A Message from the Director of Rehabilitation Services…
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On November 21, 2024, Statewide Rehabilitation Council (SRC) member Erin Compton said in her testimony to the Illinois Health and Human Services Senate committee,
"Some people say that having a job isn't for me because I am not smart enough or good enough to work, but I was given opportunities to work in the community,"
Ben Szalinski of the Capitol News Illinois reported in his article Bill to Phase Out Subminimum Wage for Workers With Disabilities Clears General Assembly.
For many years, Erin has advocated for youth like her, youth with disabilities and people with intellectual disabilities. Erin continues her public service on the SRC, a mandated advisory body to the Division of Rehabilitation Services' (DRS) vocational rehabilitation services. Her commitment to resolving the disparities in employment for persons with disabilities speaks to the mission of DRS and our commitment to assist people with disabilities in making informed choices to achieve full community participation through employment, education, and independent living.
DRS leaders met with 14c certificate holding organizations who are working toward transforming their business model from paying people with disabilities less than minimum wage.
- DRS renewed awards to the six (6) Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment Demonstration (SWTCIE Illinois) Project agencies.
- SWTCIE Illinois engaged more than 75 potentially eligible DRS customers.
- SWTCIE Illinois successfully transitioned 34 project participants (48%) from subminimum wage to competitive integrated employment.
DRS investigated the service gaps in vocational rehabilitation, gauged and responded to the needs of my staff by
- Visiting local offices along the Mississippi and in southern Illinois, Chicago and its suburbs.
- Collaborating with state agencies, legislators, and customers to establish a local office in Uptown, Chicago
- Holding an in-person Director's Statewide meeting with more than 1,000 DRS Staff.
- Filled 258 vacancies across the DRS, including at the Bureau of Disability Determination Services and Business Enterprise Program for the Blind.
DRS continued to fuel and support its goal to increase the reach of IDHS-DRS for adults and the 100,000 youth with disabilities in Illinois. In 2024, DRS
- Opened all four categories under the Order of Selection.
- Served 5% more customers in Vocational Rehabilitation Services.
- Increased services to transition age youth with disabilities by 13%.
- Received a $10M Pathways to Partnership DIF grant to engage transition age youth as young as 10 years old.
- Finalized an Interagency agreement with the Illinois State Board of Education
DRS proudly stood alongside the staff and students at the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired to increase Awareness and Inclusivity. The student body led a culturally sensitive and inclusive sunset of their Native American headdress mascot and adopted a new logo representative of the school culture and community.
Through leadership and talented local office staff improved critical home services to Illinoisans with disabilities by
- Allowing legally responsible individuals, like spouses, to be customer providers.
- Increasing rates for Homemaker services by 4.3% and Adult Day Services by 10%.
- Serving 5% more customers within Home and Community Based Supports.
It's been a joy to hear the good and the need to improve from workers at the Division of Rehabilitation Services who assure people with disabilities achieve independence, education, and employment. DRS continues to partner with people like Erin to make their dreams a reality.
Sincerely,
Rahnee K. Patrick, Director
IDHS Division of Rehabilitation Services
