2009 - Oregon State Library: State Employee Information Center ...

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i hOnOrable gOvernOr ted KulOngOsKi and dr. edward anthOny, rsa dePuty cOmmissiOner: December 2009 On behalf of the Oregon State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) members, we are honored to present the Oregon SRC 2009 Annual Report. Throughout this report you will find an account of the status of the Oregon State Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program (OVRS) and a summary of the activities undertaken by the SRC during this past year. Unfortunately, like many other states experiencing a recession, Oregon was forced into Order of Selection (OOS) in January 2009. Under federal law, if Oregon does not have enough money to provide vocational rehabilitation services to all eligible persons, OVRS must set priorities to serve those with the most significant disabilities. Nevertheless, the SRC maintains a strong focus on positive employment outcomes for consumers with disabilities. OVRS staff, along with the SRC, continues to strive for meaningful employment outcomes. The data below indicate the effectiveness of services provided by OVRS staff during the past year. During federal fiscal year 2009, 15,032 Oregonians with disabilities received services; 96 percent had significant disabilities; and 2,135 people with disabilities completed individual plans for employment and were successfully rehabilitated. The impact of these consumers being able to obtain and maintain meaningful work translated into approximately $18,672,876 in new wages, providing a substantial contribution to the Oregon economy. These accomplishments are largely due to the dedication of the OVRS staff members. They work diligently to provide quality and timely services to Oregonians with disabilities during the transition into OOS and, again, as consumers are removed from the waitlist. The SRC quickly responded to the needs of OVRS when developing OregOn state rehabilitatiOn cOuncil
guidelines for going into the Order of Selection (OOS). We had hoped to have more time to prepare for OOS, but the timelines were reduced when the economy declined so quickly. The SRC remains focused on our mandated activities and has maintained a cordial partnership with OVRS regarding all policy and program issues. The Oregon SRC continues to support the National Coalition of SRCs (NCSRC) and has representation on the NCSRC Steering Committee. We see great value in having a strong national advocacy voice that will work to improve the public vocational rehabilitation system as well as benefit SRCs by sharing best practices. The Executive Committee continues to work with OVRS on major program and policy issues. The more significant issues this year include the SRC’s ongoing concern regarding DHS accountability of OVRS funds, and the implementation of Order of Selection. Our SRC members continue to support the right of Oregonians with disabilities to obtain and maintain meaningful employment. Each member is honored to be appointed to the SRC and endeavors to fulfill the role and responsibility that comes with council membership. We remain committed to the principle that all Oregonians have fair and equal access to rehabilitation services. It is an honor and privilege to chair the Oregon State Rehabilitation Council and to provide leadership and work in partnership with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services. Respectfully, Cynthia Owens Liz Fox SRC Co-chair SRC Co-chair OregOn state rehabilitatiOn cOuncil ii
Page 1: OregOn state rehabilitatiOn cOuncil
Page 6 and 7: table Of cOntents Letter to Governo
Page 8 and 9: 1 OregOn state rehabilitatiOn cOunc
Page 10 and 11: 3 src cOmmittee structure Committee
Page 12 and 13: 5 ytP wOrKgrOuP The council sugges
Page 14 and 15: 7 src activities 2009 state rehabil
Page 16 and 17: 9 Vanessa HougHton’s story Vaness
Page 18 and 19: 11 I just have a disability that ne
Page 20 and 21: 13 did all my hair for special even
Page 22 and 23: 15 forward. I leave you with this s
Page 24 and 25: 17 help alleviate neck pain and mig
Page 26 and 27: 19 intrOductiOn The Office of Vocat
Page 28 and 29: 21 Office Of vOcatiOnal rehabilitat
Page 30 and 31: 23 career wOrKfOrce sKills training
Page 32 and 33: 25 agencies included the Social Sec
Page 34 and 35: 27 the CILs carried out projects to
Page 40 and 41: 33 OregOn vOcatiOnal rehabilitatiOn
Page 42 and 43: 35 sPecial recOgnitiOn congratulati
Page 44: To request additional copies or for

2009 - Oregon State Library: State Employee Information Center ...

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