SRC Participation in Comprehensive Statewide

Needs Assessments

NATIONAL STATE REHABILITATION COUNCIL FORUM

JUNE 25, 2013

Today’s Presentation

CSNA RequirementsCSNA PrinciplesRole of the SRC in the CSNAFrequently Asked QuestionsResources

What is the CSNA?

Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment

The basis for the State Plan goals, objectives, and strategies VR agency and SRC are required by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, to work jointly on conducting a CSNA Conducted every three yearsAttachment 4.11(a) of the State Plan

CSNA Required Information Goals

1. VR service needs of individuals with the most significant disabilities, including their need for supported employment;

2. Individuals with disabilities who are minorities;

3. Individuals with disabilities who have been unserved and underserved by the VR program; and

4. Individuals with disabilities served through the statewide workforce investment system.

Attachment 4.11(a) Requirements

AND…..an assessment of the need to:

Establish, develop or improve

community rehabilitation programs (CRPs)

within the state

CSNA Principles

Take advantage of existing knowledge Build on the experience of the State Plan

Involve the Community VR Agency/SRC/Community partnership

Use data to focus the assessment goals CSNA cannot rely on data alone

Design a feasible and reasonable project Use wide range of methods, participants Combine quantitative & qualitative results The process is as much an art as science

CSNA Principles

Multi-disciplinary needs assessment team Data crunchers, fiscal and field staff, subject matter experts

Start thinking dissemination earlyIn developing State Plan options, learn from past

successes and mistakes What worked and what didn’t, what changes are needed? Does our evaluation in Attachment 4.11(e)(2) suggest that

changes in strategies are needed?

Develop a menu of alternatives

CSNA Steps

Establish goals of the CSNA What info exists, what info do we need? Who will be

involved in the process and what will the SRC role be?

Plan for information Where can we get the needed information and how can

we get it?

Gather information Use a wide range of methods, participants

Analyze results

CSNA Steps

Develop Conclusions What needs have been identified?

Information for the State Plan What needs are a priority, how will we address them

and what are our goals?

Disseminate Results How can we make this available to the public? Can other entities make use of this information?

SRC Role in the CSNA

SRC involvement in the CSNA process may be in the form of: Participation in the planning of the CSNA Collecting data/information Review of findings Development of recommendations re: State Plan goals and

strategies Disseminating the results Periodic review of the results of the CSNA and other

management information to determine whether the goals and strategies are responsive to the needs and to determine future actions

Examples of SRC Role in the CSNA

Planning –

Participating on a CSNA planning committee

Reviewing manpower and skills available

Discussing whether the assessment should be

conducted internally or contracted to consultants

identifying the role of the SRC and other participants in the assessment

Examples of SRC Role in the CSNA

Gather Information – Examples

Designing/conducting/reviewing surveys

Attending or conducting focus groups

Conducting key informant interviews

Attending, conducting or participating in hearings

Examples of SRC Role in the CSNA

Dissemination of CSNA results

Create a plan for sharing the results including

Audiences

Methods and media

Schedule

Costs

Goals

Frequently Asked Questions about the CSNA

1. Is the CSNA an event or a continuous process?

According to 34 CFR 361.29(a)(1), the CSNA must be conducted every three years. RSA has interpreted that to mean that a CSNA addressing all requirements and serving as the foundation for the State Plan goals and objectives must be completed by the end of the third FY, regardless of whether it is conducted as a single event in one year or continuously over a three-year period.

Frequently Asked Questions about the CSNA

1. Is the CSNA an event or a continuous process? (cont.)

Pros and Cons to Each Approach Completing a portion of the CSNA each year for three years

provides flexibility in scheduling activities and gathering information.

Conducting an assessment once, all in one year, provides a focused snapshot view and a sense of relief when it’s completed.

Either way,

Identified Needs Development of State Plan Goals and Policies

Frequently Asked Questions about the CSNA

2. If an agency and SRC conduct a needs assessment in three one-year parts, are the results to be consolidated into one report or submitted as yearly updates?

When the state conducts the CSNA on a continuous basis over a three-year period, the state must include the CSNA results in Attachment 4.11(a) of the State Plan as annual updates for each of the three years pursuant to 34 CFR 361.29(a)(2).

Frequently Asked Questions about the CSNA

3. How do you define “unserved” and “underserved”?

The Rehabilitation Act and its implementing regulations do not define these terms. The VR Needs Assessment Guide contains the following guideline:

Unserved individuals are individuals who would be eligible for VR services but have not received VR services.

Underserved individuals are those who do not receive equal access to VR services.

Frequently Asked Questions about the CSNA

Unserved and underserved individuals can include:

• racial and ethnic minorities;• specific disability populations;• people with disabilities who are low-income;• veterans;• certain age groups; and • residents of a specific geographic area.

Resources – Conducting a CSNA

For additional information on conducting a CSNA and completing State Plan Attachment 4.11(a):

See VR Needs Assessment Guide at: http://rsa.ed.gov/display.cfm?pageid=406

Contact your Regional Technical Assistance and Continuing Education center at: https://ncrtm.org/moodle/course/view.php?id=180

Resource – SRC/VR Agency Partnership

36th IRI The State Rehabilitation Council – Vocational Rehabilitation Partnership at: http://iriforum.org/books.aspx#36ua

SRC On-Line Training Series (includes information on conducting the CSNA) at: www.erehab.org

Thank you!

Janette Shell

RSA

550 12th St., SWPCP Room 5010Washington, DC 20202-2800

202.245.7257 (voice)

202.245.7590 (FAX)

Janette.shell@ed.gov

Susan Schaffer

Director, Office of Blindness and Vision Services

Maryland DORS2301 Argonne Drive Baltimore, MD 21218

410.554.9277 (voice)

410.554.9197 (FAX)

sschaffer@dors.state.md.us