ABILITIES COMMITTEE
MINUTES
May 14, 2009
PRESENT:
Anita Marie Garcia, Bancroft Neurohealth
Megan McGinnis, Bancroft Neurohealth
Joanne Kinzy, Camden County College
Janet Moran, Lourdes Health System
STAFF:
Sherriea Gorden, CCWIB
Carol Misinkavitch, CCWIB
Jeffrey S. Swartz, CCWIB
Welcome
Jeff welcomed attendees. He introduced Janet Moran, Committee Co-Chair. Janet conducted round table introductions and directed members to the Mission and Strategic goals with DiscoverAbility NJ document (NJ’s Strategic Plan to create a comprehensive employment system for people with Disabilities).
Mission and Strategic Goals
The committee reviewed each strategic goal and determined the local goals could be defined by combining goals 1, 2, 3 creating a local Goal 1, Goal 5 will become priority Goal 2, Goal 4 will become Goal 3 and a combination of Goal 6 & 7 will become Goal 4 as follows:
Goal #1:
Increase public understand and awareness and engage and educate employers on people with disabilities and their ability to work.
Goal #2:
Promote supports for working to people with disabilities.
Goal #3:
Facilitate and refer people with disabilities to partners and agencies to better prepare them for work and offer more effective connections to jobs.
Goal #4:
Increase the Camden County Workforce Investment Board’s leadership and coordination efforts in the employment of people with disabilities, and support disability and employment research.
Next Steps:
Identify partner agencies to share best practices to address Goal #1.
Submitted by,
Sherriea Gorden
Executive Assistant
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ABILITIES COMMITTEE
MINUTES (revised)
February 3, 2009
PRESENT:
Thomas Jenkins, Hi Fi Sales
Sandi Kelly, Camden County Improvement Authority
Joanne Kinzy, Camden County College
Angela Lucas, HireAbility
Dr. James A. McGruder, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
STAFF:
Sherriea Gorden, CCWIB
Carol Misinkavitch, CCWIB
Jeffrey S. Swartz, CCWIB
Welcome
Jeff welcomed attendees, thanked James McGruder for hosting our meeting and round table introductions were made.
Call to Order: Chairman, Tom Jenkins called the meeting to order at 8:45a.m.
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Powerpoint-Dr. James McGruder
Dr. McGruder described the DVR’s mission as one to enable persons with disabilities (excluding visually impaired) to achieve their employment goals consistent with their strengths, priorities, needs and abilities, not focusing on their disability. Services include diagnostic, counseling/guidance, skills training, post employment services, physical restorations, coaching, 90 days of follow-up, and transportation supports- just about any essential service required that enables employment. In the event a customer is not able to make it into the DVR complex in Camden due to extenuating circumstances, a home visit can be arranged.
The current case load per Counselor is approximately 200 with the optimum load of 160. As with the non-disabled population there has been an increase in the number of persons requesting services.
James also advised members that each DVR Counselor has at a minimum a Masters degree in Counseling unless grandfathered. This certification ensures their ability to correctly address customer’s needs; currently the state has a freeze on hiring and the local DVR office is operating minus four counselors.
Extensive conversation surrounded youth and the average age of the customer seen at DVR. Dr. McGruder advised members that while DVR can serve anyone at just about any legal age “the school district is responsible for assessment and provision of the student’s educational needs until he/she completes their secondary education”.
This population may be the most vulnerable due to many factors, including the stigmatism surrounding schools and the associated costs; the personal embarrassment felt by the youth admitting they have an impediment, especially if not previously documented.
Dr. McGruder noted the release of information regarding client requires a signed consent by the client or parent/guardian prior to release of information. All information gathered is used only for the purpose of direct administration services to the client, additionally requires client’s consent to release to a third party.
Members agreed that educating parents, students and educators would be beneficial to all involved. A suggestion was made to start a standing committee to work on youth transition and reach out to (SPAN) Statewide Parent Advocacy Network for a presentation on their services.
Chairman, Jenkins requested members think about other agencies that might provide information to assist us and or request a tour of their facility.
Chairman Jenkins indicated he will forward some additional ideas via email to members.
He also stated he is scheduled for surgery and will schedule a meeting post surgery mid March.
The Committee received a tour of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and the meeting was adjourned.
Submitted by,
Sherriea Gorden
Executive Assistant