— (07/15/2013) The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Program is in the process of re-organizing the program and creating an organizational chart to more efficiently serve our clients. As part of this process, we are developing a program evaluation section. We are considering including program policy, quality assurance and training in this section. We would like to know how other program evaluation units are set up and would also be interested in organizational charts for other state vocational rehabilitation programs. Any and all shared information would be greatly appreciated. This knowledge will help us in determining the most efficient placement of personnel for program evaluation activities to improve services to individuals with disabilities.

From Janet Cool, Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission:

Ohio VR has had VR policy as part of the Program Integrity and Evaluation (PIE) unit, but has parsed this out due to the need for VR administration to “own” the policies and procedures to which they hold their program staff accountable. PIE staff then evaluate case work and program compliance upon those principles which creates a clearer distinction between policy and compliance with policy. PIE is frequently utilized in development and planning of training programs for field staff based on emerging patterns and trends, although again, the VR training program is house under the VR program so trianing topics are primarly driven based on VR field needs.

File attached: Ohio’s Table of Organization in relation to the PEQA functions

---

From Michael Shoemaker, Utah State Office of Rehabilitation:

Utah’s Program Evaluation Unit consists of one person at this time with some assistance from an office specialist. We do have a separate training unit that does statewide training. One of the trainers is specifically over basic counselor orientation and training that staff goes through directly after they are hired and the other is working developing supervisory training.

Posted in: Agency Structure