Shows
Manager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementVRTAC-QM Manager Minute: Project AccessTECH — State VR Programs: Don’t Miss This Nationwide Tech Training InitiativeGet ready to be inspired by Project AccessTECH, a bold, nationwide initiative that’s breaking down barriers and reshaping the future of tech employment for people with disabilities. In this episode, Carol Pankow welcomes Dr. Ayse Torres, Associate Professor in the College of Education, and Dr. Javad Hashemi, Professor in the College of Engineering and Computer Science at Florida Atlantic University, into the VRTAC-QM Studio. Powered by Florida Atlantic University and funded by the Disability Innovation Fund, Project AccessTECH delivers hands-on, cutting-edge training in cybersecurity, cloud computing, and 3D printing. Participants gain real-world experience through pa...2025-07-0118 minManager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementNew Episode Alert: Order of Selection – A Candid Look Inside Kentucky’s VR Challenges and SolutionsIn this episode of Manager Minute, host Carol Pankow sits down with Cora McNabb, Executive Director of Kentucky Combined, for an honest, in-depth conversation about how her agency is responding to the rising fiscal pressures in vocational rehabilitation. Facing skyrocketing service costs in the wake of the pandemic, McNabb shares how Kentucky made the tough but necessary decision to implement an Order of Selection. She walks through the agency’s strategic approach, including cost containment measures like staffing freezes, policy changes, and clear, consistent communication. Listeners will gain valuable insights into: · Using data to drive...2025-06-0226 minManager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementVRTAC-QM Manager Minute: Facing the Storm: What’s Keeping VR Leaders Awake at NightWe’re celebrating a major milestone with the return of our very first guests: Kristen Mackey, Director of Arizona Combined, and Natasha Jerde, Director of Minnesota Blind. As Vocational Rehabilitation leaders navigate rising demands, shifting funding, and major structural change, Kristen and Natasha join us again to reflect on the post-pandemic landscape—and how it’s testing directors like never before. From managing centralized services to sustaining staffing under fiscal strain, they share the real-world challenges that keep them up at night—and the strategies they’re using to adapt. With transparency, persistence, and a missio...2025-05-0138 minManager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementVRTAC-QM Manager Minute: From Job to Career: How Nebraska VR is Transforming Workforce AdvancementNebraska VR is on a mission to elevate careers and empower businesses through its innovative Disability Innovation Fund Career Pathways Advancement Project (CPAP 2.0). In this episode, Carol Pankow sits down with Cathy Callaway, Nebraska VR’s Assistant Director, to discuss how the program helps individuals with disabilities advance in high-demand fields like STEM and skilled trades. With over 130 business partners signed on, the initiative is breaking barriers, fostering workforce development, and proving that growth doesn’t stop at job placement—it’s about career progression. Tune in to hear how Nebraska VR is redefining success through strategic partnerships and a dual-c...2025-04-0116 minManager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementVRTAC-QM Manager Minute: Inside Order of Selection – Insights from RSA and Indiana VRJoin host Carol Pankow as she dives into the complexities of Order of Selection (OOS) in vocational rehabilitation with two expert guests: Theresa Kolezar, Director of Indiana Combined, and Chris Pope, Director of the State Monitoring and Program Improvement Division at RSA. In this episode, they break down: · Why agencies implement OOS due to financial and staffing constraints · Key regulatory requirements and compliance considerations · Strategies for managing and eventually lifting OOS · Indiana VR’s data-driven approach to decision-making and communication · RSA’s insights on fiscal forecasting and policy compliance If you're in th...2025-03-0338 minManager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementVRTAC-QM Manager Minute: AI-Powered Solutions: Streamlining Services with MassAbility and Massachusetts Commission for the BlindThis Manager Minute episode spotlights how the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind and MassAbility are leveraging AI to improve service delivery. Host Carol Pankow discusses innovative AI applications with guests Lola Akinlapa, Nathan Skrocki, and John Oliveira. They explore an AI-assisted intake platform designed to streamline processes, enhance multilingual support, and enable faster access to services. The conversation also highlights AI-powered tools like policy lookup systems and data visualization platforms like Tableau. Emphasizing accessibility and transparency, the episode showcases AI’s potential to alleviate administrative bottlenecks, support staff, and empower consumers while preserving the human touch in service delivery....2025-02-0331 minManager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementVRTAC-QM Manager Minute – Fiscal Team Insights-Reflections on Fiscal Challenges and Opportunities in VRJoin host Carol Pankow in this thought-provoking episode of Manager Minute as she sits down with VR fiscal powerhouses Katie Marchesano, Chris Merritt, Allison Flanagan, and Sarah Clardy. Together, they unpack the pressing fiscal issues shaping the vocational rehabilitation (VR) landscape, including: · Navigating fiscal forecasting challenges · Addressing technology gaps · Strengthening collaboration between program and fiscal teams The conversation highlights the vital role of policies, training, and institutional knowledge in sustaining VR programs while anticipating future shifts, such as technological advancements, fiscal constraints, and potential WIOA reauthorization. Don’t miss this epis...2025-01-0229 minManager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementVRTAC-QM Manager Minute: Unlocking Potential with Value-Based PurchasingJoin us for this enlightening episode of VRTAC-QM Manager Minute, where we explore the transformative power of Value-Based Purchasing (VBP), also known as Performance-Based Payment (PBP). In the studio, we have Chip Kenney, Co-Project Director of the VRTAC-QM, and Lisa Mills, a consultant and subject matter expert in VBP, sharing their expertise. VBP is more than just a financial model—it's a strategic shift designed to drive better outcomes for individuals with disabilities. By aligning provider incentives with measurable performance outcomes, State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies (SVRAs) can enhance the quality of services, improve consumer results, and optimize co...2024-12-0233 minManager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementVRTAC-QM Manager Minute: Pathways to Partnership DIF in ColoradoJoin us for the latest episode of the Manager Minute podcast, where host Carol Pankow sits down with the incredible Serina Gilbert, Cheryl Carver, and Peter Pike from Colorado's Pathways to Partnership DIF Grant! In this episode, they dive into their groundbreaking Pathways to Partnership project, a collaborative initiative designed to enhance outcomes for children and youth with disabilities. Discover how they're embedding VR counselors in schools, launching the innovative “Map My Transition” app, and partnering with Centers for Independent Living to create a brighter future. Tune in as the team shares valuable insights, learning experi...2024-11-0432 minManager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementVRTAC-QM Manager Minute: RISE-Up! Elevating Rehabilitation and Employment Services for Underserved Communities with San Diego State University's Interwork InstituteThe RISE-UP project is a transformative initiative to revolutionize rehabilitation services for underserved populations, focusing on racial and ethnic minorities. Dr. Mari Guillermo and Dr. Mark Tucker, Project Directors at San Diego State University's Interwork Institute, highlight how this project seeks to drive systemic change through state agency partnerships and tools like QA Advisor Plus. RISE-UP strives to reshape vocational rehabilitation and improve employment outcomes nationwide by fostering equity, inclusion, and access. Listen Here Full Transcript: {Music} Mark: QA Advisor Plus, a tool that agencies can...2024-10-0435 minManager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementVRTAC-QM Manager Minute: Maximizing VR Impact - Insights from the VR-ROI Project!Get ready to dive deep into the future of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) with Dr. Joe Ashley and Dr. Bob Schmidt in our latest episode! Joe, the dynamic Project Director of the VR-ROI initiative at George Washington University, teams up with Bob, one of the leading economists and the Project Research Coordinator, to bring you insider knowledge on revamping return on investment models for VR programs. They’re on a mission to streamline and elevate how VR agencies operate, helping them become more efficient, effective, and impactful. Their discussion is packed with actionable insights that will em...2024-09-0340 minManager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementVRTAC-QM Manager Minute: Unlocking the Potential- Elevate Your Skills with Enhanced NCRTM Resources for Counselors, Supervisors, and VR ProfessionalsGo behind the curtain at the National Clearinghouse of Rehabilitation Training Materials (NCRTM) with Heather Servais, Project Manager. Join us as we delve into the vast resources available to vocational rehabilitation counselors, supervisors, and VR professionals. From employment navigation to disability-specific resources and cutting-edge training, Heather reveals how the revamped NCRTM website is a treasure trove of information and tools to enhance your practices and improve services. Tune in to explore these new features and see how the NCRTM can support you in your vital work. Don't miss this opportunity to unlock the full potential of this dynamic platform!2024-08-0138 minManager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementVRTAC-QM Manager Minute: Navigating Case Management System UpgradesJoin us for an insightful episode of the VRTAC-QM Manager Minute as Brittny MacIver and Sarah Clardy from the VRTAC-QM team share their expertise on case management systems. Brittny, an expert in Program and Performance within our Quality Management team, and Sarah, the Program Director for Fiscal and Resource Management, delve into best practices and the growing trend of states seeking to upgrade their systems. Learn about the nuances of state requests and the RFP process, and gain valuable knowledge to help you decide whether it's time to stay with your current system or make a move. ...2024-07-0131 minManager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementVRTAC-QM Manager Minute: From Subminimum to Sustainable - Transforming Employment in the Transportation Industry in MinnesotaJoin us in the studio with Tyler Sadek, Go MN! Project Manager, and Amanda Jensen-Stahl, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Minnesota General, as we explore the transformative efforts of Minnesota's DIF Grant Go MN! This episode delves into innovative strategies designed to transition individuals with disabilities from subminimum wage to competitive, integrated employment. Listen Here Full Transcript: {Music} Amanda: Give them the tools and resources to look at other ways to support employment instead of that 14 (C) certificate. Tyler: So mu...2024-06-0329 minManager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementVRTAC-QM Manager Minute: DIFing the Path Forward - Iowa's Blueprint for Change Bridges Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment Welcome to VRTAC-QM Manager Minute! Today, we're joined by Brandy McOmber, Project Director, Ashley Banes, Counselor Specialist, and Paul Fuller, Counselor Specialist, all representing Iowa General. Our focus is Iowa's Blueprint for Change DIF Grant and its creative use of the collective impact approach. This initiative aims to amplify opportunities for competitive integrated employment through strategic partnerships and pilot programs. Its overarching mission? To phase out sub-minimum wage employment in Iowa and revolutionize the career paths of individuals considering such options. As 14(C) certificate holders decline, many individuals find themselves without employment, often spending their...2024-05-0142 minManager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementVRTAC-QM Manager Minute: CTPIE is reshaping employment in Connecticut! Transitioning people from subminimum wage to competitive integrated employmentToday, we're thrilled to have Lynn Frith, Education Consultant from the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services at Connecticut General, in the studio. Discover how CTPIE, fueled by the RSA SWITCIE DIF Grant, is revolutionizing disability employment by shifting individuals from subminimum wage to competitive integrated jobs. With a focus on family input and multi-agency collaboration, CTPIE is at the forefront of innovating employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Listen Here Full Transcript: {Music} Lynn: We ended up branding the SWITCIE Grant here in C...2024-04-0123 minManager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementVRTAC-QM Manager Minute: DIF and California DOR - Discover how California’s Department of Rehabilitation is revolutionizing job readiness through a sector-specific strategyMark Erlichman is in the studio today, Deputy Director of the VR Employment Division with the California Department of Rehabilitation. Learn how this DIF Grant innovates by aligning services with industry needs, not location, and creating targeted support in tech and more. They also combined the Career Index Plus with the artificial intelligence program SARA to create customized Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) portfolios. Operational in just three months! #Innovation #DisabilityEmployment #SectorStrategy. Listen Here Full Transcript: {Music} Mark: You know, we can...2024-03-0128 minManager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementVRTAC-QM Manager Minute: Using AI so VR Staff can Better Navigate All the Requirements - Washington GeneralIn the studio today are Cassie Villegas, Outgoing Interim Director of Washington General, and Sven Akerman Jr, a contractor from Outlook Insight with Washington General. You can find out how Washington General empowers staff with an integrated AI tool that does the heavy lifting when researching policies, regulations, and RSA requirements, freeing staff to focus on providing quality services. Listen Here Full Transcript: {Music} Sven: Our team was presented with a challenge from DVR. They had a 767 page customer service manual, but it was r...2024-02-0130 minManager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementVRTAC-QM Manager Minute: How to Make VR Thrive! Building a Culture That Withstands the Test of Time at Vermont GeneralDiane Dalmasse, Director of HireAbility Vermont, is in the studio today. Diane is the longest-serving director nationally in the VR program and has a lot to say about culture in the workplace and the changes Vermont made to retain and attract employees from across the nation. Learn about how hiring an organizational consultant back in the 90s continues to prove its worth today. Listen Here Full Transcript: {Music} Diane: I think that everyone should have their voices heard and have some ownership in how we mov...2024-01-0327 minManager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementVRTAC-QM Manager Minute: What important question is VR missing when working with our Older Blind and Visually Impaired IL customers?In the studio today is Kendra Farrow, Project Director with the Older Individuals Who Are Blind – Technical Assistance Center at the National Research & Training Center on Blindness & Low Vision Mississippi State University. Kendra and Carol discuss the question, “Why not ask the Older Individuals who are Blind right up front if they want to work?" Are we missing the boat with these talented individuals who are commonly not given the option for VR services that can benefit them? Whether it’s training, job development and placement, or job retention, VR services in conjunction with IL services...2023-12-0123 minManager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementVRTAC-QM Manager Minute: Career Advancement DIF - How MRC is Turning VR on its Head!In the studio today are Joan Phillips, Assistant Commissioner at the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, and Michelle Banks, DIF Strategic Director for MRC. Find out how MRC is turning VR on its head. What would they do differently in the first year, and what results would they see after year 2? Learn about the success of the job certification program, and how they are meeting the "NextGen-ers" where they are at. Hear how Joan and Michelle encourage others to take on a DIF Grant to help bring more innovation and creative ideas to VR...2023-11-0636 minManager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementVRTAC-QM Manager Minute: Celebrate the National Disability Awareness Month with a DIF Career Advancement Grant Discussion - The Trifecta Approach with Virginia DARSIn the studio today is David Leon, Director of Workforce Programs at the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), and Kate Kaegi, Project Manager for the DIF. In recognition of Disability Awareness Month, the second podcast of our DIF series includes David and Kate explaining how Virginia's DIF grant was initiated, implemented, and adjusted to best reach their initiatives of placing 750 individuals with disabilities in STEM and healthcare careers, registered apprenticeships, and State, County, and City jobs. Learn about the challenges they navigated and what they recommend when applying for a DIF grant. 2023-10-0238 minManager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementVRTAC-QM Manager Minute: Career Advancement DIF Grant - Oregon General is Taking on Tough Stuff and Seeing ResultsJoining Carol in the studio today is Sabrina Cunliffe, Disability Innovation Fund (DIF) Grant Manager, with Oregon General. Find out how Oregon General has tackled some challenging cultural issues and is starting to see great results with their strategy for implementing the DIF grant through their Inclusive Career Advancement Program. Listen Here Full Transcript: {Music} Speaker1: Manager Minute brought to you by the VRTAC for Quality Management, Conversations powered by VR, one manager at a time, one minute at a time. Here is your host Car...2023-09-0139 minManager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementVRTAC-QM Manager Minute - Maximizing VR Services: Leveraging Resources so Counselors Can Get Back to Counseling - Wisconsin VR- Stout PartnershipJoining Carol Pankow in the VRTAC-QM studio is Delora Newton, Division Administrator for the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, and Kyle Schemenauer, Director of Services, Eligibility and Order of Selection Unit at the Stout Vocational Rehabilitation Institute (SRVI). Delora and Kyle talk about the partnership that reduces the time for eligibility determination while freeing up counselors' work time by outsourcing and streamlining the pre-eligibility work to SRVI. This partnership has brought an objective and consistent process utilizing a per-customer rate fee. It has been working for Wisconsin VR as applicant rates a...2023-08-0835 minManager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementVRTAC-QM Manager Minute: (Part 2) - Where did all the staff go? Addressing your Retention Woes - A Conversation with Dr. Jim Herbert -Penn State.Dr. Jim Herbert, Professor of Counselor Education and Rehabilitation and Human Services at Penn State, is back in the studio today. In this second part of a two-part series, Jim discusses the retention challenges identified in his study- Recruitment and Retention of State Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors: A Mixed Methods Analysis. Please listen in as Carol and Jim continue to unpack this study and have a frank discussion about the significant challenges and possible solutions you can apply to your situation. Be sure to check out the Recruitment side of the study by...2023-07-0544 minManager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementVRTAC-QM Manager Minute: Where did all the staff go? Addressing your Recruitment Woes- A Conversation with Dr. Jim Herbert -Penn State.Dr. Jim Herbert, Professor of Counselor Education and Rehabilitation and Human Services at Penn State, joins us in the studio today. In this first part of a two-part series, Jim discusses the recruitment challenges identified in his study- Recruitment and Retention of State Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors: A Mixed Methods Analysis. Please listen in as Carol and Jim unpack this study and discuss the four significant challenges and possible solutions you can apply to your situation. Stay tuned as the focus shifts to the retention side of the study by Dr. Jim He...2023-06-0938 minManager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementVRTAC-QM Manager Minute: How to Survive a Move in VR Fiscal Support Services and Come Up with a Solution that Works for Everyone- Arizona VRKristen Mackey, Administrator of Arizona Department of Economic Security- Rehabilitation Services Administration; Jacy Wilmes, Managing Analyst Financial Services Administrative Team supporting the Division of Employment and Rehabilitation Services, and Morgan Harmon, Senior Financial Analyst, for the Finance and Business Operations Administration, joined Carol Pankow in the VRTAC-QM Studio. Kristen, Jacy, and Morgan explain how they have navigated and managed the fiscal support services consolidation at Arizona VR. Learn about the solutions and lessons learned that make Arizona's synergistic approach work for everyone. Listen Here Full Transcript V...2023-05-0839 minManager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementVRTAC-QM Manager Minute: See how persistence pays off for employee pay increases - Scott Dennis Maryland CombinedScott Dennis, Assistant Superintendent of the Maryland Division of Rehabilitative Services (DORS), joins Carol Pankow in the VRTAC-QM Studio and tells us about how Maryland DORS increased recruitment and decreased resignations by raising salaries to compete in the regional job market. Learn how they opened the door and proved the case. Listen Here Full Transcript: Music} Speaker1: Manager Minute brought to you by the VRTAC for Quality Management, Conversations powered by VR, one manager at a time, one minute at a time. Here is your hos...2023-04-0325 minManager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementVRTAC-QM Manager Minute - SARA: Technology Solutions States Have Proven to Work -Alaska VR and SARAJoining Carol Pankow in the studio today are Cody Dixon, Director of Operations SARAWorks, and Susan Baker, Program Coordinator II, Alaska VR. SARA provides a solution to VR programs with a client engagement and communications system that automatically gathers needed information at the right time from consumers and providers without staff intervention. SARA uses artificial intelligence (AI) and natural language processing and complements CMS functionality. Alaska VR has been an early adapter from SARA's first introduction. Susan tells us how Alaska VR utilizes SARA daily, and Cody brings us up to date with all the latest integrations and new...2023-03-0330 minManager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementVRTAC-QM Manager Minute: How to take care of your employees so they take care of your business! Damian Schlinger-North Dakota VRJoining Carol Pankow in the studio today is Damian Schlinger, State Director of the North Dakota Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Learn how Damian and his team moved from a double-triple check culture to one that encourages and enhances staff autonomy using techniques and strategies that have had tangible results. Listen as Damian explains how his agency is eliminating low-value activities and is focusing on keeping customers engaged to achieve quality outcomes in North Dakota. Listen Here Full Transcript {Music} Speaker1: Manager Minute brought to you by the VR...2023-02-0734 minManager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementVRTAC-QM Manager Minute: Be Bold - Moving VR Forward with the Idea Guy- David D'Arcangelo-Massachusetts Commission for the BlindIn the studio, today is David D'Arcangelo, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind. David has focused on making MCB the best it can be. Learn about the concept of disability as a qualification, the Accessibility Technology Survey, the entrepreneurial program developed with NIB, and dig into the 32 reallotment projects MCB has done over the past few years. David is the Idea Guy and shares a lot of information in this brief 30-minute conversation. Find out more about what is happening at MCB: MCB Home Page...2023-01-0632 minManager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementVRTAC-QM Manager Minute: Florida General— Creative Staffing Solutions that WorkTina Herzik, the Vice President of Operations for Service Source, and Brent McNeal, the Director of the Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, join forces with Carol Pankow in the Manager Minute studio to chat about creative staffing solutions in the great State of Florida. Tina and Brent discuss how the Florida General agency and Service Source are partnering to meet staffing needs with a unique model. With a business relationship that spans over 22 years, the duo shares how their two organizations continue to serve as front runners of innovative staffing practices and transformational leadership. 2022-12-0635 minManager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementVRTAC-QM Manager Minute: Rethinking Agency Organizational Structure- Ideas that work with Dacia Johnson-Oregon BlindToday, Dacia Johnson, Executive Director of the Oregon Commission for the Blind, chats with Carol Pankow, about some of the really innovative practices that the Oregon Commission for the Blind has implemented to improve organizational effectiveness and benefit the VR community. Dacia and her team did a lot of work preparing for monitoring and restructuring some critical elements of the organizational structure that has the VR community talking. Join Dacia and Carol in the Manager Minute studio for this timely conversation on championing innovation and high performance in a climate where so...2022-11-1123 minManager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementVRTAC-QM Manager Minute: National Disability Employment Awareness Month - See how Self-Employment Serves a Critical Need in Wyoming with Inge Huband and Nicky HarperJoining Carol Pankow in the studio today is Inge Huband, Program Consultant for the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Small Business and Employment First programs, and Nicky Harper, Vocational Rehabilitation Administrator for Wyoming VR. This year, the National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) has a theme of Disability: Part of the Equity Equation in recognition of the vital role people with disabilities play in making the nation's workforce diverse and inclusive. For our listeners, Wyoming VR does not participate in the Randolph Sheppard program; however, they have concentrated for almost two decades on their small...2022-10-0423 minManager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementVRTAC-QM Manager Minute: Reenvisioning VR Service Delivery with Dee Torgerson- Minnesota General - Meeting People Where They Are AtDee Torgerson, Director of VR General in Minnesota, joins Carol Pankow in the VRTAC-QM Studio to take a close look at VR service delivery through a post-pandemic lens. Dee presented at CSAVR and was part of the National Rehabilitation Leadership Institute (NRLI) that produced a paper titled, "Now is the Time: Advancing Services to Individuals with Disabilities by Reenvisioning VR Services." The pandemic forced VR agencies to offer services in new and flexible ways to meet the evolving needs of individuals with disabilities and employers, and Dee and her team at Minnesota General rose to the occasion. Lis...2022-09-0838 minManager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementVRTAC-QM Manager Minute - Listen to VR Legend RoseAnn Ashby, with her VR Reflections- Looking Back and Looking ForwardRoseAnn retired from being the Chief of the Technical Assistance Unit at RSA in 2021. She talks about significant changes that shaped what VR is today, including independent living, informed choice and the impact of technology. RoseAnn elaborates on areas that VR is doing well, and areas VR can improve upon moving forward. RoseAnn is currently contracting with VRTAC-QM, and you can find her work on Long COVID on the web at https://www.vrtac-qm.org/resources. Listen Here Full Transcript VRTAC-QM Manager Minute: Listen...2022-08-0825 minManager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementVRTAC-QM Manager Minute: Moving the Employment Needle to Quality - Learn How the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission has Used Engagement and Partnership to Pave the Path to Quality EmploymentJoining Carol Pankow in the studio today is Toni Wolf, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) since 2017. Toni leads her agency with the belief, "If the system isn't enhancing the quality of life for the individual, we at MRC must change the system." Toni explains how MRC has developed a culture of engagement with customers to build trust and make space for the conversation about what is possible. Find out how the focus on engagement and partnerships with the Department of Mental Health and the Department of Transitional Assistance is mo...2022-07-1127 minManager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementVRTAC-QM Manager Minute: Everything is Bigger in Texas- Learn How Texas Leverages SSA ReimbursementWelcome to the 15th episode of the Manager Minute. Joining Carol Pankow in the studio today is Cheryl Fuller, VR Division Director with the Texas Workforce Commission and also incoming CSAVR President. Today we will talk about Social Security's VR Cost Reimbursement program, which was authorized in 1981. The purpose of that program is to make State VR services more readily available to SSA beneficiaries with disabilities and to generate savings for the Social Security Trust Fund for SSDI beneficiaries and the General Revenue Fund for SSI recipients. Learn how the Texas Workforce Commission uses technology an...2022-06-1229 minManager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementVRTAC-QM Manager Minute: Putting Customers First-How Utah Makes Rapid Engagement Work!Aaron Thompson, Assistant Division Director for the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation, joins Carol Pankow on this 14th episode of Manager Minute to talk about how Utah is making rapid engagement work. Carol has discussed this on two previous podcasts; however, each VR agency has tackled this differently. It is intriguing and exciting to hear about how different VR programs are confronting the dilemma facing VR on declining applications and consumer engagement. Learn about Utah's “Back to Basics” approach, how they implemented this approach and how they involve their counselors and customers. From Utah's unique Perfo...2022-05-0924 minManager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementWork Incentives Counseling---Finding the incentive to engage in work incentives counseling with Virginia DARS!In the Manager Minute Studio today is David Leon, Director of Workforce Programs at the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) along with host of the Manager Minute podcast, Carol Pankow. Find out how the projects David has led are shaping the approach that Virginia is taking in relation to work incentives counseling (benefits planning). What is the overall structure? Why did DARS see it as imperative to develop the capacity for work incentives counseling in Virginia beyond what is provided by the WIPA(Work Incentives Planning and Assistance)? Find out what resources and t...2022-04-0838 minManager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementVRTAC-QM: Leveraging Employment First initiatives to improve consumer services across agencies in Colorado.On this episode of Manager Minute, we are delighted to discuss Colorado’s Employment First initiative. On the panel, we have: Patricia Henke, Colorado Office of Employment First (COEF) Director Meghan Greene, CIE Manager, CO VR Katie Taliercio, Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF); Colorado’s State Medicaid Agency Katie Oliver, Colorado Department of Education Cheryl Carver, Colorado VR They are involved with a very innovative and successful collaboration in Colorado pertaining to their Employment First initiative. We believe it’s an outstanding model illustrating how multiple agencies can effectively partner in an Employment First initi...2022-03-1446 minManager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementVRTAC-QM Manager Minute: Get in and Get er’ Done! How Ohio Makes VR Work for Customers!Welcome to the Manager Minute. Joining Carol Pankow in the studio today is Susan Pugh, Deputy Director of the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation with the Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities. Susan has worked within the agency in a variety of capacities including, VR Counselor, Assistant Area Manager, and Assistant Deputy Director. In this episode, Susan discusses Ohio’s rapid engagement process and the Lean approach that has reduced onboarding time and ushered in more customers. Susan and Carol cover a lot of the initiatives that Ohio has implemented to enable them to speed up the pro...2022-02-2335 minManager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementVRTAC-QM Manager Minute: Get in and Get er’ Done! How California Makes VR Work for Customers!Joining Carol Pankow in the VRTAC-QM Studio is Mark Erlichman, Deputy Director, Vocational Rehabilitation Employment Division, California Department of Rehabilitation. In this episode of Manager Minute, Mark covers the idea of Rapid Engagement. The idea behind it is to get customers in and move as quickly as possible to succeed. The California DORS Team has a variety of initiatives that they are working on. Mark and Carol will chat about a handful of those projects. Learn about California’s expedited enrollment process, resource navigators, and the sector-based service teams. Listen Here 2022-02-1138 minManager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementVRTAC-QM Manager Minute: Education and VR - Let’s Talk Collaboration That Works Full Transcript Shannon Austin, Executive Director of Vocational Rehabilitation at the Pennsylvania (PA) Department of Labor and Industry and Carole Clancy, Bureau Director of Special Education at the Commonwealth of PADepartment of Education join Carol Pankow and Missy Diehl in the VRTAC-QM Studio to talk about the important partnership between Vocational Rehabilitation and Education and how collaboration and commitment helped create and implement a strong partnership in Pennsylvania. Check out and subscribe to the PA Transition Resources and Transition Tidbits on the web at https://www.pasecondarytransition.com. Listen He...2022-01-1135 minManager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementVRTAC-QM Manager Minute - Monitoring: Surviving and Thriving Before, During, and After the Process Full Transcript: Joining Carol Pankow in the VRTAC studio is Felicia Johnson, Commissioner of the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department, and Lindy Foley, Director of Nebraska VR. Today we are discussing how Felicia and Lindy prepared for the RSA monitoring process, what they experienced, and what they learned. They will share how they see monitoring as a continuous improvement process and an opportunity for growth. The VRTAC for Quality Management has partnered with CSAVR to co-facilitate a community of practice for the cohort of agencies monitored each year. Over the past three years, w...2021-12-1342 minManager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementVRTAC-QM Manager Minute: Is Your Fiscal Management Managed? Building a Solid Foundation for Financial Fitness. Full Transcript Joining Carol Pankow in the VRTAC-QM Studio we have Chanda Hermanson, Administrator of the Disability Employment and Transition Programs in Montana, and Allison Flannagan, VR Director at Florida General. Chanda and Allison share their experience and challenges while navigating the World of VR finances. Learn how networking and team building improve understanding and develop solutions to VR’s biggest financial challenges. The VRTAC for Quality Management has a number of fiscal resources meant to help you and your staff navigate the enormous fiscal responsibilities of managing this complex Federal program. Go to VRT...2021-11-1436 minManager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementVRTAC-QM Manager Minute: New Employment Initiatives and Practices to Move the Needle with David D’Arcangelo and Natasha Jerde Full Transcript In episode 6 of Manager Minute, employment and VR take center stage during October's National Disability Awareness Month. David D’Arcangelo, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB), and Natasha Jerde, Director of State Services for the Blind of Minnesota (SSB), join Carol Pankow to talk about the state of employment, today's challenges, and the initiatives and practices they implemented to improve employment for individuals with disabilities. Learn how David and his team at MCB increased their customer base by 25% over the last year and how partnerships and creativity in Min...2021-10-2136 minManager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementVRTAC-QM Manager Minute: Planning for Success with Succession Planning so the VR Show can go on… Full Transcript In this episode of Manager Minute, Joe Xavier, the Director of the California Department of Rehabilitation Services, and Jane Donnellan, the Administrator of the Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, join Carol Pankow in the VRTAC-QM studio to discuss the importance of succession planning and knowledge translation for VR agencies. Joe and Jane highlight how they tackle the challenges of losing quality employees by utilizing strategies such as long-term planning, adjusted hiring practices, cross-training, and promoting from within. This episode's conversation will encourage agencies to have more di...2021-09-1743 minManager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementVRTAC-QM Manager Minute: Bridging the Gap Between the DSA and the DSU so that VR’s Mission Doesn’t Slip Through the Cracks. Full Transcript In episode 4 of Manager Minute, Bill Robinson, Director of the Michigan Bureau of Services for Blind Persons, and Cora McNabb, Executive Director at the Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, join Carol Pankow, host of Manager Minute, to lend their experiences on navigating the critical DSA/DSU relationship so that VR’s mission doesn’t slip through the cracks. Learn how Bill and Cora dealt with the challenges and the most significant challenges they faced. These challenges included cultural challenges and keeping the blind agency identity alive. Find out how the me...2021-08-1631 minManager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementVRTAC-QM Manager Minute: Unpacking the VR- State Rehabilitation Council Partnership Full Transcript In episode 3, Dave Doukas, Connecticut General VR director, and Nicky Harper, director of Wyoming Combined join Host Carol Pankow to talk about state rehabilitation councils and the V.R. partnership, through the lens of a newer director with Nicky and a more seasoned director like Dave. From roles, responsibilities and overall effectiveness, you will learn how they are working through and building colaboritive partnerships through communication and by building trust through understanding and transparency. Learn about the modules launching in October that will help to provide training for state agency staff a...2021-07-0837 minManager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementVRTAC-QM Manager Minute: Selecting and Retaining Top Talent in a Constantly-evolving Field - inside of a Constantly-evolving WorldFull Transcript Employment retention for VR Staff has been challenging for many agencies, Host Carol Pankow sits down with Kristen Mackay, Director of Arizona Combined, and Cynthia Speight, Director of North Carolina Blind, to talk about how the newly revamped Operations and Personnel committee for CSAVR and are embarking on some further work to tackle this issue of recruitment and retention. What does employment retention look like in your agencies? Have you found it challenging to get and KEEP really good Staff? What cool things is your agency doing to select and re...2021-06-0932 min
Manager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality ManagementVRTAC-QM Manager Minute: How is VR Going to Look Post-Pandemic? Join Kristen Mackey, Arizona Combined, Natasha Jerde, MN Blind, and Carol Pankow, VRTAC-QMFull Transcript Below. Hosted by Carol Pankow, Project Director-GWU Team-VRTAC-Quality Management. Carol is joined in the studio by Natasha Jerde, Director at State Services for the Blind MN and Kristen Mackey, Director of Arizona Combined. How is VR going to look Post-Pandemic? Carol sits down with Natasha and Kristen to talk about how they approached the impact of the pandemic and what they and their teams are doing to bring the best continued service and what VR is going to look like post-pandemic. What les...2021-05-1025 min