ANNUAL REPORT 2023 ANNUAL REPORT 2023

Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission Statewide Rehabilitation Council

A Letter from the Chair

Career Services Year in Review 10

18 FY24 Recommendations

22 Building Community

LETTER FROM THE CHAIR Inez S. Canada

DEAR SRC AND MRC:

This moment is bittersweet as my term as Chair has ended. It has been my pleasure to lead the SRC and I am truly grateful for your willingness to follow. Together we have built a foundation for a stronger more influential SRC. I hope everyone is proud of the Council we have started building together. I know the Council will continue to grow and thrive under the incoming Chair because everyone serving is dedicated to the SRC’s vision and mission.

Committee Chairs, thank you for your leadership, extraordinary level of service, and commitment to the Council. Thank you for the efforts of the Committees to execute the Council’s mission. We see the untapped potential of the body and I know the SRC will continue working to realize it fully.

SRC Members and attendees, thank you for your service on the Council. Your voice is valuable to the conversation about innovating vocational rehabilitation services to maximize the opportunity for individuals with disabilities to find the support needed to “live their best lives, through consumer-driven, meaningful, competitive, and integrated employment and sustainable careers.”

MRC Liaisons, thank you for your support of the SRC and its Committee work. Your knowledge of vocational rehabilitation guides our thought process around what’s possible, keeping our work focused and relevant. We appreciate you and the time you set aside to attend the meetings.

I truly enjoyed working with all of you and getting to know some of you better during my term. I look forward to assisting with the transition of the next SRC Chair and supporting the SRC under its new leadership.

Are you interested in breaking down employment barriers for individuals with disabilities?

With a grateful heart, Inez S. Canada

Join the Statewide Rehabilitation Council (SRC)

The SRC is a diverse, inclusive, and equitable advisory body that gathers representative voices from the disability community to provide input to the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission’s Division of Career Services.

Contact mrc.staterehabcouncil@mass.gov

What is the SRC?

The Council’s collective and individual thinking plays a substantive role in how the vocational rehabilitation program operates and contributes to the innovation of career and counseling services. Members of the SRC collaborate with MRC in developing goals and priorities for the state plan, and offer input and consultation on policies, practices, and procedures that impact jobseekers.

If you are an employer, individual with a disability, family member, advocate, service provider, and/or someone who wants to make a difference in people’s career-goals, this is the group for you!

Vision:

We envision a world where all individuals with disabilities are supported to live their best lives, through consumer-driven, meaningful, competitive, and integrated employment and sustainable careers.

Mission:

We work to promote competitive and sustainable employment for all people with disabilities, including those marginalized by inequalities.

4 State Rehabilitation Council

Executive Committee

Comprehensive Needs and Consumer Satisfaction

Government Organizational Structure for Funding & Oversight

Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services

Youcef “Joe” Bellil Disabilities Rep

Inez Canada Disabilities Rep

Rebecca Davis Parenting Training/Info Center Rep

Ronaldo Fujii Disabilities Rep

Paula Euber MRC VR Rep

Dr. Lusa Lo Higher Education Rep

Christine Tosti Disabilities Rep

Toni Wolf Commissioner

Heather Wood Disabilities Rep

Vacant Seats:

• Unserved/Underserved Rep

Rosanna Woodmansee Business/Labor/Industries Rep

• Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) Chair

• State Workforce Development Board Member

• State Educational Agency Rep Responsible for the Public Education of Students with Disabilities

INEZ CANADA INEZ CANADA Courage for the Times

“ My last name (Canada) means ‘Gathering Place,” Inez Canada shared recently. “Which is fitting because when people think about me, they’re thinking of a person who brings people together.” She explained that as a leader, her gift has been to hear all the content collected and find the unifying pieces to bring people for common goals. “I focus on the things we can do together, in unity.”

As Chair, Inez created a place where people could unite and share ideas, all while strengthening the SRC’s ability to affect change in employment services offered through MRC.

Born in Mississippi, one of 11 children, Inez was never bored. While her family were extroverts, she found solace in the quiet moments at home. She had a thirst for knowledge, devoured books, and spent her free time writing. “These things were my focus.” At a young age, despite her quiet demeanor, Inez was courageous and began finding her voice. She often settled arguments between her siblings and approached her stern father with out-of-thebox ideas. Inez’s courage would define her professional career.

As her term as Chair ends, Inez knows she is leaving the council in a place of success. “One thing I’ve heard is that the meetings have been efficient and organized,” Inez said. Under her leadership, the SRC is more prepared to be an active voice for Commonwealth residents with a disability. “It was important to me to create processes that a new member could learn easily, so new council members have a solid foundation of knowledge and written policies, and not have to create them as they learn.”

It was during this time that Inez was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. Admittedly, she knew nothing about the condition, and after she graduated, her symptoms intensified. By 2011, she was hospitalized and lost her ability to walk and have full use of her hands. After almost two years of intensive therapy at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, she gained the confidence to return to work. “I can’t sit still,” Inez shared. “To me, work was always an option.” She had a law degree, but the traditional paths of law weren’t her passion; her new situation made them less attractive. She connected with the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) to help rethink her career. She began investigating roles in Human Resources with MRC’s on-the-job evaluation. She saw her experience and passion for knowledge and education could be helpful to others with disabilities.

She applied for a role at the Massachusetts Office of Disability (MOD) as an advocate for the Client Assistance Program (CAP), a federal program that advocates for individuals with disabilities. The role would empower her to be a leader again; not for an organization, but for one person at a time. “I wanted to work with people, write, and help educate people about their rights,” she said, remembering what she wanted in her next job. Before getting the job, she attended the MOD Summit at the State House to network and learn more. While there, she met the new Commissioner of MRC, Toni Wolf. Commissioner Wolf encouraged her to join the Statewide Rehabilitation Council (SRC). In a quick conversation, Inez demonstrated her passion, awareness, and desire to help those with disabilities. Inez began attending the council’s public meetings and became interested in joining. “Before I was even appointed, I saw that the skills I had would be of value to the council,” Inez said. “It became a natural fit.” As a member of the SRC, Inez’s work on the council focused on organization and improving the knowledge of members on the council.

“I don’t want people to compare the next Chair to me,” Inez added. “We all bring different skills.” To her, the SRC has become a council with real influence with a courageous voice about employment services for people with disabilities. Inez is excited that the new SRC Chair, Heather Wood, is a special education teacher and will bring ideas to reach youth and support MRC’s Pre-ETS program and the NextGen Careers vocational model.

Creating Possibility

AT MRC’S SECOND ANNUAL SUMMIT BY NICK PIZZOLATO T

88 State Rehabilitation Council State Rehabilitation Council

attendees for a day full of inspiration, information, and collaboration. Individuals with disabilities came prepared to meet with MRC staff, providers, and vendors to communicate their needs and learn about existing services so they can live life on their own terms. The event demonstrated MRC’s determination to be a catalyst for careers and independent living for the people they serve now and in the future.

he Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission’s (MRC) second “Explore Possibility Summit” opened the doors at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel and Conference TCenter to more than 400 registered attendees for a day full of inspiration, information,

2023 EXPLORE POSSIBILITY SUMMIT

These experiences led Jake to work with friends to create the Ahoi app, a Waze for accessibility. It uses crowdsourcing technology for users to share notifications of incomplete walkways or locations they might not be able to enter. “With the help of MRC, we can create a comprehensive map of Boston and Massachusetts to share with other people living with a disability, the best way they can get around their community,” Jake said.

MRC designed breakout sessions to help foster knowledge, networking, and independence among the attendees. People with disabilities could hear from housing advocates who provided resources for them to use to rejoin their communities and live independently. Seasoned travelers with disabilities shared their tips on exploring the world and encouraging others to travel. MRC’s Job Placement Team members advised people on how to succeed in a hybrid work environment. Members of the disability community had the day to network with their peers and other professionals to help the growth of their careers.

Jake Haendel, the Summit’s keynote speaker, shared his story as the only person to survive stage four toxic progressive leukoencephalopathy. In 2017, he fell into a coma, and when he became unresponsive, medical professionals thought he was braindead. Jake could still hear. He could still think. He could still feel pain in his muscles. He just was unable to communicate with anyone. Thanks to an incredible team of medical professionals and his selfdetermination, Jake eventually started to communicate and focused on his recovery. Ultimately, he could move independently in his wheelchair but consistently ran into accessibility issues. Sidewalks without curb cuts. Stairs but no elevator. Restaurants with no accessible bathroom.

At the end of the Summit, guests filled the ballroom to engage with a panel featuring members of the disability community and advocates who shared their thoughts on Disability Pride. Entrepreneur Roxy Rocker said her definition of pride was, “We are passionate about living our lives.” Family Inclusion Ambassador Firdosa Hassan added, “We must create an inclusive environment for people with disabilities to achieve what’s best for them.”

Deafand Hard of Hearing4.6% Developmental/Intellectual 4.0% Disabilities Other Disabilities 3.4% Career Services YEAR IN REVIEWNeurological DisabilitiesJULY 1, 2022 - JUNE 30, 20231.9% Traumatic BrainInjury 1.6%

KEY FACTS

2,823 jobseekers with disabilities have been successfully placed into competitive employment based on their choices, interests, needs and skills.

Estimated public benefits savings from people rehabilitated in MA were $21.2 million.

Average Hourly Wage: $18.73

$14 The returns to society based on increases in lifetime earnings range from to $18 for each $1 invested in the MRC Vocational Rehabilitation program.

$5 is returned to the government in the form of increased taxes and reduced public assistance payments for every $1 invested in the MRC Vocational Rehabilitation program.

Based on Commonwealth Corporation Study *

COMMITTEE REPORTS 23

Executive Committee Chairperson: Inez Canada

This year, the Executive Committee continued its work to bring the SRC and its members into compliance with the federal and state requirements for the advisory body and its members. With the help of our new Administrative Support staff, the SRC has begun to document, organize, and track essential processes and mandates.

This foundation has provided a framework for the SRC’s current operations and will

encourage growth so that successors can continue building a more effective Council of influential advisors for the MRC vocational rehabilitation division.

MRC will collaborate with SRC to identify, recruit, and engage more jobseekers and stakeholders from specific backgrounds, groups, and organizations required by federal regulations, including Un-served/ Under-served communities, individuals with disabilities, and businesses.

Business and Employment Opportunity Committee Chairperson: Steve LaMaster

The committee reviewed an article cited in a CSAVR newsletter that discussed methods to enhance competitive integrated employment (CIE). A method the committee endorsed was state VR sharing information with employers about the business benefits of hiring people with disabilities, to further encourage hiring of people with disabilities. There are six advisory employer boards across the Commonwealth distributed geo-

About 100 employers contact MRC with open positions before posting, the number varies month to month. The committee recommended gathering comments from the employers who use MRC and develop a campaign to reach out to other employers. Increase availability and accessibility

Develop a baseline understanding of self-employment, review state and national data trends (to assist with determining the scope of the effort), and assess VRS-E resources (e.g., the University of Montana Rural Institute on Inclusive Communities; potential adaptation, and training for MRC VR staff.

Increase availability and accessibility of SRC materials online and develop a robust communications, marketing, and branding strategy for SRC. Content review SRC E-brochure and flyer. MRC worked with feedback generated by

In October 2022 the Committee discussed MRC Self-employment Data, noting that Worcester and Greenfield areas had significant rates of success over other areas of the state (10% and 19% respectively of successful closures in self-employment). Numbers of people achieving successful self-employment across the remaining 17 MRC sites were lower by comparison, averaging 4.14% successful closures.

Greenfield’s site was noted as featuring mentoring to get a business up and running. A small group from the committee met with an MRC representative and learned that often MRC Counselors lacked training and capacity to meet the needs for people with self-employment goals because such knowledge falls outside the scope of their required vocational licensing requirements. VR counselors must initiate learning opportunities independently to help a participant with a self-employment goal. Even if they are willing, most counselors lack the capacity to learn about self-employment because they manage large caseloads.

COMMITTEE REPORTS 23

help a participant under self-employment, the time it takes to build a self-sufficient business, and to help the participant draft a practical business plan. Also, one of the two consultants with which MRC contracts was not equipped to assist a client CAP was working with because the consultant’s main contract was for tutoring. Finally, our CAP, as well as CAP programs in other states, have found that SCORE (SBA business mentors) are not adept at working with individuals with disabilities.

Jobseeker Satisfaction & Needs Assessment Committee Chair: Ronaldo Fujii, MD PhD

The Jobseeker Satisfaction & Needs Assessment Committee ensures jobseeker perspectives are included in the process of evaluating MRC vocational rehabilitation services. During the fiscal year, the Committee members collaborated to improve the MRC service experience survey tool analysis and made efforts to recruit new members to the council.

Recruitment

The Committee invited members of the society with technical and scientific expertise to be recruited to the SRC while considering our diversity and inclusion principles. Such individuals would be essential to ensure the

close collaboration with MRC to improve methods, identify gaps and propose solutions to improve vocational rehabilitation access to underserved communities.

Policy Committee Chairperson: Naomi Goldberg

The SRC Policy Committee reviews and analyzes Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) policies and procedures to ensure service delivery aligns with federal and state VR regulations and policy guidance. The Committee recommends revisions to and the development of policies that help jobseekers better understand the VR process and what is necessary to attain competitive integrated employment. Also, it recommends changes to policies to fix systemic matters as appropriate. Finally, the Committee periodically reviews and recommends updates to the Council Bylaws.

The first was to develop SRC orientation materials focused on understanding the role of the SRC and the basics of vocational rehabilitation. The intent behind this recommendation was to provide SRC members with information that would assist them in performing their advisory role. The second recommendation was to create informational materials for jobseekers that explain the basics of the VR process in clear and understandable language. This recommendation was made with an understanding that jobseekers with disabilities often struggle to understand how to navigate the vocational rehabilitation process and what they should expect and often this delays their services from progressing.

Developing SRC Orientation Materials

During the first half of FY23 the committee focused its efforts on developing content that serves to educate SRC members on both the role of the SRC and the basics of vocational rehabilitation. The ultimate goal of these efforts is to help SRC members better understand their advisory role and the topic on which they are advising. The committee spent time gathering and

The committee spent time gathering and reviewing available content on the subject of SRC and vocational rehabilitation from a range of agencies and organizations with this expertise. While the committee understood that the topic of vocational rehabilitation with its various regulations can be complicated, all recognized the critical importance of making sure that the materials selected would strike a balance between offering thorough explanations and making sure the language used would be clear and not overly complicated.

The Policy Committee began this project with an understanding that VR services are individualized and therefore can be complicated to explain. With that in mind the committee sought to identify important VR topics that are confusing for jobseekers and would require written explanations using clear and simple language. The ultimate goal of the project was to educate jobseekers about the services they are receiving, as well as their rights and obligations so that the services are more effective.

COMMITTEE REPORTS 23

The committee settled on three VR subjects for which it would create facts sheets in simple language; the Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE), financial policies, and due process. Over the course of several months, the committee drafted, reviewed, and revised three fact sheets. At the end of FY23 the final versions of the three fact sheets will be shared with MRC for potential use with jobseekers.

At the end of FY23 MRC began providing updates to SRC via the Policy Committee about appeals. This includes summaries of administrative review decisions, fair hearing decisions, as well as summaries of cases that have been settled. The summaries will provide enough information that will allow the reader to understand the basic dispute that led to the appeal and the decision without disclosing confidential information that would identify individual participants. The purpose of sharing the decisions is to give

The State Plan and Interagency Relations Committee (State Plan Committee) ensures the SRC meets its obligations regarding input from jobseekers in the development of both the MRC public VR (vocational rehabilitation) State Plan and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Combined State Plan.

The State Plan and Interagency Relations Committee Chairperson: Joe Bellil

Going forward, MRC will provide these summaries to the Policy Committee twice a year and that information will be shared with the wider SRC membership.

Supported Committees through the SRC Recommendation Process

During the FY23 State Plan Committee meetings, committee members reviewed and responded to Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission’s responses to the FY23 SRC Recommendations. The committees, in partnership with MRC, worked on their assigned recommendations throughout the year. The committee members appreciated the support given by MRC’s staff liaisons. Each MRC liaison brought a wealth of information to the committees, which helped the members progress through their work.

Recommendations. The committee then forwarded the final draft list of FY24 Recommendations to the Executive Committee for their review. The final FY24Rrecommendations were submitted to MRC for their review and response.

The Executive Committee requested that each person who submitted a recommendation provide responses to the following questions during the SRC June Quarterly Meeting: What problem does this recommendation aim to solve or what issue does it seek to address? How does this recommendation contribute to achieving “competitive and sustainable employment for all people with disabilities,” as stated in the SRC mission, and what is its intended value and purpose in relation to vocational rehabilitation? What are the expected outcomes or deliverables of this recommendation, and what impact is it expected to have? The State Plan Committee is enthusiastic

SRC FY24 RECOMMENDATIONS

SRC will continue to actively partner with the MRC in the interpretation of survey data and

strategies for developing different channels

ing different channels for collecting feedback and disseminating of findings and associated actions taken and the SRC will actively part-

The SRC will work with the MRC to develop a mechanism and timeline for engagement of Business and Employment Opportunity Committee members during the implementation of the Disability Employment Tax Credit marketing campaign.

Responsible SRC Committee: Executive Committee

The SRC will collaborate with the MRC to identify, recruit, and engage more MRC Job Seekers and other stakeholders for SRC membership from specific backgrounds, groups, and organizations required by federal regulations, including Un-served/ Under-served communities, individuals with disabilities, and businesses

BEVERLY BREWINGTON Pursuing a Career Full of Purpose

20 State Rehabilitation Council

life-long resident of Boston, Beverly Brewington recognizes that her career journey has not been the same as oth- Aers. She reached out to the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) in 2004

And as much as Beverly loved learning and earning credits toward her degree in food service, she couldn’t help but feel this wasn’t her purpose. “It was something inside of me, and I felt like I was meant to help people,” she reflected. “I want to help people who have been through similar situations as myself, and this is my calling.”

Aers. She reached out to the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) in 2004 when she started studying for a career in food preparation. Twenty years later, she pivoted her career goals to acquire a degree in psychology and focus her professional life on helping those who have survived domestic abuse and substance use. She wants to be an advocate for them to fulfill their dreams and reach their full potential, despite their past.

She changed her field of study from food preparation to psychology. She was determined to stay on track to graduate in 2024, even if that meant doubling up on coursework during future semesters. But Beverly isn’t afraid of hard work or asking for help when she needs it. “Yes, it’s challenging. But I’m doing it!” she said. “This is

Beverly’s story is painful and inspirational as she has continued to fight against the odds to achieve her career goals. A physical confrontation resulted in a head injury that caused her to be legally blind. Lying in a hospital bed, doctors told her she would not be the same and would have to relearn how to talk, walk, and other things she had taken for granted.

Since Beverly started working towards her degree, MRC has been instrumental in providing her with support, services, and resources. MRC has equipped her with a computer and connected her with services that have facilitated a conducive learning environment, enabling her to excel in her academic pursuits. “If I know I need something, I’m not accepting no as an answer. We all need help. But if you don’t ask for help, you’re not going to get it.”

Her MRC counselor, Desiree Etienne, has been a part of her journey during the past few years. “I trust De-

Beverly looks forward to 2024 and earning her psychology degree from BHCC. “I’ll be the first one in my immediate family to earn a college degree,” she shared. “And I’m going to invite everyone for a graduation party and cook for everyone. To say thank you.”

Building Community Through Collaboration

Collaboration works. That’s why we partner with sister agencies, employ-

That’s why we partner with sister agencies, employers, and jobseekers to find solutions that have a real impact in people’s lives.

Sharing a location with these agencies is not an experiment; it’s vital to the people we serve. MRC’s relationship with each agency is essential as we work to break down barriers for people to live independently. Our goal is to build and strengthen relationships, and that has been at the heart of the Adult Community Clinical Services (ACCS) Employment Partnership with the Department of Mental Health (DMH) and the Empowering to Employ joint initiative with the Department of Transitional Assistance. Through our ACCS partnership, mental health specialty qualified rehabilitation counselors work with DMH clients to explore their career interests, access

One of the benefits of this program is that it moves at the pace of the job seeker. ACCS staff introduces MRC to individuals when they are ready to pursue career support. They meet with a Mental Health Counselor to learn about the services provided and explore what kind of careers they are interested in. And because the job seeker is already receiving ACCS services, it allows them to move faster through MRC’s intake process, becoming eligible for services and finding positions that best fit them. To date, there have been more than 1,100 job placements.

The Empowering to Employ maximizes opportunities for individuals with disabilities receiving Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC). The shared vision of the partnership is to use a jointly funded model of engagement and co-case management to provide individualized and meaningful services leading to sustained employment, economic independence, and family stability for DTA clients with disabilities.

AGENCY COLLABORATIONS MRC AND DTA CO-LOCATIONS

MRC has embarked on a new initiative to provide resources to young adults with disabilities whose transition services were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Working alongside the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), the Department of Disability Services (DDS), the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB), the Massachusetts Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment Initiative (MAICEI), and the Federation for Children with Special Needs, the Coordinated Pandemic-Related Transition Services Project’s goal is to reach out to individuals with disabilities that turned 22 between March 10, 2020 and September 1, 2023 and were transitioned out of high school without a proper handoff to adult services.

• Malden

• New Bedford • Pittsfield

COVID-19 disrupted education for all students, but it hit students with disabilities in some areas especially hard. Working together with strategic initiatives like this, these agencies work together to find communities hit the hardest by the pandemic to provide support and resources, who may not traditionally receive vaccine equity. Specifically, MRC offers resources to those seeking additional education, training, and job placement through traditional employment exploration or the NextGen Careers program.

• Pittsfield

• Southbridge • Taunton

Creating Economic Opportunity Through Community College Partnerships

• Worcester

ENCY COLLABORATIONS

MRC AND DDS CO-LOCATIONS • Braintree

Together with Holyoke Community College, Roxbury Community College, and CISCO, the agency launched its Technology Academy. In its third year, the program offers students with disabilities the opportunity to earn a cyber-security certificate and real-world experience as information technology (IT) support professionals. More than 93 students have graduated from the program, and many have entered into a life-changing career path.

• Braintree

• Fall River

MRC, DTA, AND DMH CO-LOCATIONS • Hyannis

• Lowell

MRC, DMH, AND DDS CO-LOCATIONS • Lowell

“We envision a world where all individuals with

disabilities are supported to live their best lives.”

Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission Statewide Rehabilitation Council

600 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02111 | Phone (617) 204-3600 www.mass.gov/mrc/src | MRC.StateRehabCouncil@MassMail.State.MA.Us