The Bureau of Planning and Strategic Management (BPSM) is one of six Bureaus within the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS). BPSM consolidates mandated administrative and reporting requirements of all employment and independent living related programs, to ensure the expectations of customers are met and the internal goals and guiding principles of the Division are maintained.
BPSM has four units under its umbrella: Audit, Data Analysis, Quality Assurance (QA), and Assistive & Information Technology Support (AITS). This particular Bureau provides support and direction to central office staff within the Division, in particular, employees working directly with our customers.
Program Services
Audit responds to state and federal accountability standards through transparency. Audit provides a coordinated and formal response to how dollars are spent, and how other resources are allocated. When needed, Audit works with other departments to formulate and report any corrective action to our agency stakeholders.
Data Analysis is responsible for guiding the Division driven by data and logic. Data Analysis determines through quantitative data how the Division is doing in reaching identified goals. Data Analysis works closely with Quality Assurance. Together, the two units combine quantitative and qualitative data to provide a complete picture of the Division's progress and performance.
Quality Assurance ensures that policies and rules for providing services to our customers are done with excellence and within the parameters of directives and regulations. The Quality Assurance unit monitors and assesses the provision of services to our customers in both the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) and Home Services Program (HSP). In contrast to Data Analysis's quantitative evaluation, Quality Assurance takes a more qualitative approach to auditing the scope of the services provided.
Assistive and Information Technology Support unit works with field and central office staff by coordinating the technology used within the Division. Thus, supporting DRS' employees in performing their jobs. Assistive and Information Technology Support is the first stop for those in this Division needing to fix and refresh malfunctioning hardware and software.
FY 24 Program Highlights
Over the past fiscal year, BPSM:
- Worked across the different Bureaus to coordinate the Rehabilitation Services Administration's Monitoring and Technical Assistance onsite visit.
- Audit team collaborated with other units in VR, HSP, and Central Office to respond to Compliance, Fiscal and Single Audits.
- Data Analysis provided data support and technical assistance to numerous reporting projects and programs including Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment (SWTCIE); Illinois Pathways to Partnership Project (IPPP); Equity and Racial Justice Act (ERJA); an array of state and federal reporting.
- Data Analysis worked on updates to policies with DHS Legal allowing DRS customers to Opt-In to mass texts. These blasts would provide timely notification of emergency notifications, job openings, and opportunities to respond to customer satisfaction surveys through a modern modality.
- Quality Assurance provided both quarterly and annual audit summaries of audits conducted in the HSP and VR programs. In FY 24, QA was asked to work in tandem with the Transition and Community Resource Services (TCRS) Unit to ensure audit findings were corrected by the specific VR field offices undergoing the review.
- AITS initiated its plan to refresh staff laptops and cell phones.
Goals for FY25
In FY25, BPSM's will
- Develop corrective Action plans in response to the 2024 RSA Monitoring recommendations.
- Coordinate the corrective actions approved by the RSA to maintain ongoing compliance with the federal program.
- Enhance DRS process and procedures by
- Improving the referral process,
- Updating QA's auditing tool, and
- Updating and developing standard operating procedures (SOPs).
