FFY 2019, Quarter 1 Report

September 2018 – December 2018

Quartery Report presented to the State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind

Contents

INDEPENDENT LIVING BLIND SKILLS SERVICES

Client Services

Service Snapshot –Younger Blind (YB) and Older Blind (OB) Clients
October 2017-September 2018

Trend Total YB OB
Total Cases 540 45
(10% of all clients)		 495
(90% of all clients)
Service Delivery to Hispanic or Latino Clients 14 4 10
Service Delivery to Asian Clients 14 5 9
Centenarians (age 100 or older) Served 8 NA 8
Youth (24 or younger) Served 3 3 NA
Clients with Depression 100 11 89
Clients with Bone, Muscle, Skin, Joint, and Movement Disorders
(includes Parkinson's, arthritis, and osteoporosis)*		 216 12 204
Clients with Diabetes** 103 16 87
Average Cost per Client -- $313 $231

* More OB clients have some sort of bone, muscle, skin, joint, or movement issue than any other medical issue.
** More YB Clients have diatetes than any other additional medical issue.

Featured Success Story

The following story is about a client served by Lilac Services for the Blind. Her name has been changed.

Miriam is an 86 year-old woman with macular degeneration in both eyes. In 2016, she received a magnifier and some training to help her read. After a few years successfully using the magnifier and the skills she learned, she’s ready to tackle some bigger challenges like baking! Miriam stated that cooking and baking has always been her passion. Due to her decreasing vision, Miriam is no longer able to read recipes, is having trouble setting the oven, and is unable to set the timer on her stove. She lives alone after her husband passed away a few years ago. Her daughter, Linda, visits frequently, staying for a week at a time to take care of her mother. Linda shared that Miriam’s friends loved to come to their house because her mom always had freshly baked treats.

Since her eyesight is getting worse, the magnifier Miriam previously used is no longer effective. She is also having difficulty taking notes and telling time. After trying some different options, Miriam found the Coil Raylite 5.4X with an LED handle and 7X AT Max magnifiers to be the most helpful. She was also given a talking clock so she can easily know the time in the middle of the night without having to get out of bed and risk falling. To help with letter writing and making lists, Miriam was provided a bold line-writing tablet and two 20/20 writing pens.

Miriam was given a Merlin CCTV to try. It was placed on her kitchen counter because it is a good location for her so that she can easily refer to recipes while she is cooking, preparing food, or baking. After instruction, Miriam placed several of her handwritten recipes under the camera and was thrilled that she could easily read them! Miriam’s oven was marked with bump dots and she learned how to use the dots to set it to desired settings. She was provided a tactile big bold timer and she was able to see it to set it. In addition, she was given a black/white cutting board for slicing/chopping vegetable and fruit.

After a few months Miriam reports she has been using the CCTV every day to read her recipes. Since she is able to read recipes again, when neighbors help Miriam out she returns the favor by giving them baked goodies. Linda is grateful for the services that her mother received. She still visits frequently, but now those visits are just for an afternoon.

Outreach

On November 15, 2018, Sheila Turner from Edith Bishel Center for the Blind presented to the residents of Brookdale at Meadow Springs Retirement Home in Richland. She brought several low vision aids such as phones, talking watches, canes and magnifiers. She also took orders for our low vision calendars. Information about the Edith Bishel center and all of our programs, low vision clinic, social events and I provided information on the IL program, WTBBL, ALTC, United Blind of Tri Cities, 211, Dial A Ride and Veterans services for the blind was provided. Sheila also provided a demonstration on how to use a white cane and the difference between a support and long cane.

Recent IL Satisfaction Survey Comments

In the fall of 2018, we received help from Margie and Timm Corier in addressing and ameliorating some of the issues from my macular dystrophy. I am 78 years old and have had increasingly limited vision for the past year. At this point, I can't drive, read e-mails or deal easily with normal household chores like setting oven temperatures, running the microwave and dishwasher and operating the clothes washer and dryer.

After being introduced to Margie and Timm at a senior citizen center (in downtown Olympia), my wife and I asked Margie to come to our house and address some of the issues I was dealing with. She agreed and brought her husband Timm with her. As a team, they offered exemplary service and mentoring around my sight issues. Among the things they provided to me was an audio book machine from the National Library Service, instructions on how to access books of interest, raised buttons to assist in operating home appliances, and a keychain that speaks when I ask for the correct time. I was very impressed with Margie's calmness and good humor even though she has her own acute vision issues. During several visits that Margie and Timm made to our house, we became better acquainted with them, and they provided much valuable information and insight into how to deal with vision issues as well as projecting calmness and positive attitude about issues to be understood and how to deal with them adequately.

In addition, Timm provided an unexpected but vital service for me. I have a rehab vision machine which magnifies print and pictures but is also able to read text. Just prior to Timm's visit, the machine stopped functioning. He called the manufacturer and determined the machine was still on warranty. He then took the faulty machine, packaged it and sent it to Portland. When it was returned, it was not quite repaired, and Timm sent it back until they got it right. While the machine was gone, be provided me with a loaner form the Lion's Club, which allowed me to continue seeing and hearing written material.

Since that time, Margie and Timm have a traveled all the way to Tacoma to meet with my 100-year-old vision impaired mother-in-law and provided her with both an audiobook machine and books off interested and a magnifying machine that assists her in seeing family photos and memorabilia. This has been a great boon to my mother-in-law and to my sister-in-law who is responsible for her care on a daily basis.

In conclusion, both Margie and Timm are a joy to be around. They are warm and personable, funny and engaging. Experts at demonstrating how to walk through disability with calmness and dignity. I heartily recommend what they do, and how they do it. I hope the program that supports their efforts continues to be funded and expanded as necessary.

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BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM (BEP)

Training Program Update

Two students successfully completed BEP training in December 2018. The significance of this accomplishment is amplified by the fact that this training class was the first to go through the BEP online training through Hadley. Were there hitches? Yes. However, because of the flexibility and teamwork between the BEP staff, BEP Vendor trainers, and the DSB Counselors and Rehab Techs involved with the students, the Hadley training pilot was a great success. The BEP is excited to have more students join soon as opportunities for placement as BEP Vendors are coming up in multiple facilities in 2019 and 2020.

The BEP Hadley training pilot program came about as a possible solution to three perceived drawbacks to entering BEP of requiring relocation to Tacoma for classroom training, the length of training (formerly set at 6-8 months), and the length of time to wait before entering BEP. The result of the pilot program successfully addressed these and as an additional positive, allowed the BEP staff and training BEP Vendors to focus in a different way on what BEP believes are the four fundamentals of successful business:

  1. Creating and maintaining good employee relations;
  2. Controlling inventory;
  3. Daily sales and expense analysis; and
  4. Managing personal finances.

Annual BEP Vendor Training

In October 2018 the BEP hosted its annual training. To address current issues in business, representatives from WorkSource gave information and led a discussion with BEP Vendors about resources to find and keep employees, as well as resources for potential tax credits related to staffing their business.

Representatives from the Washington State Employment Security Department discussed the upcoming Washington State Paid Family Leave and what impacts they will have on businesses as well as different options small businesses have for administering the paid family leave requirements.

A representative from Washington State Labor and Industries shared information about paid sick leave requirements and tracking. And last but not least, Dancing Sheppard presented an in-depth leadership seminar discussing many aspects of business leadership including motivating and retaining employees, inspiring trust, and positive communication.

More BEP Changes Coming

The BEP is running strong and fast with many opportunities in the pipeline. In the short time that I have been the BEP Manager it has been a busy and hectic ride - in the restaurant business we called it "controlled chaos." With mixed emotions I have decided to leave my position as BEP Manager to accept a new position outside of state service. I have enjoyed every minute of my time at DSB and appreciate the support and comradery from so many people that I have interacted with. Because of this support I know the BEP will continue to run strong. I want to thank you for your support of the program and wish you all the very best. Thank you; I cannot express how great it has been to work with the BEP and DSB team.

Sincerely,
Bobby McCalden

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CUSTOMER SERVICES

Snapshot of Performance Comparison: [Q1 FFY19 vs Q1 FFY18]

  • New VR Applications [66 vs 86]
  • New VR Plans [3 vs 75]
  • VR Customers served [1044 vs 1026]
  • VR Customers on Wait List [70 vs 0]
  • Average Hourly Wage FFY18 Q1 [18.86 vs 21.75]
  • Youth/ Transition-age customers served [356 vs 252]
  • New Eligibility Determinations [53 vs 68]
  • Asian community served [6.9% vs 6.9%]
  • Hispanic community served [15.5% vs 14.3%]
  • Competitive Employment Outcomes [19 vs 26]

Employment Outcomes

A sample of sucessful placements:

Job Title Employer Region/County
Office Assistant 3 Wa. State Dept. of Corrections North/Snohomish
Receptionist Cascade Pubilc Media North/King
Sales Associate Walmart East/Yakima
Electrical Technician GM Electric LLC East/Yakima
Office Manager/Drafter Jaarnot Engineering Inc. North/Snohomish
Call Center Representative Cloud One South/Clark
Military Pay Technician Defense Finance & Accounting South/Pierce
  • Average hourly wage all employment outcomes at Q1: $18.86
  • Percentage of participants age 55 and older who exited with employment outcome: 32%
  • Eldest with employment outcome: Age 69 (Customer Service Rep)
  • Youngest with employment outcome: Age 16 (Receptionist, part-time)

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YOUTH SERVICES

Spending Targets for Pre-Employment Transition Services Set Aside

Federal Grant Grant Amount Pre-ETS Set Aside Pre- ETS Spent Dollars Unspent Balance
FFY 2017
(ended 09/30/2017)		 $ 8,730,218 $ 1,309,532 $ 1,291,505 $ 18,027
FFY 2018
(ended 09/30/2018)		 $ 8,792,634 $ 1,218,895 $ 1,250,702 $ 68,193
FFY 2019
(ended 09/30/2019)		 $ 11,454,960 $ 1,718,244 $ 105,785 $ 1,718,244

Pre-Employment Transition Services and Youth Services Activities

Vancouver/WSSB Area Youth
  • Collaboration continues with Work Force’s Partners in Careers (PIC). This quarter, 10 WSSB high school students are engaged in job shadow experiences to include informational interviews, learning work tasks, and student-advocated blindness education to job shadow hosts. Job shadow businesses include the YMCA, Boys & Girls Clubs, Bleu Door Bakery, and Silicon Forest Electronics.
  • Three WSSB seniors began non-paid internships. One is shadowing an elementary school teacher. Another is on staff at Center Park Daycare. And the third student is interning for Habitat for Humanity as a construction worker.
  • As a result of the Silicon Forest Electronics job shadows, this employer asked for an intern from WSSB. A LIFTT student has submitted his resume and has an interview scheduled. Youth Services is putting together a job experience for this student, similar to the YES 2 and SWAG jobs so that the student is paid for their internship.
  • WSSB’s Career Fair is scheduled for March 18-19 and will include transition-aged blind students outside of WSSB.
  • Vancouver-area summer programs are scheduled for Skills week, June 24-28; YES 1, July 7-18.
Lacey/Olympia Area Youth
  • Youth Services and DSB contractors are offering several evening and Saturday workshops to include self-defense, use of technology for route planning and mobility, and learning about career steps in occupations of martial arts and O&M.
  • Collaboration between Lacey and Seattle YSS’s led to a launch of a call-in training on college preparation. Fifteen teens participated in the first call where older blind students formed a panel and answered questions about college life. This series will continue through June and culminate in a weekend at Central Washington Univ.
  • Lacey & Vancouver YSS’s have been partnering to create Pre-ETS workshops for the 9 to 13 age group in Vancouver.
Seattle/Northwest Area Youth
  • YES 2 changes for this summer include living in a dorm on campus of U of W due to renovations at the sorority house; and the start date has been pushed out to July 7th.
  • Youth workshops are thriving with creative/non-traditional career exploration in the arts, self-defense/personal safety, and museums.
Spokane/Eastern & Central WA Area Youth
  • Spokane County youth and families have shown interest in meeting once a month and YS has responded with half-day workshops each month focusing on careers in the arts, culinary/hospitality, and using one’s hobbies to create careers.
  • Collaboration continues with IL Center in Kennewick and they are now providing youth workshops once a quarter. They are considering a Skills week in the summer.
  • This quarter, new youth have applied for VR and learned about Order of Selection. YS has attended VRC intakes to educate the families about eligibility for youth programs while they are on the wait list.
  • Former SWAG employers have already asked for SWAG workers for the summer. This is based on their positive experiences working with, or hearing about, the SWAG program and the quality of the student workers.

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ORIENTATION AND TRAINING CENTER HIGHLIGHTS

Progress Towards Strategic Initiative 1 – DSB Story

My Road to Success

My name is CH, and I came to the Orientation and Training Center (OTC), offered by Washington’s Department of Services for the Blind, in the summer of 2016. This was one year after I moved to Sequim, Washington, from Ogden, Utah. I had wanted to live in Washington for two decades, and was hoping to eventually find work in Seattle. However, when I went to get my Washington driver’s license, I was informed that I had not gotten a single letter right on the vision test. This confirmed that the retinitis pigmentosa portion of my Usher syndrome had progressed to the point that I would no longer be able to drive. The loss of the freedom that driving provides sent me into a year-long depression from which I emerged primarily due to attending the OTC.

When I first arrived at the OTC, my main goal was to learn to use a white cane well enough that I would be able to travel after dark, despite my night blindness. Through the variety of classes offered by the OTC, I was also taught several other invaluable skills: I learned how to use ZoomText, which is necessary for any work I do on the computer. I also acquired alternative techniques so I can continue to prepare my own meals. Furthermore, in addition to training in the use of my now ubiquitous white cane, Orientation and Mobility class also equipped me with the ability to travel anywhere that offers public transportation. I even learned Braille, which I greatly enjoy.

Ultimately, many of these skills were vital to my job search. Checking job sites, using email, updating my resume, and writing cover letters would be impossible for me without ZoomText. Traveling to the multiple interviews I’ve had in the past two years was facilitated primarily via the use of Seattle’s bus and light rail systems, as well as the constant use of my trusty sidekick: Citizen Cane. Finally, the less tangible benefit I derived from my OTC experience was my increased sense of confidence. All of these, in addition to the continued support of several members of the OTC family, led to the fact that as of January 30th, 2019, I will be starting work as a Loan Program Associate at Northwest Access Fund, a nonprofit organization which offers low-interest loans and matched-savings accounts for people with disabilities to acquire assistive technology. I am thrilled to be finally living and working in the Emerald City, and I will always owe a debt of gratitude to the OTC for helping to make this dream come true.

Progress Towards Strategic Initiative 2 – DSB Expertise

During this past quarter, like other departments within the DSB, the OTC’s training focus has been upon user training of the new AWARE business management system. Our very own Kim Massey, has been training the OTC staff based on his subject matter expertise. Jim Portillo has been training the accessible technology users. These two men have demonstrated a vast amount of knowledge and patience for which we as staff are grateful. With the “Go Live” date just around the corner it is reassuring to know that we have such knowledgeable co-workers to see us through the changes yet to come.

Progress Towards Strategic Initiative 3 – Employment At Every Layer

An OTC student did a STEP internship at the Lacey office of the DSB with AT Specialist John Sheahan. The student performed the basic setup of a new computer for a participant, including installing Windows 10, configuring the accessibility software so it would function correctly, as well as installing necessary updates. The student also taught another participant how to use her new video magnifier. Furthermore, the student demonstrated his skills by instructing a participant in setting up her ZoomText software and instructing her with its basic use. With these positive OTC internship experiences behind him, the student looks forward to pursuing a career in Accessible Technology.

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REGIONAL VR HIGHLIGHTS

Participant Stories

DSB Client Receives Award

SG recently received the Association of College Trustees (ACT) Transforming Lives award which recognizes current and former students whose lives were transformed by attending a Washington state community or technical college. He is currently attending Whatcom Community College and plans to attend Portland State University in fall 2019.

SG said the key for him has been communication, “One piece of advice I have for future students is that you must communicate your needs to your instructors or they never know because they’re not mind-readers. If you effectively communicate, your experience in college has a higher chance of being a good one.”

Achieving Accessibility with No Cost Solution

Participant DW interviewed and was offered a document-processing job at SEH America Vancouver. With the guidance and support by Ardell Burns, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) in the Vancouver office, DW was able to meet his vocational goal. One concern Ardell had when reading the position duties was DW would need to read the dates on the document to sort and process them correctly, but could not use a computer or JAWS to complete this task.

Ardell realized a solution might be to use the free Seeing AI app on his phone. She had introduced DW to this app several months ago, and he was skilled at using the app and its functions. The job coach reported DW could not use his phone at work due the privacy restrictions of the company. However, the company has iPads for employees to use. The job coach was able to download the free Seeing AI app onto the iPad and put the iPad in a stand. When processing a document DW passes the document under the app and the app reads the date for him. This was a great no cost solution to accommodate DW on the job and allow him to perform all the essential functions of his job.

Client Benefits from Inter-Agency Cooperation

Kara Thompson, VRC in Seattle, shares this story of successful cooperation between DSB, DVR, and the Helen Keller National Center (HKNC) for a recent participant who is DeafBlind, and moved here from Alaska. She moved due to lack of employment opportunities in Alaska and eventually signed up for services with DSB and DVR. Fortunately, DSB was able to team up with Alaska DVR and work with HKNC, who initially supported this customer in an advocate role and has recently become an approved CRP and IL vendor on the DVR side.

This client was able to secure a job as a merchandise associate in a retail environment (which is her desired line of work). The client is thrilled about getting this position, and the ability to work and communicate directly with HKNC in terms of searching for and eventually securing this job. DSB and DVR continue to coordinate services and communicate with one another to ensure that this customer’s start at this job goes smoothly, as well as providing additional job and O&M training, IL services, and assistance with housing and her Social Security benefits.

Grateful for DSB’s Help on Her Journey

Gil Cupat, VRC in Seattle, received a heartfelt thank you letter from one of his clients who had recently started a new job position. A couple of excerpts from her letter:

“I can hardly believe 90 days have already passed since I began working here at Jarnot Engineering! With your encouragement, and all the assistance from the whole wonderful DSB team, it’s been a whirlwind of learning and growing here. I’m so very thankful to you for these last three (nearly four!) years we’ve worked together.”

“Who knew I’d use the skills learned in Paralegal school, as well as those I’ve honed over a lifetime, along with the accommodations provided by my fantastic team at DSB, to succeed at a workplace right here in my home town, working alongside a man whom I admire greatly? Going to work is a daily joy, not drudgery at all….I am genuinely thankful for all you’ve done to support me through my journey back into the ‘working world’!”

Progress Towards Strategic Initiative 1 – DSB Story & Outreach

  • Harry Whiting and Jennifer Scheel met with three members of the Aberdeen rotary and the chairperson of the Aberdeen foundation. They administer the Rosencrantz fund, which provides enrichment, career and educational opportunities Grays Harbor youth who are blind, deafblind and low vision. The meeting went great meeting in providing an opportunity to discuss how DSB could work with Aberdeen Rotary to identify youth in this community, provide youth workshops that are relevant to students in this area.
  • Harry and Jennifer met with DDA in Port Angeles. Jennifer did outreach regarding the youth programs that DSB provides and discussed how DDA can refer youth to DSB should they have any blind or low vision clients under age 21. The discussion also included doing outreach together at the school districts in the area.
  • Harry Whiting met with counseling staff at Centralia College to converse on how to work in partnership when a DSB participant is a student.
  • Harry Whiting met with Port Angeles DOT supervisor and assistant supervisor, explaining how retention services can be helpful from DSB to employers and employees.
  • John Sheahan and Mario Eiland showed off their fabulous AT knowledge with James Mitchell who was seeking out some expert feedback and suggestions regarding HCA Website being accessible. John and Mario shared with James best practices for website development & accessibility. They were able to test HCA website for accessibility and provided feedback. John and Mario continued this discussion and testing throughout December.
  • On February 6, 2019, met with the Director of Hull Park Foundation in Portland, Oregon, regarding possibly working in partnership with qualified blind and low vision clients.
  • Maureen Reggie is a member SDOT Pedestrian Access Advisory Committee, representing DSB and providing her vast knowledge in Orientation and Mobility. She provides valuable input she receives working with DSB customers to the committee. The topics focus around making sure pedestrian areas are ADA compliant and accessible, especially for those individuals who are blind/low vision.

Progress Towards Strategic Initiative 2 – DSB Expertise

  • Jonathan Whitby attended a SSP (Support Service Provider) training for new providers through the Office for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing. He met several aspiring SSP providers from Portland/Vancouver area. Shared information/resources with Deaf-Blind Service Center and Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing regarding Deaf-Blind service needs in Vancouver area.
  • Steffi Coleman and Tricia Eyerly have been working with community partners on a steering committee to develop a new transportation system in the lower Yakima valley. The committee has agreed to use a visually impaired person in their advertising campaign for the new line.

Progress Towards Strategic Initiative 3 – Employment at every layer

  • Jonathan Utrera has been an active DSB representative with the Pierce County WDC workforce (PCWDC). PCWDC developed a common referral tracking system, managed by South Sound 2-1-1 system, called Smartsheets. This system allows WDC community partners in Pierce County to send and receive referrals amongst one another. Jonathan has provided information and feedback to this council in assisting with the development. He continues to provide input regarding this system and other workforce issues to continue building DSB’s relationships with WDC community partners.
  • Jonathan Whitby attended the monthly meeting with Katrina Strand, Cowlitz Indian Tribe. Jonathan, Katrina and other community members met to share resources for job seekers.
  • Ardell Burns and Meredith Hardin were co-coordinators in pulling together an event in Vancouver WA that had 67 employers attend. Washington State DVR, Oregon Department of Human Services’ Vocational Rehabilitation, Washington State Department of Services for the Blind , Oregon Commission for the Blind, The Veteran’s Administration, Work Systems Inc., WorkSource WA, and the Cowlitz Tribe worked together to organize the second annual Interstate Business Forum. It was held at the Vancouver Water Resources Education Center in Vancouver, WA October 3. This collaboration between agencies in Washington and Oregon educated employers interested in hiring people with disabilities about the resources available in both states to help them accomplish their goals. Studies show that while some managers still worry about the costs of accommodating them, employees with disabilities stay on the job longer, have fewer absences and have nearly identical job performance ratings as their coworkers. Sometimes it just takes a bit of information for employers to learn what they need in order to include a qualified person with a disability on their team, and this event helped employers learn about this labor pool and the free disability resources state programs can provide businesses to be successful.
  • Juanessa Scott met with the folks at Bremerton Worksource. Together they discussed how to increase their engagement with one another. There was a focus on how to make sure DSB participants are being supported when coming to the Worksource for job search activities.
  • Harry Whiting met with CAPPS in Aberdeen, Washington. He and staff discussed the services DSB provides and how DSB participants connected to the training programs CAPPS has to offer.
  • Reginald George continues work with BASC through the Workforce Development Council. Helping with providing his expertise regarding accessibility for the blind/low vision.

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AGENCY COMMUNICATIONS REPORT

Progress towards Strategic Initiative #1 – DSB Story

Contacted by Washington Immigration Network about meeting a DSB client who has benefitted from DSB services, especially English as a Second Language (ESL).

Discussed proper use of DSB in former client podcasting project. Researched project with AG’s office. Awaiting completed project.

Youth Services Event Promotions:

  • Twenty-three (23) events promoted since last report.
  • Promotion included flyer/handout design, website updates, and posting to social media.

Online Communications (11/01/2018 – 01/31/2019)

WEBSITE

Google Analytics

  • Users – Number of unique individuals who visited the site: 4,613
  • Page Views – Number of pages looked at: 15,969
  • Channels Used – How did people find the website
    • Direct (people typed in the URL) – 1,542 (33.0%)
    • Organic Search (people used Google, Bing, or other search engine to find the site) – 2,796 (59.9%)
    • Social (people connected to the site via LinkedIn, Facebook, or other social media outlet) – 79 (1.7%)
    • Referral (people clicked a link on a different website) – 253 (5.4%).
Online Referral Forms
  • Self-referrals: 83
  • Physician referrals: 10
SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook

  • Total Likes: 148
  • Total Followers: 159
  • Total Reach: 2,640

LinkedIn

  • Total Followers: 74
  • Unique Impressions: 164
  • Total Impressions: 457

Other Communication Events/Meetings/Trainings since Last SRCB Meeting

Washington Counts 2020

This is an effort by the state of Washington to get a full and accurate count of all people living in the state of Washington in the upcoming 2020 Census. The Complete Count is a priority project for Governor Inslee and has bi-partisan support in the legislature. The project is funded through FY 2019 and FY 2020 funding is expected by OFM. Meetings will be held regularly throughout 2019 and early 2020.

  • Complete Count Committee Meeting, Burien, January 24
  • Complete Count Communications Subcommittee, Olympia, February 5
Quarterly Communications Directors Meeting, Olympia (via phone)

Meeting to discuss communications issues and events across the state. Includes discussion of the communications strategic agenda for the Office of the Governor.

  • January 22, 2019
Cornell Disability Statistics Report Rollout, (webinar)

Overview of the information available in the report of 2017 data.

  • January 29, 2019
Social Media Workgroup Monthly Meeting, Olympia (via phone).

Meeting to discuss issues related to managing social media for a state agency. Discussions of techniques and best practices for managing accounts on a daily basis.

  • November 13, 2018
  • January 7, 2019
Washington Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Summit, Seattle

The 2019 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Summit aims to advance DEI in public service by building community and competency among DEI professionals and leaders. Topics discussed at the event will assist attendees in creating action steps for moving towards a more inclusive and equitable culture.

  • January 31, 2019
Weekly General Government Legislative Liaison Meetings (via phone)

Focus on bills that impact multiple agencies as well as any bills of significant concern that are advancing.

  • February 6, 2019

Legislative Liaison

The 2019 Regular Legislative Session began on January 14, 2019 and will last 105 days. February 22, 2019 is the last day to read in committee reports in the house of origin, except House fiscal committees and Senate Ways & Means and Transportation committee

As of February 8, 2019, thirty-three (33) bills included on agency Bill Tracking Report

  • 17 bills introduced by the House
  • 16 bills introduced by the Senate
  • All tracked bills are still moving through the legislative process.

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FINANCIAL REPORT

Federal Fiscal Year Q1 2019, through December 2018

2019 State Fiscal Year - Review as of December 31, 2018 (in thousands)

Source Allotment Expenditures Balance
General Fund - State $ 2,651 $ 699 $ 1,952
General Fund - Federal $ 12,812 $ 4,898 $ 7,914
Information Tech Investment Fund
(two year allotment)		 $ 3,244 $ 1,227 $ 1,117
Local $ 30 $ 7 $ 24
Pension Funding Stablization Act $ 87 0 $ 87
Total $ 18,824 $ 7731 $ 11,093

2019 State Fiscal Year – Federal Grant Funds Only as of December 31, 2018 (in thousands)

Grant Grant Amount SFY 17 Federal
Expenditures		 SFY 18 Federal
Expenditures		 SFY 19 Federal
Expenditures		 Balance
2018 Voc. Rehab Basic Services -
$1.7 million is for Pre-ETS set aside		 $ 1,145 0 $ 6,547 $ 2,624 $ 2,284
2019 Voc. Rehab. Basic Services -
$1.5 million is for Pre-ETS set aside		 $ 10,136 0 0 $ 1,462 $ 8,674
2018 Supported Employment $ 46 0 $ 7 0 $ 30
2019 Supported Employment $ 45 0 0 0 $ 45
2017 Independent Living Part B $ 58 0 $ 48 $ 10 0
2018 Independent Living Part B $ 64 0 $ 34 $ 22 $ 8
2019 Independent Living Part B-
Grant amount assumes same funding level as 2018		 $ 64 0 0 $ 5 $ 59
2017 IL Older Blind $ 668 $ 518 $ 150 0 0
2018 IL Older Blind $ 681 0 $ 497 $ 250 $ (66)
2019 IL Older Blind- Grant not received yet;
this amount assumes same funding level as 2018		 $ 681 0 0 $ 59 $ 622
Total $ 23,898 $ 518 $ 7,283 $ 4,432 $ 11,665

2019 State Fiscal Year – Total Expenditures by Program as of December 31, 2018 (in thousands)

Program Grant Funds State Other Total
Voc Rehab Services Adults $ 4,270 $ 410 0 $ 4,680
Voc Rehab Pre-ETS $ 434 0 0 $ 434
Supported Employment 0 0 0 0
Independent Living Part B $ 37 $ 7 0 $ 44
IL Older Blind $ 130 $ 2 0 $ 132
Birth through 8
Not Grant Funded		 0 0 $ 7 $ 7
Socal Security Revenue 0 0 $ 18 $ 18
Busines Enterprise Program 0 0 $ 802 $ 802
Business Management System 0 0 $ 784 $ 784
Total $ 4,871 $ 419 $ 1,611 $ 6,901

What’s Happening in World of DSB Business and Finance?

  • DSB has been in order of selection since October 1, 2018. Since then the agency placed 83 individuals on the wait list. DSB is continuing to refine projections to ensure sufficient funds are available to fund existing employment plans and to determining eligibility for everyone who applies for VR services.
  • The Departments 19-21 biennial budget request included $2.2 million in general fund state dollars to maintain VR services and $460,000 in general fund state dollars to maintain Independent Living Services. Both requests are included in the Governor’s proposed budget. The Department will now work with the Governor’s office, House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Ways and Means on any questions that may arise about our budget request.
  • The new Aware case management system will go live the first week of March. Fiscal staff are currently testing the system and developing a fiscal training manual to ensure staff have what they need to purchase and make payments. We look forward to our new system.

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HUMAN RESOURCES UPDATE

New Hires/Promotions

Personnel Job Title Team Duty Station Effective Date
Bernita Robinson Rehab Technician 2 CS/South Region Vancouver 12/16/2019
Jeffrey Carter Reader-Driver CS/Admin Seattle 01/07/2019
Elvis Pruett Program Specialist 5 BEP Lacey 02/01/2019
Elizabeth Tunison Contracts Specialist 1 BEP Lacey 02/01/2019
Kate Coffee Reader-Driver CS/Admin Seattle 02/19/2019

Departures/Resignations/Retirements

Personnel Job Title Team Duty Stati9o0n Effective Date
Bobby McCalden BEP Program Manager BEP Lacey 02/22/2019
Joetta Anderson Rehab Technician 2 CS/Admin Lacey 05/31/2019

Current and Future Openings

Personnel Job Title Team Duty Station Effective Date
Recruiting Vocational Rehab Counselor 3 CS/South Region Lacey 02/04/2019
Recruiting Rehabilitation Technician 2 CS/South Region Lacey 02/06/2019
Vacant Chief Financial Officer Business Services Lacey TBA
Vacant Accounting Manager Business Services Lacey TBA

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