RSA-227 for FY-2025: Submission #14

State name Wyoming

Report through date 09/30/2025

General Information

Designated Agency Identification

Name Andrew Lemke

Address 7344 Stockman Street

Address Line 2

City Cheyenne

State Wyoming

Zip Code 82009

E-mail Address CEO@wypanda.com

Website Address https://www.wypanda.com

Phone 307-632-3497

TTY 307-632-3497

Toll-free Phone 1-800-632-3491

Toll-free TTY 1-800-632-3491

Fax 307-638-0815

Operating Agency (if different from Designated Agency)

Name

Address

Address Line 2

City

Zip Code

State

E-mail Address

Website Address

Phone

TTY

Toll-free Phone

Toll-free TTY

Fax

Additional Information

Name of CAP Director/Coordinator Connie Peterssen

Person to contact regarding report Andrew Lemke

Contact Person Phone 307-638-7668

Contact Person E-mail Address CEO@wypanda.com

Part I. Non-case Services

A. Information and Referral Services (I&R)

1. Information regarding the vocational rehabilitation (VR) program 7

2. Information regarding independent living programs 2

3. Information regarding American Indian VR Service projects 0

4. Information regarding Title I of the ADA 2

5. Other information provided 1

6. Information regarding CAP 3

7. Total I&R services provided (Lines A1 through A6) 15

B. Training Activities

1. Number of training sessions presented to community groups and public agencies. 22

2. Number of individuals who attended these training sessions. 514

3. Describe training presented by the staff. Include the following information: On October 8, 2024, CAP staff presented information regarding the Client Assistance Program and discussed collaborative agreements and structures among schools, service providers, community agencies, employers, and post secondary institutions in a virtual presentation to the Wyoming Transition Team (WyTT). Attendees included staff from the Wyoming Department of Education, the Vocational Rehabilitation Administrator, the Transition Team task force, and consultants. Attendance: 12 people, including 2 individuals with disabilities.

On November 5, 2024, CAP staff presented information in a virtual presentation to the Wyoming Transition Team (WyTT). Attendees included staff from the Wyoming Department of Education, the Vocational Rehabilitation Administrator, the Transition Team task force, and consultants. Attendance: 13 people, including 3 individuals with disabilities.

On November 11, 2024, CAP staff presented information in a virtual presentation to the Wyoming Transition Team (WyTT). Attendees included staff from the Wyoming Department of Education, the Vocational Rehabilitation Administrator, the Transition Team task force, and consultants. Attendance: 12 people, including 2 individuals with disabilities.

On November 13, 2024, CAP staff presented information to the Wyoming Assistive Technology Resources Advisory Council in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Attendees included University of Wyoming representatives, parents, guardians, persons with disabilities, service providers, case managers, and agency personnel. Attendance: 22 people, including 5 individuals with disabilities.

On January 7, 2025, CAP staff presented information in a virtual presentation to the Wyoming Transition Team (WyTT). Attendees included staff from the Wyoming Department of Education, the Vocational Rehabilitation Administrator, the Transition Team task force, and consultants. Attendance: 22 people, including 8 individuals with disabilities.

On February 4, 2025, CAP staff presented information in a virtual presentation to the Wyoming Transition Team (WyTT). Attendees included staff from the Wyoming Department of Education, the Vocational Rehabilitation Administrator, the Transition Team task force, and consultants. Attendance: 18 people, including 7 individuals with disabilities.

On February 5, 2025, CAP staff presented information in a virtual presentation to the State Rehabilitation Council (SRC). Attendees included service providers, Tribal directors, SILC Liaison, Parent Information Center staff, persons with disabilities, family members of persons with disabilities, vocational rehabilitation administrators, and counselors. Attendance: 15 people, including 8 individuals with disabilities.

On February 20, 2025, CAP staff presented information in a virtual presentation to the State Independent Council (SILC). Attendees included independent living counselors and administrators, vocational rehabilitation administrators, and persons with disabilities. Attendance: 15 people, including 8 individuals with disabilities.

On March 3, 2025, CAP staff presented information in a virtual presentation to the Wyoming Transition Team (WyTT). Attendees included staff from the Wyoming Department of Education, the Vocational Rehabilitation Administrator, the Transition Team task force, and consultants. Attendance: 18 people, including 6 individuals with disabilities.

On March 6, 2025, CAP staff attended a Disabilities Awareness Month event in Cheyenne, Wyoming, where information was presented. Attendees included persons with disabilities, guardians, family members, service providers, case managers, and agency personnel. Attendance: 205 people, 120 persons with disabilities.

On April 1, 2025, CAP staff presented information in a virtual presentation to the Wyoming Transition Team (WyTT). Attendees included staff from the Wyoming Department of Education, the Vocational Rehabilitation Administrator, the Transition Team task force, and consultants. Attendance: 14 people, including 7 individuals with disabilities.

On April 2, 2025, CAP staff presented information to Volunteers of America. Attendance: 2 people.

On April 8-9, 2025, CAP staff presented information in a virtual presentation to the State Rehabilitation Council (SRC). Attendees included Tribal directors, SILC Liaison, Parent Information Center staff, service providers, persons with disabilities, family members of persons with disabilities, vocational rehabilitation administrators, and counselors. Attendance: 14 people, including 8 individuals with disabilities.

On April 16, 2025, CAP staff presented CAP information to 4 Wyoming Regional Ombudsmen.

On June 1, 2025, CAP staff presented information to High County Behavioral Health. Attendees included mental health center staff members and case managers. Attendance: 24 people.

On June 3, 2025, CAP staff presented information in a virtual presentation to the Wyoming Transition Team (WyTT). Attendees included staff from the Wyoming Department of Education, the Vocational Rehabilitation Administrator, the Transition Team task force, and consultants. Attendance: 18 people, including 7 individuals with disabilities.

On June 11-12, 2025, CAP staff presented information in a virtual presentation to the State Independent Council (SILC). Attendees included independent living counselors and administrators, vocational rehabilitation administrators, and persons with disabilities. Attendance: 16 people, including 9 individuals with disabilities.

On August 5, 2025, CAP staff presented information in a virtual presentation to the Wyoming Transition Team (WyTT). Attendees included staff from the Wyoming Department of Education, the Vocational Rehabilitation Administrator, the Transition Team task force, and consultants. Attendance: 13 people, including 3 individuals with disabilities.

On August 12-13, 2025, CAP staff presented information in a virtual presentation to the State Independent Council (SILC). Attendees included independent living counselors and administrators, vocational rehabilitation administrators, and persons with disabilities. Attendance: 16 people, including 8 individuals with disabilities.

August 12-13, 2025, CAP staff presented information in a virtual presentation to the State Rehabilitation Council (SRC). Attendees included service providers, persons with disabilities, family members of persons with disabilities, vocational rehabilitation administrators, and counselors. Attendance: 18 people, including 8 individuals with disabilities.

On August 15, 2025, CAP staff presented information to the Wyoming Guardianship Corporation. Attendance: 7 people.

On August 28, 2025, CAP presented information on the Client Assistance Program role and priorities via a virtual platform to employees of the Wyoming State Independent Center (WSIL). Attendance: 16 people, including 2 individuals with disabilities.

C. Agency Outreach

Describe the agency's outreach efforts to previously un-served or underserved individuals including minority communities. CAP provides information in alternate formats, including large print versions and Spanish translated materials. CAP maintains a list of interpreters for individuals with hearing impairments, and interpreters who can assist with language translation services. The agency website provides language translation options. CAP has a general business card embossed in Braille. CAP can accommodate persons through the Relay System or a TTY telephone. CAP has targeted outreach to reach individuals with traumatic brain injury and mental illness through mailings to groups, community programs, and institutions which serve these populations which are traditionally unserved and underserved in Wyoming. CAP material have been mailed to the Wind River Reservation health, social services, and rehabilitation agencies. Wind River Reservation is home to the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes. CAP has focused on rural and less populated areas of the state to inform persons of CAP services. CAP has targeted outreach to transition-age youth through mailings to school districts and community colleges.

D. Information Disseminated To The Public By Your Agency

1. Agency Staff Interviewed or Featured on Radio and TV 0

2. Articles about CAP Featured in Newspaper/Magazine/Journals 0

3. PSAs/Videos Aired about the CAP Agency 1

4. Publications/Booklets/Brochures Disseminated by the Agency 1803

5. Number of Times CAP Exhibited at Conferences, Community Fairs, etc. 1

6. Other 0

Please explain below A flyer describing the Client Assistance Program's contact information that was developed jointly between CAP and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) is posted at all DVR offices statewide.

E. Information Disseminated About Your Agency By External Media Coverage

Describe the various sources and information disseminated about your agency by an external source. Information on the Client Assistance Program scope, purpose and contact information is disseminated by the 211 Resource Center; the Independent Living Council; the State Rehabilitation Council; the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation; the University Center on Excellence in Disabilities; the Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities; and the Wyoming State Bar Resource Directory.

Part II. Individual Case Services

A. Individuals served

1. Individuals who are still being served as of October 1 (carryover from prior year) 0

2. Additional individuals who were served during the year 1

3. Total individuals served (Lines A1+A2) 1

4. Individuals (from Line A3) who had multiple case files opened/closed this year. 0

5. Individual still being served as of September 30 (Carryover to next year. This total may not exceed Line A3.) 0

B. Problem areas

1. Individual requests information 0

2. Communication problems between individual and VR counselor 0

3. Conflict about VR services to be provided 1

4. Related to VR application/eligibility process 0

5. Related to assignment to order of selection priority category 0

6. Related to IPE development/implementation 0

7. Related to independent living services 0

8. Other Rehabilitation Act-related problems 0

C. Intervention Strategies for closed cases

1. Short Term Technical Assistance 0

2. Investigation/Monitoring 0

3. Negotiation 1

4. Mediation and other methods of Alternative Dispute Resolution 0

5. Administrative / Informal Review 0

6. Formal appeal / Fair Hearing 0

7. Legal remedy / Litigation 0

8. Total 1

D. Reasons for closing individuals' case files

1. All issues resolved in individual's favor 1

2. Some issues resolved in individual's favor 0

3. CAP determines VR agency position/decision was appropriate for the individual 0

4. Individual's case lacks legal merit 0

5. Individual chose alternative representation 0

6. Individual withdrew complaint 0

7. Issue not resolved in clients favor 0

8. CAP services not needed due to individual's death, relocation, etc. 0

9. Individual not responsive/cooperative with CAP 0

10. CAP unable to take case due to lack of resources 0

11. Conflict of interest 0

12. Other 0

(Please explain below) Not Applicable

E. Results achieved for individuals

1. Controlling law/policy explained to individual 0

2. Application for services completed 0

3. Eligibility determination expedited 0

4. Individual participated in evaluation 0

5. IPE developed/implemented/Services Provided 0

6. Communication re-established between individual and other party 0

7. Individual assigned to new counselor/office 0

8. Alternative resources identified for individual 1

9. ADA/504/EEO/OCR complaint made 0

10. Other 0

(Please explain below) Not Applicable.

Part III. Program Data

A. Age

1. Up to 18 0

2. 19 - 24 1

3. 25 - 40 0

4. 41 - 64 0

5. 65 and over 0

6. Total (Sum of Lines A1 through A5. Total must equal Part II, Line A3.) 1

B. Gender

1. Females 1

2. Males 0

3. Nonbinary or Another Gender 0

4. Unknown 0

5. Total (Lines B1+B2+B3+B4. Total must equal Part II Line A3.) 1

C. Race/ethnicity of Individuals Served

1. Hispanic/Latino of any race 0

2. American Indian or Alaskan Native 0

3. Asian 0

4. Black or African American 0

5. Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander 0

6. White 1

7. Two or more races 0

8. Race/ethnicity unknown 0

D. Primary disabling condition of individuals served

1. Acquired Brain Injury 0

2. ADD/ADHD 0

3. AIDS/HIV 0

4. Amputations or Absence of Extremities 0

5. Arthritis or Rheumatism 1

6. Anxiety Disorder 0

7. Autism Spectrum Disorder 0

8. Autoimmune or Immune Deficiencies 0

10. Other visual impairments 0

11. Cancer 0

12. Cerebral Palsy 0

13. Deafness 0

14. Hard of Hearing/Hearing Impaired 0

16. Diabetes 0

17. Digestive disorders 0

18. Epilepsy 0

19. Heart and other circulatory conditions 0

20. Intellectual Disability 0

21. Mental illness 0

22. Multiple Sclerosis 0

23. Muscular Dystrophy 0

24. Muscular/Skeletal Impairment 0

25. Neurological Disorders/Impairment 0

26. Orthopedic impairments 0

27. Personality Disorders 0

28. Respiratory Disorders/Impairment 0

29. Skin Conditions 0

30. Specific learning disabilities (SLD) 0

31. Speech Impairments 0

32. Spina Bifida 0

33. Substance abuse 0

34. Other disability 0

35. Total (Sum of Lines D1through D34. Total must equal Part II, Line A3.) 1

E. Types of Individuals Served

1. Applicant of VR 1

2. Individual eligible for VR services currently on a wait list 0

3. Individual eligible for VR services not currently on a wait list 0

4. Applicant or individual eligible for Independent Living 0

5. Transition student/High school student 0

6. All other applicants or individuals eligible for other programs or projects funded unther Rehabilitation Act 0

Part IV. Systemic Activities and Litigation

A. Non-Litigation Systemic Activities

1. Number of non-litigation systemic activities not involving individual representation that resulted in the change of one or more policy or practice of an agency. 2

2. Describe the systemic activities conducted by CAP during the fiscal year and its impact on other agency's policies or practices. In the first systemic activity, clients of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) in rural areas reported issues with a lack of service providers to assist them with DVR services. CAP met with DVR administrators to discuss addressing the need for DVR to acquire more vendors throughout the state to provide services that maximize employment opportunities for individuals, including statewide Community Rehabilitation Providers (CRP) training with incentives. DVR acknowledged that many of the rural communities have a limited number or no available CRPs to provide services to individuals with disabilities. Previously, DVR partnered with Divergent for online CRP services. This partnership has not been successful. DVR recently launched a Training & Development Opportunities Newsletter and online training modules, featuring initiatives and resources designed to enhance skills and foster growth for new CRPs. The goal for the newsletter and training is to serve as a valuable tool for transparent communication and collaboration. This activity has been launched.

In the second systemic activity, CAP identified a lack of informed choice and procedures for engaging in the Wyoming Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) Business Enterprise Program, which assists eligible participants with disabilities in developing and launching their own small businesses. CAP voiced this issue with DVR Administration. The previous guide provided a vague outline of the process for the Wyoming DVR Business Enterprise Program. CAP's non-litigation systemic advocacy led DVR change their practice and developed a more concise Business Enterprise Program guidelines that emphasize collaboration, individualized support, and sound business practices to help achieve long-term success and economic independence. The revised Business Enterprise Program guidelines help individuals with disability understand the process making it easier for them to launch their small business.

B. Litigation

a. Number of cases requiring litigation involving individual representation filed during fiscal year. 0

b. Number of on-going cases pending at start of fiscal year (carryover from prior fiscal year). 0

c. Number of cases resolved through litigation during fiscal year. 0

2. Describe the agency's on-going and completed systemic litigation activities involving individual representation. Not Applicable

Part V. Agency Information

A. Designated Agency

1. Agency Type (select only one option): External-Protection and Advocacy agency

2. Name of designate agency: Protection & Advocacy System, Inc.

3. Is the designated agency contracting CAP services? No

4. If yes, name of contracting agency: Not Applicable

B. Staff Employed

1. Provide a description of all CAP positions Professional Staff: 0 FT for 12 months. The professional part-time category is comprised of 5 professional staff positions working part-time in the CAP Program, as follows: 1 CEO/Legal Director at .04 FTE, filled the entire funding period; 1 CFO at .09 FTE, filled the entire funding period; 1 Staff Attorney at .05 FTE, filled the entire funding period; 1 Senior Program Administrator at .04 FTE, filled the entire funding period; 1 CAP Director at .58 FTE, filled the entire funding period. No vacant professional positions. Clerical/Support Staff: 1 full-time working part-time in the CAP Program at .15 FTE, filled the entire funding period.

Part VI. Case Examples

Case Examples

Provide some examples of some interesting cases during the past fiscal year. A 20-year-old CAP-eligible individual with hearing loss and cochlear implants contacted CAP with questions regarding funding for college through the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) to pursue a degree in Business. The individual had recently learned that they have been approved for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. The individual was currently attending Western Wyoming College full-time. The individual began the semester before meeting with DVR to create an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE). DVR confirmed they could not cover expenses for the current semester, but would fund all future costs starting the following semester. A DVR meeting was scheduled to finalize the IPE service. CAP attended the meeting to ensure appropriate services were added to the IPE, including work experience options, the Ticket to Work program, and Work Incentives Planning Assistance, to support effective benefits planning. DVR added the necessary services and the case was successfully closed, allowing this individual to advance their employment opportunities. The individual was not only grateful but also profoundly appreciative of the information shared, making the team's efforts feel valued.

Certification

Reports are to be submitted to RSA within 90 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this report. Please be reminded that you can enter data directly into the RSA website via the internet. Information on transmittal of the form is found on pages 19 and 20 of the reporting instructions.

Name and Title of Authorized Certifying Official

I agree to submit this form by electronic means. By signing this form electronically, I certify under penalty of perjury that my answers are correct and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that an electronic signature has the same legal meaning and can be enforced in the same way as a written signature.

Full Legal Name of Signer: Andrew Hunt Lemke Sr

Certifying Official Title CEO

By checking this box and typing my full legal name above, I am electronically signing this form. Yes

Date Certified (mm/dd/yyyy) 2025-12-03

OMB Notice

OMB Control Number: 1820-0528, approved for use through 07/31/2023

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 16 hours per response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. The obligation to respond to this collection is required to obtain or retain a benefit (Section 13 of the Rehabilitation Act, as amended). Send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to U.S. Department of Education, Washington, D.C. 20202-4537 or email ICDocketMgr@ed.gov and reference the OMB Control Number 1820-0528. Note: Please do not return the completed form to this address.

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