2

OUR MISSIONS

THE DIVISION OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION (DVR)

We provide individualized services to employers and people with disabilities, developing career pathways that link qualified employees to jobs,

resulting in greater independence and a more inclusive workplace.

THE STATE REHABILITATION COUNCIL (SRC)

We are a consumer-driven organization of members representing DVR Stakeholders.

Members are appointed by the Governor and provide

advice and support to the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.

FY 2017 SRC Council Members Nicole Barr DVR Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor,

Ex-Officio Member

Ellen Coulston Advocate

Karen DiNardo Consumer, Former DVR Consumer

Monica Edgar Consumer/Client Assistance Program

Alvin Emory Consumer/Industry (Reappointment Pending)

Lisa Furber Advocate (Reappointment Pending)

Andrea Guest DVR Director, Ex-Officio Member

Mila Wells Hathaway Parent Information Center of Delaware

Emmanuel Jenkins Consumer/Advocate

Janie Libby Industry

Dale Matusevich Department of Education

Robin McKinney-Newman Delaware Workforce Development Board (Pending)

Jacqueline Poquette Consumer/Industry

Loretta Sarro Consumer/Advocate

Despina Wilson Statewide Independent Living Council

Alexia Wolf Advocate (Membership Pending)

Jamie Wolfe Consumer/Advocate

On the Cover: A selection of DVR consumers who completed the program and are now successfully employed.

3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SRC and DVR Missions 2

2017 SRC Council Member List 2

Table of Contents 3

Letter to Governor Carney 4

The SRC Leadership Report 5

SRC and DVR: Working Together for Employment 6

State Rehabilitation Council Committees 7

2017 Annual Recognition Awards Luncheon 8

2017 Annual Recognition Award Luncheon - Photos 9 - 11

What Workplace Inclusion Means To Me 11

Client Success Story: Sam Kanefsky 12

Client Success Story: Robin Schwitters 13

Project SEARCH: Delaware’s Award-Winning Transition Program 14

DVR Video Shows Benefits of Workplace Inclusion 15

2017 Consumer Satisfaction Results 16

2017 DVR Performance Report 17

Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment 18 - 20

DVR Office Locations 21

4

December 31, 2017

The Honorable John Carney Governor of Delaware Dover Office Tatnall Building William Penn Street, 2nd Floor Dover, DE 19901 Dear Governor Carney: Enclosed for your review is the 2017 Annual Report of the Delaware State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) for the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). During FY17, the Chair (Lisa Furber) and Vice Chair (Monica Edgar) took a different approach to the council, as we wanted to regroup, educate, and update our meetings and the council membership. Our goal was to build our council with new members, with fresh ideas and motivation. We wanted to keep the knowledge and experience of our seasoned SRC members and incorporate the ideas of new members, too. We continued to update our membership binders (orientation materials and policies) in order to grow and stay current under the mandates of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). The Council participated in several activities and shared in accomplishments which strengthened our partnership with DVR, all with the goal of identifying and removing barriers to employment as well as increasing independence for Delawareans with disabilities. The following are just a few highlights from our 2017 activities:

Supported legislative issues affecting Delawareans with disabilities Jointly established DVR goals and priorities for fiscal year 2017 Provided input on DVR policies: self-employment, credentials and measureable service gains,

on-the-job-training, and criminal history Reviewed consumer satisfaction data and made recommendations based on reviewed data

input on the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Combined State Plan Attended Delaware Pathways Conference and the Delaware Transition Conference Appointed SRC members to other community boards Developed and implemented the Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment

In conclusion, The SRC has always worked hard to follow the mandate of the law; however, the world we live in and the words we use today are changing and broadening. For instance, WIOA is focusing on Pre-Employment Transition Services. The SRC has encouraged the Delaware Disability Community to come together to improve the lives of their people by staying current. We intend to stay up-to-date by broadening our membership, partnering with other Boards and Councils, and working hard to advocate for people with disabilities. I would like to thank our partner, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, for helping the SRC through this transitional time and thank the members of the council for their time, dedication, efforts, and passion. Thank you for the opportunity to give back to our community through service on this council. With Warm Regards,

Moni Edgar

Moni Edgar, Acting Chair State Rehabilitation Council

5

SRC LEADERSHIP REPORT

As Acting Chair of the State Rehabilitation Council (SRC), I

have learned a great deal from the previous chair, the board,

and the community. The SRC utilized this year to update and

educate the council. We wanted to remind the SRC board

members of the required activities of the council and continue

to work with DVR in providing quality services to their clients.

We also continued to educate ourselves on WIOA and offered

input on the Combined State Plan, DVR Policies, and the

evaluation process for measuring consumer satisfaction. However, our main focus for

FY17 was to look for ways to partner with other Councils, Commissions, and Committees

that support employment and independence for Delawareans with disabilities.

One way the SRC accomplished our tasks during FY17 was by focusing on transition

aged youth. Transition has been a focus both statewide and nationally. The SRC supported

DVR’s orchestration of the Delaware Transition Conference (DTC) as well as their

participation in the Delaware Pathways Conference (DPC). The DTC prepares, educates,

and inspires youth with disabilities to think about future career goals including involving

youth as presenters at the event. The DPC conference has a similar goal; educating and

inspiring all young people, including those with disabilities to begin thinking about careers

and career pathways now. The program helps participants get prepared for work, find

jobs, and succeed in the workplace.

In FY17, the SRC membership and DVR worked together to recruit membership

that would diversify the council. As the Acting Chair, I attended both of the above

mentioned conferences, and I was inspired by the attendee’s motivation to learn, their

excitement to start new endeavors, and their drive to reach their goals. I would like to

take that energy and the council’s knowledge and combine the two. With the SRC

updates and revitalizing our council, I am excited for the coming year. A new spark has

developed in the SRC; we will continue to learn new things, partner with DVR, and reach

our goals in FY18.

Moni Edgar, Acting Chair

6

SRC AND DVR: WORKING TOGETHER FOR EMPLOYMENT

The State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) created a shared vision:

Assisting people with disabilities in Delaware to develop their talents and abilities and find meaningful employment

The SRC plays an integral role with DVR in administering the public vocational rehabilitation program and evaluating DVR’s effectiveness in providing vocational rehabilitation services to Delawareans with disabilities. As partners, the SRC and DVR:

Hold retreats to evaluate DVR’s effectiveness in achieving the agency’s mission, review and develop goals and priorities, and identify new directions.

Evaluate consumer satisfaction with DVR services and provide feedback.

Conduct periodic assessments to determine the needs of individuals with disabilities in Delaware.

Provide direct input into the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Combined State Plan specifically addressing new services and required reporting elements.

7

STATE REHABILITATION COUNCIL COMMITTEES

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee is responsible for developing the agenda for full Council meetings. The committee addresses management issues relating to the function of the Council and provides oversight for the duties and responsibilities of the Council and its committees and project teams as governed by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

Membership Committee

The Membership Committee is responsible for recruitment of new SRC members to meet its representative requirements. SRC members represent people with disabilities, advocates and family members, employers, and rehabilitation and education professionals. The Chair of the Council serves as the Chair of the Membership Committee. Recruitment efforts include maintaining a presence at area conferences, including the LIFE conference, and making presentations before disability-related advocacy groups such as Partners in Policymaking.

Policy, Procedure, and Performance Committee

The SRC has several members who participate on the DVR Policy Committee which develops policy and procedures for DVR client services. These SRC members are part of the Policy, Procedure and Performance committee. In addition to sharing information on agency activities in the development of DVR policies and procedures with the entire SRC, the committee brings the SRC perspective to the Policy Committee.

Government Relations Committee

The Government Relations Committee is responsible for maintaining awareness of issues and activities of the councils and committees around the state that address disability-related issues and monitoring legislative initiatives. The committee reports on noteworthy activities of other councils and the State legislature and facilitates the SRC’s advocacy on issues of concern. The committee also coordinates the SRC participation in the DVR budgeting and funding process.

Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment Committee On a triennial basis, the DVR and the SRC are required to do Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment (CSNA). The CSNA committee takes an active role in determining the way the assessment will be conducted, designing the assessment questions, assisting in the implementation, and reviewing the results.

8

2017 DVR SRC

ANNUAL RECOGNITION

AWARDS LUNCHEON

The Sixth Annual DVR and SRC Recognition Awards Luncheon was held at

Dover Downs Hotel on Monday, December 11th. Andrea Guest, DVR Director,

welcomed the council members, employers, consumers, service providers,

state partners, and vocational rehabilitation staff. Ms. Guest thanked

everyone in attendance for their hard work over the past year and stated that

she looks forward to continued partnerships in the coming year. Ms. Moni

Edgar, Acting Chair, SRC, joined Ms. Guest at the podium.

Following lunch, the recognition awards were presented to the outstanding employees honored at the

event. One of the New Castle County award recipients was Robin Schwitters, a State of Delaware

employee, and nominee of Connie Clay-Bickel, DVR Counselor. A second New Castle County award

recipient was Justin Lehman, employed by U.S. Securities, and nominee of Rebecca Clark, DVR Counselor

and Denise Burke, Business Relations Specialist. The Kent County award recipient was Sam Kanefsky, a

Dover Downs employee, and nominee of Janie Libby, SRC Member. Last, the Sussex County award

recipient was Brandon Almony, a Harris Teeter employee, and nominee of Arlana Harrisford, DVR

Counselor.

Additionally, several outstanding business partners were honored. The New Castle County award

recipient was the Metro Diner of Newark, Delaware, nominated by Maya Rattan, DVR Business Relations

Specialist. Dae Chang accepted the award. The Kent County award recipient was the Walmart

Supercenter of Milford, Delaware, nominated by Dana Seaberg, DVR Business Relations Specialist.

Christina Rossi accepted the award. The Sussex County award recipient was the Royal Farms of Milford,

Delaware, nominated by Denise Crockett, DVR Business Relations Specialist. Dawn Keyek accepted the

award.

Finally, a statewide outstanding service provider was honored. Community Integrated Services was

nominated by DVR district administrator Stan Mifflin. The award was received by Josh Miller.

Following the awards presentation, the attendees viewed the first video in a series that are being created

to focus on DVR’s programs and successes. The video highlighted the workplace inclusion and the

partnership between DVR and Dover Downs Hotel. The video can be found on the Delaware DOL

YouTube and DVR’s Facebook and Twitter.

As part of DVR’s social media campaign, luncheon attendees were invited to step into the “photo booth”

and show what Workplace Inclusion, a key concept of DVR and the SRC, means to them. The resulting

photos, some of which are included in this Annual Report, have been used on both Facebook and Twitter.

9

2017 DVR SRC ANNUAL RECOGNITION AWARDS LUNCHEON - PHOTOS

OUTSTANDING EMPLOYERS

L-R: Jeff Schifrin, Metro Diner; Andrea Guest,

DVR Director; Maya Rattan, DVR Business

Relations Specialist; Dae Chang, Metro Diner;

and Dr. Patrice Gilliam-Johnson, Secretary of

Labor.

L-R: Andrea Guest, DVR Director; Denise

Crockett, DVR Business Relations

Specialist; Dawn Keyek, Royal Farms; Dr.

Patrice Gilliam-Johnson, Secretary of Labor.

L-R: Andrea Guest, DVR Director; Dana

Seaberg, DVR Business Relations Specialist;

Lisa Dutton; Christina Rossi; Mary Jo

Verdery; and Dr. Patrice Gilliam-Johnson,

Secretary of Labor.

Wal*Mart, Kent County

*Mart

Metro Diner, New Castle County Royal Farms, Sussex County

10

2017 DVR SRC ANNUAL RECOGNITION LUNCHEON - PHOTOS

OUTSTANDING EMPLOYEES

L-R: Andrea Guest, DVR Director; Patricia Browan, U.S. Security Associates; Justin Lehman; Amber Bart, U.S. Security Associates; Denise Burke, DVR Business Relations Specialist; Becky Clark, DVR Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor; Tom Beckson, U.S. Security Associates; and Dr. Patrice Gilliam-Johnson, Secretary of Labor.

L-R: Reita Waterman, Delaware Family

Court; Constance Turner, Delaware Family Court; Andrea Guest, DVR Director; Robin Schwitters; Connie Clay-Bickel, DVR Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor; Dr. Patrice Gilliam-Johnson, Secretary of Labor; and Catherine Aul, Delaware Family Court.

L-R: Janie Libby, Dover Downs; Pete Bradley, Dover Downs; Dr. Patrice Gilliam-Johnson, Secretary of Labor ; Chef Ron Roll, Dover Downs; Sam Kanefsky; Carl Kanefsky; Andrea Guest, DVR Director; and Cathy Kanefsky.

Brandon Almony was not able to attend the event. Janet Rivera Cabrera, DVR Administrative Specialist, accepted the award on his behalf.

Robin Schwitters, New Castle County Justin Lehman, New Castle County

Sam Kanefsky, Kent County Brandon Almony, Sussex County

11

2017 DVR SRC ANNUAL RECOGNITION LUNCHEON PHOTOS

OUTSTANDING PROVIDER

“What Workplace Inclusion Means to Me” Luncheon attendees were invited to share what workplace inclusion means to them.

Participants wrote their beliefs on a sign and then were photographed against the “What

Workplace Inclusion Means to Me” backdrop. Resulting photos were shared on DVR’s

Facebook and Twitter newsfeeds. Workplace Inclusion is an important part of our work.

Highlighting this concept and involving others is a great way to get the conversation

started. Thank you to everyone who participated!

L-R: Josh Miller, Community Integrated Services; Stan Mifflin, DVR Georgetown District Administrator; Andrea Guest, DVR Director; and Dr. Patrice Gilliam-Johnson, Secretary of Labor. .

Community Integrated Services

12

CLIENT SUCCESS STORY: Sam Kanefsky

Sam Kanefsky, one of the honorees recognized at the

2017 Annual DVR SRC Awards Recognition luncheon, is an

employee at Dover Downs Hotel in Dover, Delaware.

He was hired in September 2012 through the POW&R

program’s partnership with DVR.

Originally, Sam was assigned as a Line Attendant

in the buffet restaurant stocking clean dishes and

silverware. Sam was initially quiet and kind of shy, but he

learned quickly and mastered his assigned tasks, then took it upon himself to be the

unofficial customer service ambassador for the restaurant. Guests know him and seek

him out and he greets everyone with a smile and warm hello.

Sam’s twin brother Adam works with him in the same restaurant - Sam is his

brother’s guiding star. It is clear that he loves his brother and always looks out for

him. Despite the fact that Sam and Adam travel to work each day from Middletown,

taking two buses each way, they are never late and rarely absent.

Sam was honored last winter as one of Dover Downs’ Award of Excellence winners,

an award given to employees for service excellence. For the award, all four of his

supervisors noted that Sam is truly a team player with a great attitude and exceptional

job performance, and he consistently gives the extra effort. He is a friendly and caring

employee, and he is always quick to lend a hand to others. Sam has most definitely

overcome disability obstacles and has proven himself to be one of our very best

employees.

Sam is an example of a how a person with a disability can overcome new challenges,

adapt, and excel as well as bring positivity and joy while doing so.

Congratulations, Sam!

P.S. Read more about Sam on page 15.

13

CLIENT SUCCESS STORY: Robin Schwitters

Robin Schwitters, an honoree recognized at the 2017

Annual DVR SRC Awards Recognition Luncheon, recently

celebrated 18 years of continuous employment with the State

of Delaware. As a Generic Case Aid, she works in the Delaware

Family Court supporting other state employees. In addition,

she reviews legal and court documents for completeness,

accuracy, and compliance in accordance with applicable time

permits, court procedures, and appropriate steps for processing.

Robin was selected as an individual with congenital disabilities for temporary

employment with the State of Delaware through an initiative to hire persons with

disabilities, giving them an opportunity to learn job skills. Robin quickly learned the

necessary job knowledge and skills and was hired and retained for employment.

Robin has developed many positive and strong relationships with her colleagues

and coworkers. She is embraced by a system of natural supports, which in addition to

other state employees includes her siblings to retain and maintain her employment. She

exemplifies that diversity in the workplace can be achieved with good communication,

collaboration, mutual support with respect, and every employee makes a significant

contribution in the workplace.

Congratulations, Robin!

14

PROJECT SEARCH: DELAWARE’S AWARD-WINNING

HIGH SCHOOL TRANSITION PROGRAM

Project SEARCH is a nine-month internship program for

students 18 to 21 years old with significant disability related

barriers to employment. Students enter the program with the

goal to gain valuable and transferable work skills to help

position them for meaningful employment within our

community upon graduation.

Great success of the program is attributed to the

combination of the classroom instruction and workplace

internship. Extensive training includes job skills, soft skills,

coaching, and career exploration and takes place within the

host business site. The interns’ experience real-life work situations which help them grow

and prepare for competitive employment.

Began as a national program in 1996, Program SEARCH has expanded the globe and is

now an international success. The core of the Project SEARCH program is

a partnership between education, business, Vocational Rehabilitation, and community

organizations focused on shared goals to help the intern(s) achieve program goals.

In Delaware, there are four Project SEARCH programs, at least one in each State

county. In 2011, Project SEARCH at Christiana Care Health System program was established

followed by Project SEARCH at BayHealth Medical Center in 2014. In 2017, two new

programs were added including Project SEARCH at Nanticoke and Project SEARCH at

Delaware Department of Transportation, the first partnership with a state agency. The

Project SEARCH at Christiana Care Health System and the Project SEARCH at BayHealth

Medical Center have been awarded the Superstars in Education award, a prestigious honor

from the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce.

15

DVR VIDEO SHOWS

BENEFITS OF

WORKPLACE INCLUSION

It’s exciting to share

news that DVR is

creating a video

series highlighting

our programs and

successes.

Debuted at the 2017

DVR SRC Annual Awards

Recognition Luncheon,

the first video captures

the benefits of

workplace inclusion by

profiling DVR’s business

relationship with Dover

Downs Hotel.

Watch the video and

view a discussion about

hiring people with

disabilities between

Janie Libby, VP of

Human Resources at

Dover Downs, and

Andrea Guest, DVR

Director as well an

interview with Dover

Downs employee, Sam

Kanefsky.

Future video topics

include transition and

the Project SEARCH

program.

Sam received the

2017 DVR SRC Annual Recognition

Employee Award for Kent County

CLICK HERE

TO WATCH THE VIDEO

The YouTube URL is: https://youtu.be/esUbtFc7FkU?t=1s

16

0.00%

20.00%

40.00%

60.00%

80.00%

100.00%

0.00%

20.00%

40.00%

60.00%

80.00%

100.00%

77.50%

13.13%

4.38% 1.88% 3.13%

Very Satisfied

Satisfied

Neutral

Dissatisfied

VeryDissatisfied

Job Satisfaction

0.00%10.00%20.00%30.00%40.00%50.00%60.00%70.00%80.00%90.00%

100.00%

CONSUMER SATISFACTION RESULTS

The 2017 Consumer Satisfaction Survey gave

participants the option to provide feedback either

in writing or by phone. Both individuals who were

closed employed (n=162) and those closed not

employed (n=96) were interviewed.

On each of the satisfaction measures, individuals who

had successfully obtained employment rated DVR

more favorably than those who did not; however, 92%

of employed individuals and 59% of not employed

individuals rated overall satisfaction as very satisfied

or somewhat satisfied.

92% of employed individuals and 73% of not

employed individuals indicated that they were very

likely or somewhat likely to return to DVR for

additional services if needed.

91% of employed individuals indicated that they were

very satisfied or somewhat satisfied with their jobs

while 5% indicated dissatisfaction.

Among individuals who did not achieve an

employment outcome, the top reasons were:

Disability-related: 46%

“Other” reasons: 25%

Relationship with DVR staff: 20%

Transportation: 17%

Specific feedback from participants:

“I can benefit from your services. I apologize for

wasted time and paper work. I sure would love to

return to DVR.”

“DVR went above and beyond the provided vocational

services.”

“During my training we spent to (sic) much time on the

interviews I was ready to move on to vocational

training to prepare me for a job. It just took too long

with my financial situation.”

“Unfortunately for me, I continue to have medical

issues that prevent me from seeking employment. I

need to have several additional medical procedures in

the future. Thank you very much for your services.”

“DVR is one of the best helpers to find jobs in

America.”

Employed

at closure

Not

employed

at closure

Overall

Satisfaction

with DVR

Satisfaction with

Ability to

Choose Goals

and Services

Employed

at closure

Not

employed at

closure

Likelihood of

Returning to DVR

if Employment

Services are

Required

Employed

at closure

Not

employed

at closure

17

2017 DVR PERFORMANCE REPORT

Successful Rehabilitations: 1,074 Most Significant Disabilities 292 (27%) 95% Significant Disabilities 733 (68%) Transition Youth Rehabilitated 334 Total Clients Served: 6,564

Clients with Most Significant Disabilities 1,942 (30%) 95%

Clients with Significant Disabilities 4,304 (65%) New Applicants in FY 2017: 2,335 Determined Eligible: 2,071 Acceptance Rate 90% New Transition Students: 837 Transition Students/Youth Served: 2,687 Average Hourly Wage for FY 2017 closures: All Closures $11.10

Transition Students $10.15 Supported Employment $9.31

Adults (not TR or SE) $11.99

Individuals in Delayed Status at the end of FY 2017: 67

18

COMPREHENSIVE STATEWIDE NEEDS ASSESSMENT

A committee made up of several members of the State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) and the Division of

Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) Management Analyst developed the survey for the Comprehensive Statewide

Needs Assessment (CSNA) during FY 2017. As required by Federal regulations, the committee developed

questions, both open and closed-ended, that address the five topics that are required for the assessment. The

survey was created to be completed either using the Survey Monkey online system or via a paper copy. The

online survey was distributed through numerous disability listservs as well as through the DVR social media via

Facebook and Twitter. The paper surveys were available primarily through the DVR field offices. Over four

hundred individuals began the survey, while nearly 300 completed the entire survey. The respondents were

from New Castle County (44%), Kent County (24%), and Sussex County (27%). In addition, a small percentage

of respondents (5%) are from outside of the state. The pluralities of respondents were service providers

(42%), individuals with disabilities (29%), and parents/guardians/advocates (29%) were also represented.

Participants were provided with Likert scales that included “neutral” and “don’t know/no answer” as

possible responses. Although “don’t know/no answer” was a possible response for all questions that included

a Likert scale (e.g. Strongly Agree…Strongly Disagree), respondents were able to skip questions or topics on

which they did not wish to respond.

Topic I: Service to individuals with the most significant disabilities, including supported employment

Participants responded positively (67% agreement) to a statement indicating that DVR provides

services to individuals with the most employment challenges but 54% also agreed that DVR could improve

those services. When asked what services would be most needed, work readiness training, job coaching, job

placement, on-the-job training, and work experiences were all identified by at least 40% of the participants.

When asked about the availability of supported employment services, 60% agreed that they were

available to people with the most significant employment challenges. In response to an open-ended question

about improvements, participants indicated timeliness/speed of services, longer assessments, follow-along for

people with more types of disabilities, transportation, longer follow-along, more training for service providers,

and better communication as potential areas.

Topic II: Services to individuals who are minorities

While 65% of the participants agreed that individuals who are minorities had access to DVR services,

only 4% disagreed; however, when asked the open-ended question about how DVR could improve services to

people who are minorities, participants indicated that minorities should include Spanish and other non-English

speaking individuals, more outreach, resources in alternate languages and formats, greater hours of

operation, more staff and staff training, and establish a review team for when major requests are denied.

In response to a question about which individuals have the hardest time obtaining services,

participants indicated that some disability groups had more difficulty, people with language barriers or who

couldn’t advocate for themselves, people with criminal backgrounds, were homebound or homeless, lacking

transportation, looking for advancement or self-employment, or were students without good support systems.

To overcome those barriers, participants recommended greater and more varied outreach, increased staff

which language abilities or who have disabilities, services on college campuses, order of selection changes

(some indicating more restrictions while others indicating that people should not be lost on the waiting list),

19

getting people who are homeless into the system more rapidly, better transportation, not overlooking adults

in favor of students, and hiring a behavioral analyst.

Topic III: Accessing Services from Workforce Agencies

Participants were asked about which of the ten Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)

partner programs they had requested services from and which they had actually received services. In almost

every case, except for one which had been requested by only 2% of the respondents, the number receiving

services was less than the number requesting them.

When asked about which reason services had not been received, 43% indicated no barriers, 42%

indicated problems with transportation, 24% were not aware of the programs, 14% indicated a language

barrier, 12% indicated a disability-related barrier, 7% indicated that the program was not available locally, and

3% indicate lack of physical accessibility. Among the other barriers indicated was a comment about being

referred back to DVR when trying to access a non-VR partner.

Topic IV: Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) and Transition Services

Although a description of Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) and Transition Services

preceded the survey questions, several questions in Topic IV received a plurality of “don’t know/no answer”

responses.

When asked about access to the Pre-ETS needed for employment, 43% agreed and 13% disagreed that

students have access. Respondents indicated 22% agreement and 23% disagreement to a statement that DVR

and schools coordinated Pre-ETS programs. When asked about services to prepare for employment for

transition youth (14-24), 33% agreed that the youth have access while 18% disagreed.

To an open-ended question about additional services needed for transition age youth, the

participant’s responses included training (e.g. specific vocational training, parent training, youth training about

their disabilities), work experiences, services in lower and western Sussex County, more counselors, more

outreach, and funding for specific services such as speech therapy and behavior supports. When asked how

transition and Pre-ETS services could be improved, responses included outreach to parents, students, and

counselors, more work experiences, more staff and staff support, greater availability of programs, more

services in Kent and Sussex counties, better integration with (Individual Education Plan) IEP’s, and placement

services for summer employment.

Topic V: Availability and Need for Community Rehabilitation Programs (CRPs)

In response to a statement that CRP services meet the needs of people in Delaware, 34% agreed and

20% disagreed. When asked about ways that services could be improved, 55% indicated location (including all

counties), 54% indicated the types of training (e.g. specific vocational programs, for individuals with specific

disabilities such as autism and traumatic brain injury), 35% indicated accessibility (e.g. need for paratransit, for

individuals with specific disabilities such as mental health and traumatic brain injury), and 35% had other

recommendations (e.g. more outreach, transportation, staff, better placement after training, incentives for

higher quality job placements, and faster follow-up after referral).

20

Conclusion

The above information indicates that the disability community in Delaware views some aspects of the

DVR’s services positively but clearly indicates that there are numerous ways in which the services could

improve. In many cases, the needs reflect either impressions or actual experiences. In some cases, the

respondents did not have full information about services that currently exist, but the lack of information itself

indicates a need for greater marketing and outreach. Having collected the data, the DVR will use the

information to identify better ways to serve the community.

21

DVR OFFICE LOCATIONS

New Castle County Wilmington TTY/Voice – (302) 761-8275 Newark TTY/Voice – (302) 368-6980 Middletown TTY/Voice – (302) 696-3180

Kent County Dover TTY/Voice – (302) 739-5478

Sussex County Georgetown TTY/Voice – (302) 856-5730

www.dvr.delawareworks.com