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Program
Financial
Plan
1976
STATE
OF
TEXAS REHABILITATION COMMISSION
FHE
Program
Financial
Plan
1976
STATE
OF
TEXAS REHABILITATION COMMISSION
THE
Texas Rehabilitation Commission
STATE
COMMISSIONER FOR REHABILITATION
Jess M. Irwin, Jr.
May 29, 1975
BOARD MEMBERS
John D. Simpson, Jr.
CHAIRMAN
TO:
Mr. John A. Lavan
Mrs. Marjorie C. Kastman
VICE CHAIRMAN
Assistant Commissioner for Financial Operations
John T. Bean
RSA, Office of Human Development
SECRETARY
HEW South Building - Room 3036
Jack B. Dale, Jr.
330 C. Street, S.W.
Clifford S. Knape, Ph.D.
James H. Sammons, M.D.
Washington, D. C. 20201
FROM:
Jess M. Irwin, Jr.
Commissioner
SUBJECT: Program and Financial Plan for Fiscal Years 1976, 1977 and 1981
Transmitted herewith are six (6) copies of the Program and Financial
Plan for the General Vocational Rehabilitation Program in Texas
which was prepared by the Texas Rehabilitation Commission in accor-
dance with the guidelines set forth in Program Instruction RSA-PI-75-25,
dated March 26, 1975.
Im Jess M. Irwin, Jr.
JMI:MHW:sm
Enclosure
CC:
Mr. H. B. Simmons (1 copy)
Director, Office of Rehab. Services
Office of Human Development, DHEW
1114 Commerce Street
Dallas, Texas 75202
1600 WEST 38th STREET (512) 452-8192 AUSTIN, TEXAS 78731
An Equal Opportunity Employer
PROGRAM AND FINANCIAL PLAN FOR VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AGENCIES
State
TEXAS
General (X) Blind ( )
July 1 -
PART IA-PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
FY 1976
Sept. 30, 1976
FY 1977
FY 1981
1. Universe of Eligible Disabled Persons
(Provides for annual incident level of
disability less those served in a
given year)
801,000
790,000
789,000
777,000
2. Program Indicators
a. Number of persons to be served (Status 02-30)
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 110)
114,950
52,877
113,718
121,822
Beneficiary Rehabilitation Program (Trust Funds)
13,594
3,398
14,002
14,953
Supplemental Security Income-Vocational
Rehabilitation Program (Title XVI)
3,550
925
4,430
4,725
Total Number to be Served
132,094
57,200
132,150
141,500
b. Number of persons to be rehabilitated
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 110)
22,770
3,509
22,655
25,550
Beneficiary Rehabilitation Program (Trust Funds)
800
200
900
1,200
Supplemental Security Income-Vocational
Rehabilitation Program (Title XVI)
170
45
185
200
Total Number to be Rehabilitated
23,740
3,754
23,740
26,950
C. Number of Closures not Rehabilitated
40,000
10,000
40,000
42,000
3. Priority Service Target Groups
Served
Rehab.
Served
Rehab.
Served Rehab.
Served Rehab.
a. Severely Disabled
28,200
6,350
7,050
1,588
29,610
6,668
32,570 7,335
b. Disabled Public Assistance Recipients
15,250
3,250
3,800
800
16,000
3,400
17,600
3,700
Date: May 29, 1975
SIGNED:
J
In
Annual
Director
PROGRAM AND FINANCIAL PLAN FOR VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AGENCIES
PART IB - SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME - VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION PROGRAM WORKLOAD ESTIMATES
FY 1976
July 1 - September 30, 1976
FY 1977
Number of Persons to be Provided Diagnostic
and Evaluation Services (Status 02)
2,200
560
2,900
Number of Persons in Extended Evaluation
(Status 06)
250
65
280
Number of Persons in Active Caseload
(Status 10-24)
1,100
300
1,250
PROGRAM AND FINANCIAL PLAN FOR VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AGENCIES
PART II - ESTIMATED EXPENDITURES BY PROGRAM (STATE AND FEDERAL) - IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS
July 1 -
FY 1976
Sept. 30, 1976
FY 1977
FY 1981
A. BASIC SUPPORT PROGRAM (SECTION 110)
Amount
Amount
Amount
Amount
1. Administration
4,677
1,239
5,069
2. Counseling and Placement
18,125
4,801
19,647
3. Services for Individuals
21,646
5,839
23,551
4. Specialized Facilities and Programs
a. Randolph-Sheppard Vending Stand Program
b. Other Small Business Enterprises
C. Construction of Rehabilitation Facilities
Hill-Burton Formula Fed. Percentage
State Percentage
d. Establishment of Rehabilitation Facilities
7,000
1,750
7,500
e. Services and Facilities for Groups of Individuals
f. Recruitment and Training Services
g. Total
7,000
1,750
7,500
5. Total of Basic Support Program (Section 110)
51,448
13,629
55,767
70,158
B. BENEFICIARY REHABILITATION PROGRAM (TRUST FUNDS)
1. Administration
412
123
510
2. Counseling and Placement
1,298
386
1,606
3. Services for Individuals
2,127
633
2,632
4. Total Trust Funds
3,837
1,142
4,748
9,269
C.
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME-VOCATIONAL REHABILITA-
TION PROGRAM (TITLE XVI)
1. Administration
176
48
241
2. Counseling and Placement
553
153
759
3. Services for Individuals
906
250
1,245
4. Total Supplemental Security Income-Vocational
Rehabilitation Program (Title XVI)
1,635
451
2,245
3,505
D. CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM (SECTION 301(b))
E. FACILITIES PROGRAMS (SECTIONS 301(c), 302(b)(c))
F. OTHER PROGRAMS (EXPANSION AND OTHER PROJ. GRANTS)
1,026
250
1,000
1,000
G. GRAND TOTAL
57,946
15,472
63,760
83,932
PROGRAM AND FINANCIAL PLAN FOR VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AGENCIES
PART III - SOURCE AND UTILIZATION OF STATE FUNDS TO BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR REHABILITATION SERVICES -
IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS
July 1 -
FY 1976
Sept. 30, 1976
FY 1977
FY 1981
A. Source of Funds:
1. Appropriated Funds, Contributions
and other State and Local Funds
(Excluding Construction Funds)
9,021
2,503
9,809
12,219
2. Available from Third Party Funding Agreements
7,208
1,801
8,108
10,308
3. Available for Construction from All Sources
4. Total State Funds Available
16,229
4,304
17,917
22,527
B. Utilization of Funds:
1. Basic Support Program (Section 110)
a. VR Services other. than Construction
16,126
4,279
17,817
22,427
b. Construction of Facilities
2. Construction Program (Section 301(b))
3. Facilities Programs. (Sections 301(c), 302(b)(c))
4. Other (Expansion and other Project Grants)
103
25
100
100
5. Total (Should reconcile with totals
State Funds Available in A. 4 above)
16,229
4,304
17,917
22,527
PROGRAM AND FINANCIAL PLAN FOR VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AGENCIES
PART IV - TOTAL PERSONNEL REQUIREMENTS IN MAN-YEARS - FOR SECTIONS 110, 120, TRUST FUNDS AND SUPPLEMENTAL
SECURITY INCOME-VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION PROGRAMSI
July 1 -
FY 1976
Sept. 30, 1976
FY 1977
FY 1981
State VR Third
State VR Third
State VR Third
State VR Third
Agency2 Party
Agency2, / Party
Agency2, / Party
Agency2, Party
A. Administration
372
-
98
-
409
-
446
-
B. Counseling and Placement
1,309
900
344
225
1,440
1,000
1,571
1,100
-
C. Services for Individuals
22
-
6
-
24
-
26
D. Staff at State VR Agency Operated Facilities
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
E. TOTAL EQUIVALENT MAN-YEARS
1,703
900
448
225
1,873
1,000
2,043
1,100
1/ Round to nearest full man-year.
2 Does not include Third Party funding agreements.
PROGRAM AND FINANCIAL PLAN FOR VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AGENCIES
PART
V
-
ESTIMATED NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS TO BE SERVED AND REHABILITATED BY DISABILITY CATEGORY
July 1 -
FY 1976
Sept. 30, 1976
FY 1977
FY 1981
#
to be
# to be
#
to be
#
to be
#
to be
# to be
#
to be
#
to be
Served*
Rehab.
Served*
Rehab.
Served*
Rehab.
Served*
Rehab.
Major Disabling Condition
Disability Codes
1. Blind
100-119
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2. Visually Impaired
120-149
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3. Deaf
200-219
2,420
330
1,044
52
2,400
330
2,600
400
4. Hard of Hearing
220-229
3,120
450
1,376
70
3,100
450
3,200
525
5. Amputations & Orthopedics
300-449
18,895
3,750
8,123
586
19,000
3,750
20,000
4,000
6. Paraplegia, Quadriplegia,
318,338,358
-
-
-
-
other Spinal Cord Cond.
378-398
336
65
144
11
350
65
400
75
7. Mentally III
500-510
16,187
3,200
6,960
502
16,000
3,200
18,000
3,600
8. Other Personality Disorders
522
29,955
5,900
12,879
928
30,000
5,900
32,000
6,600
9. Alcoholism
520
11,144
2,200
4,792
346
11,000
2,200
12,000
2,500
10. Drug Addiction
521
3,425
675
1,472
106
3,500
675
3,800
750
11. Mental Retardation
530-534
15,958
3,200
7,205
520
16,000
3,200
18,000
3,700
12. Epilepsy
630
1,612
320
693
50
1,600
320
1,700
375
13. Heart Disease
640-644
3,500
400
1,534
62
3,500
400
3,800
500
14. Speech Impairments
601,680-689
1,050
100
447
17
1,100
100
1,200
125
15. Digestive System Disorders
600,660-669
6,924
1,150
2,977
177
7,000
1,150
7,300
1,400
16. All Other Disabilities
602-629,639,
17,568
2,000
7,554
327
17,600
2,000
17,500
2,400
690,699,etc.
17. Total
132,094
23,740
57,200
3,754
132,150
23,740
141,500
26,950
*Status 02-30
PART VI NARRATIVE JUSTIFICATIONS
Disability Categories and Related Programs
I. MANDATE TO SERVE THE SEVERELY DISABLED
II. DISABILITY CATEGORIES
A. Deaf
B. Hard of Hearing
C. Amputations and Orthopedics (except, Paraplegia, Quadriplegia,
and other Spinal Cord Conditions-Codes 318, 338, 358, 378 and 398)
D. Paraplegia, Quadriplegia and other Spinal Cord Conditions-Codes 318,
338, 358, 378 and 398
E. Mentally III
F. Other Personality Disorders
G. Alcoholism
H. Drug Addiction
1. Mental Retardation
J. Epilepsy
K. Heart Disease
L. Speech Impairments
M. Digestive System Disorders
N. All Other Disabilities
III. PROGRAM EVALUATION
IV. REHABILITATION FACILITIES
V. STAFF DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING
VI. RESEARCH AND DEMONSTRATION
VII. RESEARCH UTILIZATION
VIII. BENEFICIARY REHABILITATION PROGRAM (TRUST FUND)
IX.
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME-VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION
PROGRAM (TITLE XVI)
X. JOINTLY FUNDED PROJECTS
XI. RANDOLPH-SHEPPARD VENDING STAND PROGRAM
XII. PLACEMENT TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURE
XIII. POST-EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
XIV. REHABILITATION SERVICES AND FACILITIES PROJECTS
7
1.
MANDATE TO SERVE THE SEVERELY DISABLED
1. Goals and Objectives:
The goals of the Texas Rehabilitation Commission in working with the
severely handi capped are the following.
a.
To substantially increase the number of severely disabled individuals
receiving vocational rehabilitation services and the number success-
fully rehabilitated. In Fiscal Year 1976 it is anticipated that
28,200 severely disabled will be served and 6, 350 rehabilitated.
b
To improve the quality of services to the severely disabled through
the employment of counselors with special training and whose interest
and focus are directed entirely toward these individuals.
C. To further improve the quality of services by providing special train-
ing regarding the severely disabled for counselors who do not work
exclusively with these cases but have an opportunity to serve some
severely disabled individuals.
d.
To improve the effectiveness of services to this group by locating
and serving severely disabled individuals on a more timely basis.
e.
To identify gaps in needed services and resources for the severely
disabled and to develop resources where gaps exist.
f.
To improve coordination of existing services and resources in order
to more effectively serve the severely disabled.
2. Background and Accomplishments:
Because of the fact that severely disabled individuals usually require
extensive rehabilitation services over an extended period of time, the
cost to serve these cases is generally significantly higher than those
involving less severe disabilities. In order to relieve budgetary pressures
on counselors attempting to serve the severely disabled and thus encourage
services to this group, the Catastrophically Disabled Program was developed
and implemented during Fiscal Year 1972. It involved specially earmarked
funds budgeted to the Central Office to which any counselor can charge
expenditures for severely disabled cases. Examples of cases eligible
for these funds included those with severe limitations in two or more
extremities, regardless of etiology, and severe cardiac cases.
Also, special trained counselors have been assigned in strategic areas of
the state to work exclusively with certain types of severely disabled
individuals, i.e., the severely mobility impaired, the deaf, the epileptic,
the cerebral palsied, the mentally retarded, the mentally ill, etc.
8
Working agreements have been developed with other organizations
serving the severely handi capped such as the Multiple Sclerosis Society,
the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the Easter Seal Society, United
Cerebral Palsy, the Epilepsy Foundation of America, State Schools for
the Mentally Retarded, State Hospitals, and Community MH-MR Centers.
This has resulted in better coordination of services.
A system of staff development activities concerning various aspects of
the severely disabled has been developed. This has included workshops
and conferences relating exclusively to the severely disabled, counselor
field trips to rehabilitation centers serving the severely disabled, etc.
Counselors have also been sent to training activities in other states in
order to learn different approaches to working with this group. In an
effort to serve severely disabled individuals on a more timely basis,
counselors have been assigned to work with specific referral sources that
relate to severely disabled individuals soon after onset of disability.
Examples are state mental institutions, rehabilitation centers (Texas
Institute for Rehabilitation and Research, Dallas Rehabilitation Institute,
Texas Rehabilitation Center, etc.); general hospitals in major population
centers; and special clinics and medical departments that serve large
numbers of severely disabled such as the Physical Medicine Department
at Baylor Medical Center in Dallas, the Paraplegic Clinic at Parkland
Hospital in Dallas, etc.
The Texas Rehabilitation Commission has participated in the development
of innovative resources to serve the severely disabled such as the Inde-
pendent Life Styles Project in Houston. A total of five residential
facilities specifically for severely disabled young people have been
developed. These facilities offer room, board, attendant care, and
transportation in a psychosocial environment appropriate for this age group.
Two pilot Homebound Programs were developed during Fiscal Year 1975.
The project areas are San Antonio and San Angelo.
Caseload statistics indicate that progress is being made in serving the
severely disabled population. During Fiscal Year 1974, 29,786 individuals
classified as severely disabled by Federal definition were served. The
number of severely disabled individuals rehabilitated during that year was
6,567. During Fiscal Year 1975 the figures are estimated to be 31,303
and 7,055 respectively.
3. Problem Areas:
The major problems in serving the severely disabled generally center
around the lack of facilities, services, and resources specifically geared
toward the severely disabled. Examples of needed resources are sheltered
9
workshops, residential facilities for the severely physically impaired,
facilities for the low-achieving deaf, multidisciplinary treatment centers,
homebound programs, etc.
Other problem areas include a lack of coordination of existing resources
and a lack of employment opportunities compatible with the capabilities
and limitations of the severely disabled.
4. Planned Action:
During Fiscal Year 1976 staff development activities relating to the
severely disabled will be expanded in an attempt to better equip counselors
to deal with the complex problems of this group. It is also anticipated
that these activities will generate greater emphasis and enthusiasm toward
identifying and serving this segment of the disabled population.
whee
Considerable emphasis will be given to the development of resources for
serving the severely disabled during Fiscal Year 1976. These will include
residential facilities, special transportation systems, homebound work oppor-
tunities, long-term sheltered work programs, etc.
Staff assignments will be revised in order to provide for more counselors
specifically relating to the needs of the severely disabled. Additional
staff will also be assigned to work with this group if budgetary limitations
do not preclude such expansion.
Techniques for serving this group will be refined and improved through
data collected in the Homebound Projects, etc.
It is anticipated that this increased emphasis upon the rehabilitation of the
severely disabled will result in greater numbers of severely disabled indi-
viduals served and rehabilitated. Projected figures for Fiscal Year 1976
are 28,200 and 6,350 respectively.
5.
Other Program Aspects:
Efforts will be made to work with the State Department of Public Welfare
in order to develop attendant care resources for the severely disabled.
Such resources are necessary for the development of innovative alternatives
to nursing home care.
Funding resources such as the Developmental Disabilities Services Act
will be utilized to develop resources to serve the severe developmentally
disabled, i.e., the epileptic, and the cerebral palsied.
10
II.
DISABILITY CATEGORIES
À. DEAF
1.
Goals and Objectives:
The Deaf Program projects that for Fiscal Year 1976, 2,420 deaf
clients will be served by the Texas Rehabilitation Commission.
Of
this number, it is anticipated that 330 will be closed employed.
With the emphasis placed on this group as severely handi capped
by the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, increased emphasis on services to
this group is being given.
2. Background and Accomplishments:
The Commission presently has 18 counselors and interpreters located
in Austin, Baytown, Beaumont, Corpus Christi, Dallas, San Angelo,
Lubbock, Fort Worth, El Paso, Houston, Harlingen, McAllen,
San Antonio and Waço providing specialized services to deaf clients.
These counselors are uniquely capable of communicating with the
deaf, many having been raised by deaf parents. This staff will
provide services to 2, ,185 deaf individuals by July 1975. During
this same period, 467 will be placed in employment after delivery
of services.
3. Problem Areas:
Individuals possessing hearing loss, often a progressive problem, re-
quire sensitive counselors with a thorough understanding of the ultimate
potentials of the nature of these losses and their physiological and
psychological ramifications. This understanding assists counselors in
working with the future unrealized problems of these clients. To
prepare counselors to adequately handle these problems requires special
training, which requires time, training resources, and dedicated staff.
Financial support of training is essential to quality service delivery.
4. Planned Action:
Recognizing that the academic needs and technical programs were
developed, attention was directed to the vast needs of the "low-
achieving deaf". Southwest Center for the Hearing Impaired, a
program for "low-achieving deaf" was initiated in San Antonio early
in 1974. A $109,000 Expansion and Innovation grant has been made
to the Center to increase its capability of serving this severely handi-
capped group. It is now serving 45 clients; yet, there is a waiting
list in excess of 100 people.
11
This program can only be considered a demonstration of need.
The Texas Rehabilitation Commission counselors presently have
in excess of 700 clients fitting the "low-achieving deaf" category
without facilities to meet their needs. Numerous facilities similar
to the Southwest facility need to be developed to meet the needs
of this severely disabled population.
5. Program Evaluation:
Its principal criterion of effectiveness will continue to be the number
of deaf clients served and rehabilitated.
6. Other Program Aspects:
Activities are ongoing to encourage the location of a regional center
for the deaf in this State. It is hoped that the innovative aspects
of the Lee College Project, and particularly the Southwest Center
for the Deaf, will demonstrate what a keen interest there is in devel-
oping a center for the "low-achieving deaf" If this activity can be
so recognized, it is hoped that consideration can be given to the
placement of a regional center in this area. Recent changes in the
educational structure in the State of Texas will necessitate a change
in the service delivery program of the Texas Rehabilitation Commission.
The gearing up of seven regional training centers within the State
is presently being affected. This process will change the basic struc-
ture of our historical single school for the deaf and necessitate the
regional schools acquiring a staff. School cooperative agreements
have been entered by seven regional day school programs for the deaf
and consideration is being given to the inclusion of additional school
programs serving the deaf.
Plans are being made to place counselors with specialized training in
deafness in Amarillo, Longview-Kilgore, Wichita Falls and Tyler.
This need for additional staff will cause the shortage of individuals
able to manually communicate to be more acute. The shortage ob-
viously will have its effect on the Commission's capability of acquir-
ing trained staff members.
11.
B. HARD OF HEARING
1. Goals and Objectives:
With the definition of severely disabled being applicable to the hard
of hearing who have a 70 decibel loss in the best ear, additional
emphasis is being felt with this categorical group. Differentiation has
been implemented in the disability coding for identification so that
administrative attentiveness to the services rendered this group can be
12
maintained. It is projected that 3,120 hearing impaired individuals
will be served in Fiscal Year 1976 and that 450 will be closed
successfully rehabilitated.
2. Background and Accomplishments:
Texas residents who have a hearing loss of 30 decibels in the best
ear are eligible for rehabilitation services if the loss is a vocational
handi cap. By July 1975, 567 hearing impaired individuals will have
been rehabilitated to employment. During this same period, 2,300
will receive services. Hearing impaired persons were actively in-
volved in rehabilitation services. These services are as near to the
client as the nearest Rehabilitation office. Every general counselor
has the capability of acquiring the sophisticated diagnostic services
of numerous speech and hearing centers spread over the State. This
medical or medically-related center advises that VR counselor as to
the course to pursue, i.e. restorative surgery, assistive devices, etc.
Special training often is required to minimize the effects of the per-
ception loss. Special placement services also attempt to place the
hearing impaired in jobs that minimize the need for acute hearing
perceptivity.
3. Problem Areas:
Clients with amplification needs frequently view prosthetic devices
as methods of restoration. Many are extremely disheartened when
they find that hearing aids do not, in fact, restore their hearing
but are simply amplifications of the poor sounds they are presently
capable of hearing. This disappointment requires careful counseling
in order to assist clients with their adjustment to the hearing loss,
and encouragement to continue the use of prosthetic devices.
Discrimination capabilities frequently are not assisted with amplifica-
tion, therefore, counseling and training for the development of
other modes of communication becomes necessary. This experience
is frequently frightening and traumatic for clients.
4. Planned Action:
Intensified programs to delineate "severe hearing loss - 70 decibels
or greater" from those 70 decibels or less are presently being initiated.
Intensified training programs to orient counselors to "hidden aspects"
of hearing loss are being initiated in conjunction with the University
of Texas Medical Schools. Utilization of speech and hearing centers
is being encouraged to facilitate the adjustment to hearing aids.
5.
Program Evaluation:
Its criterion of effectiveness will be the number of hard of hearing
clients who are served and rehabilitated.
13
6.
Other Program Aspects:
The standards of aural rehabilitation and procedures have been
revised and will be published and distributed to all field staff.
These standards are distributed to new counselors during their
two-week orientation period. Following this initial introduction
to working with hearing impaired, advanced training is provided
on a priority basis to the field staff as training funds and time
are available.
II. C. AMPUTATIONS AND ORTHOPEDIC IMPAIRMENTS
1.
Goals and Objectives:
Individuals disabled due to amputations and orthopedic impairments
continue to be one of the largest disability categories served by
the Commission. An ongoing objective of this agency is to con-
tinue job development on a statewide basis SO that more oppor-
tunities will be available for these individuals. Another goal is
to offer services to the more severely disabled amputees and ortho-
pedically handicapped in attempts to make rehabilitation services
available to as many individuals as possible in the wide scope of
this category.
2. Background and Accomplishments:
At the end of Fiscal Year 1974, 3,250 individuals were successfully
rehabilitated out of a total of 17,955 served. These 3,250 individuals
were closed in some type of employment endeavor compatible with
their limitations and capabilities. With the increase in past service
through the years it is expected that this number will continue to
increase at about 5% per year in the future. With the expected
increase in referrals it will be necessary to continue an increase in
funding and staff.
3.
Problem Areas:
There continues to be several major problems in offering timely services
to individuals in these categories. One of the problems is the lack
>
of funding and resources available in providing rehabilitation services
continually throughout the fiscal year. Another problem is a lack of
understanding and knowledge regarding rehabilitation throughout the
potential client population.
Attempts are being made to publicize vocational rehabilitation through
the Texas Hospital Association meetings, the Texas Nurses Association
meetings, and various other special disability association meetings.
Regular contacts are also being made with all groups presently operating
through CETA funding.
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4.
Planned Action:
In attempting to publicize rehabilitation services and to assure that
all handicapped individuals are aware of available vocational rehabili-
tation services, several methods are being utilized. One major effort
is being initiated through the CETA manpower programs and through
special CETA funding arrangements. At the present time this agency
is operating two contract grants, through CETA prime sponsors, which
provide for almost total rehabilitation services. Throughout the state
there are several agreements which specify training for VR clients
through a cooperative effort between the Commission and CETA man-
power organizations.
5.
Other Program Aspects:
Presently, closer working relationships are being developed with major
hospitals, universities, treatment centers, and manpower training agencies
throughout the state. Through presentations being made to state groups
and associations it is felt that more individuals will become aware of
rehabilitation services and those eligible will be referred to the Com-
mission for assistance.
II. D. PARAPLEGIA, QUADRIPLEGIA, AND OTHER SPINAL CORD INJURIES
1. Goals and Objectives:
The goals of the Texas Rehabilitation Commission in working with
the spinal cord injured are the following:
a. To improve the quality of services to this group by increased
staff development activities concerning spinal cord injury and
through assignment of special counselors to work exclusively
with these and other catastrophically disabled individuals.
b. To substantially increase the number of spinal cord injured
persons receiving vocational rehabilitation services and the
number successfully rehabilitated.
C. To improve referral and case finding activities in order that
rehabilitation services may be rendered on a more timely basis.
d
To improve coordination of existing resources and to develop
innovative new resources for serving this group. Examples of
the latter are residential and transportation programs that con-
stitute viable alternatives to nursing home care.
e.
To work with other agencies (both public and private) and con-
sumer groups toward the elimination of architectural and trans-
portation barriers.
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