Strategic Planning for State Rehabilitation Councils

SRC Strategic Planning

What is the SRC? The State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) is a group of individuals, the majority of whom have a disability, who are appointed by their Governor to work on behalf of people with disabilities in partnership with Vocational Rehabilitation (VR). The SRC serves as a source of advice, information, and support for the vocational rehabilitation and supported employment programs.

What is a Strategic Plan? Sets priorities Sets goals and direction. Evaluates progress toward goal achievement.

Strategic Planning Process Assess- Where are we? Vision Where do we want to go? (Outcome- what do we need to accomplish?) Route How will we get there? (What activities need to be completed?) Target How will we know when we have arrived? (Evaluate progress)

Why is it important for SRCs to do Strategic Planning? It is an important tool for bringing members together and motivating them to work in tandem toward developing and accomplishing goals in concert with their mandated SRC functions. It sets direction and priorities. It gets everyone on the same page. It keeps everyone focused on priorities.

If you dont set goals, you won t fail to achieve them. - Yogi Berra

The Process Federal & State Mandates Evaluate Goals Activities to reach goals Outcomes

The Strategic Plan should mirror each SRC responsibility in the Rehabilitation Act plus any State mandates.

The Regulations for the SRCs federal mandates can be found at- https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/subtitle- B/chapter-III/part-361/subpart-B/subject-group- ECFR598a81fff49e46d/section-361.17 And are copied on the following 3 slides.

Functions. The Council must, after consulting with the State workforce development board (1) Review, analyze, and advise the designated State unit regarding the performance of the State unit's responsibilities under this part, particularly responsibilities related to (i) Eligibility, including order of selection; (ii) The extent, scope, and effectiveness of services provided; and (iii) Functions performed by State agencies that affect or potentially affect the ability of individuals with disabilities in achieving employment outcomes under this part; (2) In partnership with the designated State unit (i) Develop, agree to, and review State goals and priorities in accordance with 361.29(c); and (ii) Evaluate the effectiveness of the vocational rehabilitation program and submit reports of progress to the Secretary in accordance with 361.29(e);

(3) Advise the designated State agency and the designated State unit regarding activities carried out under this part and assist in the preparation of the vocational rehabilitation services portion of the Unified or Combined State Plan and amendments to the plan, applications, reports, needs assessments, and evaluations required by this part; (4) To the extent feasible, conduct a review and analysis of the effectiveness of, and consumer satisfaction with (i) The functions performed by the designated State agency; (ii) The vocational rehabilitation services provided by State agencies and other public and private entities responsible for providing vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities under the Act; and (iii) The employment outcomes achieved by eligible individuals receiving services under this part, including the availability of health and other employment benefits in connection with those employment outcomes;

(5) Prepare and submit to the Governor and to the Secretary no later than 90 days after the end of the Federal fiscal year an annual report on the status of vocational rehabilitation programs operated within the State and make the report available to the public through appropriate modes of communication; (6) To avoid duplication of efforts and enhance the number of individuals served, coordinate activities with the activities of other councils within the State, including the Statewide Independent Living Council established under chapter 1, title VII of the Act, the advisory panel established under section 612(a)(21) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the State Developmental Disabilities Planning Council described in section 124 of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, the State mental health planning council established under section 1914(a) of the Public Health Service Act, and the State workforce development board, and with the activities of entities carrying out programs under the Assistive Technology Act of 1998; (7) Provide for coordination and the establishment of working relationships between the designated State agency and the Statewide Independent Living Council and centers for independent living within the State; and (8) Perform other comparable functions, consistent with the purpose of this part, as the Council determines to be appropriate, that are comparable to the other functions performed by the Council.

Work Plan Overview All members become educated about the Rehabilitation Act mandates for the SRC. The full SRC identifies federal and state mandates and translates them into measurable goals. The work load (goals) is divided among standing and ad hoc committees. Individual committees develop action plans for each committee goal. Committees present goals and activity plans for review and possible modification and approval of the full SRC. (Continued on next slide)

Overview continued Committees reconvene to finalize action plans. The combined committee goals and action plans become the Strategic Plan for the year. Committees monitor goal progress to determine achievement of SRC mandates and present to full SRC at quarterly meetings. Adjust if indicated. Annually committees summarize their accomplishments and provide report to full SRC. This final report becomes the basis for development of a new Strategic Plan for the next fiscal year.

Each Committee has a piece of the Strategic Plan for which it takes responsibility.

What are the benefits of working in Committees? Breaks the work of the SRC into smaller, more manageable and focused segments. Allows issues to be addressed in-depth. Brings varied and collective opinions together. Enables the full Council to be aware of and educated about the in-depth work of the committees.

Pick a committee that best matches your interests and expertise. What are your strengths and interests that best compliment the SRC mandated activities? Select a committee that best compliments your interests and experience and to which you feel you can contribute. Be an active participant in developing and implementing committee goals and activities.

Now lets practice developing a Strategic Plan for a hypothetical Executive Committee using this process. (Use provided worksheets: #1- Goals/Outcomes #2 Work Plan)

SRC FY__ Strategic Plan Goals Committee- Executive Members: Chair; Vice Chair; Past Chair; Committee Chairs; VR Representative. Committee Chair- _________ Each new Strategic Plan should include: Left-over goals from last FY. Goals assigned by full Council. New goals indicated to address other identified needs. FY__ Goals- Goal 1: Set SRC meeting agendas. Goal 2: Review budget. Goal 3: Review By-laws. Goal 4: Coordinate meeting training and speakers. Goal 5: Develop Annual Report.

Work Plan Activities to meet Goal #1: Set SRC meeting agendas. Activity 1- Request agenda items from Executive Committee members Lead Person- Chair Deadline- 3 weeks prior to meeting. .. . Activity 2- Send draft agenda to Executive Committee members for review and feedback. Lead Person- Chair Deadline- 2 weeks prior to meeting. . Activity 3- Finalize agenda and send to SRC members. Lead person- Chair Deadline- 1 week prior to meeting.

Now lets get to work on developing our FY___ Strategic Plan

Step 1 (Full Council) Brainstorm and set goals for FY__: 1. Set goals to address federal and state mandates. Are all mandated goals addressed? 2. Set goals to address other identified needs. (CSNA; Membership; Officers; By-Laws; Training needs; Other) 3. Divide goals among standing and ad hoc committees. Modify committee structure if needed to ensure an even workload (Update Bylaws if changed.)

Step 2 (Committees) Each Committee should consider including a VR staff person for technical assistance and to ensure that goals reflect a SRC/VR partnership. 1. Finalize goals- stated in measureable terms. (Worksheet #1) 2. Brainstorm steps needed to achieve each goal. (Worksheet #2) Gain consensus on needed action steps. Assign lead person and deadline for each step.

Committee Discussion Ground Rules Committee chairs lead the discussion. Appoint a note-taker. Respect each other s ideas and views. Remember all ideas are valid. Listen to each other. Seek common ground and action.

Step 3 (Full Council) Committees report back to full Council Any discussion or questions? Any suggestions for additions or modifications?

Step 4 (Committees) Finalize plans based on full council direction.

Step 5 (Full Council) Combine finalized committee goals into one comprehensive SRC Strategic Plan

Step 6 (Committees) Implement Plan: Carry out goal activities. Regularly measure progress toward goal achievement. Adjust if progress toward goal achievement is impeded. Set new goals if indicted. Report progress at every regular Council meeting.

You cannot develop a strategic plan and sit it on a shelf However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results. - Winston Churchill

Annually- Summarize what has been accomplished and what still needs to be done to achieve your desired goal outcomes. Begin Strategic Plan process for the new FY: Where are we? Where do we want to go? How will we get there? How will we know when we have arrived?