HOW TO EFFECTIVELY PARTNER WITH STATE

DEPARTMENTS OF REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR

ENHANCED OUTCOMES

Melinda Fruendt, DRS Project Coordinator

Linda Jaco, Oklahoma AgrAbility Co-Director

Sandra Stevenson, Oklahoma AgrAbility Program Manager

Why Partner with DRS

State Agency charged with assisting clients (including farmers/ranchers with disabilities) meet their vocational goals

DRS receives State and Federal funds to provide needed assistive technology / accommodations to individuals with disabilities in meeting their career objectives

Oklahoma AgrAbility built and maintained a relationship with DRS Administration (i.e. Director, VR/VS Division Administrators)

Memorandum Of Understanding

Definition of a MOU is to formalize an agreement on paper

2006 Oklahoma AgrAbility Work Plan included the MOU as a formalized mechanism for expanded collaboration between Oklahoma AgrAbility and DRS

Oklahoma AgrAbility’s long term goal was to contract with DRS with the intent of a fee for service

MOU FRAME WORK

PURPOSE

CURRENT STATUS

ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE

SCOPE

UNDERSTANDING ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

PROJECTED OUTCOMES

ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE

Collaboration on policy changes to reduce employment barriers

Public relations outreach (video, legislative handouts, calendars, etc…)

Excess of $350,000 AT expenditures, to date

Achievements updated each year when MOU is renewed to identify accomplishments

Guidance Technical Assistance

Document located on DRS Intranet System

ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE

DRS Academy Training – New Field Staff

DRS represented on OK AgrAbility Advisory Council

DRS CADRE Participates at National AgrAbility Conference

DRS CADRE Participates in Annual AgrAbility Awareness Day at the State Capitol

DRS CADRE Assists with Annual OK AgrAbility Fall Conference

MILESTONE CONTRACT

1. On-Farm Site Assessment Fee $2,500

Farm culture/routines/health issues

Work environment complexity in relation to disability

Work performance Farm machinery and tools Recommendations for assistive

technology Comprehensive written

evaluation

Effective October 2010

2. Successful Case Closure Fee $1,500

Assist with development of specialized self-employment plans

Coordinate vendors, resources, referrals

CONTACT INFORMATION

MELINDA FRUENDTDRS Project Coordinator mfruendt@okdrs.gov

LINDA JACOOklahoma AgrAbility Co-Directorlinda.jaco@okstate.edu

SANDRA STEVENSONOklahoma AgrAbility Program Managersandra.stevenson@okstate.edu

PROJECT INFORMATION

Oklahoma AgrAbility ProjectOffice: 405.744.5182

Toll Free/TTD: 888.885.5588Fax: 405.744.2487

http://agrability.okstate.edu