1. Enhancing the VR-AgrAbility Relationship November 9, 2011 Steve Etheridge, MSVR, CRC

2.  To assess the benefits and challenges of the Agrability – Vocational Rehabilitation relationship from the SRAP perspective  To enhance future relationships between AgrAbility and VR  To provide better service for the consumer  “The nice thing about teamwork is that you always have others on your side.” Margaret Carty

3.  “The vision of AgrAbility is to enable a lifestyle of high quality for farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural workers with disabilities so that they … continue to succeed in rural America.”  Success includes gainful employment in production agriculture, related occupations, access to appropriate assistive technology and evidence-based information related to the treatment and rehabilitation of disabling conditions.

4.  “The purpose of the Vocational Rehabilitation Program is to empower individuals with disabilities, particularly individuals with significant disabilities, to achieve high quality employment outcomes to which they aspire and that are consistent with their unique strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests and informed choice.”  To meet the individual needs of each person  To manage financial resources that are necessary and reasonable

5.  Farming is inherently hazardous – Accidents, physical wear and tear resulting in disability  Research indicates that risk of depression increases with delays in return to work  Real recovery occurred when they were able to return to their chosen profession  Evidence indicates strong desire to return to farming  Refusal to be constrained by disability

6.  Same job – same employer  Different job – same employer  Same job – different employer  Different job – different employer  Farmers have higher successful rehabilitation rate than general population  98% success rate of AgrAbility consumers

7.  VR is a great funding source  VR offices available throughout the state  VR has same goal as AgrAbility  VRCs value AgrAbility staff input  VRCs are dedicated to their work  Delay in VR services is short when compared to other agencies

8.  Delays in receiving services  Lack of knowledge about farming and farm culture  Lack of consistency among VRCs  Turnover of VRCs  VRCs not open minded/flexible  Funding limitations

9.  Most conflicts related to misunderstanding and/or miscommunication  Most conflicts resolved by educating VRC  VR appointed a manager to be the point of contact to resolve conflicts  Consumer stopped pursuing VR services  Consumer filed an appeal and received advocacy from the Client Assistance Program (CAP)

10.  CAP is authorized by the Rehabilitation Act  56 CAPs one in each state, territory and DC  Assist any person with any program covered by the rehab act primarily VR and IL  Breakdown of communication and trust between consumer and VRC  Intent is to lessen intimidation and restore relationship between consumer and VR  Eligibility determination and IPE most common VR components requiring CAP

11.  Recommendations from AgrAbility must address functional limitations as related to employment goal  Services must be necessary and reasonable  AgrAbility staff may advocate for consumer in consultation with CAP  May serve as an expert witness regarding employment goal, accommodations and/or AT in an administrative hearing

12.  VR manager on AgrAbility advisory board  Comprehensive knowledge of AgrAbility services by VRCs  AgrAbility staff and VRCs conduct site visits as a team  AgrAbility training for VRCs  An MOU between AgrAbility and VR  Recognition of AgrAbility by VR as an AT provider  AgrAbility successes highlighted to VR management

13.  Ideas ?  Comments ?  Questions ?  Concerns ?

14.  “When life gets hard you ( I ) have to change.”  From the song “Changes” by Blind Melon  Carrying burdens or building bridges ?