State VR Agencies across the country that have already implemented Order of Selection, because they do not have sufficient resources to serve all eligible individuals.

DVR Advisory WorkgroupIn late 2017, DVR introduced the Advisory Workgroup as a standing advisory body, composed of a multi-disciplinary group of skilled DVR staff who have volunteered to help influence DVR’s direction, policies, practices, and initiatives. Members represent DVR’s three service regions, staff roles, and strategic interests. The Advisory Workgroup will serve as the central point of consultation for program communications, collaboration and coordination. DVR management and leadership look forward to realizing the benefits of engagement with the Advisory Workgroup and leveraging the expertise and contributions of these DVR professionals.

TYPES OF DISABILITIES OF REHABILITATED CUSTOMERS 369

Mobility Impairment - Orthopedic/ Neurological

243Other Disability

866Behavioral

Health Disablity

345Deaf, Hard of Hearing,

Blind, DeafBlind

1190Cognitive

Impairments

SOURCES OF REVENUE FOR DVR in 2017

State $13,787,951

Federal $54,709,121

Total $68,497,071

“What I love most about my job is knowing that I made the kids feel loved when they are not with their families.”

INDEPENDENCE THROUGH EMPLOYMENTKaitlen Butenschoen began working with DVR her senior year in high school. Kaitlen met with her Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC), Nick Harris, and shared her interests. She initially explored dental assisting as a career. Through Substantial Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling & Guidance provided by her VRC, Kaitlen discovered another career path. Desiring to capitalize on her natural strengths as a good communicator, resilient nature, strong work ethic, and her ability to overcome obstacles, she decided to pursue a career in childcare. Kaitlen attended a basic childcare course online, completed an American Red Cross certified CPR & First Aid course specific to children, obtained her Washington state food handler’s permit, and successfully passed a background check. After three months of working with DVR Business Specialist Patrick Feuer, Kaitlen was hired at Kids ‘N’ US childcare as a classroom assistant. She stated, “what I love most about my job is knowing that I made the kids feel loved when they are not with their families.”

Kaitlen has quickly become a dependable employee with increasing responsibilities. She continues to support her classroom of up to 20 students making the children smile and meeting expectations of her employer every day. She has become more independent through the support of DVR services continuing to demonstrate perseverance and overcome obstacles within the workplace.

Rob Hines, DVR Director