5-11-99 RSA Regions I and II Focus Group - Ideal Agency Characteristics
Can the state agency force consumers to show responsibility? (One group member felt strongly that anyone receiving services should be required to demonstrate responsibility.)
The ideal agency uses good reputable training sites.
The agency should give the consumer good information.
The receptionist should be pleasant.
The VR counselors should be knowledgeable.
There is some belief in agencies that consumers are lazy.
Maybe a lot of consumers need counseling so that they are empowered.
The counselor should have training in counseling, should be warm.
The availability of counseling is important.
The counselor makes the consumer feel worthwhile.
Too many people focus on negatives, on what consumers can't do.
Many people do not know what services are available.
A lot of information is unknown to consumers.
Counselors need to be compassionate and understand disability.
There needs to be sensitivity training, identification with disability. The counselor must understand that the experience of disability is much more than just disability (i.e. financial problems, family problems, etc.).
The counselor should present options.
The counselor should be able to connect the consumer with resources outside the agency.
There should be more public information.
Many do not know that VR exists - there should be public service announcements regarding VR; the agency should be visible.
Public service announcements should let people know disability is normal.
Maybe VR should provide guest speakers in high schools and colleges (to promote disability awareness).
The agency should offer a consumer support group with an emphasis on the positive.
Parents of kids with disabilities need to get more information.
The agency should insure that there is groundwork for employment: consumers should have interviewing skills and employers should be educated regarding people with disabilities.
The agency could facilitate persons with disabilities helping other persons with disabilities - a good mentoring program.
Many persons with disabilities feel very alone.
We need to encourage persons with disabilities supporting one another.
There should be a good relationship between worker's compensation and VR and between Social Security and VR.
The VR agency must promote independence.
The agency must not make consumers feel like they're in an uphill battle; the agency should not put up barriers.
Paperwork and forms should be at the minimum.
VR has to be flexible and should be "public about it."
If the things discussed today are done, all the other pieces will fall into place.
Counselors should get enough salary so that they aren't frustrated (this is true for all social workers).
Counselors should get a bonus for each person in stable employment for two years.
Counselor turnover (caused by bumping) is a problem - the consumer and the new counselor have to get to know each other.
There should be a focus on consumer literacy.
Most people won't pursue VR.
The counselor should stay in touch with the consumer.
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