Impacting Public Policy: Role of the SRC

1. Impacting Public Policy: Role of the SRC NCSRC Fall Training Conference Sunday, October 28, 2018 1:15 – 4 p.m. Long Beach, CA

2. Training Objectives: • To better understand the federally mandated role of the State Rehabilitation Council in relation to impacting public policy • To identify and discuss public policy issues facing the public vocational rehabilitation system • To learn successful impact strategies that can be used at the state and national level • To learn about and share tools and resources

3. Public policy such as … • At the federal level – RSA’s placement in the U.S. Department of Education, Labor or HHS • At the federal level – RSA Commissioner to be confirmed by the Senate and appointed by the President or selected at the Department level • At the federal level – definition of successful employment outcomes (competitive wages in integrated work settings in the community)

4. Public Policy such as … • At the state level – VR (as the designated state unit) and its placement within the Designated State Agency • At the state level – fully matching all available federal funds; use of 3rd Party Agreements • At the state level – Order of Selection • At the state level – providing Pre-Employment Transition services or contracting for them

5. How is public policy developed? • Discuss the values and principles embedded in the law • Discuss the varying perspectives held by members of the SRC, VR, policy makers

6. Values and principles • The public vocational rehabilitation program is based on core values and principles found in the federal law (the Rehabilitation Act). • The State Rehabilitation Council is mandated by the Rehabilitation Act; the law outlines the role and responsibilities of SRCs and establishes the expectation that SRCs serve as the collective consumer voice for the VR program.

7. Principles … • Presume youth and adults with disabilities are capable of being employed (for VR: achieving employment outcomes, finding employment in integrated settings) • All persons with disabilities, including those with the most significant disabilities, can work in competitive (wage earning), high-quality jobs in integrated settings in the community

8. Values … • Respect for persons with disabilities – pursuit of meaningful careers based on informed choice • Respect for inclusion through equal access – promoting a diverse workforce statewide • Purposeful collaboration between VR and the SRC; started with an advisory role (1992), moved to policy partner (1998 Amendments).

9. Mechanisms SRCs use • Policy Committee structures • Input by the SRC into the State Plan • Public comment, public input, public forums • Customer satisfaction surveying • Statewide comprehensive needs assessments • Council members have a two-way role • Values and principles clarification

10. Impact strategies • What strategies have you or other SRCs used to impact public policy? • What did you learn? • What would you do differently or recommend to others?

11. Tools and resources • Values clarification tool • NCSRC.net • Networking with other SRCs and other key partners (state, regional and national levels) • Annual Reports • wintac.org and other TA providers • IRI 2011: The State Rehabilitation Council – Vocational Rehabilitation Partnership

12. Closing • Final comments and observations • Thank you for your active participation! Lynnae M. Ruttledge International Disability Policy Consultant www.lynnaeruttledge.com