RSA-227 - Annual Client Assistance Program

(CAP) Report

West Virginia (WEST VIRGINIA ADVOCATES, INC --

CLIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM) - H161A170049 -

FY2017

General Information

Designated Agency Identification

Name Disability Rights of West Virginia

Address 1207 Quarrier St, Ste 400

Address Line 2

City Charleston

State West Virginia

Zip Code 25301

E-mail Address contact@drofwv.org

Website Address https://www.drofwv.org/

Phone 304-346-0847

TTY 304-346-0847

Toll-free Phone 1-800-950-5250

Toll-free TTY 1-800-950-5250

Fax 304-346-0867

Operating Agency (if different from Designated Agency)

Name Disability Rights of West Virginia

Address 1207 Quarrier St, Ste 400

Address Line 2

City Charleston

Zip Code 25301

E-mail Address contact@drofwv.org

Website Address https://www.drofwv.org/

Phone 304-346-0847

TTY 304-346-0847

Toll-free Phone 1-800-950-5250

Toll-free TTY 1-800-950-5250

Fax 304-346-0867

Additional Information

Name of CAP Director/Coordinator Stephanie Thorn

Person to contact regarding report Jodi Calissie

Contact Person Phone 304-346-0847

Part I. Non-case Services

A. Information and Referral Services (I&R)

Multiple responses are not permitted.

1. Information regarding the vocational rehabilitation (VR) program 13

2. Information regarding independent living programs 0

3. Information regarding American Indian VR Service projects 0

4. Information regarding Title I of the ADA 19

5. Other information provided 0

6. Information regarding CAP 2

7. Total I&R services provided (Lines A1 through A6) 34

B. Training Activities

1. Number of training sessions

presented to community groups

and public agencies.

13

2. Number of individuals who

attended these training

sessions.

421

3. Describe training presented

by the staff. Include the

following information:

a. topics covered

b. purpose of the

training

c. description of the

attendees

A DRWV Advocate presented information about CAP to attendees during the June

2017 WorkForce WV Career Center Partner Meeting in Wheeling, WV. She

provided examples of the issue for which CAP can provide advocacy, as well as

how to access our services. She also touched on advocacy for college students with

disabilities to facilitate their pursuit of certificates or degrees to lead to gainful

employment. This invitation to present was extended due to previous

communication between our Data Report Specialist and staff from the Center who

organizes these regular meetings. It will likely result in more regular invitations to

attend and/or present. Attendees at these meetings include: staff from WorkForce

WV; Workforce Investment Board (WIB); WV Division of Rehabilitation Services

(WVDRS); local disability and/or youth services providers; the US Department of

Labor; the Indian and Native American Job Training Assistance and Employment

Program; the YWCA; and housing providers.

A DRWV Advocate gave an "Employment Rights for People with Disabilities"

presentation to the WV Association for Disability Employment (WVADE)

conference in July 2017. The presentation also included Workforce Innovation and

Opportunity Act (WIOA) requirements. There were about thirty attendees at the

conference, most who work for Community Rehabilitation Providers (CRP).

The same Advocate gave an Employment Rights presentation to a group of twenty

individuals at Pace Enterprises, a CRP. She discussed Title I of the ADA regarding

employment rights, WIOA, and CAP services. She distributed brochures and copies

of the PowerPoint presentation to attendees. Most of the individuals were people

with disabilities receiving services from Pace, and some were Pace staff providing

those services. One staff person identified them self to the Advocate as having a

disability.

The Advocate also gave an Employment Rights presentation for attendees of the

September 2017 Customized Employment Grantees meeting. The attendees

included disability services providers and a representative from the WV Department

of Health and Human Resources, Bureau for Behavioral Health and Health

Facilities (BBHHF) who oversees the grant.

Additionally, the Advocate attended a round table meeting focused on resources for

veterans with disabilities who are in need of employment held at the WV University

Center for Excellence in Disabilities (WVU CED) in September 2017. The

attendees were from WorkForce WV Veteran’s Services division, WVU CED,

Mountain Line Transit Authority, and Operation Welcome Home (a Veteran’s

employment agency). The attendees presented information about the services

available in their respective agencies that would help Veterans in need of

employment and other needs to be met in order to be successfully employed.

C. Agency Outreach

Describe the agency's outreach efforts to previously un-served or underserved individuals

including minority communities.

In November 2016, an employment related outreach mailing was sent to all WVDRS and Center

for Independent Living (CIL) offices, as well as the Comprehensive Behavioral Health Centers

and Title XIX Medicaid Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities Waiver providers throughout

WV. It included: a flier about CAP; the Employment Advocare newsletter (described elsewhere

in this report); and our Your Guide to WVDRS Services booklet.

In July 2017, DRWV sent an outreach mailing to Vietnam Veterans of America chapters

throughout WV, Veterans Administration Medical Centers and organizations who serve veterans

who are homeless. The mailing included a copy of our FY 2017 Priorities and Objectives, as well

as our general and work programs brochures. The letter that went along with these items

described other available publications and resources, as well as an offer to provide in-person

training and/or outreach.

In August 2017, DRWV sent an outreach mailing to areas of the state where we receive few if

any calls. The outreach mailing included DRWV’s printed publications. The letter that was

enclosed with these items described other available publications and resources, as well as an

offer to provide in-person training and/or outreach. This mailing was sent to health departments,

senior services providers, Family Resource Networks, Councils on Aging, hospitals, Birth to

Three Program offices, churches, Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance chapters, and other

groups who serve individuals in these underserved areas.

Events DRWV staff attended and provided outreach with CAP and other program funds in FY

2017 included: • An outreach table at WV State University in Institute, WV — an event which

included students from the university as well as high school and middle school. • Outreach tables

at several Veterans Stand Down events throughout WV. • Outreach tables during events at three

BridgeValley Community and Technical College’s WV sites in early FY 2017, as well as a

presentation to a group of students about DRWV at the South Charleston, WV site in late FY

2017. • A presentation to a group of parents in Milton WV. • A presentation to staff and people

who were using the Winter Freeze Shelter in Wheeling, WV. • An outreach table at both the

Disability Advocacy and Deaf Awareness days at the WV Legislature. • An outreach table at the

Transition Committee of the Mid-Ohio Valley Spring Event. • Outreach tables at the One4All

Disability Expo, Celebrating Connections, National Association of Social Workers WV chapter,

People First of WV, and the WV Secretary of State’s annual conferences. • An outreach table at

the WV Association of Housing Agencies Conference. • An outreach table at the Traumatic

Brain Injury (TBI) conference in Morgantown, WV which was attended by TBI survivors and

their families, as well as professionals. • A presentation at a “Brunch and Crunch” event which

included community members and agencies that serve Calhoun County, WV, an area of WV that

we have very few requests for service. • An outreach table at the WV Association of the Deaf

(WVAD) biennial conference. • An outreach display at the Friendship Room/Northern WV

Center for Independent Living picnic. The Friendship Room is a drop in center serving adults

with mental health disabilities.

In all of the outreach events described previously in this report, we hope to reach individuals that

we have not yet served as well as people from diverse ethnic and minority communities. DRWV

participated in an outreach activity at WV State University during FY 2017. According to WV

State University's website it was "founded as a historically black public university".

Although DRWV reaches out to potential CAP eligible individuals on a frequent basis and in the

numerous ways described in this report, we continue to not receive the volume of requests for

CAP services that we would like to see. We continue to send out a "transition packet" to all

transition-age youth for whom we complete an intake, regardless of the issue being addressed.

The transition packet includes information about our work programs and other transition-related

resources.

Although not always funded by CAP, DRWV often provides information about the CILs as part

of the resources given to clients during I&Rs.

In August 2017, we had a site visit by representatives from the Rehabilitation Services

Administration (RSA). During this visit, the representatives were extremely helpful in providing

ideas for future outreach and services that can be provided under CAP. This information, such as

ways in which we can account for CAP related Information and Referral activities we had not

previously counted, has been shared with our management team and will be acted on in the

coming year.

D. Information Disseminated To The Public By Your Agency

For each method of dissemination, enter the total number of each method used by your agency

during the reporting period to distribute information to the public. For

publications/booklets/brochures (item 4), enter the total number of documents produced.

Agencies should not include website hits. See instructions for details.

1. Agency Staff Interviewed or

Featured on Radio and TV

1

2. Articles about CAP Featured in

Newspaper/Magazine/Journals

1

3. PSAs/Videos Aired about the CAP

Agency

0

4. Publications/Booklets/Brochures

Disseminated by the Agency

12327

5. Number of Times CAP Exhibited

at Conferences, Community Fairs,

etc.

23

6. Other (specify below) 4431

In FY 2017, we created two new CAP brochures for distribution. One of the

brochures explains the CAP as a whole. It details all of the services that CAP

can provide, including examples of issues for which we can assist. The other

CAP brochure pertains to CAP is it relates to Centers for Independent Living

(CIL). This brochure was created due to communication between DRWV and

the Executive Director of WV’s Statewide Independent Living Council

(SILC). Multiple copies of this brochure were distributed to all CIL offices in

WV as soon as it was printed, and supplies are replenished upon request.

In addition to the total publications in Part 1.D.4 of this report, DRWV has

distributed 2,073 other outreach items.

DRWV's social media presence has significantly increased, resulting in our

ability to network with other organizations throughout WV to share

information and resources. DRWV now has 1,073 Facebook Followers,

generating even more activity than last FY. According to DRWV's latest

Facebook page statistics, we reached an average of 1,998 people in the last

month of the FY. People and agencies who "like" our page are viewing and

sharing things we post on a regular basis. There have been 1,096 "likes".

Additionally, our Twitter feed became active January 26, 2017. We have 60

followers and have had approximately 4,000 impressions. We often include

information about upcoming events and trainings available to people with

disabilities. In FY 2017, in light of the changes brought about by WIOA, we

made a concerted effort to provide employment related information and

resources to people with disabilities and employers. We also include helpful

resources available to beneficiaries to gain, re-gain or maintain employment.

These posts can be found on our website at: https://www.drofwv.org/news/

and https://www.drofwv.org/resources/.

In October 2016, our Advocare newsletter in honor of National Disability

Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) was distributed to our mailing list

and posted on our social media outlets. The entire focus of this edition was

around employment for people with disabilities. It contained articles from

two individuals with disabilities about their employment and education

experiences, as well as articles from WVDRS, the Work Incentives Planning

and Assistance (WIPA) program, National Disability Rights Network

(NDRN) and WorkForce WV.

All Advocates who provide advocacy to 300+ individuals with

developmental disabilities through a state grant have now been trained to

recognize CAP issues when they arise with the individuals they serve. New

Service Requests will be opened as issues arise for these individuals.

DRWV developed CAP ads for television and radio at the end of FY 2017.

These ads will be aired in early FY 2018.

E. Information Disseminated About Your Agency By External Media Coverage

Describe the various sources and information disseminated about your agency by an external

source.

DRWV's Community Education and Resource Development Specialist was interviewed about

National Disability Employment Month on WJLS AM radio in the Beckley area of WV in

October 2016.

A half page article about our employment programs was included in the Winter 2016 edition of

the WVU CED WV Assistive Technology System (WVATS) quarterly newsletter. It briefly

explained CAP and listed the services we provide under CAP. It can be found at:

http://wvats.cedwvu.org/wvats-quarterly-newsletter/winter-2016/. Another half page article that

DRWV prepared for the WVATS newsletter listed five employment rights of people with

disabilities. It appeared in the Summer 2017 newsletter and can be found at:

http://wvats.cedwvu.org/wvats-quarterly-newsletter/summer-2017/.

In January 2017, we officially changed our name from West Virginia Advocates, Inc. to

Disability Rights of WV. An event was held in Charleston, WV in December 2016 to kick off

our new name and logo. Several people with disabilities and representatives from disability

related organizations attended. A press release was sent out to media outlets throughout WV. An

article about the name change appeared in the February 21, 2017 edition of the West Virginia

Record newspaper. An article about our name change appeared in the Winter 2017 edition of the

Fair Shake Network's (FSN) newsletter. DRWV is a member of the FSN, described as "an

association of West Virginians dedicated to a 'fair shake' for people with disabilities and to the

belief that diversity makes our communities stronger". The announcement also appeared in the

Spring 2017 WVATS newsletter.

In September 2017, DRWV hosted a screening of "Bottom Dollars". This event is described later

in this report. The announcement for this screening was shared via social media by numerous

groups throughout WV including but not limited to: The Arc of WV; the WV Press Association;

the WV Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing; People First of WV; and, the WV

Developmental Disabilities Council (WVDDC).

Part II. Individual Case Services

A. Individuals served

An individual is counted only once during a fiscal year. Multiple counts are not permitted for

Lines A1-A3.

1. Individuals who are still being served as of October 1 (carryover from prior year) 10

2. Additional individuals who were served during the year 11

3. Total individuals served (Lines A1+A2) 21

4. Individuals (from Line A3) who had multiple case files opened/closed this year (In unusual situations, an

individual may have more than one case file opened/closed during a fiscal year. This number is not added to the

total in Line A3 above.)

1

5. Individual still being served as of September 30 (Carryover to next year. This total may not exceed Line A3.) 8

B. Problem areas

Multiple responses permitted.

1. Individual requests information 0

2. Communication problems between individual and VR counselor 6

3. Conflict about VR services to be provided 9

4. Related to VR application/eligibility process 3

5. Related to assignment to order of selection priority category 0

6. Related to IPE development/implementation

i. Selection of vendors for provision of VR services

ii. Selection of training, post-secondary education

iii. Selection of employment outcome

iv. Transition services

3

7. Related to independent living services 1

8. Other Rehabilitation Act-related problems 0

9. Non-Rehabilitation Act related

i. TANF

ii. SSI/SSDI

iii. Housing

iv. Other:

0

10. Related to Title I of the ADA 0

C. Intervention Strategies for closed cases

(Choose one primary service the CAP provided for each closed case file. There may be more

case files than actual individuals served.)

1. Short Term Technical Assistance 8

2. Investigation/Monitoring 0

3. Negotiation 5

4. Mediation and other methods of Alternative Dispute Resolution 0

5. Administrative / Informal Review 1

6. Formal appeal / Fair Hearing 0

7. Legal remedy / Litigation 0

8. Total 14

D. Reasons for closing individuals' case files

(Choose one primary reason for closing each case file. There may be more case files than the

total number of individuals served.)

1. All issues resolved in individual's favor 7

2. Some issues resolved in individual's favor (when there are multiple issues) 4

3. CAP determines VR agency position/decision was appropriate for the individual 2

4. Individual's case lacks legal merit; (inappropriate for CAP intervention) 0

5. Individual chose alternative representation 0

6. Individual withdrew complaint 1

7. Issue not resolved in clients favor 0

8. CAP services not needed due to individual's death, relocation, etc. 0

9. Individual not responsive/cooperative with CAP 0

10. CAP unable to take case due to lack of resources 0

11. Conflict of interest 0

12. Other (Please explain below) 0

NA

E. Results achieved for individuals

(Choose one primary outcome for each closed case file. There may be more case files than the

total number of individuals served.)

1. Controlling law/policy explained to

individual

2

2. Application for services completed 1

3. Eligibility determination expedited 0

4. Individual participated in evaluation 0

5. IPE developed/implemented/Services

Provided

0

6. Communication re-established between

individual and other party

3

7. Individual assigned to new

counselor/office

1

8. Alternative resources identified for

individual

1

9. ADA/504/EEO/OCR complaint made 0

10. Other (Please explain below) 3

1 - The client was not interested in re-opening his case with WV

Division of Rehabilitation Services (WVDRS).

2 - DRWV was unable to maintain continued communication with the

client's legal guardian.

3 - DRWV was informed by WVDRS that they had no record that the

client had filed an appeal regarding the closure of her case with them,

and suggested she re-apply and they will serve her again.

Part III. Program Data

A. Age

Multiple responses not permitted.

1. Up to 18 0

2. 19 - 24 6

3. 25 - 40 8

4. 41 - 64 4

5. 65 and over 3

6. Total (Sum of Lines A1 through A5. Total must equal Part II, Line A3.) 21

B. Gender

Multiple responses not permitted.

1. Females 7

2. Males 14

3. Total (Lines B1+B2. Total must equal Part II, Line A3.) 21

C. Race/ethnicity of Individuals Served

1. Hispanic/Latino of any race (for individuals who are non-Hispanic/Latino only) 1

2. American Indian or Alaskan Native 0

3. Asian 0

4. Black or African American 2

5. Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander 0

6. White 16

7. Two or more races 2

8. Race/ethnicity unknown 0

D. Primary disabling condition of individuals served

Multiple responses not permitted.

1. Acquired Brain Injury 0

2. ADD/ADHD 3

3. AIDS/HIV 0

4. Amputations or Absence of Extremities 1

5. Arthritis or Rheumatism 0

6. Anxiety Disorder 0

7. Autism Spectrum Disorder 1

8. Autoimmune or Immune Deficiencies (excluding AIDS/HIV) 0

9. Blindness (Both Eyes) 2

10. Other Visual Impairments (Not Blind) 3

11. Cancer 0

12. Cerebral Palsy 1

13. Deafness 0

14. Hard of Hearing/Hearing Impaired (Not Deaf) 0

15. Deaf-Blind 0

16. Diabetes 0

17. Digestive Disorders 0

18. Epilepsy 0

19. Heart & Other Circulatory Conditions 0

20. Intellectual Disability 1

21. Mental Illness 4

22. Multiple Sclerosis 0

23. Muscular Dystrophy 0

24. Muscular/Skeletal Impairment 0

25. Neurological Disorders/Impairment 2

26. Orthopedic Impairments 1

27. Personality Disorders 0

28. Respiratory Disorders/Impairment 1

29. Skin Conditions 0

30. Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) 1

31. Speech Impairments 0

32. Spina Bifida 0

33. Substance Abuse (Alcohol or Drugs) 0

34. Other Disability 0

35. Total (Sum of Lines D1through D34. Total must equal Part II, Line A3.) 21

E. Types of Individual Served

Multiple responses permitted.

1. Applicant of VR 6

2. Individual eligible for VR services currently on a wait list 0

3. Individual eligible for VR services not currently on a wait list 14

4. Applicant or individual eligible for Independent Living 0

5. Transition student/High school student 0

6. All other applicants or individuals eligible for other programs or projects funded unther Rehabilitation Act 1

Part IV. Systemic Activities and Litigation

A. Non-Litigation Systemic Activities

1. Number of non-litigation systemic

activities not involving individual

representation that resulted in the

change of one or more policy or

practice of an agency.

0

2. Describe the systemic activities

conducted by CAP during the fiscal

year and its impact on other agency's

policies or practices.

At the beginning of FY 2017, DRWV staff were trained by NDRN to conduct

monitoring of Sheltered Workshops (SW). This training included a viewing of

the Bottom Dollars film and an on-site monitoring of five facilities in WV.

Twelve total facilities were monitored throughout the FY. During the FY we

determined that six of the facilities had either not renewed their 14(c)

certificates or were paying at, or above, minimum wage. This reflects that

WV's SWs are aligning themselves with the national effort of discontinuing

paying subminimum wages. Additionally, as of July 1, 2016, WV had fifteen

SWs identified by the DOL as CRPs with a 14(c) certificate. This number has

been reduced to eleven SWs in 2017. Also, during the monitoring visits,

facility staff and individuals working at the SWs were provided information

regarding their employment rights. DRWV offered to provide on-site trainings

to individuals working in the SW, their families, guardians and agency staff.

However, when follow up was conducted with these facilities, none accepted

our repeated offer to provide outreach and education.

DRWV's Community Education and Resource Development Specialist

attended WVDRS' Ability Works banquet in October 2016. This annual

WVDRS event honored one recipient of services from each of the agency's six

districts, coinciding with National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

A DRWV attorney attended the annual WVDRS conference in the Spring of

2017.

DRWV staff continue to monitor NDRN’s CAP and Return to Work listservs,

and share pertinent information and resources with other agency staff. Staff

also read the NDRN Training and Advocacy Support Center (TASC)

newsletters, which often contain information, training opportunities and

resources related to CAP. NDRN's Amy Scherer is often consulted about our

CAP work. An Attorney hired in early FY 2017 attended the National

Disability Rights Network (NDRN) annual conference where she attended

numerous employment related sessions. Our Legal Director also attended the

conference and participated in sessions pertaining to CAP.

DRWV is a member for the WV Statewide Rehabilitation Council (SRC).

DRWV attended five SRC meetings in FY 2017. Meeting topics that affect

CAP include: Workforce Investment Boards no longer offering programs for

school-age children; WV Division of Rehabilitation Services (WVDRS) Order

of Selection and staff shortages; and the Unified State Plan for WIOA. One of

DRWV's CAP trained staff attorneys is now our representative on the SRC

and is working to strengthen collaboration with members.

DRWV continued to participate in the WV Statewide Independent Living

Council (SILC) meetings. DRWV attended six meetings in FY 2017. DRWV

is not a member of the SILC, but attends and participates in the meetings to

keep informed and updated on the status of independent living services in

WV. This allows DRWV to maintain current information to provide to our

Board, clients and staff as needed when issues arise that are pertinent to these

services. DRWV networked with members during each of the meetings to

ensure they were aware of our services. The same CAP trained attorney who is

our representative on the SRC now attends the SILC meetings as well. She has

sat in on meetings of the SILC's Advocacy Committee and gathered details

about concerns expressed during the meeting to bring back to DRWV's legal

and management teams. In FY 2017, the Governor appointed a liaison to the

SILC in order to keep his office aware of the activities and needs of the SILC.

DRWV is a member on the WVDDC, and participates on their Employment

First Workgroup. This activity was not funded by CAP in FY 2017, but

clearly impacts employment issues for people with disabilities. The

Workgroup's charge is to provide recommendations for actions the Council

should take to support the creation of Employment First policies and/or

practices in WV, including workforce training and development. The two

major goals for the Workgroup are to: 1) develop a collaborative, written plan

or proposal by September 30, 2018, that incorporates customized employment

practices and methods into key public program policies or practices,

particularly those public programs identified in WIOA and recent Centers for

Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Home and Community Based

Services (HCBS) Rule; and, 2) develop educational/training materials, support

or fund demonstration projects, educate communities and support existing

employment projects and programs in WV.

During the summer of FY 2017, DRWV was again able to obtain two legal

interns from the West Virginia University (WVU) College of Law. These

interns learned about all of the Protection and Advocacy Programs, including

CAP. One of the interns contacted other state's CAPs about their CAP work,

and reported her findings to our Legal Director, who also contacted CAPs in

other states. She also conducted research about the Centers for Independent

Living in order to determine how DRWV could best use CAP funds to

become more involved in that area.

In September 2017, DRWV hosted a screening of the Bottom Dollars video

(funded in part by CAP) followed by a panel discussion. This panel included:

a representative from the WVDRS; the Executive Director of the (WVDDC);

the chair of the FSN who is also a parent of an adult with developmental

disabilities; and the Executive Director of Community Access, Inc. Several

past and present DRWV staff members and community partners attended this

event.

B. Litigation

1. Total number of CAP cases requiring litigation involving individual representation resulting in, or with the

potential for, systemic change.

a. Number of cases requiring litigation involving individual representation filed during fiscal year. 0

b. Number of on-going cases pending at start of fiscal year (carryover from prior fiscal year). 0

c. Number of cases resolved through litigation during fiscal year. 0

2. Describe the agency's on-going and completed systemic litigation activities involving individual

representation. NA

Part V. Agency Information

A. Designated Agency

1. Agency Type (select only one option) External-Protection and Advocacy agency

2. Name of designate agency Disability Rights of WV

3. Is the designated agency contracting CAP services? No

4. If yes, name of contracting agency: NA

B. Staff Employed

Provide a description of all CAP positions (see instructions)

Full-time equivalent % of year Type of Position position filled Person-years

Professional

Full-time 0.85 100% 10.00 Part-time 0.65 60.2% 10.83 Vacant N/A N/A N/A

Clerical

Full-time 0.11 100% 2.00 Part-time N/A N/A N/A Vacant N/A N/A N/A

Part VI. Case Examples

Provide some examples of some interesting cases during the past fiscal year.

A CAP eligible client requested assistance to ensure that WVDRS provided his vouchers for

books and supplies in a timely manner so he would not get behind in college. The Advocate

communicated with WVDRS on numerous occasions, and reviewed their policies pertaining to

college sponsorship and required documentation. The Advocate went over this information with

the client, and advised him to provide WVDRS with the documentation as soon as it was

available. Because the Advocate realized that the college would not post spring term grades until

days prior to the beginning of summer term I, the Advocate requested that WVDRS provide the

college with the client's voucher for books and supplies prior to grades being posted to allow the

client adequate time to purchase his books, a request WVDRS denied based on their policy. The

Advocate confirmed that WVDRS received the client's grades as soon as possible after they were

posted, and provided the college with the client's voucher for books and tuition. Due to DRWV's

advocacy efforts, WVDRS provided the university with the client's voucher for books and

supplies, and the client was able to purchase his books prior to the first day of summer term I.

At the end of FY 2016, a CAP eligible client asked for assistance with getting services from the

WVDRS. In FY 2017. The Advocate obtained and reviewed the client's records from WVDRS

and spoke with his WVDRS Counselor. The Advocate recommended that an updated vocational

assessment be completed due to the progressive nature of the client's disability, which had

limited his ability to do his current job, and then advocated that his Counselor identify potential

new careers that may be of interest to the client. The Advocate attended a meeting with the client

and his team members from WVDRS and the AgrAbility program. Due to DRWV's advocacy,

the client received an updated vocational evaluation, and information about potential new careers

that took into account his increased physical limitations. With information the AgrAbility

program provided to the client, he identified a new career goal that suited him, and built on his

current career and passion as a farmer. In addition, communication between the client and his

WVDRS Counselor improved.

In FY 2016, a CAP eligible client requested assistance with understanding her rights as a client

of WVDRS, and wanted DRWV to make sure that WVDRS provide her with the assistive

technology she needs in a timely manner. Through the course of this Service Request, which

carried over into FY 2017, the Advocate obtained and reviewed the client's WVDRS records and

communicated with WVDRS on behalf of the client. The Advocate provided the client with

information on her rights as a client of the WVDRS; provided the client with the web address for

the WVDRS' policies and procedures known as the Client Services Manual; and discussed

relevant sections of this manual with the client. The Advocate met with the client to prepare her

for a meeting with the WVDRS, and attended the meeting with the client. In addition, the

Advocate provided the client with resource information to link her with two organizations

(including a Center for Independent Living) which could provide her with additional assistive

technology and resources. Due to DRWV's advocacy, the client obtained a revised Individual

Plan for Employment (IPE), which included additional services and several assistive technology

(AT) items, including a device that enabled her to identify her clothing in order to dress

professionally.

Certification

Reports are to be submitted to RSA within 90 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this

report. Please be reminded that you can enter data directly into RSA's website via the internet.

Information on transmittal of the form is found on pages 19 and 20 of the reporting instructions.

Name of Designated Agency Official Jodi Calissie

Title of Designated Agency Official Data Report Specialist

Date Signed 11/09/2017