Date: Oct 21, 2011
Time: 2:00pm – 3:00pm (Eastern)
Presenter: Todd Sink, Pisnu Bua-Iam and Rhonda Young
Summary: GIS is a cost-efficient research and management tool that offers Vocational Rehabilitation administrators an effective communication tool that helps VR stakeholders better understand the input, process, and outcomes of public VR programs. The first part of this presentation introduces a geographic information system (GIS) strategy to aid community outreach endeavors by the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services (WVDRS). GIS is a sophisticated instrument for storing, managing, analyzing, and displaying data. It has numerous applications for vocational rehabilitation, such as using it to match employment needs of clients with available jobs, or find the optimal location for a new branch office. The strategy introduced utilizes geographic information systems (GIS) to pinpoint parts of West Virginia where populations are potentially unserved and underserved.
The second part of this presentation offers other mapping tools VR agencies can use to visualize and share information. Many software programs now come with built-in mapping capabilities, and there are a few free programs out there as well. These programs and links to information are described in this part of the presentation.
Bio: Pisnu Bua-Iam is a senior manager with the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services (WVDRS) and has been with WVDRS for the last 12 years. Prior to joining WVDRS, he was a research faculty member of the West Virginia Rehabilitation Research and Training Center at West Virginia University in Morgantown.
Todd Sink, Ph.D., is a research specialist in the State Plan and Program Evaluation unit for the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services (WVDRS). He received his Ph.D. degree from Indiana State University in Economic Geography, where he specialized in statistical methods and geographic information systems.
Rhonda Young, M.A., began working with Arkansas Rehabilitation Services as an independent program evaluator via the University of Arkansas in September 2006. She works closely with the agency’s Program Planning, Evaluation and Development section and also provides data and reports for the Arkansas Career Training Institute located in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
To receive 1 CRCC credit for attending, please email crwestley@gmail.com to note your request. The credit form will be sent electronically once attendance is verified.
The webinar series is sponsored by the Region 10 Technical Assistance and Continuing Education Center through funding provided from the Rehabilitation Services Administration (grant H264A080003-09A).