Development of a Four Way Partnership Providing AT
Services to Farmers with Disabilities
Presented at National Training Workshop
AgrAbility Program
October 29 – November 1, 2007
AgrAbility of Wisconsin Partners
UW-Extension: Cally Ehle, Ron Schuler
Easter Seals FARM Program: Holly Allen, Melba Brown, T
Ellenbecker, Judith Guttman, Jeff Kratochwill, Paul Leverenz,
Bruce Whitmore
WI Div. Voc. Rehab.: Manuel Lugo and DVR Supervisors and
Counselors
WI Farm Center: Paul Dettman, Roger James, and CAP staff
Goals of this session
• Share partnership experiences
• Provide ideas which may be used to
strengthen your partnership
• Learn details of one partnership that
focused on providing direct assistance to
farmers
• Provide tools to gain (more) involvement
of a state vocational rehabilitation agency
in the AgrAbility partnership
What determines a successful partnership with
respect to serving farmers/ranchers with disabilities
• Establishing challenging goals jointly
– Providing information and referral to 100 farmers and
ranchers
– Providing farm assessment to 50 new clients
– Providing VR services to 25 clients
• Meeting those goals together
• Knowing your partners-capabilities and limitations
• Sharing successes
• Sharing failures
• Appearing to be a single organization to the farmers
and ranchers served (They may compliment or criticize
the incorrect organization.)
• Establishing good communication
Communication
The greatest problem in communication is
the illusion that it has been accomplished.
George Bernard Shaw
Outline
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Chronology of events since 1990
Relationship building
DVR training and its evaluation
Client surveys
Awards and recognition
Chronology
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1990
– Initiate services to farmers with disabilities (Easter Seals and UW-Extension)
– Establish an advisory committee (meet annually face to face)
1991
– Awarded USDA-CSREES Education and Assistance to Farmers with Disabilities
project
– Placed on the DVR Approved Provider List for serving people with disabilitiesEaster Seals ( $60/hr, 2 hr min, $30/hr office work, mileage over 25 miles)
1992
– Received four referrals from DVR
– Received Kraft Dairy Grant
1993
– Received $62,723 in AT support for AgrAbility clients
– Established semiannual meetings with state DVR staff
1994
– Awarded USDA-CSREES Education and Assistance to Farmers with Disabilities
project
1995
– Established $1500/client fee for service (DVR and Easter Seals Wisconsin)
– Developed farm assessment report (primary product of farm assessment)
Farm Assessment Report:
• Report:
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identifies specific problems areas,
offers recommended solutions,
identifies appropriate vendors,
provides estimated costs
• Average 40 hrs/client
• Twenty hours for each hour on the farm
• Five to ten hours development/research
information for report (getting cost information
and bids for items over $1500- WI requirement)
• Five hours to prepare report, 20 to 60 pages in
length
Chronology
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•
•
•
•
•
1990
– Initiate services to farmers with disabilities (Easter Seals and UW-Extension)
– Establish an advisory committee
1991
– Awarded USDA-CSREES Education and Assistance to Farmers with Disabilities
project
– Placed on the DVR Approved Provider List for serving people with disabilitiesEaster Seals ( $60/hr, 2 hr min, $30/hr office work, mileage over 25 miles)
1992
– Received four referrals from DVR
– Received Kraft Dairy Grant
1993
– Received $62,723 in AT support for AgrAbility clients
– Established semiannual meetings with state DVR staff
1994
– Awarded USDA-CSREES Education and Assistance to Farmers with Disabilities
project
1995
– Established $1500/client fee for service
– Developed farm assessment report
Chronology
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
1990
– Initiate services to farmers with disabilities (Easter Seals and UW-Extension)
– Establish an advisory committee
1991
– Awarded USDA-CSREES Education and Assistance to Farmers with Disabilities
project
– Placed on the DVR Approved Provider List for serving people with disabilitiesEaster Seals ( $60/hr, 2 hr min, $30/hr office work, mileage over 25 miles)
1992
– Received four referrals from DVR
– Received Kraft Dairy Grant
1993
– Received $62,723 in AT support for AgrAbility clients
– Established semiannual meetings with state DVR staff
1994
– Awarded USDA-CSREES Education and Assistance to Farmers with Disabilities
project
1995
– Established $1500/client fee for service
– Developed farm assessment report
1996
– Conducted three question DVR Survey (learn more about DVR)
Survey of DVR staff in 1996
AgrAbility(Easter Seals) provides:
• Farm site assessments-job accommodations, task
analysis, job restructuring
• Farm site assessment report, described earlier
Three questions
• Surveyed Workforce Development Area (WDA) office
• How many clients do you work with in a year who have
been, are, or would like to be employed in agricultural
production?
• Of these clients, how many per year do you believe
would benefit from the services offered by the Easter
Seal Resource Center for Farmers with Disabilities?
1996 DVR Survey Results
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Responses received from 26 offices
198 clients would like to work in agriculture
119 clients would benefit from AgrAbility
4000 DVR clients of all areas served per year
Result: DVR and AgrAbility staff became aware
of the number of DVR clients who were farmers
Chronology Continued
•
1998
– Awarded USDA-CSREES Education and Assistance to Farmers with
Disabilities project
– Contact 25 % of the WI DVR Counselors
– Initiated the AgrAbility client satisfaction surveys for closed cases
AgrAbility Client Satisfaction Survey
Description
• Purpose:
– Obtain outcome of AgrAbility services provided
– Obtain information for improving services
• Annually surveyed clients whose cases
were closed during the AgrAbility budget
year (1998 - Present)
• The Dillman mail process was used in
administering the survey
AgrAbility Client Satisfaction Survey
• 815 surveys mailed from 1998-2007
• 340 clients responded to survey
• 227 (66.8%) clients can do farm work better or more
easily than before working with AAW
• 185 (54.4%) clients continue farming operation in part or
whole – without that help I would not have been able to
do so.
• 10 (2.9%) clients continue to live on farm but are
successfully employed in another occupation
• Many positive and appreciative comments were also
provided about all three partners
• Some not so positive responses were provided about all
three partners which provided opportunities to improve
• Many clients volunteered to be members of the Farmers
Network
Chronology Continued
•
1998
– Awarded USDA-CSREES Education and Assistance to Farmers with
Disabilities project
– Contact 25 % of the WI DVR Counselors
– Initiated the AgrAbility client satisfaction surveys for closed cases
Chronology Continued
•
•
1998
– Awarded USDA-CSREES Education and Assistance to Farmers with
Disabilities project
– Initiated the AgrAbility client satisfaction surveys for closed cases
– Contact 25 % of the WI DVR Counselors
1999
– Contact another 25 % of the WI DVR Counselors
– Holly Allen impact study of AgrAbility clients
Holly Allen Impact Study
• Goals:
– Evaluate programs that serve farmers with
disabilities
– Determine issues that farmers with disabilities
commonly face
• Survey population – 413 former AgrAbility
clients
• Dillman mail system was used to conduct
the survey
Results of Holly Allen’s Study
• Respondents – 67.1 %
• Respondents received services from
AgrAbility – 83.7 %
• Respondents received services from DVR
– 57.8 %
• Respondents received services from UWExtension – 15.0 %
Results of Holly Allen’s Study
Assistance provided:
• Equipment – 70.0 %
• Funding – 60.0 %
• Building/equipment modification – 42.1 %
• Information and referral – 30.7 %
• Counseling and emotional support – 25.0 %
Chronology Continued
•
•
1998
– Awarded USDA-CSREES Education and Assistance to Farmers with
Disabilities project
– Initiated the AgrAbility client satisfaction surveys for closed cases
– Contact 25 % of the WI DVR Counselors
1999
– Contact another 25 % of the WI DVR Counselors
– Holly Allen impact study of AgrAbility clients
Chronology Continued
•
•
•
1998
– Awarded USDA-CSREES Education and Assistance to Farmers with
Disabilities project
– Initiated the AgrAbility client satisfaction surveys for closed cases
– Contact 25 % of the WI DVR Counselors
1999
– Contact another 25 % of the WI DVR Counselors
– Holly Allen impact study of AgrAbility clients
2000
– Contact another 25 % of the WI DVR Counselors
Chronology Continued
•
•
•
•
1998
– Awarded USDA-CSREES Education and Assistance to Farmers with
Disabilities project
– Initiated the AgrAbility client satisfaction surveys for closed cases
– Contact 25 % of the WI DVR Counselors
1999
– Contact another 25 % of the WI DVR Counselors
– Holly Allen impact study of AgrAbility clients
2000
– Contact another 25 % of the WI DVR Counselors
2001
– Contact final 25 % of the WI DVR Counselors
Chronology Continued
•
•
•
•
•
1998
– Awarded USDA-CSREES Education and Assistance to Farmers with
Disabilities project
– Initiated the AgrAbility client satisfaction surveys for closed cases
– Contact 25 % of the WI DVR Counselors
1999
– Contact another 25 % of the WI DVR Counselors
– Holly Allen impact study of AgrAbility clients
2000
– Contact another 25 % of the WI DVR Counselors
2001
– Contact final 25 % of the WI DVR Counselors
2002
– Awarded USDA-CSREES AgrAbility project
– Received training and evaluation grant from WI DVR (Easter Seals)
DVR Staff Training 2002 Agreement with DVR
Expected outcomes
• Expand the availability of vocational rehabilitation
services to Wisconsin farmers
– Conduct outreach activities for DVR counselors and other staff
– Improve and expand services customized for WI farmers
• Train a minimum of 200 DVR staff in:
– Viability of farming as a occupation
– Most effective use of customized vocational rehabilitation
services
Four trainings were conducted
• Introduction to FARM program and rehabilitation service
for farmers
• Applications of alternative agriculture to operations of
farmers with disabilities and process for managing
clients
• Two on-farm trainings dealing with on-farm assessments
and DVR relationship building with FARM program
Chronology Continued
•
•
•
•
•
1998
– Awarded USDA-CSREES Education and Assistance to Farmers with
Disabilities project
– Initiated the AgrAbility client satisfaction surveys for closed cases
– Contact 25 % of the WI DVR Counselors
1999
– Contact another 25 % of the WI DVR Counselors
– Holly Allen impact study of AgrAbility clients
2000
– Contact another 25 % of the WI DVR Counselors
2001
– Contact final 25 % of the WI DVR Counselors
2002
– Awarded USDA-CSREES AgrAbility project
– Received training and evaluation grant from WI DVR (Easter Seals)
Chronology Continued
•
•
•
•
•
1998
– Awarded USDA-CSREES Education and Assistance to Farmers with
Disabilities project
– Initiated the AgrAbility client satisfaction surveys for closed cases
– Contact 25 % of the WI DVR Counselors
1999
– Contact another 25 % of the WI DVR Counselors
– Holly Allen impact study of AgrAbility clients
2000
– Contact another 25 % of the WI DVR Counselors
2001
– Contact final 25 % of the WI DVR Counselors
2002
– Awarded USDA-CSREES AgrAbility project
– Received training and evaluation grant from WI DVR (Easter Seals)
– Established new fee for service with DVR ($2500/client)
– Initiated first set of trainings for DVR counselors
Initial DVR training 2002
• Training objectives
– Provide information about AT for farmers with
disabilities
– Create an awareness of vocational rehabilitation
service opportunities for farmers
– Create an awareness of the importance of farming in
the local and state economy
• Training was conducted in nine Workforce
Development Areas (WDA’s)
• DVR staff provided responses - 94
Initial Training Results 2002
What is your impression of farming with a disability?
Prior
After
Sounds dangerous
0%
0%
Physical demands too great
10 %
0%
Might be possible, will not last
20 %
5%
Very possible
70 %
95 %
Initial Training Results 2002
• What is the role of the farm economy in WI?
Does not have role in my community
Does not have major role in WI
Is important but mostly dairy
Aware of the range of farm products
Prior
19 %
4%
41 %
36 %
After
2%
0%
5%
93 %
Initial Training Results 2002
Prior to the training:
• Did you know about the Easter Seals/DVR partnership?
– Not aware of Farm program – 11 %
– Had heard about the program – 40 %
– Knew about the partnership – 49 %
• Did you know about AgrAbility Easter Seals program?
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Never heard of it – 5 %
Heard about it but no contact – 34 %
Familiar about program, no contact – 17 %
Familiar about program, worked with them – 43 %
• Did you understand purpose of partnership?
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Unfamiliar – 23 %
Somewhat familiar – 37 %
Quite familiar – 20 %
Very familiar – 20 %
Chronology Continued
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2003
– Initiated DVR client satisfaction survey (4 questions)
DVR Satisfaction Survey Description
• Clients received survey instruments 60 to
90 days after a farm assessment was
completed by AgrAbility-Easter Seals staff
• Monthly the surveys were mailed
• Surveys returned - 55
DVR Satisfaction Survey Results
• Clients rate the services as good or very good – 95 %
• Clients ‘strongly agree’ or ‘agree’ the staff was
knowledgeable about accommodating a disability in
agriculture – 88 %
• Clients ‘strongly agree’ or ‘agree’ staff helped them
better understand the impact of the disability – 93 %
• Clients ‘strongly agree’ or ‘agree’ the staff provided
needed information – 94 %
• Nearly all comments were positive or respondents
greatly appreciated the program
• DVR concern: The survey focused on the Easter Seals
staff and little information was gained on the DVR staff
Chronology Continued
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2003
– Initiated DVR client satisfaction survey (4 questions)
Chronology Continued
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2003
– Initiated DVR client satisfaction survey (4 questions)
– Conducted on alternative agr./FARM process training for DVR
Description of Alternative Agr training
Purposes of training:
• Provide an understanding of the client
management process between DVR and FARM
program
• Provide understanding why and when alternative
agriculture practices maybe useful for farmers
• Become familiar with alternative agricultural
resources
Training was conducted in 10 WDA’s
Surveys returned - 131
Client Process:
• DVR Counselor sends Purchase Order to AgrAbilityEaster Seals Staff
• AgrAbility-Easter Seals conducts on-farm assessment
• A statement of findings is sent to counselor from
AgrAbility-Easter Seals
• A Report is sent to the DVR Counselor from AgrAbilityEaster Seals
• The Counselor sets an appointment to review Report on
the farm with the farmer and AgrAbility-Easter Seals
• Roles are assigned to achieve the goals
Results of Alternative Agriculture training
• Understand the correct order of the client
processing step – 74 %
• Understand the potential of alternative agriculture
for farmers with disabilities – 94 %
• ‘Strongly agree’ or ‘agree’ they know where to
find information on alternative agriculture – 99 %
• ‘Strongly agree’ or ‘agree’ they know where to go
for assistance in determining financial viability of
farms – 95 %
Chronology Continued
•
2003
– Initiated DVR client satisfaction survey (4 questions)
– Conducted on alternative agr./FARM process training for DVR
Chronology Continued
•
•
2003
– Initiated DVR client satisfaction survey (4 questions)
– Conducted on alternative agr./FARM process training for DVR
2004
– Conducted on-farm training for DVR staff
Description of on-farm training
• Purpose:
– Gain a better understanding of successful
vocational rehabilitation practices for farmers
– Become aware of the tasks completed by
farmers on a routine basis
– Become familiar with AgrAbility- Easter Seals
farm assessment report
• Surveys returned – 133
• Training was conducted in all 11 WDA’s
Results of DVR On-farm Survey -2003-04
• Feel they have a better understanding of farmer’s view of
accessing DVR services – 95 %
• Have a better sense of how farmers access the DVR
resources – 93 %
• Have a better understanding of farming as a series of
tasks, rather than a single job – 96 %
• Respondents feel that the Easter Seals program reports
are
– ‘just right’ in length – 94 %
– ‘just right’ in terms of detail – 92%
• Understand how the Easter Seals program creates the
plans/reports – 98 %
• Expressed the importance to followup with farm clients to
ensure the equipment meets the farmer’s need – 96 %
Chronology Continued
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•
2003
– Initiated DVR client satisfaction survey (4 questions)
– Conducted on alternative agr./FARM process training for DVR
2004
– Conducted on-farm training for DVR staff
Chronology Continued
•
•
•
2003
– Initiated DVR client satisfaction survey (4 questions)
– Conducted on alternative agr./FARM process training for DVR
2004
– Conducted on-farm training for DVR staff
2005
– Revised DVR client satisfaction survey(7 questions)
Description of revised DVR
satisfaction survey
• Survey was designed to provide more
information about the DVR counselor support
and relationship with AgrAbility-Easter Seals
Staff
• Clients received survey instruments 60 to 90
days after a farm assessment was completed by
AgrAbility-Easter Seals staff
• Monthly the surveys were mailed to the clients
• Surveys returned - 114
DVR Satisfaction survey results
• ‘Strongly agree’ or ‘agree’ that:
– AgrAbility-Easter Seals program staff understood
disability issues as they relate to farming – 97 %
– AgrAbility-Easter Seals program staff listened to my
needs and desires – 94 %
– I was satisfied with my involvement in the process –
87 %
– DVR counselor and AgrAbility-Easter Seals staff
worked as a team – 88 %
• DVR counselor allowed some or complete
control to change or add information to the plan
– 78 %
DVR Satisfaction survey results, continued
• DVR Counselor permitted flexibility to make
purchasing decision – 78 %
• How do you think your DVR plan is working?
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A good match – 57 %
Some things work right – 25 %
Isn’t working – 5 %
Not enough time to tell – 13 %
• Is the equipment working as you hoped?
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Working well – 61 %
Working okay – 15 %
Does not work well – 1 %
Have not been able to use – 19 %
No opinion – 4 %
DVR Satisfaction survey results, continued
It is easier to complete chores and tasks
around the farm:
• Strongly agree – 64 %
• Agree – 18 %
• Neither agree or disagree – 4 %
• Strongly disagree – 7 %
• No opinion – 7 %
Chronology Continued
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•
•
2003
– Initiated DVR client satisfaction survey (4 questions)
– Conducted on alternative agr./FARM process training for DVR
2004
– Conducted on-farm training for DVR staff
2005
– Revised DVR client satisfaction survey(7 questions)
Chronology Continued
•
•
•
2003
– Initiated DVR client satisfaction survey (4 questions)
– Conducted on alternative agr./FARM process training for DVR
2004
– Conducted on-farm training for DVR staff
2005
– Revised DVR client satisfaction survey(7 questions)
– Conducted second on-farm training for DVR staff
Second on-farm training for DVR staff
• Purpose:
– create a better understanding farm culture,
farm tasks and farming as a business
– create an awareness of rehabilitation
opportunities with farmers.
• Training was conducted in 11 WDA’s
• Responses - 178
Second on-farm training for DVR staff
Results
• ‘Satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’ with training – 71.8%
• Had a ‘large’ or ‘some increase’ in knowledge
with regard to ‘Impact that this farmer’s disability
had on his/her being able to perform necessary
tasks’ – 88.4 %
• Had a ‘large’ or ‘some increase’ in knowledge
with regard to ‘How the accommodations chosen
for this farm addressed the specific needs of the
farmer’ – 86.2 %
• Had a ‘large’ or ‘some increase’ in their level of
confidence for ‘Working with farmers’ – 72.7 %
Chronology Continued
•
•
•
•
2003
– Initiated DVR client satisfaction survey (4 questions)
– Conducted on alternative agr./FARM process training for DVR
2004
– Conducted on-farm training for DVR staff
2005
– Revised DVR client satisfaction survey(7 questions)
– Conducted second on-farm training for DVR staff
2006
– Awarded USDA-CSREES Education and Assistance to Farmers with
Disabilities project
Chronology Continued
•
•
•
•
2003
– Initiated DVR client satisfaction survey (4 questions)
– Conducted on alternative agr./FARM process training for DVR
2004
– Conducted on-farm training for DVR staff
2005
– Revised DVR client satisfaction survey(7 questions)
– Conducted second on-farm training for DVR staff
2006
– Awarded USDA-CSREES Education and Assistance to Farmers with
Disabilities project
– Received NIDRR Grant for equipment utilization
Chronology Continued
•
•
•
•
•
2003
– Initiated DVR client satisfaction survey (4 questions)
– Conducted on alternative agr./FARM process training for DVR
2004
– Conducted on-farm training for DVR staff
2005
– Revised DVR client satisfaction survey(7 questions)
– Conducted second on-farm training for DVR staff
2006
– Awarded USDA-CSREES Education and Assistance to Farmers with
Disabilities project
– Received NIDRR Grant for equipment utilization
2007
– Conducted equipment utilization survey
Assistive technology equipment
reutilization (NIDRR)
Goals:
• To understand the types and costs of AT used by
WI farmers
• To understand the farmers’ use of AT devices
over time in WI
• Develop used farm AT equipment referral service
Methodology (year 1)
• Conduct an analysis of Easter Seal’s data base
• Conduct a survey of farmers to determine the use
and status of AT devices (telephone)
Equipment Survey Results
Successful Surveys - 178/204
Pieces of Equipment Recommended – 1296
• Pieces of equipment not obtained – 164
• Pieces of equipment obtained – 1102
• Equipment in use or plan to use – 1024
• Equipment not being used – 78
•Still have – 58
•Have gotten rid of – 19
–Sold or given to another farmer – 5
–Trade-10
–Something else - 4
Equipment Survey Results, continued
Equipment in use or plan to use – 1024
• Condition
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Excellent – 709
Good – 298
Poor – 9
Broken – 7
• Help with chores
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A lot – 757
Quite a bit – 215
A little – 40
Not at all – 7
• Fixed or modified to meet your needs – 187
Awards and Recognition
• Easter Seals Recognition of Cooperative Extension
(Dean received award) (1998)
• Extension Recognition of Easter Seals-Friend of
Extension Award (CEO received award) (2001)
• Mutual of America Award-Partnership Award(2006)
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Easter Seals Wisconsin (CEO received award)
University of Wisconsin-Extension (Dean)
WI Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR director)
WI Farm Center, WI Dept. of Agriculture, Trade and
Consumer Protection (Dept. Secretary)
Fourth Partner
Farm Center
Dept of WI Agr. Trade and Consumer Protection
• Provide financial analysis
• Provides home to CAP (Client Assistance Program)
Assets of AgrAbility of WI related to DVR
• Closure times
– 10 months for farmers
– 23 months for other clients
• Placement success
– Over 90 percent for farmer
– About 43 percent for other clients
• Knowledge of farming and associated AT
• Cost of agricultural plans are $1500 less than
other clients’ cases
Where is this partnership today?
Partnership Staff
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Easter Seals Wisconsin FARM staff
– Holly Allen, Rural Rehabilitation Specialist (farm assessments)
– Melba Brown, Technical Assistant
– T Ellenbecker, Rural Rehabilitation Specialist (case
management)
– Judith Guttman, DVR report preparation and research
– Jeff Kratochwill, Rural Rehabilitation Specialist (farm
assessments)
– Paul Leverenz, Rural Rehabilitation Specialist and FARM
Program Director
– Bruce Whitmore, Rural Rehabilitation Specialist (farm
assessments)
University of Wisconsin-Extension
– Cally Ehle, Outreach Specialist
– Ron Schuler, Program Leader
WI Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
– Manuel Lugo, Division Deputy Director
– District Directors
– Counselors
WI Farm Center
– Paul Dettman, Director
– Roger James, Counselor
– CAP staff, client assistant program
• “Last year in Wisconsin, the assistive
technology provided by WDVR cost $26,000
per farmer.” Manuel Lugo, May 1, 2007
AgrAbility Assessment Training in Madison, WI
• “Last year in Wisconsin, 126 farmers with
disabilities received services from the
Wisconsin Division of Vocational
Rehabilitation” Manuel Lugo May 1, 2007,
AgrAbility Assessment Training in Madison,
WI
Closing Remarks
• Ideas to strengthen your partnership
• Tools to gain information for partners and
the partnership
• Potential involvement of vocational
rehabilitation as a partner
Treat your partner the same way
you would like them to treat you.
Questions