Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency, 2017 January

Yes!
Record Placements For RWS Graduates
January 2017
Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency

A Historic Graduation at RWS
More students graduated with a job than ever before.

Fifty eight young people recently walked across the stage at Roosevelt Warm Springs to receive their diploma, and for the first time ever, more than half of them already had jobs.
Since the days of FDR, Roosevelt Warm Springs (RWS) has been helping people with disabilities live independently and prepare for employment, and as part of the graduation ceremony, RWS Director Lee Brinkley Bryan announced that 51 percent of the graduating students already had jobs--easily a record over graduations past.
Robin Folsom, GVRA Director of Communications and Marketing, delivered the keynote address, encouraging the students to be their own best advocates as they pursue their dreams.
"It's normal to feel a little insecure and anxious when starting something new," she told them. "It's also normal to worry about what other people think of you, but in the end, what other people think is only their impression based on their own scope of experiences and not an actual reflection of your potential. Don't let anyone else's assumptions limit you."
Graduate Avery Richter of Cartersville officially welcomed everyone gathered in Roosevelt Hall, and Graduate Benny Ratliff of

Rock Ledge delivered a rousing charge to the students to follow their dreams and never give up.
Randall Hill of Macon, President of the RWS Student Council, lead the special certificates segment of the program.
The list of special certificates students may receive at Roosevelt Warm Springs includes: Customer Service, Microsoft Academy, Internet and Computing Core, 3D Design, Certified Nursing Assistant, Certified Home Health Aide, Horticulture Super Crew for Landscape Professionals, American Red Cross Certified Babysitter, Industrial Housekeeping, Forklift Operation and the ServSafe Food Service Certification.
GVRA Chief Client Management Officer Dale Arnold presented the graduation certificates to each student as they walked across the stage.
Roosevelt Warm Springs holds two graduation ceremonies each year to celebrate the accomplishments of its students.
The next graduation will take place in June 2017.

Scenes from the RWS Graduation

New Position to Refocus on Sensory Populations
GVRA creates position specifically to focus on several specialty groups

Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA) is launching new efforts designed to help the organization better serve the sensory community and further address the needs of the state's deaf, blind, deaf-blind, hard-of-hearing, and low vision populations.
On January 18, GVRA announced the opportunity for qualified candidates to apply for Director of Blind and Deaf Services. This position will have a key role in GVRA leadership and help guide innovative strategies for better customer service.
Executive Director Sean T. Casey, who has traveled statewide in his nearly three months with GVRA, said, "Since I joined GVRA in October, I have heard a number of valid concerns from the blind and deaf communities and from my coworkers. We acknowledge that, while our counselors are all committed to the clients, a general counselor may need additional support to meet the needs of certain populations."
This new direction in service to sensory populations is part of a transformation within Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) as a whole. In early December, Casey named Dale Arnold as the new Chief Client Management officer. Dale has served as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), Rehabilitation Unit Manager (RUM), Policy Appeals Advisor, Regional Director, Director of Operations and Field Services Director.
He will use his nearly twenty years of VR experience to lead his team in the strategic improvement of service delivery processes. Dale was appointed alongside five other colleagues, who brought to their key positions fifty-five collective years with GVRA, expansive knowledge of VR and broad-reaching careers in public service.
Casey believes placing the right people in

strategic roles is crucial to building an organization that puts the client first, and says of target populations like blind and deaf citizens, "We are getting a lot of feedback from the community, and we value that immensely. We are working to identify ways to meet people's needs and understand that those needs are as unique as the individuals we serve. We look forward to developing or enhancing collaborative relationships with all partners to better serve everyone who comes through our doors."
The Director of Blind and Deaf Services position will be posted at Team Georgia Careers (Team.Georgia.gov/careers).
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.
About GVRA
GVRA is the state's Vocational Rehabilitation organization. It was established through legislative action in 2012 with the goal of helping every Georgian with a disability who wants a career to attain success. The organization incudes five programs: vocational rehabilitation, Roosevelt Warm Springs and Cave Spring Center, Georgia Industries for the Blind, the Business Enterprise Program and Disability Adjudication Services. More information is available at www.gvra.ga.gov.
Media Contact: Robin Folsom, Director of Communications and Marketing, (404) 922-1303

Learn more about the key elected officials and legislators in Georgia. This month: Governor Nathan Deal.

A Spotlight on Governor Nathan Deal
This is the beginning of a series highlighting key government leaders in Georgia.

Since taking office in 2011, Gov. Nathan Deal has led Georgia to become the No. 1 state in the nation for business for four years in a row - a first in Georgia history - and helped create more than 570,000 private sector jobs. In the last six years, Georgia's job growth has outpaced the national average while its population has jumped from 10th to 8th nationally.
Through tax reform, workforce development initiatives and investment in education and infrastructure, the state continues to grow local small businesses and attract top companies from around the world.
During Gov. Deal's tenure, Georgia has become a global destination for companies in a wide range of industries. Under Deal's leadership, Georgia has produced six balanced budgets, saved millions of taxpayer dollars by maintaining Georgia's AAA bond rating and grown the Rainy Day Reserve Fund to more than $2 billion.
In order to keep up with a growing infrastructure demand, Deal implemented a number of investments in Georgia's transportation system. Deal worked with the General Assembly on the Transportation Funding Act of 2015, which included a number of significant infrastructure projects and will generate $10 billion in new transportation funding over 10 years.
Transportation projects under Deal have alleviated traffic and improved safety for a growing state, including the completion of the Jimmy DeLoach Parkway extension near the Port of Savannah. To track the progress of infrastructure projects, the GA Roads website was launched to provide unprecedented clarity and transparency in these investments.
Georgia's infrastructure projects and transparency measures are currently being used as a model for other states across the nation.

Georgia also leads the nation in criminal justice reform. When Deal took office, Georgia was in the midst of a criminal justice crisis, with high incarceration costs and recidivism rates.
To address these issues, Deal implemented a series of bipartisan reforms that have already paid dividends by saving taxpayers $264 million and reducing the need for 5,000 prison beds.
These reforms include: Expanding access to Accountability courts to give new beginnings to nonviolent offenders with addiction or mental illness issues
Providing judges with greater discretion in sentencing juvenile offenders and expanding community-based options across the state
Removing barriers to employment, housing and education for rehabilitated offenders to give returning citizens a chance to rejoin the workforce and support their families
Increasing access to educational opportunities in Georgia's prison systems Deal believes that education reform is the best criminal justice reform and a strong education system leads to a strong economy. Deal has made investments in education a top priority to strengthen the workforce pipeline that runs from the classroom to the job market.
Deal has dedicated more than 50 percent of state funds to education every year he's been in office, devoting a higher percentage of the budget to k-12 funding than any governor in the past 50 years.
Deal worked closely with the General Assembly to save the HOPE Scholarship from bankruptcy to ensure its availability for future generations of college students.

Deal expanded the HOPE Grant, a scholarship that pays 100 percent of tuition for students to attend technical colleges to learn skills that are in high demand for Georgia's workforce.
Deal established the REACH Georgia Scholarship, a public-private partnership that provides scholarships to promising middle school students from low-income families.
Deal created the Education Reform Commission to provide recommendations intended to improve our educational system, increase access to early learning programs, recruit and retain high-quality instructors and expand school options for Georgia's families.
Deal also created the Teacher Advisory Committee, comprised of 90 educators

throughout the state, to review recommendations from the 2015 Education Reform Commission in order to provide feedback for implementation.
A Sandersville native, Deal served in the U.S. Army at Fort Gordon in Augusta after graduating with college and law degrees with honors from Mercer University. He then began a private law practice in Gainesville, the hometown of his wife, Sandra Deal.
While his wife taught in Hall County public schools, Deal began a career in public service, working as a prosecutor, judge, state senator and U.S. Congressman for Georgia's 9th District. The Deals have four adult children and six grandchildren.

Remembering Patricia Robison

GVRA employee Patricia Robison, passed away peacefully on Jan. 4 of this year. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family. She worked out of the Savannah office.
Jamie Herbster, a Counselor's Assistant in that office, described Patricia as an invaluable asset in the office who had a servant's heart.
"Patti did so many things and was our "Go To" person. Many of us have had things come up and we realized that Patti isn't here with us to ask," Jamie said. "Yes, her door is closed and still has the Christmas cards on it. She was the first person in our office to get her Christmas cards out. I have so many memories of working with her over the years. Patti always was helpful to all of us and very knowledgeable in her job."
Born in Savannah on March 8, 1956, she was preceded in death by her loving mother, Elaine Summerlin Lyon and brother Patrick. She is survived by her son, Matthew Robison (Kara), her father, William T. Summerlin,

siblings, Billy (Laura), Lisa, Shannon (Paula), and Stephanie, and many nieces, nephews, and her beloved dogs Shadow and Sparkie.
Patti was a graduate of St. Vincent's Academy, class of 1974, and attended Armstrong State University. She was the first female deputy sheriff in Chatham County and was the top of her class as a sharp shooter. Patti was employed by the Georgia Department of Labor since 2000, and moved to GVRA when the organization was moved out from under GDOL.
Patti was an epic cook, a loving sister, a wonderful aunt, a devoted daughter and an amazing mother to her son, Matthew. Patti was very musically talented as well, and was an accomplished pianist. She had an incredible sense of humor, a brilliant mind and a very kind heart. She took care of her father, Bill, for many years.
She was truly loved by so many and will be greatly missed by all her family and friends.

Ed James, Business Development Executive, and D'Arcy Robb, Special Projects Coordinator, speak at the State of the Art Conference in Fairfax, Virginia.

On Inclusivity in Post Secondary Education
Written by D'arcy Robb, Special Projects Coordinator

Fifteen years ago, higher education was a pipe dream for students with intellectual disabilities. Today, that's no longer the case, thanks to inclusive post-secondary education. These relatively new and exciting programs make higher education accessible to students with intellectual disabilities.
Last month, GVRA was recognized as a national leader among Vocational Rehabilitation agencies for our partnership with inclusive post-secondary programs at the State of the Art Conference in Fairfax, Virginia. Ed James, Business Development Executive, and D'Arcy Robb, Special Projects Coordinator, presented on a keynote panel of VR representatives whose state agencies are considered forerunners in their partnerships with inclusive post-secondary programs. Sharing the stage with James and Robb were representatives from Florida and Pennsylvania, whose VR agencies were also recognized as leaders in their partnerships with inclusive post-secondary programs.
"Inclusive post-secondary programs are truly about inclusion," said Ed James. "Students attend classes and choose programs of study. They complete internships, participate in extracurriculars, hang out with friends ... anything a `typical' college student would do. They have to overcome challenges with academics, work experiences, relationships and independence just like any college student. Those experiences set them up for success in the employment world."
In Georgia, 57 percent of inclusive post-secondary graduates are employed and 22 percent are continuing their education, compared to a 32 percent employment rate for their peers who do not receive postsecondary education. GVRA staff recognized this early on, which led to the decision in summer 2015 to offer financial support to qualified students attending programs that have attained a national Comprehensive

Transition Program (CTP) certification. Regardless of whether a program has attained their CTP, IPSE students should qualify to be VR clients, and our field staff across the state work with IPSE staff to give individual students the services that will benefit them.
GVRA also partners with the Georgia Department of Education to support seven Academic Transition Teachers at various IPSE programs around the state. Six of those teachers - Karla Wade, Sue Kizer, Lisa Ulmer, Lora Raines, Validia King and Pam Hunter-Dempsey attended the State of the Art Conference and gave it a strong review.
According to Sue Kizer, "The State of the Art Conference offered something for everyone. I wish I could have divided myself in half and gone to two presentations at one time. They were wonderful!"
The number of inclusive post-secondary programs in Georgia has grown from 1 in 2014 to 7 as of this writing in January 2017. While two programs have currently obtained their CTP, several more programs have applied and will likely achieve CTP status in the near future. A current list of programs is below. For questions about inclusive post-secondary education, please contact Special Projects Coordinator D'Arcy Robb at D'Arcy.Robb@ablegeorgia.ga.gov.
Academy for Inclusive Learning & Social Growth at Kennesaw State University ("the Academy") CTP? Y es Program Length? 2 or 4 year s Program focus? Mu ltiple ar eas of stu dy http://wellstarcollege.kennesaw.edu/ academy/
Expanding Career, Education and Leadership Opportunities at Georgia Tech ("EXCEL") CTP? Y es

Program Length? 4 years Program focus? Mu ltiple fields of stu dy https://www.scheller.gatech.edu/ centers-initiatives/ile/excel/index.html
CHOICE Program at East Georgia State College ("CHOICE") CTP? No t yet Program length? 2 year s Program focus? Mu ltiple ar eas of stu dy http://www.ega.edu/offices/ student_affairs/choice
Guidance and Opportunities for Academic and Leadership Success Program at Columbus State University ("GOALS") CTP?: Not yet Program length? 2 year s Program focus? Mu ltiple fields of stu dy https://te.columbusstate.edu/ goals.php
Destination Dawgs at University of Georgia CTP? No t yet Program Length? 2 years

Program focus? Mu ltiple fields o f stu dy http://www.fcs.uga.edu/ihdd/ destination-dawgs
Leveraging Education in Advancement Program at Albany Tech ("LEAP") CTP? Not yet Program length? 1 years Program focus? B u sin ess office o per ations http://www.albanytech.edu
Inclusive Digital Expression & Literacy at Georgia State University ("IDEAL") CTP? Not yet Program length? 2 year s Program focus? Digital/m edia liter acy, technology & communication http://cps.education.gsu.edu/ research/ideal//
IPSE PROGRAMS COMING SOON! Eagle Academy at Georgia Southern University & Program at University of West Georgia

BEP Brings Starbucks to Fort Gordon
The Business Enterprise Program continues to produce licensed blind vendors

A new Starbucks facility will be opening the last week of January at the National Security Administration (NSA) as it exists inside of Fort Gordon. This location will be managed by BEP licensed vendor and contract manager Franklin Hulsey.
The BEP was happy to award Ms. Heather Lopez her vendor license in December, following her completion of her six-month probationary period. Ms. Lopez successfully operates the vending on the campus of Grace Wood hospital in Augusta, GA. Congratulations, Ms. Lopez!
Licensed Vendor and Contract Manager Michel Lee of L & S Services will be a primary sponsor of the Randolph Sheppard Vendors of America's (RSVA) annual Sagebrush

conference in Las Vegas in February. The Sagebrush conference is the longest running training conference in Randolph Sheppard program history.

The Session Begins

Here's What to Expect Under the Gold Dome This Year

Written by Chief External Affairs Officer Katie Womick

On Monday, January 9th, legislators from all over the state arrived at Capitol Hill to begin the 2017-2018 Legislative Session of the Georgia General Assembly. Over the next 40 calendar days they will exercise their right as your elected representatives to draft, review, and ultimately pass legislation that will become part of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated.
As a state agency, GVRA participates in this legislative process, providing legislators with information about the impact of proposed legislation on our clients through our External Affairs Office.
Under Georgia law, the legislative session cannot last more than 40 calendar days. However, these 40 days can be spread over a period of several months and typically ends towards the end of March.
There are a few important dates to look out for in January. January 9th marked the first day of session and the swearing in ceremonies for all of the newly elected legislators.
January 11th was the Governor's State of the State Address. Similar to the President's State of the Union, this address puts forth the Governor's legislative agenda, the areas in which he will focus this session.
Budget hearings for the 2018 fiscal year are being held the week of January 16th. At budget hearings the head of each state agency presents their agency's budget for the next

fiscal year to a committee of legislators from both the Georgia House of Representatives and the Senate.
Last, but certainly not least, on February 1 GCDD will host Inclusive Post-Secondary Education (IPSE) Day at the Capitol to bring these programs to the attention of legislators. Several educators and students from GVRA's IPSE programs will be in attendance. All indicators point to 2017 being a longer legislative session, with many predicting the legislators will still be at the Capitol in April.
Both Speaker David Ralston and Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle have set Education at the top of their legislative priorities. The House is also likely to look at the Georgia Lottery and how more of the money they collect can go to the HOPE scholarship fund.
Currently only 25% of the money collected by the lottery goes towards the HOPE Scholarship, with the rest of the funds going towards operations, personnel and advertising.
Campus Carry legislation is likely to be brought to the floor again this year despite having been vetoed last year by the Governor's Office.
Lastly, Rep. Allen Peake intends to expand on the Hailey's Hope Act passed in 2014 which allowed the use of medical cannabis oil to treat specific diseases in Georgia.
Look out for upcoming legislative updates as we work to represent GVRA at the Capitol.

Calendar of Events
January
Georgia Winter Institute 2017 Jan. 22-25 Columbus Convention and Trade Center Columbus, GA 31901

February
Georgia Hall Society Ball Feb. 25 6135 Roosevelt Highway Warm Springs, GA 31830

A Chat About Employment Services

Director of Employment Services Ken Hise Talks About The Future

Q: How is the structure of Employment Services different than that of Business Development?
KH: Well, when Business Development became Employment Services, it was put under Client Management. From an organizational standpoint, it makes it the final point in the client experience but it also ensures that we will engage with the client earlier and more often. As it was before, we wouldn't really engage with the client until they reached Status 20, which means they're ready for employment but need a job. We're going to work with clients sooner to make sure their employment plan is complete, and this allows us to get a better idea of what kind of jobs they'll be qualified for. When they reach the point that they're ready to work, that job will be waiting on them.
Q: How important are relationships in helping bridge the gap between clients who are ready to work and future employment?

KH: Relationships are crucial to what we do. Whether it's the Employment Consultant (EC) building relationships with clients and learning their vocational goals or it's our Segment Leaders getting to know business leaders, relationships are what makes what we do possible.
So it breaks down like this. EC's are going to be hands on with clients, working with Certified Rehabilitation Counselors to learn about clients and find out what kind of jobs they're interested in--and if we have 5,000 clients, we'll have 5,000 different answers to that question.
The Segment Leaders then work with the business community to make sure both that they understand the value of hiring our clients and that when a client is ready, they have job waiting on them. It's that simple, really.

GIB Employees of the Year Nationally Nominated

Written by Luis Narimatsu, Co-Director of GIB

Georgia Industries for the Blind (GIB) employees of the year, Harold Newbold and Roger Meredith, have each been nominated for a national award and will be recognized during the National Industries for the Blind (NIB) Annual Training Conference to be held later this year.
NIB, who coordinates efforts between associated agencies and the federal government to create and sustain employment and career opportunities for people who are blind, has established two prestigious national awards it gives out annually.
Harold, a tr ade labor w ork er at the Bainbridge plant, is GIB's nominee for the Peter J. Salmon Employee of the Year Award. This award is named after the late Dr. Salmon, one of the nation's outstanding advocates for people who are blind.

and gone, but the memories are ones I will never forget," he said. "It is such a good feeling to come and be around people, be a productive member of society and earn a paycheck all at the same time."
Roger, a depar tm en t Mechan ic at the Bainbridge plant is GIB's nominee to the Milton J. Samuelson Career Achievement Award. This award is named after the late Dr. Samuelson, a leader in upward mobility and placement programs for people who are blind.
For the past four years, Roger has dedicated his skills and abilities to maintain and repair machinery that produce quality goods in various departments at the GIB Bainbridge plant.
Roger who is originally from Bainbridge GA, was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa at the early age of 11.

For the past 25 years, Harold has dedicated his skills and abilities in the production of quality goods at the Bainbridge plant.
Born in Cairo GA, Harold was diagnosed with congenital cataracts at an early age.
After graduating from Cairo High School in 1985, Harold found it impossible to find a job. Harold said, "I applied everywhere I could think of, but nobody wanted to give me a chance."
It wasn't until 1990 when Harold's VR Counselor put him in contact with GIB.
In his 25 years with GIB, Harold has been assigned to various departments and has held numerous production jobs, such as binder line operator, creaser feeder, paper cutter, EZ machine operator, round corner machine operator and creaser machine operator.
"In these past 25 years, so many things have changed at GIB. Many good people have come

After graduating from high school, Roger was able to land various jobs like stock clerk for a supermarket chain and a shipper for a chemical company. After being laid off, Roger went back to school and obtained an Automotive Technician Diploma with High Honors. He worked as a GM technician until 2010, when his vision deteriorated to the point where he could no longer continue to perform his job safely. Roger sat around the house for two years before realizing that blindness could not and should not be a barrier for him to be productive.
In 2012, Roger applied for employment with GIB in Bainbridge and re-entered the workforce as a paper cutter. Over the next two years he was trained on multiple machines throughout the Bainbridge plant, eventually being promoted into the maintenance department as a mechanic.
"The opportunities for a meaningful career has increased for us blind," he said.

CARF Accreditation at RWS
Roosevelt Warm Springs Receives High Marks

The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) recently accredited Roosevelt Warm Springs for a three year period ending in 2019.
The two categories to which RWS received this distinction are: Comprehensive Vocational Evaluation Services and Employee Development Services. RWS has been accredited by CARF for more than two decades.
Accreditation is a sign of quality and is an important consideration in their decision making. They look for CARF accreditation in their choice of treatment for addiction and substance abuse, rehabilitation of a disability, home and community services, retirement living, and other health and human services.
CARF International has surveyed hundreds of thousands of programs throughout North and South America, Europe, Africa and Asia since it was founded as an independent, nonprofit accreditor in 1966.
The value of accreditation goes beyond a competitive distinction for service providers and a framework for continuous quality improvement. CARF offers a wide variety of value-added benefits and several unique advantages to help providers receive the greatest return for their accreditation investment.
The announcement came with a report highlighting the many positives of the work done at RWS.
It noted that staff "are empowered by leadership to provide services in creative and innovative ways that meet each student's needs" and that "it is evident that the students are listened to and that their rights, opinions and desires are honored by staff members."

The report said that the expansion of services in the Vocational Evaluation Department directly resulted in the number of students served by more than 500 percent over a three-year period.
The CARF accreditation process starts with a provider's commitment to continuous improvement and culminates with external review and recognition that the provider's business and service practices meet international standards of quality -- with all the steps in between focused on optimal outcomes for the persons the provider serves and sustained organizational success.
Achieving greater satisfaction for stakeholders, improved organizational efficiency and effectiveness, as well as an enhanced community image, are among the benefits of the CARF accreditation process.
The CARF standards have been developed over 50 plus years by international teams of service providers, policy makers, payers, family members and consumers. The standards have also been submitted to the public for review to validate relevancy and ensure input from all interested stakeholders.
"It's always a great honor to be CARF certified," said Director of Residential Services at RWS Lee Brinkley Bryan. "Our staff works tirelessly to help our clients learn the kind of skills they need to succeed in the workforce, and our continued accreditation is a testament to their hard work and their dedication to the mission."
To learn more about RWS or to find out how to apply for services, visit the GVRA website at www.gvra.ga.gov.

"Faith is taking
the first step even
when you don't
see the staircase."

About this publication
It's your newsletter, and we want to hear from you.

Written by Communications Manager John Peyton Boan

Thanks as always for taking the time to read this month's newsletter. Whether you're reading it online or in print, this newsletter serves as a useful marketing tool and as a means to keep the organization as transparent as possible.
This month, we shared with you a very special graduation at RWS and kicked off a new series where we highlight legislators and other important members of Georgia government, with the first profile being on Governor Nathan Deal. We highlighted a transition conference staff attended in Virginia, and we kicked off the legislative session with some helpful info on what to expect.

All of that said, we want this to be a resource for you whether you're a GVRA employee, a client or just someone who cares about the work we do as an organization. If you can think of any way this can be a better resource or have something you'd like to see in here, please don't hesitate to let me know. My email is john.boan@ablegeorgia.ga.gov.
If you ever need anything from me or anyone else in the organization, don't hesitate to ask. And as always, my office door is always open (I'm in a cubicle).
Until next month, JPB

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Printed at Roosevelt Warm Springs