TWC provides the main automated systems used by the local Boards and other grantees for job matching, data collection, and case management, including adult education and vocational rehabilitation, as well as child care assistance. In addition, the Boards and other grantees use a financial reporting system developed by TWC.
WorkInTexas.com - WorkInTexas.com is Texas’ Labor Exchange System, as mandated by the Wagner-Peyser Act, and operated in cooperative effort with JobCentral, the National Labor Exchange system. WorkInTexas.com is a comprehensive online job search resource and job matching system developed and maintained by TWC, and provides: (Page 82)
TWC operates a collection of different IT systems to capture participant information, services, and outcomes. Many of these systems were legacy systems that were transferred to TWC as programs were moved to the agency. TWC supports efforts to increase efficiency while maintaining quality levels of service through judicious use of resources and adhering to policy (local, state, and federal). To these ends, TWC is currently evaluating workforce system solutions in other states to better unite the case management and job search functions of our programs. As successful systems are identified, TWC and Texas Workforce Solutions look to demo their delivery with Boards. While TWC is exploring ways to either integrate or replace these systems, such changes would not be completed during the life of this plan. ( Page 118)
Consumer Satisfaction Surveys
DRS and DBS conduct ongoing consumer satisfaction surveys in order to assess how VR consumers feel about the services they have received or are receiving. Consumers in the eligibility, in-plan, and closed phases of services are surveyed separately. The surveys are extensive, and approximately 7,500 DRS consumers and 1,024 DBS consumers completed the consumer satisfaction surveys. The reports from the 2013 surveys were submitted to DARS and RCT in January 2014. While including all of the results from the consumer satisfaction surveys does not fit the scope of this CSNA, several of the questions were particularly relevant and helped inform it. (Page 226)
While the CSNA provides insight into the needs of individuals with disabilities, there are multiple limitations in the methods that should be considered when using the findings. First, the samples used were convenience samples that cannot represent the views of any group. Second, it is unknown how technology issues impacted the completion of online surveys by screen reader users. Several individuals did call to complete phone surveys, but others may have refrained due to concerns over confidentiality. Also, given the constraints of the data collection methods used, assessment findings related to the geographical location of unserved and underserved populations in the state are limited. DRS has plans to expand the capacity and use of various data collection methods, which is expected to yield valuable information throughout the next three fiscal years. (Page 268)
The next CSNA will be the product of an ongoing data collection and assessment process that will culminate with a comprehensive report to be published in 2017.
DRS and DBS are continuing their collaboration with the Child and Family Research Institute of the University of Texas School of Social Work and RCT to engage in a continuous process of collecting and analyzing data for a robust and effective assessment of the needs of Texans with disabilities. In recognition of WIOA’s focus on students with disabilities and youth, pre-employment transition services, and supported employment, and in addition to the methodology used in the most recent CSNA, efforts going forward have been enhanced to include surveys and/or focus groups throughout the state with staff, transition-age consumers, families, TEA representatives, home-school networks, and other stakeholders. (Page 272)
The data collection and assessment process is underway for the next CSNA that will culminate with the publication of a comprehensive report in 2017. In recognition of WIOA’s focus on students and youth with disabilities and pre-employment transition services, CSNA efforts going forward have been enhanced to assess needs in these areas.
State Rehabilitation Council Support
The RCT is the state rehabilitation council for DRS and DBS. RCT assists DARS in fulfilling the requirements of the federal Rehabilitation Act for the delivery of quality, consumer-responsive VR services. Its stated mission is: “The Rehabilitation Council of Texas, partnering with the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, advocates for Texans with disabilities in the vocational rehabilitation process.” Funds are allocated for the operation of RCT to meet the goals and objectives set forth in its resource plan. RCT is a valued and active partner in the development of VR goals, priorities, and policies. RCT reviews, analyzes, and advises DARS about performance related to VR eligibility; the extent, scope, effectiveness of VR services; policy changes related to service delivery to VR consumers; and other functions related to the VR program performed by DARS. RCT also reviews and analyzes consumer satisfaction with VR services provided and assists DARS in developing VR State Plans and in conducting the comprehensive statewide needs assessment. (Page 288)
During fall 2013 through spring 2014, DRS, DBS, and RCT collaborated with the Child and Family Research Institute of the University of Texas School of Social Work to conduct a comprehensive statewide needs assessment (CSNA). The CSNA findings were initially summarized in the DRS and DBS FY 2015 State Plans for VR. They inform the 2015-2017 State Plans for VR. The next CSNA will be the product of an ongoing data collection and assessment process that will culminate with a comprehensive report to be published in 2017. DRS and DBS are continuing their collaboration with the Child and Family Research Institute of the University of Texas School of Social Work. In recognition of WIOA’s focus on students and youth with disabilities and preemployment transition services, efforts going forward have been enhanced to assess needs in these areas. (Page 293)
Development of the next CSNA has begun with an ongoing data collection and assessment process that will result in the 2017 report. DBS and DRS are continuing their collaboration with the Child and Family Research Institute of the University of Texas School of Social Work and RCT to accomplish a more robust and effective assessment of the needs of Texans with disabilities. In response to WIOA’s focus on students and youth with disabilities and pre-employment transition services (Pre-ETS), the current data collection focuses on the needs of those consumers. In addition to the methodology used in the 2014 CSNA, data collection for the 2017 CSNA includes surveys and/or focus groups throughout the state with staff, students and youth with disabilities, families, Texas Education Agency (TEA) representatives, homeschool networks, and other stakeholders. (Page 391)
Development of the next CSNA has begun with an ongoing data collection and assessment process that will result in the 2017 report. DBS and DRS are continuing their collaboration with the Child and Family Research Institute of the University of Texas School of Social Work and RCT to accomplish a more robust and effective assessment of the needs of Texans with disabilities. In response to WIOA’s focus on students and youth with disabilities and pre-employment transition services (Pre-ETS), the current data collection focuses on the needs of those consumers. In addition to the methodology used in the 2014 CSNA, data collection for the 2017 CSNA includes surveys and/or focus groups throughout the state with staff, students and youth with disabilities, families, TEA representatives, homeschool networks, and other stakeholders. (Page 402)
LIMITED ACCESS TO COMPUTERS
A second resource in short supply that hinders rural SCSEP services is access to computers and the Internet. Low–income older job seekers often have limited or no computer skills. These skills are not only required by employers but important for participants to access the Internet, register in WorkInTexas.com and other online job search databases, and develop Internet search skills. Grantees’ field staff members, including participant staff, need access to computers for data collection and communications in a state with such extensive rural areas. Improving access to computers in rural areas will increase the amount of computer and online training available for participants. To address rural technology needs, grantees will contact local businesses, governmental agencies, public libraries, and community– and faith–based organizations regarding ongoing computer and Internet access for participants on an ongoing basis. (Page 501)