RSA-227 - Annual Client Assistance Program (CAP) Report

Oklahoma (Office of Disability Concerns) - H161A150037 - FY2015

General Information

Designated Agency Identification

NameOklahoma Office of Disability Concerns
Address2401 N.W. 23rd Street, suite 90
Address Line 2
CityOklahoma City
Zip Code73107
Website Address
Toll-free Phone800-522-8224
Toll-free TTY

Operating Agency (if different from Designated Agency)

NameOklahoma Office of Disability Concerns
Address2401 N.W. 23rd Street, suite 90
Address Line 2
CityOklahoma City
Zip Code73107
Website Address
Toll-free Phone800-522-8224
Toll-free TTY

Additional Information

Name of CAP Director/CoordinatorWilliam Ginn
Person to contact regarding reportWilliam Ginn
Contact Person Phone405-521-3756

Part I. Non-case Services

A. Information and Referral Services (I&R)

Multiple responses are not permitted.

1. Information regarding the vocational rehabilitation (VR) program25
2. Information regarding independent living programs2
3. Information regarding American Indian VR Service projects2
4. Information regarding Title I of the ADA24
5. Other information provided144
6. Information regarding CAP40
7. Total I&R services provided (Lines A1 through A6)237

B. Training Activities

The Oklahoma City Public Schools initiated "Super Saturdays" for the fall 2015 school semester. Three of these events held at different high schools in the city were held during the 2015 fiscal year ending September 30. The training which CAP designed was entitled "Town Hall Meeting: Life After High School", and it was geared towards transition of youth from the education setting to life after high school. Attendees at Super Saturdays were students in the public schools and families of those students. Training sessions were also directed toward DRS employees. CAP desires to meet with the many DRS supervisory groups across Oklahoma to explain the CAP program and provide information to DRS personnel on CAP procedure in working a case. We met with supervisory groups November 4, April 27, and June 26. CAP and DRS personnel must work together to insure that job seekers receive the services they are entitled under the law and DRS policy. On August 26, CAP addressed new employees in the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services in their "academy." We made a PowerPoint presentation on CAP including its history and place in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as well as answered questions from the audience. CAP held training sessions for the American Federation of the Blind in Tulsa, Oklahoma on October 31, 2014. We spoke about the independence which employment provides and the role of CAP in assuring that DRS services are delivered timely and efficiently. We addressed parents of children with disabilities in Shawnee Oklahoma, Moore, and Choctaw. We challenged these parents to allow their children an opportunity to grow while at the same time protecting them from harm. Parents were encouraged to consider the life their children would have when their education is complete. Employment for their children as appropriate was proposed for their consideration.

1. Number of training sessions presented to community groups and public agencies.14
2. Number of individuals who attended these training sessions.307
3. Describe training presented by the staff. Include the following information:
  1. topics covered
  2. purpose of the training
  3. description of the attendees

C. Agency Outreach

Describe the agency's outreach efforts to previously un-served or underserved individuals including minority communities.

April 2, 2015 was the date of our agency’s health fair promoting healthy foods and stretching food dollars through couponing. This information was directed towards low—income families whose resources are limited. On April 20 we had a table at Disability Day at the Capitol which counted 655 attendees at the State Capitol. Attendees represented all societal groups include those underserved. On July 2 we had a resource table at Camp Shiloh which is a day—long event for disadvantaged youth. Our agency sponsored an anti—bullying rally July 28, 2015. Disadvantaged youth and their families received information about bullying in school and on electronic media as well as a time chock full of fun and games. We had a table at job fairs in Lawton, Oklahoma and Tulsa, Oklahoma on September 24 and September 30 respectively. Attendees were mainly low—income, minority groups. CAP had a table at Super Saturdays held at Grant High School in Oklahoma City where 85% of students are Hispanic and Star Spencer High School where 80% of students are black. Both these events occurred in September, 2015.

D. Information Disseminated To The Public By Your Agency

For each method of dissemination, enter the total number of each method used by your agency during the reporting period to distribute information to the public. For publications/booklets/brochures (item 4), enter the total number of documents produced. Agencies should not include website hits. See instructions for details.

On April 20, 2015 the Director of CAP distributed 13 packets of information to Oklahoma State Legislators which included success stories of individuals with disabilities who secured employment through services of the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services. These success stories came from constituents of each particular legislator.

1. Agency Staff Interviewed or Featured on Radio and TV1
2. Articles about CAP Featured in Newspaper/Magazine/Journals4
3. PSAs/Videos Aired about the CAP Agency0
4. Publications/Booklets/Brochures Disseminated by the Agency553
5. Number of Times CAP Exhibited at Conferences, Community Fairs, etc.7
6. Other (specify below)

E. Information Disseminated About Your Agency By External Media Coverage

Describe the various sources and information disseminated about your agency by an external source.

On July 24, 2015 our agency director and a Disability Program Specialist were interviewed about people with disabilities in the State of Oklahoma. The interview was on YouTube, and Jacob Hill was featured as a person with disabilities who was hired to work at our agency. Our director provided some state disability statistics. This was our agency contribution to the celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Part II. Individual Case Services

A. Individuals served

An individual is counted only once during a fiscal year. Multiple counts are not permitted for Lines A1-A3.

1. Individuals who are still being served as of October 1 (carryover from prior year)11
2. Additional individuals who were served during the year47
3. Total individuals served (Lines A1+A2)58
4. Individuals (from Line A3) who had multiple case files opened/closed this year (In unusual situations, an individual may have more than one case file opened/closed during a fiscal year. This number is not added to the total in Line A3 above.)0
5. Individual still being served as of September 30 (Carryover to next year. This total may not exceed Line A3.)4

B. Problem areas

Multiple responses permitted.

1. Individual requests information7
2. Communication problems between individual and VR counselor29
3. Conflict about VR services to be provided32
4. Related to VR application/eligibility process2
5. Related to assignment to order of selection priority category1
6. Related to IPE development/implementation
  1. Selection of vendors for provision of VR services
  2. Selection of training, post-secondary education
  3. Selection of employment outcome
  4. Transition services
7. Related to independent living services0
8. Other Rehabilitation Act-related problems2
9. Non-Rehabilitation Act related
  1. TANF
  3. Housing
  4. Other:
10. Related to Title I of the ADA0

C. Intervention Strategies for closed cases

(Choose one primary service the CAP provided for each closed case file. There may be more case files than actual individuals served.)

1. Short Term Technical Assistance15
2. Investigation/Monitoring13
3. Negotiation15
4. Mediation and other methods of Alternative Dispute Resolution9
5. Administrative / Informal Review6
6. Formal appeal / Fair Hearing0
7. Legal remedy / Litigation0
8. Total58

D. Reasons for closing individuals' case files

(Choose one primary reason for closing each case file. There may be more case files than the total number of individuals served.)

1. All issues resolved in individual's favor31
2. Some issues resolved in individual's favor (when there are multiple issues)10
3. CAP determines VR agency position/decision was appropriate for the individual7
4. Individual's case lacks legal merit; (inappropriate for CAP intervention)1
5. Individual chose alternative representation1
6. Individual withdrew complaint8
7. Issue not resolved in clients favor0
8. CAP services not needed due to individual's death, relocation, etc.0
9. Individual not responsive/cooperative with CAP0
10. CAP unable to take case due to lack of resources0
11. Conflict of interest0
12. Other (Please explain below)

E. Results achieved for individuals

(Choose one primary outcome for each closed case file. There may be more case files than the total number of individuals served.)

One CAP case was closed because the job seeker became pregnant and decided she no longer wanted to seek employment.

1. Controlling law/policy explained to individual11
2. Application for services completed2
3. Eligibility determination expedited1
4. Individual participated in evaluation0
5. IPE developed/implemented/Services Provided24
6. Communication re-established between individual and other party14
7. Individual assigned to new counselor/office2
8. Alternative resources identified for individual3
9. ADA/504/EEO/OCR complaint made0
10. Other (Please explain below)

Part III. Program Data

A. Age

Multiple responses not permitted.

1. Up to 182
2. 19 - 242
3. 25 - 4023
4. 41 - 6427
5. 65 and over4
6. Total (Sum of Lines A1 through A5. Total must equal Part II, Line A3.)58

B. Gender

Multiple responses not permitted.

1. Females36
2. Males22
3. Total (Lines B1+B2. Total must equal Part II, Line A3.)58

C. Race/ethnicity of Individuals Served

1. Hispanic/Latino of any race (for individuals who are non-Hispanic/Latino only)1
2. American Indian or Alaskan Native8
3. Asian1
4. Black or African American18
5. Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander0
6. White28
7. Two or more races2
8. Race/ethnicity unknown0

D. Primary disabling condition of individuals served

Multiple responses not permitted.

1. Acquired Brain Injury2
4. Amputations or Absence of Extremities0
5. Arthritis or Rheumatism0
6. Anxiety Disorder3
7. Autism Spectrum Disorder0
8. Autoimmune or Immune Deficiencies (excluding AIDS/HIV)0
9. Blindness (Both Eyes)11
10. Other Visual Impairments (Not Blind)8
11. Cancer0
12. Cerebral Palsy0
13. Deafness0
14. Hard of Hearing/Hearing Impaired (Not Deaf)1
15. Deaf-Blind0
16. Diabetes0
17. Digestive Disorders0
18. Epilepsy0
19. Heart & Other Circulatory Conditions2
20. Intellectual Disability0
21. Mental Illness14
22. Multiple Sclerosis0
23. Muscular Dystrophy0
24. Muscular/Skeletal Impairment0
25. Neurological Disorders/Impairment6
26. Orthopedic Impairments9
27. Personality Disorders0
28. Respiratory Disorders/Impairment1
29. Skin Conditions0
30. Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD)0
31. Speech Impairments0
32. Spina Bifida0
33. Substance Abuse (Alcohol or Drugs)0
34. Other Disability1
35. Total (Sum of Lines D1through D34. Total must equal Part II, Line A3.)58

E. Types of Individual Served

Multiple responses permitted.

1. Applicant of VR4
2. Individual eligible for VR services currently on a wait list2
3. Individual eligible for VR services not currently on a wait list50
4. Applicant or individual eligible for Independent Living0
5. Transition student/High school student0
6. All other applicants or individuals eligible for other programs or projects funded unther Rehabilitation Act2

Part IV. Systemic Activities and Litigation

A. Non-Litigation Systemic Activities

CAP is a permanent member of the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services Policy Committee. We meet several times per year to review DRS policy. This fiscal year we met primarily to discuss policy changes which would occur as a result of the re—authorization of the Rehabilitation Act (WIOA). The agency wants to get their policy in line with the Act. The Policy Committee broke into nine sub—committees to discuss various areas that would need to be changed. I sat on the Co—Location Sub—Committee. We discussed methods for DRS to co—locate with Workforce Oklahoma in order to better serve the public. We discussed such things as staff co—location, a designated hotline in the Workforce office which connected with a DRS office to answer questions, and supervision of DRS staff at the Workforce office. In February, 2015 CAP attended a public meeting to make a comment on proposed DRS policy. CAP registered a dissent with a proposed policy which would restrict DRS payment for bariatric surgery in Oklahoma.

1. Number of non-litigation systemic activities not involving individual representation that resulted in the change of one or more policy or practice of an agency.1
2. Describe the systemic activities conducted by CAP during the fiscal year and its impact on other agency's policies or practices.

B. Litigation

CAP had a case which ended in December, 2014. This case involved tribal VR. The tribal VR director agreed with the desire of the client to get training related to their Employment Outcome. However, the Tribal Council insisted on their right to approve/disapprove of all expenditures of money, and they did not approve of the expenditure of the money for this job seeker’s education. CAP does have some authority with Tribal VR, but CAP does not have authority with an independent nation. CAP contacted the tribe’s representative in Washington, D.C. Bureau of Indian Affairs. This person had some influence with the Tribal Council, and the job seeker’s education expenditure was approved by the council, and the person did get their training.

1. Total number of CAP cases requiring litigation involving individual representation resulting in, or with the potential for, systemic change.
a. Number of cases requiring litigation involving individual representation filed during fiscal year.0
b. Number of on-going cases pending at start of fiscal year (carryover from prior fiscal year).0
c. Number of cases resolved through litigation during fiscal year.0
2. Describe the agency's on-going and completed systemic litigation activities involving individual representation.

Part V. Agency Information

A. Designated Agency

1. Agency Type (select only one option) External-other public agency
2. Name of designate agencyOklahoma Office of Disability Concerns
3. Is the designated agency contracting CAP services?No
4. If yes, name of contracting agency:We do not contract with an agency to provide CAP services.

B. Staff Employed

Provide a description of all CAP positions (see instructions)

During all of the 2015 fiscal year, I (CAP director) have been employed full time in the Client Assistance Program. I provide information about the Department of Rehabilitation Services program to individuals who contact us, and I do intake and follow—up case work to bring resolution of client concerns. In February, 2015 Kyle King was hired as a CAP assistant with 25% of his salary being paid through the Oklahoma CAP grant. Kyle King assists in doing intake on new CAP cases during the time when I am out of the office. He also sends a release of information to new CAP clients who desire a resolution of their concerns. Kyle King accompanies me to quarterly meetings of the Oklahoma Rehabilitation Council and to quarterly meetings of the State Independent Living Council.

Part VI. Case Examples

Provide some examples of some interesting cases during the past fiscal year.

One person contacted the Client Assistance Program in Oklahoma regarding their case with tribal VR. This person did not have a dispute with the tribal VR program itself. They had a dispute with tribal leaders.

This job seeker wanted training leading to certification from the National Indian Gaming Association which would permit them to work in a casino. The tribal VR program agreed with this employment outcome and the training necessary to achieve it.

Tribal leaders insisted on their right to approve money to pay for the training, and they denied this service to this job seeker. CAP felt secure in their legal jurisdiction in working with tribal VR. CAP did not feel secure in authority over tribal decisions outside of their own VR program.

We spoke at length with the director of tribal VR. The director appeared to understand the need for the training in order to achieve the employment outcome. However, this person had to abide by the decision of their tribal leaders.

We made the decision to contact August Martin in Washington, D.C. who was over the tribal VR programs involved. Mr. Martin was able to contact the tribal leaders and encourage them to make the right decision. This job seeker was approved to attend the training they needed to achieve the employment outcome they had chosen.


Reports are to be submitted to RSA within 90 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this report. Please be reminded that you can enter data directly into RSA's website via the internet. Information on transmittal of the form is found on pages 19 and 20 of the reporting instructions.

Name of Designated Agency OfficialOklahoma Office of Disability Concerns
Title of Designated Agency OfficialWilliam Ginn
Date Signed12/17/2015