Program Year 2018 · To assist those with difficulty traveling, the Council provides phone...
Transcript of Program Year 2018 · To assist those with difficulty traveling, the Council provides phone...
MissouriStateRehabilitationCouncilfortheBlind
Providingindividualswhohavevisualdisabilitieswithvaluableservicesthateffectivelyaddresscommonbarrierstoemployment.
Program Year 2018 Annual Report
MissouriStateRehabilitationCouncilfortheBlind
RehabilitationServicesfortheBlind
AdministrativeOffice
615HowertonCt.,POBox2320
JeffersonCity,MO65102-2320
TollFree:800-592-6004
PH:573-751-4249—Fax:573-526-4984
Program Year 2018Annual Report
RSBAdministrativeOffice
615HowertonCt.,
POBox2320
JeffersonCity,MO
65102-2320
TOLL FREE800-592-6004
REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR THE BLIND
KansasCity
615E.13thSt.–Rm.409
KansasCity,MO 64106
816-889-2677
Southwest
149ParkCentralSq.–Rm.640
Springfield,MO 65806
417-895-6386
Mid-MO
3418KnippDr.–Ste.A-2
JeffersonCity,MO65102
573-751-2714
St.LouisNorth
9900PageAve.–Ste.105
St.Louis,MO63132
314-264-7601
St.LouisSouth
3867MagnoliaAve.
St.Louis,MO63110
314-933-7311
Southeast
106ArthurSt.–Ste.E
Sikeston,MO 63801
573-472-5240
KatherineCronin,
DistrictSupervisor
St.LouisSouthoffice.
SouthwestDistrictOfficeSupervisor,RandyCusterpresentingYearsofServiceCertificatestostaff.Sr.VocationalRehabCounselorLindyPierce(left),10yearsofservice;RehabTeacherNicoleHanlin(right)with20yearsofservice.
LetterfromtheChair,SRC,ClayBerry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
TheYearinReview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
LetterfromtheDeputyDirector,RSB,KeithRoderick. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
HighlightsforProgramYear2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PurposeoftheSRC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CouncilMembersandCommittees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
StandardsandIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MallorieHenke:SuccessStory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MonicaBethards:SuccessStory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SamuelHarris:SuccessStory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SuccessStory:NathanMerzlicker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
EconomicImpact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PY2018BlindAgency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VocationalRehabilitation:EarningsandFundingResources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VocationalRehabilitationServices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ClientSatisfactionSurvey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PublicForums. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VisionfortheFuture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
RSBDistrictOfficeMapwithAddresses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Quotables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Icannotthankyou
enoughforthe
servicesyouhave
providedme.ItwasGod-given.As
promisedIwillgoonworkingas
longasIcan.Iwillbeforever
grateful.GodblessRSB.
—RSBClient
YOU CAN QUOTE ME
23456789
10111214161718202122232425
Brian Mulvany, RSB Mobility Specialist, workswithpeersusingsleepshadestoperformcookingtasks.
YOU CAN QUOTE ME
WhenitcomestoeveryonefromRSBtheyallwereveryhelpfuland
listenedtomyneeds.
BetweenKatieCawdronandKaylaMcFarland,Icould
nothavebeenmorepleasedwiththeassistanceI
received.
Appreciatealltheservices
thatwereprovidedtome.
Helpedmebeawell-rounded
person.JaneZerrisawesome
andverycaring.Iwould
recommendhertoanyonein
needofservices.
IreallyenjoymycounselorMr.PhillipTucker.Heis
alwaysveryprofessionalwithassistingmeaswellas
Mrs.SharonSilverstein.Ireallyappreciatealloftheir
helpwiththeservices.
Thisisanexcellentprogram!I
trulybelievethatwithoutRSBI
wouldnothavemadeit
throughcollege.Iamso
thankfulforeverythingRSB
hasdone.Thankyousomuch
youareallamazing.
DonaldGoosensandthestaff
dideverythingpossibletohelp
me.Theywereveryniceand
helpful.Icouldn'taskforany
better.
Ali,Mycaseworkerissokind
andhelpful.
DearFellowMissourians:
AsChairof theStateRehabilitationCouncil for theBlind(SRC),itismyhonortosubmitthe2019AnnualReportonthestatusofservices,inaccordancewithSection105(5)oftheRehabilitationActof1973,asamendedbyCongressin1998.TheSRC,createdbyMissouriExecutiveOrder93-01,
isresponsibleforreviewing,analyzingandadvisingMissouriRehabilitationServices for the Blind (RSB), an agency in the Missouri Division of
Family Support (FSD), on its policies and provision of rehabilitationservices toMissourianswhoareblindorvisuallyimpaired.
TheservicesthatRSBprovidesarecriticaltothisgrowingsegmentofourpopulation. The CDC reports that during the next three decades, thepopulationofadultswithvisionimpairmentandage-relatedeyediseasesisestimated to double because of the rapidly aging U.S. population. In
addition, the epidemic of diabetes, aswell as other chronic diseases,willcontributetoanincreasingpopulationofpeoplewhoexperiencevisionloss.
TheSRCisdedicatedtoworkingwithRSBtoassistblindandvisuallyimpairedMissourians become self-supporting and fully participating members ofsociety. Missourians with vision loss have a voice through the SRC, ourquarterlyreviewsofagencypolicies,proceduresandoperations,alongwithpublic forums and our customer satisfaction survey, have given clients acriticalsourceofinputintotherehabilitationprocess.
The SRC is committed to its purpose and is rising to meet the growingchallenges facing peoplewith vision loss.We feel this report provides aninformative overview of RSB and the activities of the SRC. We wouldbe pleased to answer any questions about this report, the operations of
RSB,and theworkoftheStateRehabilitationCouncil.
RespectfullySubmitted,
ClayC.Berry
Alphapointe,DirectorofEducation&Rehabilitation
Chairman,StateRehabilitationCouncilfortheBlind
Clay C.Berry
Chairman,Missouri StateRehabilitation
Council forThe Blind
LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN, MSRCB
232
AsRSBStrivestocreateopportunitiesforthepersonalandvocationalsuccessofblindandvisually
impairedMissourians,theSRCbelievesthatwiththepropertraining,alternativeskillsandassistive
technology,thoseindividualswhoareblindcanbevocationally,sociallyandeconomicallycompetitive.
TheSRCwillcontinuetoworkcooperativelywithRSBtoimprovetheservicesofferedtomeetwhatwe
considertobetheuniquerehabilitationneedsofclientswithvisualdisabilities.Thefollowingtopfive
strategicprioritiesweredevelopedbytheSRCtoensureongoingsuccessforvisuallyimpaired
Missourians:
1. Promotethefullinclusion,participationandintegrationofMissouriblindandseverelyvisually
impairedintheeconomic,social,culturalandeducationalmainstreamofsociety.
2. ThroughtheSRC'sadvisorycapacity,assurethatappropriateeducationandrehabilitation
servicesincreasetheemploymentrateofblindandvisuallyimpairedindividualsinMissouri.
3. Promoteandassurethecontinuationofspecializedvocationalrehabilitationservicesto
consumerswhoareblindandseverelyvisuallyimpairedthroughspeciallytrainedprofessional
staffwithuniqueskillsandknowledgeofblindness.
4. InpartnershipwithRSB,develop,agreeto,andreviewtheannualstategoalsandpriorities,
includingstrategiestoaddresstheunprecedentedturnovertheagencyhasexperiencedinrecent
yearstoensureMissourianswhoareblindreceivehighqualityservicefromqualifiedpersonnel.
5. InpartnershipwithRSB,theSRCwillworktoimplementnewprocedurescongruentwiththe
expectationsoftheWorkforceInnovationandOpportunityAct,inordertoensurecoordinationof
allentitiesinvolvedincreasingaccessofblindMissourianstotoday'sjobmarket.
VISION FOR THE FUTURE
MidMissouriDistrictOffice,StudentGroupActivities.
RunandcoordinatedbyChildren'sspecialist,SamanthaScott,thisgroupworkswithRSByouthintheMidMissouriareatoteachimportantindependenceandsocialskillsthattheydonotgettheopportunitytolearninschool.Theseactivitiesgivestudentsthefundamentalskillstobecomeandremainsuccessfulinschoolandfuturecareers.
TheSRCcontinuedtoholdpublicforumsthroughoutthestate,allowingindividualstovoiceopinionsand
concernsabouttheservicesofRSB.Toassistthosewithdifficultytraveling,theCouncilprovidesphone
conferencingaswell.
August:St.Louis,Mo–AmandaDovinandherSeeingEyedog,Sonya,sharedwiththepublic
differentmobilityoptionsavailabletothosewhoarevisuallyimpaired.Amandaalsosharedherstory
ofsuccessgoingthroughcollegeandultimatelyacceptingajobwithRSBasaRehabilitationTeacher
intheSt.LouisNorthoffice.
November:KansasCity,Mo–CathyWolfordsharedwiththepublicstoriesofindividualswhoare
deafandblind.Cathysharedherdesiretoseemoreemploymentopportunitiestothosewhoare
deaf/blindandsharesthattherearemanyassistivetechnologydevicesthatcanhelpthose
individualsbecomesuccessfulineducationandcareergoalstheymayhave.Asecondspeaker,
LaurenMcDaniel,sharedhispersonalstoryabouthisrecentlossofvisionduetobeingshot.Lauren
sharedhisstoryoftriumphasheworkedwithRSBandColoradoCenterfortheBlindtoadjusttolife
withthecompletelossofhisvision.Laurenexpressedthenewfoundoptimismforhisfuturewitha
“nothingcanstopmenow”attitudethatwasveryinspiringtoeveryoneintheroom.
February:Joplin,Mo–MatthewHolloway,
EmploymentServiceManageratPreferred
EmploymentServicesandAdrianMarcos,
anRSBclient,cametospeaktothepublic
inJoplin.MatthewsharedaboutPreferred
EmploymentServicesandtheirworkwith
RSBclients.AdrianMarcossharedabout
hisexperiencewithPreferred
EmploymentServicesaswellasRSB.He
sharedwiththepublicabouthissummer
workexperienceandhowthathashelped
preparehimformorejobsinthefuture.
May:JeffersonCity,Mo–AmyNicklessfromWolfnerLibrarycametoshareaboutWolfnerandthe
servicestheyprovide.WolfnerLibraryisMissouri'sLibraryforindividualswithvisual,physicaland
readingdisabilities.Wolfnerprovidesbraille,audio,largeprint,printbraillebooks,audiodescribed
DVDs,printbraillegames,activitykits,programming,magazinesandnewsletters.
322
YEAR IN REVIEW
TheSRCanalyzedtheresultsofclientsatisfactionsurveys,whichwerereceivedfromRSBclientsatthe
timeofcaseclosure.CommentsandconcernsexpressedinthesurveyswerediscussedbytheSRC.
RSBcontinuedtoupdatetheSRContheWorkforceInnovationsOpportunitiesAct(WIOA), includingWIOA'sinfluenceonYouthinTransition,Pre-EmploymentTransitionServices,CompetitiveIntegrated
Employment,andhowRSBcollaboratedwithandhavecreatedPartnershipswithotherstateagencies.
TheSRCprovidedinputandrecommendationsontheVRservicesportionoftheUnifiedorCombined
StatePlan,reviewedtheAnnualReport,reviewedandanalyzedtheconsumersatisfactionsurveys,and
otherCouncilreportsthatmayhavebeendevelopedaspartoftheCouncil'sfunctions.
TheSRCapprovedRSBtosetmaintenancelimits,removingfinancialrequirementsandspecifying
reimbursementforexpenses.TheSRCalsoencouraged,requestedandsupportedRSBtosendaccessible
electronicsurveystoimprovereturnrateofClientSatisfactionSurveys.
PublicForumswereheldquarterlyinvariouslocationsacrossthestate.
RSBkepttheSRCupdatedonthevacancieswithinRSB.Issueswithdifficultyinrecruitmentwere
discussed,aswellashowaccessibletheapplicationprocessisfortheblindandvisuallyimpaired.
RSBinformedthecouncilonthenewcasemanagementsystemthatbecame'Live'inJuly2019.Staff
havebeenworkinginthiscasemanagementsystemsuccessfullyandRSBmadesuretheCouncilwas
updatedonthatsuccess.
PUBLIC FORUMS
StateRehabilitationCouncilfortheBlind,
Picturedatoneofthe4PublicForum'sheld
throughouttheStateofMissouri.
YOU CAN QUOTE ME
LindyandRSBhavebeenbothablessingandsaving
grace.Iwouldnothavebeenabletocontinue
employmentinapeacefulenvironmentwithmycurrentemployer
withouttheresourcesprovidedbyRSBandthesagewisdomand
advicefromLindy.IwouldliketothanktheRehabilitation
Servicesforalltheyhelpedmedo.
—RSBClient
4 21
This annual report, presented by the Missouri State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind for program year 2018, provides information on the Missouri Department of Social Services, Family Support Division, and Rehabilitation Services for the Blind (RSB) vocational rehabilitation employment program for individuals with visual disabilities.
The Department of Social Services' mission is to lead the nation in building the capacity of individuals, families and communities to secure and sustain healthy, safe, and productive lives. RSB completed another successful year in meeting this mission by providing 1,556 individuals vocational rehabilitation services to assist 188 individuals to obtain or retain competitive integrated employment. Approximately $12.3 million federal and state dollars allow RSB to provide effective, high-quality services to blind and visually impaired Missourians. Successful services in program year 2018 resulted in a $46.8 million economic impact on Missouri.
RSB continues to be a national leader in the provision of vocational rehabilitation services. For the fourth time, the federal Department of Labor and Rehabilitation Services Administration selected RSB and the Missouri workforce team to serve on a national cohort to assist in developing national guidance, processes and best practices in Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act implementation. The Rehabilitation Services Administration recognized RSB as the top performing
agency for the blind in the nation for program year 2018 “Employment Rate 2nd Quarter after Exit” at 68.5 percent, compared to a 38.8 percent median rate for agencies for the blind and 49.2 percent median rate for all vocational rehabilitation agencies.
The Rehabilitation Services Administration reports the program year 18 “Median Earnings 2nd Quarter after Exit” measure resulted in $5,117 for Blind VR Agencies compared to $3,714 for all VR Agencies. The state and national results support the benefits of a separate agency serving blind and visually impaired individuals. Specialized services move families to economic stability and self-sufficiency.
In closing, I offer my sincere appreciation for your interest and support in serving Missourians with visual disabilities.
Sincerely,
Keith Roderick, Deputy Director
Rehabilitation Services for the Blind
KeithRoderick
Director,RehabilitationServices for
the Blind
LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR, RSB
ClientSatisfactionSurveysareadministeredtoindividualsafterclosingtheirVocationalRehabilitation
casewithRSB.
Clients closed in competitive integrated employment.............................188Clients who returned their survey................................................................56Rate of return...............................................................................................30%
Clients closed in a status other than competitive employment.............130Clients who returned their survey....................................................................3
2%Rate of return..................................................................................................
1. IwasemployedwhenIappliedforservicesfromRSB.
2. ThechoiceofservicesavailablefromRSBwassufficienttomeetmyneeds.
3. Ihadthefinalsayintheselectionofserviceproviders.
4. IreceivedservicesfromRSBinareasonableamountoftime.
5. RSBstaffreturnedmyphonecallswithin1-2businessdays.
6. RSBstaffwasknowledgeableaboutmyneedsasapersonwhoisvisuallyimpaired/blind.
7. RSBstaffhelpedmebuildmyconfidenceinmyabilities.
8. Myrehabilitationplanwasindividualizedtomeetmygoals.
9. Ihadthefinalsayintheselectionofmyvocationalgoal.
10. Uponcompletionofmyvocationalrehabilitationplan,Iwaspreparedtoseek/maintainemployment.
11. TheservicesRSBprovidedweresufficienttohelpmesecure/continueemployment.
12. AsaresultoftheservicesprovidedbyRSB,mypresentworksituationisbetterthanitwasbeforeIbegantheprogram.
13. ThesupportIreceivedfromRSBfollowingmyemploymentwasadequatetoensurecontinuedsuccess.
14. IampleasedwiththeoveralloutcomeofmyexperienceinthevocationalrehabilitationprogramprovidedbyRSB.
Client SatisfactionSurvey Questions
Twodifferentsurveysaregiven:
a14-questionsurveyissentto
individualswhosecasesare
and;
asimilar11-questionsurveyissentto
individualswhosecaseswere
Source: Rehabilitation Services for the Blind - Independent Living Program - FY 2020 Program Participant Survey
0
60
80
100
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 Q6 Q7 Q14Q13Q12Q10Q8 Q9 Q11
20
40
66%
88%86%
13%
81%
56%
94%
69% 69% 69% 69%81%
63%
0%
92%
94%84%
89% 89%83%
78%88%
78%
92%
CLIENT SATISFACTION SURVEY
closed in competitiveemployment;
closed in any statusother than competitiveemployment.
69%73%
The Rehabilitation Services Administration
recognized RSB as the top performing agency
for the blind in the nation for program year
2018 “Employment Rate 2nd Quarter after
Exit” at 68.5 percent, compared to a 38.8
percent median rate for agencies for the blind
and 49.2 percent median rate for all
vocational rehabilitation agencies.
520
Individuals ServedIndividualswithblindness/visualimpairmentsservedinProgramYear2018............................4,074
Older Blind Independent Living ProgramIndividualswereservedintheOlderBlindIndependentLivingProgram......................................1,242Individualswereclosedsuccessfullyrehabilitated.........................................................................................573
IndividualsreceivedcasemanagementservicesinthePreventionofBlindnessProgram...........500Individualsscreenedforintraocularpressureandothereyeconditions........................................4,238
Prevention of Blindness Program
IndividualsservedintheVocationalRehabilitationProgram..............................................................1,556Closinginsuccessfulemployment..........................................................................................................................188
Vocational Rehabilitation Program
ChildrenreceivedservicesintheChildren’sServicesProgram.................................................................516Children’s Services Program
IndividualswereservedintheIndependentLivingProgram....................................................................260Closedsuccessfullyrehabilitated.................................................................................................................................76
Independent Living Program
HIGHLIGHTS OF PROGRAM YEAR 2018
BusinessEnterpriseProgramfacilities.....................................................................................................................33
Peopleemployed..................................................................................................................................................939Grosssales................................................................................................................................$41,689,061
Business Enterprise Program
1Militaryinstallations...................................................................................................................................................
23Managers.....................................................................................................................................................................
Individualswhohaveaseverevisualdisabilityencountersomecommonbarrierstoemployment.
Commonbarriersrecognizedare:accesstoprintinformation,transportation,negativeattitudes
regardingtheskillsandabilitiesoftheblindaswellasmarketable21stcenturyjobskills.
RehabilitationServicesfortheBlindprovidesvaluableservicesthateffectivelyaddressthesebarriers
andothers.
Inprogramyear2018,RSBsuccessfullyrehabilitated188Missouriansinpursuitoftheiremployment
goal.Thefollowingdataprofilesshowthosesuccessfulclosures:
InPY2018,throughtheservicesofRSB,188individualshavebeenabletogainorretainemployment.
Theiroccupationsareasfollows:
ArchitectureandEngineering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Arts,Design,Entertainment,
Sports,andMedia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
BuildingandGroundsCleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
BusinessandFinancialOperations . . . . . . . . . . . 13
CommunityandSocialService . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
ComputerandMathematical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
ConstructionandExtraction
Occupations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
EducationalInstruction,andLibrary . . . . . . . . . . 7
Farming,FishingandForestry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
FoodPreparationandFoodServing . . . . . . . . . . . 9
HealthcarePractitionersandTechnical . . . . . . 18
HealthcareSupport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Installation,Maintenance,
andRepair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
LegalOccupations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Life,Physical&SocialScience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
OfficeandAdministrative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
PersonalCareandService . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Production. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
SalesandRelated. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
TransportationandMaterialMoving . . . . . . . . . . . 4
VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SERVICES
10%
0%
20%
30%
40%50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Competitive Employment 173
(92.02%)
Self- Employment 15
(7.98%)
Rehabilitation Rate
(71.31%)
196
TheMissouriStateRehabilitationCouncilfortheBlindwasestablishedinFebruary1993byExecutive
Order93-01to:
Actasaforumthroughwhichcitizenswithblindness,parents,providers,andotherinterested
Missourianscanvoicetheiropinionsandconstrictivecriticisms,makerecommendationsandgive
publicrecognitionforservicesbeingperformedontheirbehalfbyRSB;
ServejointlywithRSBinitsactivitiestoimprovetheservices,programsandfacilitiesforindividuals
withblindnessandvisualimpairments;
ReceivefromRSBinformationconcerningtheintentsandobjectivesofRSBsothattheCouncil,in
turn,canpassthisinformationontoindividualswithblindness.
MissouriStateRehabilitationCouncilfortheBlind
615HowertonCourt-P.O.Box2320
JeffersonCityMO65102-2320
Phone:(573)751-4249—Fax:(573)751-4984
PURPOSE OF THE STATE REHABILITATION COUNCIL
AverageHourlyWage $16.34
2014$14.51
2016$16.07
2017$18.75
$12
2018$16.34
$14
$16
$18
$20
Average Hourly Wage at Closure
State Fiscal Year 2018 Missouri Funding Sources
Federal Funds 78.1% GR Funds 18.5% BEST 2.7% Donations .07%
10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%0%
PY2018
2015$17.08
YOU CAN QUOTE ME
WasnotawareofRSBuntilreferredto
them.WithouttheirhelpIwouldnot
stillbeemployed.TheyrelievedalltheanxietyI
hadaboutmyvisualimpairments,justknowing
thereishelpfromtheRSBstaffwhoarewonderful
people.
—RSBClient
718
ThemembershipoftheCounciliscomprisedofnomorethan21individualsappointedbytheGovernor,withthefollowingrepresentationmandatedbytheRehabilitationAct.
Atleastonerepresentativefromeachofthefollowing:
StatewideIndependentLivingCouncil
ParentTrainingandInformationCenter
ClientAssistanceProgram
RSBVocationalCounselor
CommunityRehabilitationProgramservice
provider
Stateeducationagencyresponsibleforthe
publiceducationofstudentswith
disabilities
StateWorkforceInvestmentBoard
Disabilitiesgrouprepresentingindividuals
whoareblind
EvaluationCommittee
Evaluatestheperformanceand/oroperationofRSB,suchassurveysandannualreports.
GovernmentalAffairsCommittee
Worksonthingshappeningatthestateandfederallevelandthataregovernmentalinnature.
PlanningCommittee
ThestateplanandanyotherplanningoperationoftheCouncil,includingthebusinessnetworkissues.
Program&PolicyCommittee
HandlesnewpolicyandorprogramitemsfromRSBratherthanwaitinguntilthenextCouncilmeeting.
COUNCIL MEMBERS & COMMITTEES
Representativeofindividualswhohave
blindness,havemultipledisabilities,and
havedifficultyrepresentingthemselvesdue
todisability
Business,laborandindustry
Advocacygroupsforindividualswith
blindnessorotherauthorized
representativesofindividualswith
blindnesswhoareunabletorepresent
themselves
CurrentorformerrecipientsofVRservices
AndtheDeputyDirectorofFSD/RSBasan
ex-officiomember.
Council Members
Committees
VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION:
367 1,556
Thefollowinginformationisbasedontheaboveamount:
Earnings and Funding Resources
$584MO State Taxes Paid
Per Rehabilitated Client...............................................
$1,650Federal Taxes Paid
Per Rehabilitated Client.................................................
$2,234Total Taxes Paid
Per Rehabilitated Client.........................................
$419,992Total Combined Yearly Taxes Paid
by all Rehabilitated Clients....................................
$27,336Average Annual Earnings
Per Rehabilitated Client.............................................
NewVRcasesopened ClientsservedPY2018
178
TheSRC’sfunctionsinclude,butarenotlimitedto,actinginpartnershipwithRSBto:
Review,analyze,andadviseRSBregardingRSB'sperformanceofresponsibilitiesunder
TitleIoftheAct,relatingespeciallytoeligibilityforVocationalRehabilitation(VR)
services;theextent,scopeandeffectivenessofVRservicesthatRSBprovides;and
functionsperformedbyStateagenciesthatpotentiallyaffecttheabilityofblindindividuals
toachieverehabilitationgoalsandobjectives.
AssistRSBwiththedevelopmentandreviewoftheStategoalsandpriorities;assistinthe
preparationoftheStateplan.
Conductareviewandanalysisoftheeffectivenessof,andconsumersatisfactionwith,VR
servicesandotherfunctionsperformedbyStateagenciesandotherpublicandprivate
entitiesresponsibleforperformingfunctionsforblindindividuals.
PrepareandsubmitanannualreporttotheGovernoroftheStateofMissouri,tothe
CommissioneroftheRehabilitationServicesAdministrationoftheU.S.Departmentof
Education,andtotheDirectoroftheFamilySupportDivision(FSD).
CoordinatewithothercouncilswithintheState.
ProvideforcoordinationandtheestablishmentofworkingrelationshipsbetweenFSD,RSB
andtheStatewideIndependentLivingCouncilandCentersforIndependentLivingin
Missouri.
SelectapoolofindividualstoserveasimpartialhearingofficersforVRapplicantsand
recipientswhowishtoappealadecisionofRSB.
FUNCTIONS
Thisisaremarkableplacethatwasreallytherefor
mewhennobodyelsewas.Thestaffgenuinely care formywell-beingespeciallymyCounselor.Thankyoufor
everythingyouhavedoneforme.
—RSBClient
Section116ofWIOAestablishesperformanceaccountabilityindicatorsandperformancereporting
requirementstoassesstheeffectivenessofStatesandlocalareasinachievingpositiveoutcomesforindi-
vidualsserved.RSAhasusedtheirtransitionauthorityunderWIOAsec.503(a)todesignateprimary
indicatorsofperformanceas“baseline”indicatorsinthefirstplansubmission.Theactualperformance
datareportedbyStatesforindicatorsdesignatedas“baseline”inthefirsttwoyearsoftheUnifiedor
CombinedPlanwillserveasbaselinedatainfutureyears.
Duringthistransitionperiod,RSBisutilizingthefollowingmeasurementsforstatelevel
performancereporting:
PY 2018 BLIND AGENCY Summary of RSB Performance
68.5%
Individuals who achieved integrated
employment, who had significant
Disabilities.......................................................
89.4%
Percentage of Individuals Achieving
Self-Sufficiency (Relying Primarily on
Their Own Income) After Successfully
Completing the Program................................
72.3%Vocational Rehabilitation Rateof Successful Rehabilitation..........................
YOU CAN QUOTE ME
We Invest in the Potential of the Most Amazing People
IndividualsintheBusinessEnterpriseProgramreceivingAwardsforoutstandingachievement
inprofessionaldevelopmentaswellasexemplaryperformanceinmanagement.
GloriaCarson Albert“Jim”Piel DavidK.Pinkley
916
Thereareatotalof80Statevocationalrehabilitationagenciesorcommissionsthatprovide
rehabilitationservicesforindividualswithdisabilitiesintheUnitedStatesandassociatedterritories.
Currently,24stateshaveaseparatevocationalrehabilitationagencyorcommissionthatprovides
servicesexclusivelyforconsumerswhoareblindorvisuallyimpaired.Thealternativeskillsofblindness
aremarkedlydifferentfromtheskillsrequiredbyotherdisabledpersons.Themethodologyof
instructingtheblindandconfrontingtheissuesofblindnessinoursocietyrequirethedevelopmentof
specializedserviceprograms,withservicedeliverybyspecializedpersonnel.
STANDARDS & INDICATORS General Information
Total Annual Wages after Services for
Employed Vocational Rehabilitation Clients.......$5,139,256
188Achieved Employment................................................................
1Net Gain Over Last Year................................................................
1,556Served in VR Program.....................................................
RehabilitationServicesfortheBlindinProgramYear2018...
PROGRAM YEAR 2018 Economic Impact
$13million
Economic impact on Missouri:
Successful services and employment outcomes
between the Vocational Rehabilitation Program,
as well as the Business Enterprise Program..........$45.3million
This Annual Report outlines these successful services
provided by RSB, as well as shares personal success stories by RSB clients.
Allinvolvedwerepolite,hardworkingandseemed
interestedinhelpingmeachievemygoal.
—RSBClient
YOU CAN QUOTE ME
Federal and State dollars allowed RSB to
provide effective, high quality services to
blind and visually impaired Missourians...................
15
FollowinghiscompletionofBlindandSociallySavvy,
Nathanparticipatedinapaidsummerwork
experienceprogram,withtheassistanceof
RehabilitationServicesfortheBlind,through
PreferredEmployment.Nathanworkedatalocal
grocerystoreasacourtesyclerkfor20hoursaweek
forsixweeks.Hisdutiesincludedbagginggroceries,
gettingcartsfromtheparkinglot,assisting
customerswithfindingitemsinthestore,and
returningitemstostoreshelves.
Inadditiontotheseduties,Nathanreceivedsoft
skillsinstruction.Ajobcoachwasavailableto
assistthestudentsinlearningandperforming
theirjobduties.
Inregardstothesummerworkprogram,Jennifer
Merzlickercommented:"Nathan'sparticipationin
theSummerWorkProgramispossiblythe
greatestcontributorthatIhaveseentohelpwith
hisgrowthanddevelopmentofskillsneededfor
adulthood.Heneverwouldhavebeenableto
succeedinatraditionalsummerjob,butwiththe
coachinginthisprogram,Isawhimblossom.He
begantakinginitiativeandhismaturitymade
leapsandboundsthissummer.Wehaveseen
thosegainscontinueintotheschoolyearaswell.
Hestillhasawaytogoandalottolearntogain
independenceintoadulthood,butIhavebeenso
verythankfulfortheopportunityhehadinthis
programandtheprogressthathehasmade."
Nathanhadthistosayabouttheworkexperience
program:“Ienjoyedthatwegottopracticeskills
intheSummerWorkProgramthatcanhelpusin
life.Thepeopletherewereniceandwillingto
helpwithanyissueswemayhavehad.Iwould
definitelywanttodoitagainifIcould."
Blind and Socially Savvy is a program sponsored by
Rehabilitation Services for the Blind designed to help
transition-age blind students how to carry themselves
confidently in various social circumstances.
NathanMerzlicker
10
MonicaBethardsfirstlearnedaboutRehabilitationServicesfortheBlindwhileonaroutinevisittoher
eyecareprofessional,Dr.LauraMontgomeryin
Bolivar,Missouri.Monicawasbornwithmacular
dystrophy,andsawDr.Montgomeryonaregular
basistomain-tainhereyehealth.
Whenshewasfirstdiagnosed,itwasassumedthat
ashervisiondecreased,shewouldnotbeabletocon-
tinueatherjob.“RSBmadeaninvestmentinme,and
thisinvestmenthashelpedmeremaingainfullyem-
ployed.Theresultsyieldedfromthatinvestment
haveledtomealsobecomingmoreindependent,
contributingtooursociety,andbeingrecognizedas
atopperformerinmycompany.Iammostgrateful
foralltheseserviceshavemeantformeandmyfam-
ily.”
MonicacontactedtheSpringfieldofficeofRSBtosee
iftheycouldhelphermaintainherjobasaprogram
manageratDuckCreekTechnologiesinBolivar,a
companythatdevelopsandimplementssoftwarefor
insurancecarriersworldwide.Hervisionhadgrown
steadilyworseovertheyears,andsheneededhelp
withassistivetechnologythatwouldallowherto
morereadilyaccessprintedmaterialandhercom-
puterscreen.Additionally,sheneededassistance
withorientationandmobilityskills,assheisre-
quiredtotravelaroundthecountry.Mobility
SpecialistBenVercellonewasassignedtoworkwith
Monicaonhertravelskills.“MyjobrequiresthatI
travel,andtheuseofacaneandtravelinstruction
hasbeenagamechangerformetotravelinde-
pendently.ThetechnologyprovidedbyRSBhas
helpedmeadapttodifferingenvironmentswhenI
findmyselfinnewsurroundings.”
Monica'scasewasassignedtoBradyClevenger,
ProgramDevelopmentSpecialistintheSouthwest
Districtoffice.BradyhelpedMonicaobtainaCCTV
videomagnifier,magnificationsoftware,anda
handheldmagnifiertohelpherreadhardcopy
printedmaterial.Withthehandhelddevice,she
wasabletotakeitwithherandaccessprintwher-
evershemightbe,inavarietyofworksettings.
“Bradyhasbeenanexcellentcounselortowork
with.Ibelieveitisbecausehetrulyunderstands
thedailystrugglehisclientsgothrough.Hehas
providedgreatinsight,andpowerfulresourcesre-
gardingthevarioustypesofskillsIneededtocon-
tinueinmydailylife,andtrulycustomizedaplan
formethathashelpedmesucceed,”Monicasaid.
Monicawasrecognizedwithinhercompanyasa
SpecialImpactAwardwinner.“Thetechnology
andservicesprovidedbyRSBhavegivenmethe
opportunitytocontinuewithcareergrowth,pro-
motions,andbeingacknowledgedasatoppro-
ducerwithinmycompany.Theuseoftheassistive
software,largescreenmonitor,CCTV,Ipad,acane,
andhandheldmagnifiersareusedonadailybasis
forvariouspartsofmyjob.Thesetoolshavetruly
givenmetheabilitytooperateindependentlyand
continueperformingmyjobduties.”
“Manypeopleoftenask,'Howdoyoucontinueto
dothethingsyoudothatyoureallyshouldnotbe
abletodo?'AndIamabletogivegreatcreditto
thetechnologyandtrainingIhavebeenblessed
withfromRSB.”
Success StoryMonicaBethards
“Thetechnologyandser-
vicesprovidedbyRSBhave
givenmetheopportunity
tocontinuewithcareer
growth,promotions,and
beingacknowledgedasa
topproducerwithinmy
company.”
14
Success StoryNathanMerzlicker
feelmorecomfortableandpreparedforcollegeand
theprofessionalworldinthecomingyears.”
Nathanadded:“MyfavoritepartoftheBlindand
SociallySavvyprogramwaslearningtodineina
professionalenvironment.Ifeelmorecomfortable
doingthatnow.”
NathanMerzlicker,astudentatFrancisHowell
HighSchool,wantedtoearnhisownmoney
duringthesummertobuythethingsthathe
wanted.Heneededanopportunitytopracticehis
socialskillsbeforehewenttowork.
Nathanparticipatedinaprogramsponsoredby
RehabilitationServicesfortheBlind,fortransition
agestudents,calledBlindandSociallySavvy.In
thisprogram,withsixotherhighschooland
collegestudents,Nathanlearnedaboutetiquette
andprotocolinabusinesssetting.Thisincluded
howtogiveaproperhandshakeandintroduce
oneself,tableetiquetteinformalandcasual
settings,howtominglewithothersina
networkingsetting,howtoconductan
informationalcareerinterview,socialmediaand
cellphoneetiquette,andhowtocarryoneself
confidentlyduringcollegeandjobinterviews.
ThisiswhatJenniferMerzlicker,Nathan'smother,
hadtosayaboutBlindandSociallySavvy:
"ImaginemysurprisewhenIcametothefinal
lunchoftheBlindandSociallySavvyprogramand
heardthatmyintrovertedandextremelyshyson
wouldbetheonemakingtheopening
introductionstotheprogram!Itwassucha
joytoseethegrowthhehadmadethatweek
inhisconfidenceandoverallprofessional
skills.
“Ithinktheexperienceandknowledgethathe
gainedinthisprogramwilldefinitelyhelphim
“Nathan'sparticipationinthe
SummerWorkProgram
ispossiblythegreatest
contributorthatI
haveseentohelpwithhis
growthanddevelopment
ofskillsneededforadulthood.”
—JenniferMerzlickerNathan’smom
“MyfavoritepartoftheBlindand
SociallySavvyprogramwas
learningtodineinaprofessional
environment.
Ifeelmorecomfortable
doingthatnow.”
—NathanMerzlicker
11
Success StoryMallorieHenke
Malloriegrewuplikemanyotherchil-
dreninColumbia,Missouri.Goingto
school,playingwithfriends,enjoying
theoutdoors;thatis,until9thgrade.
Duringher9thgradeschoolyear,she
foundoutthatshewasatypeonedia-
betic.Throughthedifficultiesofbeing
diabetic,Malloriegraduatedfrom
HickmanHighschoolandenrolledat
UniversityofMissouri,Columbia.
There,sheattainedamastersinac-
counting,graduatingin2009and
wenttowork.
Unfortunately,Mallorie'shealthtooka
turnfortheworse;andby2015,
Malloriewassufferingfromseveredia-
beticcomplications.Theseproblems
startedwithkidneyandpancreasis-
sueswhichledtoextremeswelling,
waterretention,kidneyfailure,and
finallydialysisforeightmonths.
BecauseMallorieneededbothkidneys
andapancreas,shewasplacedatthe
topofthetransplantlist.
Whilewaitingonthetransplantlist
andtryingtocontrolbloodglucoselev-
els,Mallorielostvisioninone
eyefromdiabeticretinopathy.
Malloriehadtoquitworking
inMarch2016.
Malloriesuccessfullyreceived
akidneyandpancreastrans-
plant,butduetothelongsur-
gery,thesightworsenedsig-
nificantlyinhergoodeye.
Duringthistime,Malloriewas
recoveringfromsurgeryandlivingwithherparentsbecauseof
herdecreaseinvision.
MalloriesignedanapplicationforRSBserviceson10/24/2018.
Duringtheinitialinterview,Mallorieexpressedherdesireto
workandbeindependent,butstatedthatsheneededtolower
herexpectations.Aftermuchdiscussion,Mallorielearnedthat
therewasnoneedtolowerherexpectationsforhercareerand
lifegoals.Acasewasopenedandrehabteachingandvocational
rehabilitationcounselingservicesweredelivered.Equipment
wasevaluatedandtrainingwasdonesoadaptiveequipment
couldbeusedonceworkwasfound.Malloriewasreferredtoa
communityrehabprogramvendor;andwithinjustafewweeks
hadlandedajobatMFAOILintheaccountingdepartment.
Mallorie'sstrength,positiveattitudeandresiliencearewhyshe
isasuccessstory.Shehastakeneveryopportunitytopullher-
selfbackupandsetherselfonaproductivepathagain.Shenow
livesindependentlyandworksfulltime.Mallorienowknows
thatshewillbeabletoworkconsistentlyinherfieldofstudy
andwillhaveavailableassistancewhensheneedsit.
MALLORIEEXPRESSEDHER
DESIRETOWORKBEINDEPENDENTAND
NONEEDTOLOWER
CAREERANDLIFEGOALS.
EXPECTATIONSFORHER
HER
12 13
SamuelHarrisisa74-year-oldfarmerwhobecameaclientofRehabilitationServicesfortheBlindonJune
18,2018.Helostalotofhisvisionduetoglaucomaandcataractscausingmanynewchallengesinhisev-
erydaylife.SamuelcametoRSBinneedofassistancewithhisfarming.Samuelandhiscounselor,Vickie,
decidedtheAgrAbilityprogramwasthebestfitforSamuel'sneeds.Samuelandhiswife,Dorothy,liveon
their102acrefarmandSamuelhasbeenfarmingfor46years.Theyhave26cows,13calves,18chickens,
10geeseandacoupleofturkeys.Outsideoftakingcareoftheirlivestock,Samuelalsodoestherotatingof
crops,mowing,rakingandbailingofthehayandcomputerwork.
AfterhavingtheAgrAbilityrepresentativevisitthefarm,Samuelreceivedtwogatesystems.Thesegatesys-
temsmakeiteasiertoopenandclosethepasturegatestofeedthecowsaswellasmovethemfromfieldto
field.Samuelalsoreceivedcomputertrainingondifferentprograms,IndependentLivingtraining,equip-
mentandmagnifiers.AllofthetrainingandequipmentprovidedallowedSamueltodohisworkbetterand
moreefficientlywithhisvisionchanges.Samuel'scomputerworkconsistsofkeepinginventoryofhis
stock,cropreports,andgrazingreports.
SamuelhasbeenontheMissouriAgricultureBoardasamemberforsixyears,currentlyservingastheir
treasurer.Samuelandhiswifehaveaclearpassionfortheirwork.ThisyeartheyreceivedaMissouri
AgricultureLegacyAward.Thisawardisgiventoindividualsthatstrivetoinnovatetheirfarmorranch,
givebacktotheircommunities,andcommittolandstewardshiporstandasagreatexampleforfuturegen-
erations.Therecipientswerenominatedbyfellowfarmers,ranchersandagricultureleaderswhowerein-
spiredbytheircontributionsinMissouriagriculture.
SamuelhasstatedthatheisverymovedbythehelpandassistancethatRSBandAgrAbilityprovidedhim.
Hestatedthattheseserviceshavebetterequippedhimtocontinuetodohisfarminginabetterandsafer
manner,expressingthattheserviceshavebeenwonderfulandplayedcrucialpartsinallowinghimtocon-
tinuetodothejobheknowsandloves.
Samuel'scasewasclosedsuccessfullyonMay14,2019byhisSVRCVickieL.Yovich.
Success StorySamuelHarris
Samuel...received
computertrainingon
differentprograms,
IndependentLiving
training,equipment
andmagnifiers.
Allofthetrainingand
equipmentprovided
allowedSamueltodo
hisworkbetterand
moreefficientlywith
hisvisionchanges.
12 13
SamuelHarrisisa74-year-oldfarmerwhobecameaclientofRehabilitationServicesfortheBlindonJune
18,2018.Helostalotofhisvisionduetoglaucomaandcataractscausingmanynewchallengesinhisev-
erydaylife.SamuelcametoRSBinneedofassistancewithhisfarming.Samuelandhiscounselor,Vickie,
decidedtheAgrAbilityprogramwasthebestfitforSamuel'sneeds.Samuelandhiswife,Dorothy,liveon
their102acrefarmandSamuelhasbeenfarmingfor46years.Theyhave26cows,13calves,18chickens,
10geeseandacoupleofturkeys.Outsideoftakingcareoftheirlivestock,Samuelalsodoestherotatingof
crops,mowing,rakingandbailingofthehayandcomputerwork.
AfterhavingtheAgrAbilityrepresentativevisitthefarm,Samuelreceivedtwogatesystems.Thesegatesys-
temsmakeiteasiertoopenandclosethepasturegatestofeedthecowsaswellasmovethemfromfieldto
field.Samuelalsoreceivedcomputertrainingondifferentprograms,IndependentLivingtraining,equip-
mentandmagnifiers.AllofthetrainingandequipmentprovidedallowedSamueltodohisworkbetterand
moreefficientlywithhisvisionchanges.Samuel'scomputerworkconsistsofkeepinginventoryofhis
stock,cropreports,andgrazingreports.
SamuelhasbeenontheMissouriAgricultureboardasamemberforsixyears,currentlyservingastheir
treasurer.Samuelandhiswifehaveaclearpassionfortheirwork.ThisyeartheyreceivedaMissouri
AgricultureLegacyAward.Thisawardisgiventoindividualsthatstrivetoinnovatetheirfarmorranch,
givebacktotheircommunities,andcommittolandstewardshiporstandasagreatexampleforfuturegen-
erations.Therecipientswerenominatedbyfellowfarmers,ranchersandagricultureleaderswhowerein-
spiredbytheircontributionsinMissouriagriculture.
SamuelhasstatedthatheisverymovedbythehelpandassistancethatRSBandAgrAbilityprovidedhim.
Hestatedthattheseserviceshavebetterequippedhimtocontinuetodohisfarminginabetterandsafer
manner,expressingthattheserviceshavebeenwonderfulandplayedcrucialpartsinallowinghimtocon-
tinuetodothejobheknowsandloves.
Samuel'scasewasclosedsuccessfullyonMay14,2019byhisSVRCVickieL.Yovich.
Success StorySamuelHarris
Samuel...received
computertrainingon
differentprograms,
IndependentLiving
training,equipment
andmagnifiers.
Allofthetrainingand
equipmentprovided
allowedSamueltodo
hisworkbetterand
moreefficientlywith
hisvisionchanges.
14
Success StoryNathanMerzlicker
feelmorecomfortableandpreparedforcollegeand
theprofessionalworldinthecomingyears.”
Nathanadded:“MyfavoritepartoftheBlindand
SociallySavvyprogramwaslearningtodineina
professionalenvironment.Ifeelmorecomfortable
doingthatnow.”
NathanMerzlicker,astudentatFrancisHowell
HighSchool,wantedtoearnhisownmoney
duringthesummertobuythethingsthathe
wanted.Heneededanopportunitytopracticehis
socialskillsbeforehewenttowork.
Nathanparticipatedinaprogramsponsoredby
RehabilitationServicesfortheBlindfor
transitionagestudents calledBlindandSociallySavvy.Inthisprogram,withsixotherhigh
schoolandcollegestudents,Nathanlearned
aboutetiquetteandprotocolinabusiness
setting.Thisincludedhowtogiveaproper
handshakeandintroduceoneself,tableetiquette
informalandcasualsettings,howtomingle
withothersinanetworkingsetting,howto
conductaninformationalcareerinterview,
socialmediaandcellphoneetiquette,andhowto
carryoneselfconfidentlyduringcollegeandjob
interviews.
ThisiswhatJenniferMerzlicker,Nathan's
mother,hadtosayaboutBlindandSocially
Savvy:
"ImaginemysurprisewhenIcametothefinal
lunchoftheBlindandSociallySavvyprogram
andheardthatmyintrovertedandextremely
shysonwouldbetheonemakingtheopening
introductionstotheprogram!Itwassucha
joytoseethegrowthhehadmadethatweek
inhisconfidenceandoverallprofessional
skills.
“I think the experience and knowledge that he
gainedinthisprogramwilldefinitelyhelphim
“Nathan'sparticipationinthe
SummerWorkProgram
ispossiblythegreatest
contributorthatI
haveseentohelpwithhis
growthanddevelopment
ofskillsneededforadulthood.”
—JenniferMerzlickerNathan’smom
“MyfavoritepartoftheBlindand
SociallySavvyprogramwas
learningtodineinaprofessional
environment.
Ifeelmorecomfortable
doingthatnow.”
—NathanMerzlicker
11
Success StoryMallorieHenke
Malloriegrewuplikemanyotherchil-
dreninColumbia,Missouri.Goingto
school,playingwithfriends,enjoying
theoutdoors;thatis,until9thgrade.
Duringher9thgradeschoolyear,she
foundoutthatshewasatypeonedia-
betic.Throughthedifficultiesofbeing
diabetic,Malloriegraduatedfrom
HickmanHighschoolandenrolledat
UniversityofMissouri,Columbia.
There,sheattainedamastersinac-
counting,graduatingin2009and
wenttowork.
Unfortunately,Mallorie'shealthtooka
turnfortheworse;andby2015,
Malloriewassufferingfromseveredia-
beticcomplications.Theseproblems
startedwithkidneyandpancreasis-
sueswhichledtoextremeswelling,
waterretention,kidneyfailure,and
finallydialysisforeightmonths.
BecauseMallorieneededbothkidneys
andapancreas,shewasplacedatthe
topofthetransplantlist.
Whilewaitingonthetransplantlist
andtryingtocontrolbloodglucoselev-
els,Mallorielostvisioninone
eyefromdiabeticretinopathy.
Malloriehadtoquitworking
inMarch2016.
Malloriesuccessfullyreceived
akidneyandpancreastrans-
plant,butduetothelongsur-
gery,thesightworsenedsig-
nificantlyinhergoodeye.
Duringthistime,Malloriewas
recoveringfromsurgeryandlivingwithherparentsbecauseof
herdecreaseinvision.
MalloriesignedanapplicationforRSBserviceson10/24/2018.
Duringtheinitialinterview,Mallorieexpressedherdesireto
workandbeindependent,butstatedthatsheneededtolower
herexpectations.Aftermuchdiscussion,Mallorielearnedthat
therewasnoneedtolowerherexpectationsforhercareerand
lifegoals.Acasewasopenedandrehabteachingandvocational
rehabilitationcounselingservicesweredelivered.Equipment
wasevaluatedandtrainingwasdonesoadaptiveequipment
couldbeusedonceworkwasfound.Malloriewasreferredtoa
communityrehabprogramvendor;andwithinjustafewweeks
hadlandedajobatMFAOILintheaccountingdepartment.
Mallorie'sstrength,positiveattitudeandresiliencearewhyshe
isasuccessstory.Shehastakeneveryopportunitytopullher-
selfbackupandsetherselfonaproductivepathagain.Shenow
livesindependentlyandworksfulltime.Mallorienowknows
thatshewillbeabletoworkconsistentlyinherfieldofstudy
andwillhaveavailableassistancewhensheneedsit.
MALLORIEEXPRESSEDHER
DESIRETOWORKBEINDEPENDENTAND
NONEEDTOLOWER
CAREERANDLIFEGOALS.
EXPECTATIONSFORHER
HER
15
FollowinghiscompletionofBlindandSociallySavvy,
Nathanparticipatedinapaidsummerwork
experienceprogram,withtheassistanceof
RehabilitationServicesfortheBlind,through
PreferredEmployment.Nathanworkedatalocal
grocerystoreasacourtesyclerkfor20hoursaweek
forsixweeks.Hisdutiesincludedbagginggroceries,
gettingcartsfromtheparkinglot,assisting
customerswithfindingitemsinthestore,and
returningitemstostoreshelves.
Inadditiontotheseduties,Nathanreceivedsoft
skillsinstruction.Ajobcoachwasavailableto
assistthestudentsinlearningandperforming
theirjobduties.
Inregardstothesummerworkprogram,Jennifer
Merzlickercommented:"Nathan'sparticipationin
theSummerWorkProgramispossiblythe
greatestcontributorthatIhaveseentohelpwith
hisgrowthanddevelopmentofskillsneededfor
adulthood.Heneverwouldhavebeenableto
succeedinatraditionalsummerjob,butwiththe
coachinginthisprogram,Isawhimblossom.He
begantakinginitiativeandhismaturitymade
leapsandboundsthissummer.Wehaveseen
thosegainscontinueintotheschoolyearaswell.
Hestillhasawaytogoandalottolearntogain
independenceintoadulthood,butIhavebeenso
verythankfulfortheopportunityhehadinthis
programandtheprogressthathehasmade."
Nathanhadthistosayabouttheworkexperience
program:“Ienjoyedthatwegottopracticeskills
intheSummerWorkProgramthatcanhelpusin
life.Thepeopletherewereniceandwillingto
helpwithanyissueswemayhavehad.Iwould
definitelywanttodoitagainifIcould."
Blind and Socially Savvy is a program sponsored by
Rehabilitation Services for the Blind designed to
help transition-age blind students to carry
themselves confidently in various social
circumstances.
NathanMerzlicker
10
MonicaBethardsfirstlearnedaboutRehabServices
fortheBlindwhileonaroutinevisittohereyecare
professional,Dr.LauraMontgomeryinBolivar,
Missouri.Monicawasbornwithmaculardystrophy,
andsawDr.Montgomeryonaregularbasistomain-
tainhereyehealth.
Whenshewasfirstdiagnosed,itwasassumedthat
ashervisiondecreased,shewouldnotbeabletocon-
tinueatherjob.“RSBmadeaninvestmentinme,and
thisinvestmenthashelpedmeremaingainfullyem-
ployed.Theresultsyieldedfromthatinvestment
haveledtomealsobecomingmoreindependent,
contributingtooursociety,andbeingrecognizedas
atopperformerinmycompany.Iammostgrateful
foralltheseserviceshavemeantformeandmyfam-
ily.”
MonicacontactedtheSpringfieldofficeofRSBtosee
iftheycouldhelphermaintainherjobasaprogram
manageratDuckCreekTechnologiesinBolivar,a
companythatdevelopsandimplementssoftwarefor
insurancecarriersworldwide.Hervisionhadgrown
steadilyworseovertheyears,andsheneededhelp
withassistivetechnologythatwouldallowherto
morereadilyaccessprintedmaterialandhercom-
puterscreen.Additionally,sheneededassistance
withorientationandmobilityskills,assheisre-
quiredtotravelaroundthecountry.Mobility
SpecialistBenVercellonewasassignedtoworkwith
Monicaonhertravelskills.“MyjobrequiresthatI
travel,andtheuseofacaneandtravelinstruction
hasbeenagamechangerformetotravelinde-
pendently.ThetechnologyprovidedbyRSBhas
helpedmeadapttodifferingenvironmentswhenI
findmyselfinnewsurroundings.”
Monica'scasewasassignedtoBradyClevenger,
ProgramDevelopmentSpecialistintheSouthwest
Districtoffice.BradyhelpedMonicaobtainaCCTV
videomagnifier,magnificationsoftware,anda
handheldmagnifiertohelpherreadhardcopy
printedmaterial.Withthehandhelddevice,she
wasabletotakeitwithherandaccessprintwher-
evershemightbe,inavarietyofworksettings.
“Bradyhasbeenanexcellentcounselortowork
with.Ibelieveitisbecausehetrulyunderstands
thedailystrugglehisclientsgothrough.Hehas
providedgreatinsight,andpowerfulresourcesre-
gardingthevarioustypesofskillsIneededtocon-
tinueinmydailylife,andtrulycustomizedaplan
formethathashelpedmesucceed,”Monicasaid.
Monicawasrecognizedwithinhercompanyasa
SpecialImpactAwardwinner.“Thetechnology
andservicesprovidedbyRSBhavegivenmethe
opportunitytocontinuewithcareergrowth,pro-
motions,andbeingacknowledgedasatoppro-
ducerwithinmycompany.Theuseoftheassistive
software,largescreenmonitor,CCTV,Ipad,acane,
andhandheldmagnifiersareusedonadailybasis
forvariouspartsofmyjob.Thesetoolshavetruly
givenmetheabilitytooperateindependentlyand
continueperformingmyjobduties.”
“Manypeopleoftenask,'Howdoyoucontinueto
dothethingsyoudothatyoureallyshouldnotbe
abletodo?'AndIamabletogivegreatcreditto
thetechnologyandtrainingIhavebeenblessed
withfromRSB.”
Success StoryMonicaBethards
“Thetechnologyandser-
vicesprovidedbyRSBhave
givenmetheopportunity
tocontinuewithcareer
growth,promotions,and
beingacknowledgedasa
topproducerwithinmy
company.”
We Invest in the Potential of the Most Amazing People
IndividualsintheBusinessEnterpriseProgramreceivingAwardsforoutstandingachievement
inprofessionaldevelopmentaswellasexemplaryperformanceinmanagement.
GloriaCarson Albert“Jim”Piel DavidK.Pinkley
916
Thereareatotalof80Statevocationalrehabilitationagenciesorcommissionsthatprovide
rehabilitationservicesforindividualswithdisabilitiesintheUnitedStatesandassociatedterritories.
Currently,24stateshaveaseparatevocationalrehabilitationagencyorcommissionthatprovides
servicesexclusivelyforconsumerswhoareblindorvisuallyimpaired.Thealternativeskillsofblindness
aremarkedlydifferentfromtheskillsrequiredbyotherdisabledpersons.Themethodologyof
instructingtheblindandconfrontingtheissuesofblindnessinoursocietyrequirethedevelopmentof
specializedserviceprograms,withservicedeliverybyspecializedpersonnel.
STANDARDS & INDICATORS General Information
Total Annual Wages after Services for
Employed Vocational Rehabilitation Clients.......$5,139,256
188Achieved Employment................................................................
1Net Gain Over Last Year................................................................
1,556Served in VR Program.....................................................
RehabilitationServicesfortheBlindinProgramYear2018...
PROGRAM YEAR 2018 Economic Impact
$13million
Economic impact on Missouri:
Successful services and employment outcomes
between the Vocational Rehabilitation Program,
as well as the Business Enterprise Program..........$45.3million
This Annual Report outlines these successful services
provided by RSB, as well as shares personal success stories by RSB clients.
Allinvolvedwerepolite,hardworkingandseemed
interestedinhelpingmeachievemygoal.
—RSBClient
YOU CAN QUOTE ME
Federal and State dollars allowed RSB to
provide effective, high quality services to
blind and visually impaired Missourians...................
178
TheSRC’sfunctionsinclude,butarenotlimitedto,actinginpartnershipwithRSBto:
Review,analyze,andadviseRSBregardingRSB'sperformanceofresponsibilitiesunder
TitleIoftheAct,relatingespeciallytoeligibilityforVocationalRehabilitation(VR)
services;theextent,scopeandeffectivenessofVRservicesthatRSBprovides;and
functionsperformedbyStateagenciesthatpotentiallyaffecttheabilityofblindindividuals
toachieverehabilitationgoalsandobjectives.
AssistRSBwiththedevelopmentandreviewoftheStategoalsandpriorities;assistinthe
preparationoftheStateplan.
Conductareviewandanalysisoftheeffectivenessof,andconsumersatisfactionwith,VR
servicesandotherfunctionsperformedbyStateagenciesandotherpublicandprivate
entitiesresponsibleforperformingfunctionsforblindindividuals.
PrepareandsubmitanannualreporttotheGovernoroftheStateofMissouri,tothe
CommissioneroftheRehabilitationServicesAdministrationoftheU.S.Departmentof
Education,andtotheDirectoroftheFamilySupportDivision(FSD).
CoordinatewithothercouncilswithintheState.
ProvideforcoordinationandtheestablishmentofworkingrelationshipsbetweenFSD,RSB
andtheStatewideIndependentLivingCouncilandCentersforIndependentLivingin
Missouri.
SelectapoolofindividualstoserveasimpartialhearingofficersforVRapplicantsand
recipientswhowishtoappealadecisionofRSB.
FUNCTIONS
Thisisaremarkableplacethatwasreallytherefor
mewhennobodyelsewas.Thestaffgenuinelcyarefor
mywell-beingespeciallymyCounselor.Thankyouforeverything
youhavedoneforme.
—RSBClient
Section116ofWIOAestablishesperformanceaccountabilityindicatorsandperformancereporting
requirementstoassesstheeffectivenessofStatesandlocalareasinachievingpositiveoutcomesforindi-
vidualsserved.RSAhasusedtheirtransitionauthorityunderWIOAsec.503(a)todesignateprimary
indicatorsofperformanceas“baseline”indicatorsinthefirstplansubmission.Theactualperformance
datareportedbyStatesforindicatorsdesignatedas“baseline”inthefirsttwoyearsoftheUnifiedor
CombinedPlanwillserveasbaselinedatainfutureyears.
Duringthistransitionperiod,RSBisutilizingthefollowingmeasurementsforstatelevel
performancereporting:
PY 2018 BLIND AGENCY Summary of RSB Performance
68.5%
Individuals who achieved integrated
employment, who had significant
Disabilities.......................................................
89.4%
Percentage of Individuals Achieving
Self-Sufficiency (Relying Primarily on
Their Own Income) After Successfully
Completing the Program................................
72.3%Vocational Rehabilitation Rateof Successful Rehabilitation..........................
YOU CAN QUOTE ME
718
ThemembershipoftheCounciliscomprisedofnomorethan21individualsappointedbytheGovernor,withthefollowingrepresentationmandatedbytheRehabilitationAct.
Atleastonerepresentativefromeachofthefollowing:
StatewideIndependentLivingCouncil
ParentTrainingandInformationCenter
ClientAssistanceProgram
RSBVocationalCounselor
CommunityRehabilitationProgramservice
provider
Stateeducationagencyresponsibleforthe
publiceducationofstudentswith
disabilities
StateWorkforceInvestmentBoard
Disabilitiesgrouprepresentingindividuals
whoareblind
EvaluationCommittee
Evaluatestheperformanceand/oroperationofRSB,suchassurveysandannualreports.
GovernmentalAffairsCommittee
Worksonthingshappeningatthestateandfederallevelandthataregovernmentalinnature.
PlanningCommittee
ThestateplanandanyotherplanningoperationoftheCouncil,includingthebusinessnetworkissues.
Program&PolicyCommittee
HandlesnewpolicyandorprogramitemsfromRSBratherthanwaitinguntilthenextCouncilmeeting.
COUNCIL MEMBERS & COMMITTEES
Representativeofindividualswhohave
blindness,havemultipledisabilities,and
havedifficultyrepresentingthemselvesdue
todisability
Business,laborandindustry
Advocacygroupsforindividualswith
blindnessorotherauthorized
representativesofindividualswith
blindnesswhoareunabletorepresent
themselves
CurrentorformerrecipientsofVRservices
AndtheDeputyDirectorofFSD/RSBasan
ex-officiomember.
Council Members
Committees
VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION:
367 1,556
Thefollowinginformationisbasedontheaboveamount:
Earnings and Funding Resources
$584MO State Taxes Paid
Per Rehabilitated Client...............................................
$1,650Federal Taxes Paid
Per Rehabilitated Client.................................................
$2,234Total Taxes Paid
Per Rehabilitated Client.........................................
$419,992Total Combined Yearly Taxes Paid
by all Rehabilitated Clients....................................
$27,336Average Annual Earnings
Per Rehabilitated Client.............................................
NewVRcasesopened ClientsservedPY2018
196
TheMissouriStateRehabilitationCouncilfortheBlindwasestablishedinFebruary1993byExecutive
Order93-01to:
Actasaforumthroughwhichcitizenswithblindness,parents,providers,andotherinterested
Missourianscanvoicetheiropinionsandconstrictivecriticisms,makerecommendationsandgive
publicrecognitionforservicesbeingperformedontheirbehalfbyRSB;
ServejointlywithRSBinitsactivitiestoimprovetheservices,programsandfacilitiesforindividuals
withblindnessandvisualimpairments;
ReceivefromRSBinformationconcerningtheintentsandobjectivesofRSBsothattheCouncil,in
turn,canpassthisinformationontoindividualswithblindness.
MissouriStateRehabilitationCouncilfortheBlind
615HowertonCourt-P.O.Box2320
JeffersonCityMO65102-2320
Phone:(573)751-4249—Fax:(573)751-4984
PURPOSE OF THE STATE REHABILITATION COUNCIL
AverageHourlyWage $16.34
2014$14.51
2016$16.07
2017$18.75
$12
2018$16.34
$14
$16
$18
$20
Average Hourly Wage at Closure
State Fiscal Year 2018 Missouri Funding Sources
Federal Funds 78.1% GR Funds 18.5% BEST 2.7% Donations .07%
10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%0%
PY2018
2015$17.08
YOU CAN QUOTE ME
WasnotawareofRSBuntilreferredto
them.WithouttheirhelpIwouldnot
stillbeemployed.TheyrelievedalltheanxietyI
hadaboutmyvisualimpairments,justknowing
thereishelpfromtheRSBstaffwhoarewonderful
people.
—RSBClient
520
Individuals ServedIndividualswithblindness/visualimpairmentsservedinProgramYear2018............................4,074
Older Blind Independent Living ProgramIndividualswereservedintheOlderBlindIndependentLivingProgram......................................1,242Individualswereclosedsuccessfullyrehabilitated.........................................................................................573
IndividualsreceivedcasemanagementservicesinthePreventionofBlindnessProgram...........500Individualsscreenedforintraocularpressureandothereyeconditions........................................4,238
Prevention of Blindness Program
IndividualsservedintheVocationalRehabilitationProgram..............................................................1,556Closinginsuccessfulemployment..........................................................................................................................188
Vocational Rehabilitation Program
ChildrenreceivedservicesintheChildren’sServicesProgram.................................................................516Children’s Services Program
IndividualswereservedintheIndependentLivingProgram....................................................................260Closedsuccessfullyrehabilitated.................................................................................................................................76
Independent Living Program
HIGHLIGHTS OF PROGRAM YEAR 2018
BusinessEnterpriseProgramfacilities.....................................................................................................................33
Peopleemployed..................................................................................................................................................939Grosssales................................................................................................................................$41,689,061
Business Enterprise Program
1Militaryinstallations...................................................................................................................................................
23Managers.....................................................................................................................................................................
Individualswhohaveaseverevisualdisabilityencountersomecommonbarrierstoemployment.
Commonbarriersrecognizedare:accesstoprintinformation,transportation,negativeattitudes
regardingtheskillsandabilitiesoftheblind,aswellasmarketable21stcenturyjobskills.
RehabilitationServicesfortheBlindprovidesvaluableservicesthateffectivelyaddressthesebarriers
andothers.
Inprogramyear2018,RSBsuccessfullyrehabilitated188Missouriansinpursuitoftheiremployment
goal.Thefollowingdataprofilesshowthosesuccessfulclosures:
InPY2018,throughtheservicesofRSB,188individualshavebeenabletogainorretainemployment.
Theiroccupationsareasfollows:
ArchitectureandEngineering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Arts,Design,Entertainment,
Sports,andMedia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
BuildingandGroundsCleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
BusinessandFinancialOperations . . . . . . . . . . . 13
CommunityandSocialService . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
ComputerandMathematical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
ConstructionandExtraction
Occupations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
EducationalInstruction,andLibrary . . . . . . . . . . 7
Farming,FishingandForestry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
FoodPreparationandFoodServing . . . . . . . . . . . 9
HealthcarePractitionersandTechnical . . . . . . 18
HealthcareSupport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Installation,Maintenance,
andRepair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
LegalOccupations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Life,Physical&SocialScience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
OfficeandAdministrative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
PersonalCareandService . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Production. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
SalesandRelated. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
TransportationandMaterialMoving . . . . . . . . . . . 4
VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SERVICES
10%
0%
20%
30%
40%50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Competitive Employment 173
(92.02%)
Self- Employment 15
(7.98%)
Rehabilitation Rate
(71.31%)
4 21
This annual report, presented by the Missouri State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind for program year 2018, provides information on the Missouri Department of Social Services, Family Support Division, and Rehabilitation Services for the Blind (RSB) vocational rehabilitation employment program for individuals with visual disabilities.
The Department of Social Services' mission is to lead the nation in building the capacity of individuals, families and communities to secure and sustain healthy, safe, and productive lives. RSB completed another successful year in meeting this mission by providing 1,556 individuals vocational rehabilitation services to assist 188 individuals to obtain or retain competitive integrated employment. Approximately $12.3 million federal and state dollars allow RSB to provide
effective, high-quality services to blind and visually impaired Missourians. Successful services in program year 2018 resulted in a $46.8 million economic impact on Missouri.
RSB continues to be a national leader in the provision of vocational rehabilitation services. For the fourth time, the federal Department of Labor and Rehabilitation Services Administration selected RSB and the Missouri workforce team to serve on a national cohort to assist in developing national guidance, processes and best practices in Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act implementation. The Rehabilitation Services Administration recognized RSB as the top performing
agency for the blind in the nation for program year 2018 “Employment Rate 2nd Quarter after Exit” at 68.5 percent, compared to a 38.8 percent median rate for agencies for the blind and 49.2 percent median rate for all vocational rehabilitation agencies.
The Rehabilitation Services Administration reports the program year 18 “Median Earnings 2nd Quarter after Exit” measure resulted in $5,117 for Blind VR Agencies compared to $3,714 for all VR Agencies. The state and national results support the benefits of a separate agency serving blind and visually impaired individuals. Specialized services move families to economic stability and self-sufficiency.
In closing, I offer my sincere appreciation for your interest and support in serving Missourians with visual disabilities.
Sincerely,
Keith Roderick, Deputy Director
Rehabilitation Services for the Blind
KeithRoderick
Director,RehabilitationServices for
the Blind
LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR, RSB
ClientSatisfactionSurveysareadministeredtoindividualsafterclosingtheirVocationalRehabilitation
casewithRSB.
Clients closed in competitive integrated employment.............................188Clients who returned their survey................................................................56Rate of return...............................................................................................30%
Clients closed in a status other than competitive employment.............130Clients who returned their survey....................................................................3
2%Rate of return..................................................................................................
1. IwasemployedwhenIappliedforservicesfromRSB.
2. ThechoiceofservicesavailablefromRSBwassufficienttomeetmyneeds.
3. Ihadthefinalsayintheselectionofserviceproviders.
4. IreceivedservicesfromRSBinareasonableamountoftime.
5. RSBstaffreturnedmyphonecallswithin1-2businessdays.
6. RSBstaffwasknowledgeableaboutmyneedsasapersonwhoisvisuallyimpaired/blind.
7. RSBstaffhelpedmebuildmyconfidenceinmyabilities.
8. Myrehabilitationplanwasindividualizedtomeetmygoals.
9. Ihadthefinalsayintheselectionofmyvocationalgoal.
10. Uponcompletionofmyvocationalrehabilitationplan,Iwaspreparedtoseek/maintainemployment.
11. TheservicesRSBprovidedweresufficienttohelpmesecure/continueemployment.
12. AsaresultoftheservicesprovidedbyRSB,mypresentworksituationisbetterthanitwasbeforeIbegantheprogram.
13. ThesupportIreceivedfromRSBfollowingmyemploymentwasadequatetoensurecontinuedsuccess.
14. IampleasedwiththeoveralloutcomeofmyexperienceinthevocationalrehabilitationprogramprovidedbyRSB.
Client SatisfactionSurvey Questions
Twodifferentsurveysaregiven:
a14-questionsurveyissentto
individualswhosecasesare
and;
asimilar11-questionsurveyissentto
individualswhosecaseswere
Source: Rehabilitation Services for the Blind - Independent Living Program - FY 2020 Program Participant Survey
0
60
80
100
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 Q6 Q7 Q14Q13Q12Q10Q8 Q9 Q11
20
40
66%
88%86%
13%
81%
56%
94%
69% 69% 69% 69%81%
63%
0%
92%
94%84%
89% 89%83%
78%88%
78%
92%
CLIENT SATISFACTION SURVEY
closed in competitiveemployment;
closed in any statusother than competitiveemployment.
69%73%
The Rehabilitation Services Administration
recognized RSB as the top performing agency
for the blind in the nation for program year
2018 “Employment Rate 2nd Quarter after
Exit” at 68.5 percent, compared to a 38.8
percent median rate for agencies for the blind
and 49.2 percent median rate for all
vocational rehabilitation agencies.
TheSRCcontinuedtoholdpublicforumsthroughoutthestate,allowingindividualstovoiceopinionsand
concernsabouttheservicesofRSB.Toassistthosewithdifficultytraveling,theCouncilprovidesphone
conferencingaswell.
August:St.Louis,Mo–AmandaDovinandherSeeingEyedog,Sonya,sharedwiththepublic
differentmobilityoptionsavailabletothosewhoarevisuallyimpaired.Amandaalsosharedherstory
ofsuccessgoingthroughcollegeandultimatelyacceptingajobwithRSBasaRehabilitationTeacher
intheSt.LouisNorthoffice.
November:KansasCity,Mo–CathyWolfordsharedwiththepublicstoriesofindividualswhoare
deafandblind.Cathysharedherdesiretoseemoreemploymentopportunitiesforthosewhoare
deaf/blindandsharedthattherearemanyassistivetechnologydevicesthatcanhelpthose
individualsbecomesuccessfulineducationandcareergoalstheymayhave.Asecondspeaker,
LaurenMcDaniel,sharedhispersonalstoryabouthisrecentlossofvisionduetobeingshot.Lauren
sharedhisstoryoftriumphasheworkedwithRSBandColoradoCenterfortheBlindtoadjusttolife
withthecompletelossofhisvision.Laurenexpressedthenewfoundoptimismforhisfuturewitha
“nothingcanstopmenow”attitudethatwasveryinspiringtoeveryoneintheroom.
February:Joplin,Mo–MatthewHolloway,
EmploymentServiceManageratPreferred
EmploymentServicesandAdrianMarcos,
anRSBclient,cametospeaktothepublic
inJoplin.MatthewsharedaboutPreferred
EmploymentServices, andtheirworkwith
RSBclients.AdrianMarcossharedabout
hisexperiencewithPreferred
EmploymentServicesaswellasRSB.He
sharedwiththepublicabouthissummer
workexperienceandhowthathashelped
preparehimformorejobsinthefuture.
May:JeffersonCity,Mo–AmyNicklessfromWolfnerLibrarycametoshareaboutWolfnerandthe
servicestheyprovide.WolfnerLibraryisMissouri'sLibraryforindividualswithvisual,physicaland
readingdisabilities.Wolfnerprovidesbraille,audio,largeprint,printbraillebooks,audiodescribed
DVDs,printbraillegames,activitykits,programming,magazinesandnewsletters.
322
YEAR IN REVIEW
TheSRCanalyzedtheresultsofclientsatisfactionsurveys,whichwerereceivedfromRSBclientsatthe
timeofcaseclosure.CommentsandconcernsexpressedinthesurveyswerediscussedbytheSRC.
RSBcontinuedtoupdatetheSRContheWorkforceInnovationsOpportunitiesAct(WIOA).Including
WIOA'sinfluenceonYouthinTransition,Pre-EmploymentTransitionServices,CompetitiveIntegrated
Employment,andhowRSBcollaboratedwithandhavecreatedPartnershipswithotherstateagencies.
TheSRCprovidedinputandrecommendationsontheVRservicesportionoftheUnifiedorCombined
StatePlan,reviewedtheAnnualReport,reviewedandanalyzedtheconsumersatisfactionsurveys,and
otherCouncilreportsthatmayhavebeendevelopedaspartoftheCouncil'sfunctions.
TheSRCapprovedRSBtosetmaintenancelimits,removingfinancialrequirementsandspecifying
reimbursementforexpenses.TheSRCalsoencouraged,requestedandsupportedRSBtosendaccessible
electronicsurveystoimprovereturnrateofClientSatisfactionSurveys.
PublicForumswereheldquarterlyinvariouslocationsacrossthestate.
RSBkepttheSRCupdatedonthevacancieswithinRSB.Issueswithdifficultyinrecruitmentwere
discussed,aswellashowaccessibletheapplicationprocessisfortheblindandvisuallyimpaired.
RSBinformedthecouncilonthenewcasemanagementsystemthatbecame'Live'inJuly2019.Staff
havebeenworkinginthiscasemanagementsystemsuccessfullyandRSBmadesuretheCouncilwas
updatedonthatsuccess.
PUBLIC FORUMS
StateRehabilitationCouncilfortheBlind,
picturedatoneofthe4PublicForumsheldthroughouttheStateofMissouri.
YOU CAN QUOTE ME
LindyandRSBhavebeenbothablessingandsaving
grace.Iwouldnothavebeenabletocontinue
employmentinapeacefulenvironmentwithmycurrentemployer
withouttheresourcesprovidedbyRSBandthesagewisdomand
advicefromLindy.IwouldliketothanktheRehabilitation
Servicesforalltheyhelpedmedo.
—RSBClient
DearFellowMissourians:
AsChairof theStateRehabilitationCouncil for theBlind(SRC),itismyhonortosubmitthe2019AnnualReportonthestatusofservices,inaccordancewithSection105(5)oftheRehabilitationActof1973,asamendedbyCongressin1998.TheSRC,createdbyMissouriExecutiveOrder93-01,
isresponsibleforreviewing,analyzingandadvisingMissouriRehabilitationServices for theBlind (RSB),anagency in theMissouriDivisionofFamilySupport (DFS), on its policies and provision of rehabilitation services toMissourianswhoareblindorvisuallyimpaired.
TheservicesthatRSBprovidesarecriticaltothisgrowingsegmentofourpopulation. The CDC reports that during the next three decades, thepopulationofadultswithvisionimpairmentandage-relatedeyediseasesisestimatedtodoublebecauseoftherapidlyagingU.S.population.Inaddition,theepidemicofdiabetesaswellasotherchronicdiseases,willcontributetoanincreasingpopulationofpeoplewhoexperiencevisionloss.
TheSRCisdedicatedtoworkingwithRSBtoassistblindandvisuallyimpairedMissourians become self-supporting and fully participating members ofsociety. Missourians with vision loss have a voice through the SRC, ourquarterlyreviewsofagencypolicies,proceduresandoperations,alongwithpublic forums and our customer satisfaction survey, have given clients acriticalsourceofinputintotherehabilitationprocess.
The SRC is committed to its purpose and is rising to meet the growingchallenges facing peoplewith vision loss.We feel this report provides aninformative overview of RSB and the activities of the SRC. Wewould bepleasedtoansweranyquestionsaboutthisreport,theoperationsofRSB,ortheworkoftheStateRehabilitationCouncil.
RespectfullySubmitted,
ClayC.Berry
Alphapointe,DirectorofEducation&Rehabilitation
Chairman,StateRehabilitationCouncilfortheBlind
Clay C.Berry
Chairman,Missouri StateRehabilitation
Council forThe Blind
LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN, MSRCB
232
AsRSBStrivestocreateopportunitiesforthepersonalandvocationalsuccessofblindandvisually
impairedMissourians,theSRCbelievesthatwiththepropertraining,alternativeskillsandassistive
technology,thoseindividualswhoareblindcanbevocationally,sociallyandeconomicallycompetitive.
TheSRCwillcontinuetoworkcooperativelywithRSBtoimprovetheservicesofferedtomeetwhatwe
considertobetheuniquerehabilitationneedsofclientswithvisualdisabilities.Thefollowingtopfive
strategicprioritiesweredevelopedbytheSRCtoensureongoingsuccessforvisuallyimpaired
Missourians:
1. Promotethefullinclusion,participationandintegrationofMissouriblindandseverelyvisually
impairedintheeconomic,social,culturalandeducationalmainstreamofsociety.
2. ThroughtheSRC'sadvisorycapacity,assurethatappropriateeducationandrehabilitation
servicesincreasetheemploymentrateofblindandvisuallyimpairedindividualsinMissouri.
3. Promoteandassurethecontinuationofspecializedvocationalrehabilitationservicesto
consumerswhoareblindandseverelyvisuallyimpairedthroughspeciallytrainedprofessional
staffwithuniqueskillsandknowledgeofblindness.
4. InpartnershipwithRSB,develop,agreeto,andreviewtheannualstategoalsandpriorities,
includingstrategiestoaddresstheunprecedentedturnovertheagencyhasexperiencedinrecent
yearstoensureMissourianswhoareblindreceivehighqualityservicefromqualifiedpersonnel.
5. InpartnershipwithRSB,theSRCwillworktoimplementnewprocedurescongruentwiththe
expectationsoftheWorkforceInnovationandOpportunityAct,inordertoensurecoordinationof
allentitiesinvolvedincreasingaccessofblindMissourianstotoday'sjobmarket.
VISION FOR THE FUTURE
MidMissouriDistrictOffice,StudentGroupActivities:RunandcoordinatedbyChildren'sspecialist,SamanthaScott,thisgroupworkswithRSByouthintheMidMissouriareatoteachimportantindependenceandsocialskillsthattheydonotgettheopportunitytolearninschool.Theseactivitiesgivestudentsthefundamentalskillstobecomeandremainsuccessfulinschoolandfuturecareers.
KatherineCronin,
DistrictSupervisor
St.LouisSouthoffice.
SouthwestDistrictOfficeSupervisor,RandyCusterpresentingYearsofServiceCertificatestostaff.Sr.VocationalRehabCounselorLindyPierce(left),10yearsofservice;RehabTeacherNicoleHanlin(right)with20yearsofservice.
LetterfromtheChair,SRC,ClayBerry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
TheYearinReview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
LetterfromtheDeputyDirector,RSB,KeithRoderick. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
HighlightsforProgramYear2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PurposeoftheSRC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CouncilMembersandCommittees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
StandardsandIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MallorieHenke:SuccessStory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MonicaBethards:SuccessStory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SamuelHarris:SuccessStory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SuccessStory:NathanMerzlicker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
EconomicImpact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PY2018BlindAgency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VocationalRehabilitation:EarningsandFundingResources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VocationalRehabilitationServices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ClientSatisfactionSurvey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PublicForums. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VisionfortheFuture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
RSBDistrictOfficeMapwithAddresses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Quotables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Icannotthankyou
enoughforthe
servicesyouhave
providedme.ItwasGod-given.As
promisedIwillgoonworkingas
longasIcan.Iwillbeforever
grateful.GodblessRSB.
—RSBClient
YOU CAN QUOTE ME
23456789
10111214161718202122232425
BrainMulvany,RSBMobilitySpecialist,workswithpeersusingsleepshadestoperformcookingtasks.
YOU CAN QUOTE ME
WhenitcomestoeveryonefromRSBtheyallwereveryhelpfuland
listenedtomyneeds.
BetweenKatieCawdronandKaylaMcFarland,Icould
nothavebeenmorepleasedwiththeassistanceI
received.
Appreciatealltheservices
thatwereprovidedtome.
Helpedmebeawell-rounded
person.JaneZerrisawesome
andverycaring.Iwould
recommendhertoanyonein
needofservices.
IreallyenjoymycounselorMr.PhillipTucker.Heis
alwaysveryprofessionalwithassistingmeaswellas
Mrs.SharonSilverstein.Ireallyappreciatealloftheir
helpwiththeservices.
Thisisanexcellentprogram!I
trulybelievethatwithoutRSBI
wouldnothavemadeit
throughcollege.Iamso
thankfulforeverythingRSB
hasdone.Thankyousomuch
youareallamazing.
DonaldGoosensandthestaff
dideverythingpossibletohelp
me.Theywereveryniceand
helpful.Icouldn'taskforany
better.
Ali,Mycaseworkerissokind
andhelpful.
24
RSBAdministrativeOffice
615HowertonCt.,
POBox2320
JeffersonCity,MO
65102-2320
TOLL FREE800-592-6004
REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR THE BLIND
KansasCity
615E.13thSt.–Rm.409
KansasCity,MO64106
816-889-2677
Southwest
149ParkCentralSq.–Rm.640
Springfield,MO65806
417-895-6386
Mid-MO
3418KnippDr.–Ste.A-2
JeffersonCity,MO65102
573-751-2714
St.LouisNorth
9900PageAve.–Ste.105
St.Louis,MO63132
314-264-7601
St.LouisSouth
3867MagnoliaAve.
St.Louis,MO63110
314-933-7311
Southeast
106ArthurSt.–Ste.E
Sikeston,MO63801
573-472-5240
25
MissouriStateRehabilitationCouncilfortheBlind
Providingindividualswhohavevisualdisabilitieswithvaluableservicesthateffectivelyaddresscommonbarrierstoemployment.
Program Year 2018 Annual Report
MissouriStateRehabilitationCouncilfortheBlind
RehabilitationServicesfortheBlind
AdministrativeOffice
615HowertonCt.,POBox2320
JeffersonCity,MO65102-2320
TollFree:800-592-6004
PH:573-751-4249—Fax:573-526-4984
Program Year 2018Annual Report