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RehabData Workgroup

Overview

ReThink VR Performance

Beginning in the Spring of 2019, RSA, CSAVR, NCSAB, and VR agencies committed to rethinking the way we look at the performance of the VR program, improving results, and maintaining high expectations of both the VR program and individuals with disabilities. Through several meetings in the Summer and Fall of 2019, RSA identified strategies it will adopt to rethink how RSA fosters continuous improvement, enhance collaboration, and maximize high-quality employment opportunities for customers served by the VR program. During the CSAVR Fall 2019 Conference, RSA presented its ReThink VR Performance Plan outlining 52 specific actions across five priority areas. A recording of the Fall 2019 presentation is available.

As of July 12, 2022, RSA has completed 45 of 52 actions, or 87 percent of all actions. The remaining seven actions are in progress with expected completion dates in FFY 2023. 

  1. Performance Data: 1 action remaining
  2. Flexibility and Reduction of Burden: all actions completed
  3. Technical Assistance and Dissemination: 4 actions remaining
  4. Monitoring: 1 action remaining
  5. Communication: 1 action remaining

RehabData Workgroup Purpose

In the Fall of 2019, RSA established the RehabData Workgroup, an informal workgroup of Federal and State representatives with data or program expertise, whose aim is to use data to tell the story of the success of the VR program and identify areas for continued evaluation. The Workgroup is charged with developing and distributing tools and information that State VR agencies may use to help assess VR program performance using data that is already being collected.

RehabData Workgroup Membership

Other Measures That Matter

The RehabData Workgroup developed the Other Measures That Matter to guide VR agencies and RSA as they focus on performance specific to the VR program and define attributes of a successful VR program. The Other Measures That Matter do not replace the primary indicators of performance established by section 116 of WIOA. In fact, some of the Measures build upon the WIOA indicators while others provide an entirely different lens for analysis. The RehabData Workgroup designed these Measures to be used with data that is currently available; these Measures do not require VR agencies to collect or report additional data.

Presentation

On November 10, 2020, the RehabData Workgroup presented the Other Measures That Matter at the CSAVR Fall 2020 Conference; the presentation and slides are available. 

Data Tools

Measurable Skill Gains (MSG) Data Tool 

The MSG Data Tool showcases data reported by VR agencies for Program Years 2017 , 2018, 2019, and 2020. It also provides National and State-level MSG data for all VR programs while serving as a resource for VR agencies to analyze their MSG data and compare performance to that of the VR program nationally, with similar States, and/or other VR agencies.

Pre-Employment Transition Services Data Tool 

The Pre-Employment Transition Services Data Tool highlights data reported by VR agencies for Program Years 2017, 2018 and 2019 and provides National and State-level data related to students with disabilities who received pre-employment transition services. The RehabData Workgroup built the tool to serve as as a resource for VR agencies to analyze these data, compare performance to national trends, similar States, and/or VR agencies.   

Employment Status at Exit and Post-Exit Data Tool

The Employment Status at Exit and Post-Exit Data Tool presents data related to the first of the Other Measures That Matter: Sustaining Employment After Exit for participants who exited the VR program in Program Years 2017, 2018, and 2019. Each of the Other Measures That Matter is associated with a Value to affirm its significance to the mission of the VR program. The Value for this particular measure is: VR program participants should sustain employment after they exit the VR program. Our goal is that individuals with disabilities continue working.