The NET:
National Employment Team
VR and Business
Kathy West-Evans, MPA, CRC
Director of Business Relations
Council of State Administrators of
Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR)
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Personal and Professional
Commitment
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A Life Changes in an
Instant
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VR: Career Planning and
Employment Outcomes
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Employment outcomes are our responsibility
Everyone employed in public VR under Title
I of The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as
amended is responsible for: providing VR
services to assist the individual to “prepare
for and engage in gainful employment.”
VR is measured on employment outcomes –
the quantity but
Employment outcomes also include quality
measures – integration, wages and benefits
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Hallmarks of the
Public VR Program
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80 Agencies
State-Federal Partnership
Partner Programs: VA and AIR
Individualized Focus
Holistic
Comprehensive Plan: IPE
Return on Investment
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Comprehensive
Assessment
and Individualized Plan
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Medical
Assistive Technology
Psychological
Social
Financial
Legal
Independent Living
Education
Career Planning and Employment
Ongoing Supports
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Business:
The Other Customer
The NET - A National Approach to
Serving Business Through VR
Points of Contact
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The NET Vision Statement
To create a “one company”
approach to serving business
customers through a national VR
team that specializes in employer
development, business consulting
and corporate relations.
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The NET
Benefits by Customer Category
Business will have direct access to the
qualified candidates and support services
provided by State VR agencies on a national
basis.
 VR consumers will have access to national
employment opportunities and career
development resources.
 State VR agencies will have a national
system for sharing employment resources,
best practices and business connections.
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VR’s History with Business
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1970-80’s – individual state agencies with informal
connections , Projects with Industry (PWI)
Washington State DVR – Business Relations/ EARN
1988 Multi-State Marketing Conference, Michigan
– 14 States: Alabama, Colorado, D.C., Georgia, Illinois,
Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New
York, Texas General and Blind, Virginia – General and
Blind, Washington and West Virginia
2004 National Employment Conference: RSA/CSAVR –
Feedback from Business used to design The NET
2005 Commitment of VR Leadership – CSAVR Staff
2006 Design and Launch The NET
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National Employment Conference
2004: Building with Our Business
Customers
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AirTran Airways
American Red Cross
Bridges, Inc.
Cellular One /
Western Wireless
CVS/Pharmacy
GEICO
General Motors, Inc.
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infoUSA
Intel
The Kennedy Center
Lenske’s Clamping Tools,
Inc.
Manpower, Inc.
Marriott, Inc.
Motor World
Miami University
Microsoft Corp.
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National Employment Conference
2004: Building with Our Business
Customers
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National Bank of
Commerce
Oklahoma One-Call
System, Inc.
On Our Own
Principal Financial
Group
Raytheon Company
Safeway, Inc.
April 30, 2010
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Social Security
Administration
SouthTrust Bank
– Wachovia, Wells
Fargo
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Starbucks Coffee
Company
State of Delaware
United States Army
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National Employment Conference
2004: Building with Our Business
Customers
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U.S. Department of Homeland Security
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Washington Mutual
West Corporation
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The NET: A Customer
Driven System
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April 30, 2010
Dual Customer Focus
Customer Driven
National in Scope
VR as One Company
Easily Accessible Network
– Points of Contact
– VA Employment Coordinators
– Community Partners
Leveraging the Strengths of the National
VR System at the Local Level
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The NET: VR Consumer’s
Benefit
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Career opportunities….not just job placements
– understand the business environment and work
culture
– “real time” information incorporated into IPE
planning
– informed choice
– internal “champions”
– corporate culture
– benefits & inclusion
Upward mobility opportunities
– life-long learning
– mentors on site
Retention
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The NET: Business
Customers Benefit
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Access to VR as a national system with partnerships
built at the local, state and multi-state level based on
the needs of the business.
Easy Access to a coordinated national network of VR
state points of contact and their community partners
Access to a national VR system that delivers quality
products and services, is responsive and consistent
across states.
Access to the largest talent pool of applicants with
disabilities in the country.
Access to national VR resources, best practices and
technical experts at the national, state and local level
VR points of contact that are linked to resources at the
local, state, regional and national level.
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NET Key Concept: One
Company
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Business expects VR to deliver in multiple
locations based on their footprint which
could be state, multi-state, national or
global.
Business access a national talent pool
Business expects to receive high quality
services that are consistent in various
locations around the country
The NET: VR’s 80 agencies working together
around this customer base
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The Needs Assessment:
Dual Customer
Business
Consumer
Needs Assessment
Staff Education
Job Site Analysis
Job Match (KSAs)
Technical Assistance
A.T./ Rehab. Engineering
Reasonable Accommodation
Financial Incentives
Retention Services
Customer Outreach
Marketing
Plan with Business
Vocational Assessment
Medical
Psychological
Social
Financial
Legal
Assistive Technology
Independent Living
Education
Vocational
Individual Plan for
Employment (IPE)
Vocational Rehabilitation: Dual Customer Model
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The NET:VR Business Services
Defined by Business Customers
• Universal Design
• Pre-Employment
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Internships
Training
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• HR/Staffing
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Recruitment & Promotion
Benefits & Compensation
Retention Supports
Employee Advisory Services
• Accommodations
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• Financial Supports
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Disability Awareness
ADA/Employment Laws
• Diversity Programs
• EEOC/Affirmative Action
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WOTC
Barrier Removal
• Legal & Compliance
Work Site Assessment
Assistive Technology
• Staff Training
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Contracts
Facilities
Programs/Services
Assistive Technology
Information Technology
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Labor Relations
Policy Development
Risk Management
• Product Development
• Customer Service
• Marketing & Outreach
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The Rest of the Story…
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Empowerment and SelfSufficiency
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Challenging Stereotypes and
Attitudinal Barriers
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The Foundations of The
Rehabilitation Act
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Qualified Staff
A Comprehensive Approach
Empowerment and Self-Determination
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Holistic and Individualized Planning
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Building Careers Through Employment
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Building Lives Through Independence
and Self-Sufficiency
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Your Contacts in VR
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Kathy West-Evans, Director of
Business Relations, CSAVR
– Kwest-evans@rehabnetwork.org
– 206.999.9455
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John Evans, Employer Relations
Manager, WA DVR
– EvansJP@dshs.wa.gov
– 1.800.637.5627
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