Indiana Agr Ability Breaking New Ground and Vocational

Indiana Agr. Ability/ Breaking New Ground and Vocational Rehabilitation Services Stephen J. Swain, ATP National Agr. Ability Project/Indiana Agr. Ability Project Breaking New Ground Resource Center, Purdue University is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access institution.

BNG and VR History • Initial agreement for fee-for-services September 1998 - $31. 25 per hour plus $. 40 per mile transportation • September 2006 changed fees to $41. 88 per hour plus $. 18 per mile plus $22 per day • July 2012 changed fees to $64 per hour plus $. 18 per mile plus $25 per day Purdue University is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access institution.

VR in Indiana • 5 Regions, 25 regional offices • 25 regional supervisors • 162 counselors, some with specializations – TBI and Vision • Employment and Innovation Coordinator • State Training Coordinator Purdue University is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access institution.

BNG and VR History • Initial services offered were farm accessibility assessments • 2001 expanded services to include home modification assessments • 2004 expanded services to include small business enterprise program • Individual office trainings every other year – now every year. Purdue University is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access institution.

Current Services to VR • Farm accessibility assessments • Home modification assessments • Small business enterprise program – Business feasibility – Business plans – Business consultations – Business accessibility Purdue University is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access institution.

Current Services to VR • Do not limit services to farms • Home mods and small business enterprise outside agriculture • Serve rural areas also • Wide range of small business enterprise clients – very few in IN help with business plans to satisfy VR – committee reviewed Purdue University is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access institution.

Year Authizations Recommendations Billing Av. Hours Av. Miles 2012 28 $240, 000 $22, 880. 19 13. 69 246. 75 2011 22 $335, 000 $8, 856. 29 12. 6 224. 6 2010 20 $335, 000 $19, 226. 11 13. 32 221. 17 2009 36 $195, 000 $7, 843. 58 9. 59 199. 4 2008 25 $363, 000 $20, 840. 00 15. 23 214. 1 2007 39 $334, 000 2006 35 $243, 000 2005 28 $214, 400 2004 18 $284, 400 2003 12 $133, 000 2002 14 $58, 500 2001 16 $205, 700 2000 2 Purdue University is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access institution.

VR Reports • Receive authorization • Contact client within week of receiving authorization • Schedule assessment as soon as possible • Submit report to VR within 2 -3 weeks after assessment • Business plans submitted when ready or end of authorization with report Purdue University is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access institution.

Assessment Report Structure • Cover letter to counselor • Introduction – Focus of assessment – Background of individual and farm – Impairments and origin of impairments – Family and support – Goals Purdue University is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access institution.

Assessment Report Structure • Assessment – Start at driveway to buildings to equipment – State barriers and why it is a barrier – Use pictures – Include drawing of present layout, ie. Porch and doors with steps Purdue University is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access institution.

Assessment Report Structure • Recommendations – Place in order of priority – Anticipate future if condition is progressive – Provide examples or exact products or modifications and vendor – Why making recommendation – Include drawing of modification if needed Purdue University is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access institution.

Assessment and Report Tips • Establish relationship before assessment • Involve them in assessment and recommendations • Write report as if reader has no idea what you are talking about • Have someone else read and edit report Purdue University is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access institution.

Questions Purdue University is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access institution.