Wyoming Department of Workforce Services

Mission Statement

The Wyoming State Rehabilitation Council's mission is to review, analyze, and advise the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation in the delivery of effective rehabilitation services which lead to employment and the independence of Wyoming's citizens with disabilities.

The Wyoming SRC meets at various locations around the state in person and via video conferencing. The subcommittees meet on alternating months to address assigned work and report back to the full Council in scheduled sessions.

We are currently seeking members from Wyoming communities to join the State Rehabilitation Council.

Upcoming SRC Meetings

Interested in joining the SRC?

Send us an email at SRCwyoming@gmail.com, or apply here.

2019 SRC Activities

• Reviewed and made recommendations to VR on policy updates/changes for: Mutual Cases with Other States, Expedited Enrollment /Verbal and/or Observable Eligibility Determination, Services to Family Members
• Reviewed and commented on the proposed updates to Usual and Customary Fee Changes for VR vendors and Section 511 and 14c Certificate policy changes
• Participated in a review of the Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment format and implementation plan. Reviewed Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment results and incorporated recommendations into State Plan revisions.
• Reviewed State Unified Plan and provided written recommendations for consideration.
• Attended a Workforce Services presentation in Casper and lobbied for greater partner participation activities in development of new State Plan.
• Began review/revision of Client Satisfaction Surveys and implementation plan. Received updated participant survey templates and begin to gather CSNA feedback ongoing for next three year cycle
• Developed an orientation protocol for new SRC members and created an online SRC manual for membership use
• Increased membership to represent various locations around the state: Casper, Cheyenne, Riverton, Jackson, Gillette, Sheridan, Lander, Buffalo, Kemmerer
• Updated the SRC brochure for marketing and distribution
• The SRC established an active SRC Facebook page.
• Placed a Wyoming SRC representative on the NCSRC board and sent an SRC representatives to NCSRC/CSAVR conferences
• Met with DWS Administrator to brainstorm how to improve communications between SRC/VR Administration
• Participated in WY State counselor’s in-service training
• Established ZOOM access for all statewide and regional trainings so that partners and SRC members can participate
• Continued the RIPPLE award recognizing 15 different businesses around the state of Wyoming.
• Conducted 6 SRC meetings around the state or on Zoom.
  • February: Workforce Services Center, Casper
  • April: Able Hands, VR Vendor, Rock Springs
  • June: Workforce Services Center, Gillette
  • August: Workforce Services Center, Casper
  • October: Workforce Services Center, Lander
  • December: Zoom Conference Call

2018 SRC Activities

• Reviewed the VR section of the Wyoming State Unified Plan and provided written feedback to VR regarding needed corrections and requests for clarification of information
• Created a new survey process and questionnaires to be distributed among citizens who are consumers of VR services. The new survey will span a broader section of the state than has been the case in the past couple of survey cycles. The surveys will be released beginning 2019
• Established an annual award, titled the RIPPLE Award, to present to an outstanding VR employer in the state. The first RIPPLE award was presented at the Employment First Summit in Casper, WY, October, 2018
• Developed a monthly recognition award to nominated VR counselors who are identifying innovative practices or working in new and creative ways to better support the clients they serve. The first Heart and Soul Award will be bestowed in January of 2019
• Hosted public meeting/forum in Cody, WY, October 3, 2018
• Established social media accounts via Facebook and Twitter
• Engaged in cross-agency discussions about ways that we might enhance training and information sharing between state partners

2017 SRC Activities

• Conducted focused efforts to recruit and expand membership representation on the council statewide
• Received regular updates on the work done on behalf of the Employment First legislative implementation for the state
• Conducted new membership training at its August meeting in Casper
• Established a collaborative committee with SILC members to form a new Joint Public Forum Partnership Committee to identify better coordination of effort between the two councils
• Identified two representatives to attend the NSRC national conferences in Greenville, North Carolina

State Rehabilitation Council Committees

Review Committee

Duties and responsibilities of the Review Committee include but are not limited to the following:

1. Review, analyze, and advise DVR regarding the State Plan prior to its submission to the Rehabilitation Service Administration, RSA.
2. Organize SRC activities to support and assist with successful accomplishment of State Plan goals, as appropriate.
3. Review and analyze DVR policies and procedures for better understanding of DVR process and decision making. Recommend systemic changes as appropriate. Refer to Article II, 2.01 Purpose, 1), 2), 3), and 5) for all duties and responsibilities listed above.

Outreach Committee

Duties and responsibilities of the Outreach Committee include but are not limited to the following:

1. Organize collaboration and cooperation activities with other agencies and advisory councils; i.e. Department of Education, Department of Health, State Independent Living Council, Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities, Federal 121 Projects, etc. (Refer to Article II, 2.01 Purpose, 6) & 7).
2. Organize SRC activities to support and assist with the successful accomplishment of State Plan goals, as appropriate.
3. Review and analyze DVR policies and procedures for better understanding of DVR process and decision making. Recommend systemic changes as appropriate. Refer to Article II, 2.01 Purpose, 1), 2), 3), and 5) for all duties and responsibilities listed above.

Membership and Membership Committee

Duties and responsibilities of the Membership Committee include but are not limited to the following:

1. Contact and recruit prospective members who meet membership criteria in order to maintain a full council. (Refer to Article III, 3.03 Recommendation for Appointment).
2. Recommend termination of delinquent council members. (Refer to Article III, 3.05 Removal).
3. Organize annual orientations and training activities for new and experienced council members.
4. Review and analyze recently completed Wyoming Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment (CSNA) recommendations and their correlation to State Plan goals.
5. Organize SRC activities to support and assist with the successful accomplishment of State Plan goals, as appropriate.
6. Review and analyze DVR policies and procedures for better understanding of DVR process and decision making. Recommend systemic changes as appropriate. Refer to Article II, 2.01 Purpose, 1), 2), 3), and 5) for all duties and responsibilities listed above.

Client Satisfaction Survey

RIPPLE Award Recipients

The RIPPLE Award means Reaching Incredible Places Pursuing Leadership in Employment. This award is given to employers who are dedicated in their support of hiring individuals with disabilities in their company.

Do you want to nominate an outstanding employer in the disability community? Fill out this form.

Resources

• VR Dashboard
• National Coaltion of State Rehabilitation Councils

Videos

• History of Vocational Rehabilitation
• The Rehabilitation Act
• The Principles and Policies of the Rehabilitation Act
• The Role of the State Rehabilitation Council
• National Disability Employment Awareness PSA

SRC Reports, Meeting Agendas and Minutes

For Council reports, agendas, minutes and other questions, please send an email to SRCwyoming@gmail.com or call Aleyta Zimmerman at (307) 777-3339.