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RSA-227 - Annual Client Assistance Program
(CAP) Report
West Virginia (WEST VIRGINIA ADVOCATES, INC --
CLIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM) - H161A170049 -
FY2017
General Information
Designated Agency Identification
Name Disability Rights of West Virginia
Address 1207 Quarrier St, Ste 400
Address Line 2
City Charleston
State West Virginia
Zip Code 25301
E-mail Address [email protected]
Website Address https://www.drofwv.org/
Phone 304-346-0847
TTY 304-346-0847
Toll-free Phone 1-800-950-5250
Toll-free TTY 1-800-950-5250
Fax 304-346-0867
Operating Agency (if different from Designated Agency)
Name Disability Rights of West Virginia
Address 1207 Quarrier St, Ste 400
Address Line 2
City Charleston
Zip Code 25301
E-mail Address [email protected]
Website Address https://www.drofwv.org/
Phone 304-346-0847
TTY 304-346-0847
Toll-free Phone 1-800-950-5250
Toll-free TTY 1-800-950-5250
Fax 304-346-0867
Additional Information
Name of CAP Director/Coordinator Stephanie Thorn
Person to contact regarding report Jodi Calissie
Contact Person Phone 304-346-0847
Part I. Non-case Services
A. Information and Referral Services (I&R)
Multiple responses are not permitted.
1. Information regarding the vocational rehabilitation (VR) program 13
2. Information regarding independent living programs 0
3. Information regarding American Indian VR Service projects 0
4. Information regarding Title I of the ADA 19
5. Other information provided 0
6. Information regarding CAP 2
7. Total I&R services provided (Lines A1 through A6) 34
B. Training Activities
1. Number of training sessions
presented to community groups
and public agencies.
13
2. Number of individuals who
attended these training
sessions.
421
3. Describe training presented
by the staff. Include the
following information:
a. topics covered
b. purpose of the
training
c. description of the
attendees
A DRWV Advocate presented information about CAP to attendees during the June
2017 WorkForce WV Career Center Partner Meeting in Wheeling, WV. She
provided examples of the issue for which CAP can provide advocacy, as well as
how to access our services. She also touched on advocacy for college students with
disabilities to facilitate their pursuit of certificates or degrees to lead to gainful
employment. This invitation to present was extended due to previous
communication between our Data Report Specialist and staff from the Center who
organizes these regular meetings. It will likely result in more regular invitations to
attend and/or present. Attendees at these meetings include: staff from WorkForce
WV; Workforce Investment Board (WIB); WV Division of Rehabilitation Services
(WVDRS); local disability and/or youth services providers; the US Department of
Labor; the Indian and Native American Job Training Assistance and Employment
Program; the YWCA; and housing providers.
A DRWV Advocate gave an "Employment Rights for People with Disabilities"
presentation to the WV Association for Disability Employment (WVADE)
conference in July 2017. The presentation also included Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act (WIOA) requirements. There were about thirty attendees at the
conference, most who work for Community Rehabilitation Providers (CRP).
The same Advocate gave an Employment Rights presentation to a group of twenty
individuals at Pace Enterprises, a CRP. She discussed Title I of the ADA regarding
employment rights, WIOA, and CAP services. She distributed brochures and copies
of the PowerPoint presentation to attendees. Most of the individuals were people
with disabilities receiving services from Pace, and some were Pace staff providing
those services. One staff person identified them self to the Advocate as having a
disability.
The Advocate also gave an Employment Rights presentation for attendees of the
September 2017 Customized Employment Grantees meeting. The attendees
included disability services providers and a representative from the WV Department
of Health and Human Resources, Bureau for Behavioral Health and Health
Facilities (BBHHF) who oversees the grant.
Additionally, the Advocate attended a round table meeting focused on resources for
veterans with disabilities who are in need of employment held at the WV University
Center for Excellence in Disabilities (WVU CED) in September 2017. The
attendees were from WorkForce WV Veteran’s Services division, WVU CED,
Mountain Line Transit Authority, and Operation Welcome Home (a Veteran’s
employment agency). The attendees presented information about the services
available in their respective agencies that would help Veterans in need of
employment and other needs to be met in order to be successfully employed.
C. Agency Outreach
Describe the agency's outreach efforts to previously un-served or underserved individuals
including minority communities.
In November 2016, an employment related outreach mailing was sent to all WVDRS and Center
for Independent Living (CIL) offices, as well as the Comprehensive Behavioral Health Centers
and Title XIX Medicaid Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities Waiver providers throughout
WV. It included: a flier about CAP; the Employment Advocare newsletter (described elsewhere
in this report); and our Your Guide to WVDRS Services booklet.
In July 2017, DRWV sent an outreach mailing to Vietnam Veterans of America chapters
throughout WV, Veterans Administration Medical Centers and organizations who serve veterans
who are homeless. The mailing included a copy of our FY 2017 Priorities and Objectives, as well
as our general and work programs brochures. The letter that went along with these items
described other available publications and resources, as well as an offer to provide in-person
training and/or outreach.
In August 2017, DRWV sent an outreach mailing to areas of the state where we receive few if
any calls. The outreach mailing included DRWV’s printed publications. The letter that was
enclosed with these items described other available publications and resources, as well as an
offer to provide in-person training and/or outreach. This mailing was sent to health departments,
senior services providers, Family Resource Networks, Councils on Aging, hospitals, Birth to
Three Program offices, churches, Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance chapters, and other
groups who serve individuals in these underserved areas.
Events DRWV staff attended and provided outreach with CAP and other program funds in FY
2017 included: • An outreach table at WV State University in Institute, WV — an event which
included students from the university as well as high school and middle school. • Outreach tables
at several Veterans Stand Down events throughout WV. • Outreach tables during events at three
BridgeValley Community and Technical College’s WV sites in early FY 2017, as well as a
presentation to a group of students about DRWV at the South Charleston, WV site in late FY
2017. • A presentation to a group of parents in Milton WV. • A presentation to staff and people
who were using the Winter Freeze Shelter in Wheeling, WV. • An outreach table at both the
Disability Advocacy and Deaf Awareness days at the WV Legislature. • An outreach table at the
Transition Committee of the Mid-Ohio Valley Spring Event. • Outreach tables at the One4All
Disability Expo, Celebrating Connections, National Association of Social Workers WV chapter,
People First of WV, and the WV Secretary of State’s annual conferences. • An outreach table at
the WV Association of Housing Agencies Conference. • An outreach table at the Traumatic
Brain Injury (TBI) conference in Morgantown, WV which was attended by TBI survivors and
their families, as well as professionals. • A presentation at a “Brunch and Crunch” event which
included community members and agencies that serve Calhoun County, WV, an area of WV that
we have very few requests for service. • An outreach table at the WV Association of the Deaf
(WVAD) biennial conference. • An outreach display at the Friendship Room/Northern WV
Center for Independent Living picnic. The Friendship Room is a drop in center serving adults
with mental health disabilities.
In all of the outreach events described previously in this report, we hope to reach individuals that
we have not yet served as well as people from diverse ethnic and minority communities. DRWV
participated in an outreach activity at WV State University during FY 2017. According to WV
State University's website it was "founded as a historically black public university".
Although DRWV reaches out to potential CAP eligible individuals on a frequent basis and in the
numerous ways described in this report, we continue to not receive the volume of requests for
CAP services that we would like to see. We continue to send out a "transition packet" to all
transition-age youth for whom we complete an intake, regardless of the issue being addressed.
The transition packet includes information about our work programs and other transition-related
resources.
Although not always funded by CAP, DRWV often provides information about the CILs as part
of the resources given to clients during I&Rs.
In August 2017, we had a site visit by representatives from the Rehabilitation Services
Administration (RSA). During this visit, the representatives were extremely helpful in providing
ideas for future outreach and services that can be provided under CAP. This information, such as
ways in which we can account for CAP related Information and Referral activities we had not
previously counted, has been shared with our management team and will be acted on in the
coming year.
D. Information Disseminated To The Public By Your Agency
For each method of dissemination, enter the total number of each method used by your agency
during the reporting period to distribute information to the public. For
publications/booklets/brochures (item 4), enter the total number of documents produced.
Agencies should not include website hits. See instructions for details.
1. Agency Staff Interviewed or
Featured on Radio and TV
1
2. Articles about CAP Featured in
Newspaper/Magazine/Journals
1
3. PSAs/Videos Aired about the CAP
Agency
0
4. Publications/Booklets/Brochures
Disseminated by the Agency
12327
5. Number of Times CAP Exhibited
at Conferences, Community Fairs,
etc.
23
6. Other (specify below) 4431
In FY 2017, we created two new CAP brochures for distribution. One of the
brochures explains the CAP as a whole. It details all of the services that CAP
can provide, including examples of issues for which we can assist. The other
CAP brochure pertains to CAP is it relates to Centers for Independent Living
(CIL). This brochure was created due to communication between DRWV and
the Executive Director of WV’s Statewide Independent Living Council
(SILC). Multiple copies of this brochure were distributed to all CIL offices in
WV as soon as it was printed, and supplies are replenished upon request.
In addition to the total publications in Part 1.D.4 of this report, DRWV has
distributed 2,073 other outreach items.
DRWV's social media presence has significantly increased, resulting in our
ability to network with other organizations throughout WV to share
information and resources. DRWV now has 1,073 Facebook Followers,
generating even more activity than last FY. According to DRWV's latest
Facebook page statistics, we reached an average of 1,998 people in the last
month of the FY. People and agencies who "like" our page are viewing and
sharing things we post on a regular basis. There have been 1,096 "likes".
Additionally, our Twitter feed became active January 26, 2017. We have 60
followers and have had approximately 4,000 impressions. We often include
information about upcoming events and trainings available to people with
disabilities. In FY 2017, in light of the changes brought about by WIOA, we
made a concerted effort to provide employment related information and
resources to people with disabilities and employers. We also include helpful
resources available to beneficiaries to gain, re-gain or maintain employment.
These posts can be found on our website at: https://www.drofwv.org/news/
and https://www.drofwv.org/resources/.
In October 2016, our Advocare newsletter in honor of National Disability
Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) was distributed to our mailing list
and posted on our social media outlets. The entire focus of this edition was
around employment for people with disabilities. It contained articles from
two individuals with disabilities about their employment and education
experiences, as well as articles from WVDRS, the Work Incentives Planning
and Assistance (WIPA) program, National Disability Rights Network
(NDRN) and WorkForce WV.
All Advocates who provide advocacy to 300+ individuals with
developmental disabilities through a state grant have now been trained to
recognize CAP issues when they arise with the individuals they serve. New
Service Requests will be opened as issues arise for these individuals.
DRWV developed CAP ads for television and radio at the end of FY 2017.
These ads will be aired in early FY 2018.
E. Information Disseminated About Your Agency By External Media Coverage
Describe the various sources and information disseminated about your agency by an external
source.
DRWV's Community Education and Resource Development Specialist was interviewed about
National Disability Employment Month on WJLS AM radio in the Beckley area of WV in
October 2016.
A half page article about our employment programs was included in the Winter 2016 edition of
the WVU CED WV Assistive Technology System (WVATS) quarterly newsletter. It briefly
explained CAP and listed the services we provide under CAP. It can be found at:
http://wvats.cedwvu.org/wvats-quarterly-newsletter/winter-2016/. Another half page article that
DRWV prepared for the WVATS newsletter listed five employment rights of people with
disabilities. It appeared in the Summer 2017 newsletter and can be found at:
http://wvats.cedwvu.org/wvats-quarterly-newsletter/summer-2017/.
In January 2017, we officially changed our name from West Virginia Advocates, Inc. to
Disability Rights of WV. An event was held in Charleston, WV in December 2016 to kick off
our new name and logo. Several people with disabilities and representatives from disability
related organizations attended. A press release was sent out to media outlets throughout WV. An
article about the name change appeared in the February 21, 2017 edition of the West Virginia
Record newspaper. An article about our name change appeared in the Winter 2017 edition of the
Fair Shake Network's (FSN) newsletter. DRWV is a member of the FSN, described as "an
association of West Virginians dedicated to a 'fair shake' for people with disabilities and to the
belief that diversity makes our communities stronger". The announcement also appeared in the
Spring 2017 WVATS newsletter.
In September 2017, DRWV hosted a screening of "Bottom Dollars". This event is described later
in this report. The announcement for this screening was shared via social media by numerous
groups throughout WV including but not limited to: The Arc of WV; the WV Press Association;
the WV Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing; People First of WV; and, the WV
Developmental Disabilities Council (WVDDC).
Part II. Individual Case Services
A. Individuals served
An individual is counted only once during a fiscal year. Multiple counts are not permitted for
Lines A1-A3.
1. Individuals who are still being served as of October 1 (carryover from prior year) 10
2. Additional individuals who were served during the year 11
3. Total individuals served (Lines A1+A2) 21
4. Individuals (from Line A3) who had multiple case files opened/closed this year (In unusual situations, an
individual may have more than one case file opened/closed during a fiscal year. This number is not added to the
total in Line A3 above.)
1
5. Individual still being served as of September 30 (Carryover to next year. This total may not exceed Line A3.) 8
B. Problem areas
Multiple responses permitted.
1. Individual requests information 0
2. Communication problems between individual and VR counselor 6
3. Conflict about VR services to be provided 9
4. Related to VR application/eligibility process 3
5. Related to assignment to order of selection priority category 0
6. Related to IPE development/implementation
i. Selection of vendors for provision of VR services
ii. Selection of training, post-secondary education
iii. Selection of employment outcome
iv. Transition services
3
7. Related to independent living services 1
8. Other Rehabilitation Act-related problems 0
9. Non-Rehabilitation Act related
i. TANF
ii. SSI/SSDI
iii. Housing
iv. Other:
0
10. Related to Title I of the ADA 0
C. Intervention Strategies for closed cases
(Choose one primary service the CAP provided for each closed case file. There may be more
case files than actual individuals served.)
1. Short Term Technical Assistance 8
2. Investigation/Monitoring 0
3. Negotiation 5
4. Mediation and other methods of Alternative Dispute Resolution 0
5. Administrative / Informal Review 1
6. Formal appeal / Fair Hearing 0
7. Legal remedy / Litigation 0
8. Total 14
D. Reasons for closing individuals' case files
(Choose one primary reason for closing each case file. There may be more case files than the
total number of individuals served.)
1. All issues resolved in individual's favor 7
2. Some issues resolved in individual's favor (when there are multiple issues) 4
3. CAP determines VR agency position/decision was appropriate for the individual 2
4. Individual's case lacks legal merit; (inappropriate for CAP intervention) 0
5. Individual chose alternative representation 0
6. Individual withdrew complaint 1
7. Issue not resolved in clients favor 0
8. CAP services not needed due to individual's death, relocation, etc. 0
9. Individual not responsive/cooperative with CAP 0
10. CAP unable to take case due to lack of resources 0
11. Conflict of interest 0
12. Other (Please explain below) 0
NA
E. Results achieved for individuals
(Choose one primary outcome for each closed case file. There may be more case files than the
total number of individuals served.)
1. Controlling law/policy explained to
individual
2
2. Application for services completed 1
3. Eligibility determination expedited 0
4. Individual participated in evaluation 0
5. IPE developed/implemented/Services
Provided
0
6. Communication re-established between
individual and other party
3
7. Individual assigned to new
counselor/office
1
8. Alternative resources identified for
individual
1
9. ADA/504/EEO/OCR complaint made 0
10. Other (Please explain below) 3
1 - The client was not interested in re-opening his case with WV
Division of Rehabilitation Services (WVDRS).
2 - DRWV was unable to maintain continued communication with the
client's legal guardian.
3 - DRWV was informed by WVDRS that they had no record that the
client had filed an appeal regarding the closure of her case with them,
and suggested she re-apply and they will serve her again.
Part III. Program Data
A. Age
Multiple responses not permitted.
1. Up to 18 0
2. 19 - 24 6
3. 25 - 40 8
4. 41 - 64 4
5. 65 and over 3
6. Total (Sum of Lines A1 through A5. Total must equal Part II, Line A3.) 21
B. Gender
Multiple responses not permitted.
1. Females 7
2. Males 14
3. Total (Lines B1+B2. Total must equal Part II, Line A3.) 21
C. Race/ethnicity of Individuals Served
1. Hispanic/Latino of any race (for individuals who are non-Hispanic/Latino only) 1
2. American Indian or Alaskan Native 0
3. Asian 0
4. Black or African American 2
5. Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander 0
6. White 16
7. Two or more races 2
8. Race/ethnicity unknown 0
D. Primary disabling condition of individuals served
Multiple responses not permitted.
1. Acquired Brain Injury 0
2. ADD/ADHD 3
3. AIDS/HIV 0
4. Amputations or Absence of Extremities 1
5. Arthritis or Rheumatism 0
6. Anxiety Disorder 0
7. Autism Spectrum Disorder 1
8. Autoimmune or Immune Deficiencies (excluding AIDS/HIV) 0
9. Blindness (Both Eyes) 2
10. Other Visual Impairments (Not Blind) 3
11. Cancer 0
12. Cerebral Palsy 1
13. Deafness 0
14. Hard of Hearing/Hearing Impaired (Not Deaf) 0
15. Deaf-Blind 0
16. Diabetes 0
17. Digestive Disorders 0
18. Epilepsy 0
19. Heart & Other Circulatory Conditions 0
20. Intellectual Disability 1
21. Mental Illness 4
22. Multiple Sclerosis 0
23. Muscular Dystrophy 0
24. Muscular/Skeletal Impairment 0
25. Neurological Disorders/Impairment 2
26. Orthopedic Impairments 1
27. Personality Disorders 0
28. Respiratory Disorders/Impairment 1
29. Skin Conditions 0
30. Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) 1
31. Speech Impairments 0
32. Spina Bifida 0
33. Substance Abuse (Alcohol or Drugs) 0
34. Other Disability 0
35. Total (Sum of Lines D1through D34. Total must equal Part II, Line A3.) 21
E. Types of Individual Served
Multiple responses permitted.
1. Applicant of VR 6
2. Individual eligible for VR services currently on a wait list 0
3. Individual eligible for VR services not currently on a wait list 14
4. Applicant or individual eligible for Independent Living 0
5. Transition student/High school student 0
6. All other applicants or individuals eligible for other programs or projects funded unther Rehabilitation Act 1
Part IV. Systemic Activities and Litigation
A. Non-Litigation Systemic Activities
1. Number of non-litigation systemic
activities not involving individual
representation that resulted in the
change of one or more policy or
practice of an agency.
0
2. Describe the systemic activities
conducted by CAP during the fiscal
year and its impact on other agency's
policies or practices.
At the beginning of FY 2017, DRWV staff were trained by NDRN to conduct
monitoring of Sheltered Workshops (SW). This training included a viewing of
the Bottom Dollars film and an on-site monitoring of five facilities in WV.
Twelve total facilities were monitored throughout the FY. During the FY we
determined that six of the facilities had either not renewed their 14(c)
certificates or were paying at, or above, minimum wage. This reflects that
WV's SWs are aligning themselves with the national effort of discontinuing
paying subminimum wages. Additionally, as of July 1, 2016, WV had fifteen
SWs identified by the DOL as CRPs with a 14(c) certificate. This number has
been reduced to eleven SWs in 2017. Also, during the monitoring visits,
facility staff and individuals working at the SWs were provided information
regarding their employment rights. DRWV offered to provide on-site trainings
to individuals working in the SW, their families, guardians and agency staff.
However, when follow up was conducted with these facilities, none accepted
our repeated offer to provide outreach and education.
DRWV's Community Education and Resource Development Specialist
attended WVDRS' Ability Works banquet in October 2016. This annual
WVDRS event honored one recipient of services from each of the agency's six
districts, coinciding with National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
A DRWV attorney attended the annual WVDRS conference in the Spring of
2017.
DRWV staff continue to monitor NDRN’s CAP and Return to Work listservs,
and share pertinent information and resources with other agency staff. Staff
also read the NDRN Training and Advocacy Support Center (TASC)
newsletters, which often contain information, training opportunities and
resources related to CAP. NDRN's Amy Scherer is often consulted about our
CAP work. An Attorney hired in early FY 2017 attended the National
Disability Rights Network (NDRN) annual conference where she attended
numerous employment related sessions. Our Legal Director also attended the
conference and participated in sessions pertaining to CAP.
DRWV is a member for the WV Statewide Rehabilitation Council (SRC).
DRWV attended five SRC meetings in FY 2017. Meeting topics that affect
CAP include: Workforce Investment Boards no longer offering programs for
school-age children; WV Division of Rehabilitation Services (WVDRS) Order
of Selection and staff shortages; and the Unified State Plan for WIOA. One of
DRWV's CAP trained staff attorneys is now our representative on the SRC
and is working to strengthen collaboration with members.
DRWV continued to participate in the WV Statewide Independent Living
Council (SILC) meetings. DRWV attended six meetings in FY 2017. DRWV
is not a member of the SILC, but attends and participates in the meetings to
keep informed and updated on the status of independent living services in
WV. This allows DRWV to maintain current information to provide to our
Board, clients and staff as needed when issues arise that are pertinent to these
services. DRWV networked with members during each of the meetings to
ensure they were aware of our services. The same CAP trained attorney who is
our representative on the SRC now attends the SILC meetings as well. She has
sat in on meetings of the SILC's Advocacy Committee and gathered details
about concerns expressed during the meeting to bring back to DRWV's legal
and management teams. In FY 2017, the Governor appointed a liaison to the
SILC in order to keep his office aware of the activities and needs of the SILC.
DRWV is a member on the WVDDC, and participates on their Employment
First Workgroup. This activity was not funded by CAP in FY 2017, but
clearly impacts employment issues for people with disabilities. The
Workgroup's charge is to provide recommendations for actions the Council
should take to support the creation of Employment First policies and/or
practices in WV, including workforce training and development. The two
major goals for the Workgroup are to: 1) develop a collaborative, written plan
or proposal by September 30, 2018, that incorporates customized employment
practices and methods into key public program policies or practices,
particularly those public programs identified in WIOA and recent Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Home and Community Based
Services (HCBS) Rule; and, 2) develop educational/training materials, support
or fund demonstration projects, educate communities and support existing
employment projects and programs in WV.
During the summer of FY 2017, DRWV was again able to obtain two legal
interns from the West Virginia University (WVU) College of Law. These
interns learned about all of the Protection and Advocacy Programs, including
CAP. One of the interns contacted other state's CAPs about their CAP work,
and reported her findings to our Legal Director, who also contacted CAPs in
other states. She also conducted research about the Centers for Independent
Living in order to determine how DRWV could best use CAP funds to
become more involved in that area.
In September 2017, DRWV hosted a screening of the Bottom Dollars video
(funded in part by CAP) followed by a panel discussion. This panel included:
a representative from the WVDRS; the Executive Director of the (WVDDC);
the chair of the FSN who is also a parent of an adult with developmental
disabilities; and the Executive Director of Community Access, Inc. Several
past and present DRWV staff members and community partners attended this
event.
B. Litigation
1. Total number of CAP cases requiring litigation involving individual representation resulting in, or with the
potential for, systemic change.
a. Number of cases requiring litigation involving individual representation filed during fiscal year. 0
b. Number of on-going cases pending at start of fiscal year (carryover from prior fiscal year). 0
c. Number of cases resolved through litigation during fiscal year. 0
2. Describe the agency's on-going and completed systemic litigation activities involving individual
representation. NA
Part V. Agency Information
A. Designated Agency
1. Agency Type (select only one option) External-Protection and Advocacy agency
2. Name of designate agency Disability Rights of WV
3. Is the designated agency contracting CAP services? No
4. If yes, name of contracting agency: NA
B. Staff Employed
Provide a description of all CAP positions (see instructions)
Full-time equivalent % of year Type of Position position filled Person-years
Professional
Full-time 0.85 100% 10.00 Part-time 0.65 60.2% 10.83 Vacant N/A N/A N/A
Clerical
Full-time 0.11 100% 2.00 Part-time N/A N/A N/A Vacant N/A N/A N/A
Part VI. Case Examples
Provide some examples of some interesting cases during the past fiscal year.
A CAP eligible client requested assistance to ensure that WVDRS provided his vouchers for
books and supplies in a timely manner so he would not get behind in college. The Advocate
communicated with WVDRS on numerous occasions, and reviewed their policies pertaining to
college sponsorship and required documentation. The Advocate went over this information with
the client, and advised him to provide WVDRS with the documentation as soon as it was
available. Because the Advocate realized that the college would not post spring term grades until
days prior to the beginning of summer term I, the Advocate requested that WVDRS provide the
college with the client's voucher for books and supplies prior to grades being posted to allow the
client adequate time to purchase his books, a request WVDRS denied based on their policy. The
Advocate confirmed that WVDRS received the client's grades as soon as possible after they were
posted, and provided the college with the client's voucher for books and tuition. Due to DRWV's
advocacy efforts, WVDRS provided the university with the client's voucher for books and
supplies, and the client was able to purchase his books prior to the first day of summer term I.
At the end of FY 2016, a CAP eligible client asked for assistance with getting services from the
WVDRS. In FY 2017. The Advocate obtained and reviewed the client's records from WVDRS
and spoke with his WVDRS Counselor. The Advocate recommended that an updated vocational
assessment be completed due to the progressive nature of the client's disability, which had
limited his ability to do his current job, and then advocated that his Counselor identify potential
new careers that may be of interest to the client. The Advocate attended a meeting with the client
and his team members from WVDRS and the AgrAbility program. Due to DRWV's advocacy,
the client received an updated vocational evaluation, and information about potential new careers
that took into account his increased physical limitations. With information the AgrAbility
program provided to the client, he identified a new career goal that suited him, and built on his
current career and passion as a farmer. In addition, communication between the client and his
WVDRS Counselor improved.
In FY 2016, a CAP eligible client requested assistance with understanding her rights as a client
of WVDRS, and wanted DRWV to make sure that WVDRS provide her with the assistive
technology she needs in a timely manner. Through the course of this Service Request, which
carried over into FY 2017, the Advocate obtained and reviewed the client's WVDRS records and
communicated with WVDRS on behalf of the client. The Advocate provided the client with
information on her rights as a client of the WVDRS; provided the client with the web address for
the WVDRS' policies and procedures known as the Client Services Manual; and discussed
relevant sections of this manual with the client. The Advocate met with the client to prepare her
for a meeting with the WVDRS, and attended the meeting with the client. In addition, the
Advocate provided the client with resource information to link her with two organizations
(including a Center for Independent Living) which could provide her with additional assistive
technology and resources. Due to DRWV's advocacy, the client obtained a revised Individual
Plan for Employment (IPE), which included additional services and several assistive technology
(AT) items, including a device that enabled her to identify her clothing in order to dress
professionally.
Certification
Reports are to be submitted to RSA within 90 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this
report. Please be reminded that you can enter data directly into RSA's website via the internet.
Information on transmittal of the form is found on pages 19 and 20 of the reporting instructions.
Name of Designated Agency Official Jodi Calissie
Title of Designated Agency Official Data Report Specialist
Date Signed 11/09/2017