OVR performance rating soars from poor to excellent

The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation managed to overturn three consecutive years of poor performance ratings by surpassing the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services’ average national standards in all of six indicators for the year 2000.

According to figures obtained from the Region 9 Rehabilitation Services Administration, OVR scored more than the average national norms required based on the quality of service and number of clients served during the current year and running.

This year alone, the agency was able to provide 28 individuals their desired employment needs as opposed to 10 clients served in 1999, OVR Director Tee Abraham reported yesterday during the State Rehabilitation Council quarterly meeting.

In 1998, the OVR administration only afforded one individual this vital service.

In another indicator, 66.67 percent of individuals achieved the targeted employment outcome, under OVR’s guidance. The previous year, only 47.62 percent of individuals managed to accomplish the same goal versus the 55.80 percent federal standard.

“The improved figures are clear indications of the excellent performances of the director and her staff. If you look the figures of the last three years, the numbers have been dismal. But this year, OVR has passed every indicator and this is a very positive outcome. The challenge now rests on how the agency can maintain or surpass this year’s figures,” said SRC Chairman Ray Dela Cruz.

Furthermore, VR also went beyond the 62.40 percent RSA standard as it was able to deliver 74.07 percent of its clients to gain employment with earning levels equivalent to at least the minimum wage, the percentage who are individuals with significant disabilities.

Last June 5, 2000, the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, the U.S. Department of Education issued the Final Rule on Evaluation Standards and Performance Indicators for State Vocational Rehabilitation Services programs.

These standards and indicators must include outcome and related measures of program performance that facilitates the accomplishment of the purpose and policy of the VR program.

The Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998 required that the VR standards be consistent with the Core Indicators of Performance established under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998.