Rehabilitation Council

The Governor established the Council in October 1993 in response to the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1992. In Executive Order 93-04 the Governor stated that the Council was “To move toward a collaborative and comprehensive statewide system of rehabilitation services for individuals with disabilities”. The Council has provided input, advice and guidance to DVR on a number of issues during the past year. The Council seeks public input regarding all activities and services of DVR and internal Council activities. Public input is solicited at each quarterly meeting and during public hearings. Written comments are solicited on an on-going basis and should be directed to: Rehabilitation Council of Washington State, PO Box 45343, Olympia, WA 98504-5343.

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INDEX

Introduction to the Council
Council Activities
Council Organization
Council Representation
Committee Description

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INTRODUCTION TO THE COUNCIL

The Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1992 and 1998 require states participating in the federal rehabilitation program, with the US Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration, to establish a Rehabilitation Council.  The Governor implemented the Council by Executive Order 93-04 on April 30, 1993, stating as its purpose:

To move toward a collaborative and comprehensive statewide system of rehabilitation services for individuals with disabilities.

This twenty-one member Council, appointed by the Governor, is representative of individuals and groups having an interest in vocational rehabilitation, includes members with broad geographic representation, gender, ethnic, and cultural diversity.  A majority of the Council members are persons with disabilities.  Members of the Council represent business, labor and industry; disability advocacy groups; applicants for, or recipients of, vocational rehabilitation services; community rehabilitation programs; the Client Assistance Program; parent training and information centers; the State Independent Living Council; rehabilitation counselors; the Division of Special Education; the Workforce Investment Board; American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation programs; and the Director of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), Department of Social and Health Services as an ex officio member.

The responsibilities of the Council are described in both federal legislation and in the Executive Order and include:

• Consult with the Workforce Investment Board on Council functions.
  
• To review, analyze, and advise the general vocational rehabilitation program of its responsibilities under the Rehabilitation Act.
  
• In partnership with DVR develop, agree to, and review State goals and priorities in the State Plan and evaluate the effectiveness of the VR program.
  
• To advise and assist the general vocational rehabilitation program in the preparation of the state plan, the strategic plan, reports, needs assessments, and evaluation.
  
• To conduct a review and analysis of consumer satisfaction.
  
• To prepare and submit an annual report to the Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration, the Governor, and the public.
  
• To coordinate with other councils, as specified by the Rehabilitation Act.
  
• To provide coordination between the general vocational rehabilitation program, the State Independent Living Council and independent living centers.
  
• To perform other functions, consistent with the Rehabilitation Act, as the council determines appropriate.

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 COUNCIL ACTIVITIES

The Council meets on a quarterly basis at various locations around Washington. The agenda is designed to allow the Council to accomplish several objectives at each meeting. Typical activities include:

• Administration and operation of the Council (budgets, policies/procedures, elections,);
  
• Standing committee activity reports;
  
• Discussion/approval of advice and guidance recommendations to the Division  of Vocational Rehabilitation. (DVR) regarding state plans, policies, client satisfaction studies, etc.;
  
• A report from the DVR Director regarding the status of the Division and state and federal issues impacting the provision of rehabilitation services;
  
• The Council may hold a work session to review specific proposals or work activities of a Committee;
  
• A training/education component that may include an overview of activities of the DVR within a region in the state, a presentation regarding a special program (such as a program to support students with disabilities at a community college) or a similar presentation that would be of interest to guests and community members as well as Council members; and
  
• Opportunities for community and participant input to the Council.

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COUNCIL ORGANIZATION

The Council operates under by-laws, revised in 1998, that designate officers as Chairperson, two Vice-chairpersons one from Eastern Washington and one from Western, and Chairs of the Standing Committees.  These seven officers compose the Executive Committee which is responsible for oversight of all Council activities. 

Standing Committees Include:

The Interagency Liaison Committee:

• Identifies system problems by determining consumer satisfaction;
  
• Improves accessibility to DVR programs via comprehensive distribution of information;
  
• Develops systems for direct client feedback to Council;
  
• Improves coordination with agencies not directly related to employment; and
  
• Avoids duplication of effort between Rehabilitation Council and DVR.

The Council Performance Committee:

• recruits and recommends new, and continuing, Council members in accordance with membership composition requirements and forwards recommendations to the Governor;
  
• reviews and reports on Council performance per Executive Order and Rehabilitation Act requirements;
  
• reports to the Executive Committee any needs for replacing members who have indicated that they can no longer fulfill, or are no longer fulfilling, their Council responsibilities;
  
• provides for orientation of new Council members;
  
• reviews and makes appropriate recommendations to the Executive Committee regarding training needs of Council members;
  
• reviews and proposes by-law changes to assure effective and efficient operation of the Council; and
  
• performs an annual review of Council’s organization and structure.

The Program Evaluation and Consumer Satisfaction Committee:

• participates with DVR in developing consumer surveys, evaluating survey results and developing appropriate recommendations;
  
• supports community and consumer participation in Council activities;
  
• supports Council participation in independent public hearings and those held in conjunction with DVR; and
  
• evaluates the results of hearings, appeals and complaints regarding DVR programs and services.
  

The Plans and Policy Review Committee:

• Promotes active participation of DVR in development and review of local area Workforce Investment plans;
  
• Effectively coordinates strategic and operational plan processes with DVR;
  
• Obtains comprehensive information from DVR related to strategic and operational plan processes; and
  
• Makes recommendations for improvement of DVR personnel development systems.

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COUNCIL REPRESENTATION

Members of the Washington State Rehabilitation Council are appointed by the Governor and shall include 15 to 21 members. Membership of the Council includes the following representation:

• At least one representative of the State Independent Living Council.
  
• At least one representative of a parent training and information center.
  
• At least one representative of the Client Assistance Program.
  
• At least one vocational rehabilitation counselor with knowledge of and experience with vocational rehabilitation programs.
  
• At least one representative of community rehabilitation program service providers.
  
• Four representatives of business, labor, and industry.
  
• Representatives of disability advocacy groups representing a cross section of individuals with physical, cognitive, sensory, and mental disabilities; and parents, family members, guardians, advocates, or authorized representatives of individuals with disabilities who have difficulty, or are unable, due to their disability, to represent themselves.
  
• Current or former applicants for, or recipients of, vocational rehabilitation services.
  
• A representative of the Special Education unit of the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.
  
• A representative of the Workforce Investment Board.
  
• A representative of the Directors of the American Indian Vocational rehabilitation programs.
  
• A representative of Migrant or Seasonal Farmworkers
  
• The Director of DVR is an ex officio member.

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COMMITTEE DESCRIPTION

Plans & Policy Reviews:  Lead review agent for legislation, regulations, and proposals before the RC.  Assists DVR in policy development and revision. (Current Work:  Review/Comment on DVR Strategic Operational Plan and 2002 State Plan and assist in creation of DVR policies that are compliant with the latest federal regulations).

Program Evaluation & Consumer Satisfaction:  Evaluates the effectiveness of DVR service delivery.  Evaluates client satisfaction level with DVR service outcomes.  (Current work:  Provider Survey may be on hold.  Familiarize and implement new Evaluation Standards, Performance Indicators and Performance Levels in Federal Regulation.)

Council Performance:  As the name suggests.  Also, advertise vacancies on the RC.  Reviews applications, consult with the Executive Committee and make recommendations for appointment to the RC.  Orients new members. (Current Work:  Filling three vacancies on the RC). 

Interagency Liaison:  Communicates information between the RC and assigned agency.  Seeks to prevent duplication of efforts by RC and other disability-focused agencies.  Develops method to inform the public about RC. and DVR.

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