Mandated Responsibilities of State Rehabilitation Councils

SRC Basics Presented by: Kate Travis, Services Director at Ability Beyond, Chair of the CT SRC and NCSRC Board Member

Department of Ed OSERS RSA VR VR General VR Blind Combined Federal/State Structure

Title IV (Rehab Act) Title I (Subtitle B) Section 105 of Title I CFR 361.16 & 361.17 WIOA Regulations

Consumer voice for the VR program What is our purpose?

Mandated by law since 1992 as State Rehabilitation Advisory Committees 1998 changed to State Rehabilitation Councils What is our purpose?

What are we required to do, in partnership with VR? Mandated SRC Responsibilities

Review, analyze and advise. What? Mandated SRC Responsibilities

-Eligibility & Order of Selection -Extent, Scope & Effectiveness of Services -Functions performed by State agencies that affect or that potentially affect employment outcomes Mandated SRC Responsibilities

In partnership with the designated State unit Develop, agree to, and review state goals and priorities. Mandated SRC Responsibilities

Evaluate the effectiveness and prepare an annual report on the status of the VR programs operated within the state Submitted to Governor, Commissioner and made public Mandated SRC Responsibilities

Jointly conduct the Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment with VR. Mandated SRC Responsibilities

Consumer Satisfaction Survey conduct, to the extent feasible, a review and analysis of the effectiveness and consumer and satisfaction with vocational rehabilitation services. Mandated SRC Responsibilities

Assist in the preparation of the VR portion of the Unified State Plan Mandated SRC Responsibilities

Provide SRC input to the Unified State Plan Mandated SRC Responsibilities

What is one mandated function your SRC is struggling with or wants to improve? What is one mandated function that you think your SRC does particularly well? Table Exercise!

Law specifies composition of the council. Mandated Composition

Minimum of 15 members Mandated Composition

(i) At least one representative of the Statewide Independent Living Council Mandated Composition

(ii) At least one representative of a parent training and information center established pursuant to section 671 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Mandated Composition

(iii) At least one representative of the client assistance program established under section 112 Mandated Composition

(iv) At least one qualified vocational rehabilitation counselor, with knowledge of and experience with vocational rehabilitation programs *non-voting if employee Mandated Composition

(v) At least one representative of community rehabilitation program service providers Mandated Composition

(vi) Four representatives of business, industry, and labor Mandated Composition

(vii) Representatives of disability advocacy groups representing a cross section of- (I) individuals with physical, cognitive, sensory, and mental disabilities; and Mandated Composition

(II) individuals representatives of individuals with disabilities who have difficulty in representing themselves or are unable due to their disabilities to represent themselves Mandated Composition

(viii) Current or former applicants for, or recipients of, vocational rehabilitation services Mandated Composition

(ix) In a State in which one or more projects are funded under section 121, at least one representative of the directors of the projects located in such State Mandated Composition

(x) At least one representative of the State education agency responsible for the public education of students with disabilities who are eligible to receive services under this title and part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Mandated Composition

(xi) At least one representative of the State workforce development board Mandated Composition

The Director of the designated State unit shall be an ex officio, nonvoting member of the Council Mandated Composition

Business (4) Director of VR (non voting) SILC State PTAC Workforce SRC State CAP Education VR 121 rep Counselor VR Applicants or Recipients CRP Disability Advocacy Groups

A majority of the Council members must be individuals with disabilities who meet the requirements of Section 361.5(c)(28) and are not employed by the designated State unit. Mandated Composition

Must also consider diversity representation on council Composition

Members of the Council shall be appointed by the Governor or, in the case of a State that, under law, vests authority for the administration of the activities carried out under this Act in an entity other than the Governor (such as one or more houses of the State legislature or an independent board), the chief officer of that entity. Appointments

Length of Term: 3 years Terms of Appointment

Number of Terms: No member of the council may serve more than 2 consecutive terms Terms of Appointment

Except the CAP or the section 121 representative Terms of Appointment

What does your SRC do successfully to recruit new members? What representatives do you have the greatest difficulty in recruiting? How is the appointment process in your state? Table Exercise!

Variety of SRC organizational structures exist across SRC Organizational Variation

-Assistance from a VR liaison -SRC staff that functions autonomously -No dedicated staff assistance at all SRC Organizational Variation

Chairperson SRC Roles and Responsibilities- Chairperson

Must be selected by the members of the Council from among the voting members of the Council, subject to the veto power of the Governor; or designated by appointing authority SRC Roles and Responsibilities- Chairperson

Key role. Mutual ongoing communication with VR Director. Ability to form a collaborative relationship. SRC Roles and Responsibilities- Chairperson

Each SRC can delineate the specifics of the role of chair, as long as they fall within the federal statute and state policy and rules. SRC Roles and Responsibilities- Chairperson

Vice Chair SRC Roles and Responsibilities- Vice-Chair

Not required by law. But most states find this role very useful. SRC Roles and Responsibilities- Vice-Chair

Building the bench. Coverage. Specific assigned tasks. SRC Roles and Responsibilities- Vice-Chair

Treasurer Secretary SRC Roles and Responsibilities- Others

All exec members should be focused on the priorities of the SRC SRC Roles and Responsibilities

Most effective way to get the functions of the SRC successfully completed! Committees