State of Illinois
Department of Human Services
Message from the Chair
On behalf of the State Rehabilitation Council (SRC), I am pleased to present the Illinois Department of Human Services' Division of Rehabilitation Services (DHS/DRS) Annual Report for FY 2010.
Members of the Council and I have enjoyed a very busy and productive year. The committees are active and partnering with DRS to assist people with physical and mental disabilities become fully employed and achieve independence and full integration into society.
A main area of focus, during this fiscal year, has been developing and implementing the three (3) year "Needs Assessment Plan". The assessment was conducted this summer and the findings will be useful in developing the Division's Strategic Plan and in crafting the goals and objectives for the State Plan for Vocational Rehabilitation programs and services.
The SRC is also taking a comprehensive look at the needs of transition-aged youth and is committed to enhancing programs and services to increase opportunities for them to reach their educational and vocational goals. The Council continues to look inward and is updating the bylaws, creating an orientation manual, and improving its web site. The SRC web site is linked to the new DRS site (http://drs.illinois.gov/success) which provides greater access to information and shares the successes of customers, employers, business partners, and DRS.
I commend the Division of Rehabilitation Services on their efforts to increase the number of individuals with disabilities participating in the workforce and look forward to working with my colleagues on the council in the coming year to further the agenda of all Illinoisans with disabilities.
Sincerely,
Greg Polman
Chair
Illinois State Rehabilitation Council
Message from the Secretary and Director....
This year the Department of Human Services' Division of Rehabilitation Services has transitioned to an electronic Annual Report. We will provide much of the same information from previous reports, as well as frequent customer success stories [which are the reason for our being].
Not only is moving to an electronic version of the Annual Report a little cheaper in a time of fiscal austerity, it is fully accessible to those stakeholders who use screen readers and magnifiers. It will also stay current and timely in telling the Division's story. DRS continues to strive for excellent customer service as we remind ourselves daily, "What have we done today to help someone with a disability?" Our goal is to help our customers live independently and productively. As we look forward to 2011, we pledge to do a better job of helping people with disabilities obtain careers; live independently in their communities; excel in their educational efforts at one of our residential schools; and in making people with disabilities eligible for benefits under the Social Security Disability Programs (SSI & SSDI). We have been granted the opportunity to help more people with disabilities in their employment efforts over the next couple of years through an additional allocation of $21 million in Vocational Rehabilitation funding. This was made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
We sincerely appreciate the support of Governor Pat Quinn, the Congressional Delegation, and the members of the Illinois General Assembly. DRS looks forward to working with you in continuing to provide these critical public programs and services. If you know of someone who could benefit from the services described in this Annual Report or within our web page, please refer them to one of our offices (www.dhs.state.il.us/officelocator).
Here's to making 2011 the most successful year to date!
Sincerely,
Michelle R.B. Saddler
Secretary
Illinois Department of Human Services
Robert F. Kilbury, Rh.D.
Director
Division of Rehabilitation Services
Program Highlights
Vocational Rehabilitation Services
We assist people with disabilities in preparing for, finding, and maintaining quality employment that pays a living wage and offers opportunities for advancement. Our staff work closely with state, regional, and local employers, offering individualized placement services that bring employers and qualified employees together.
Home Services
We provide services to people with the most significant disabilities so they can remain in their homes and live as independently as possible. Our customers are empowered to live self-directed lives, to be actively involved in their communities, and to retain control over the services they receive.
Educational Services
DRS operates three residential schools for children with disabilities:
- Illinois School for the Deaf (Jacksonville)
- Illinois School for the Visually Impaired (Jacksonville)
- Illinois Center for Rehabilitation and Education-Roosevelt (Chicago)
We offer information and transition training to parents of children with disabilities and professionals through our NEXT STEPS program.
Our staff work closely with high school students with disabilities, empowering them to successfully transition from high school to post-secondary education and employment.
Specialized Services
Our specialized services are designed for:
- Persons who are Blind or Visually Impaired.
We empower adults who are blind or visually impaired to rediscover their independence and freedom. Our customers find and maintain employment and achieve their education, training, and independent living goals.
The Illinois Center for Rehabilitation and Education-Wood in Chicago also offers a 12-week residential vocational and independent skills training program.
- Persons who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.
We help people who are deaf, hard of hearing, late deafened, or deaf/blind find employment, attend education and training programs, and learn about other community resources.
- Persons with disabilities who are Hispanic/Latino.
Our bilingual staff assist Hispanic/Latino people with disabilities in obtaining and maintaining employment, applying for DHS/DRS programs, and connecting with community services.
Independent Living Services
We empower people with disabilities to make informed choices by funding Centers for Independent Living (CILs) throughout Illinois. These CILs offer advocacy, peer counseling, independent living skills training, and information & referral.
Disability Determination Services
We determine the eligibility of people to receive benefits from Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Client Assistance Program
The Client Assistance Program (CAP) helps people with disabilities who have questions or problems with DRS services. For more information, call 1-800-641-3929 (Voice/TTY).
Information and Referral Services
Our staff share information about programs and services available through DHS/DRS and other state agencies. We also connect individuals and their families with services they need in the community.
You can find the closest office using the DHS online office locator at: www.dhs.state.il.us/officelocator or by calling toll free: 1-877-761-9780 (Voice) or 1-866-264-2149 (TTY) or 1-866-588-0401 (VP)
DHS/DRS Vocational Rehabilitation Program
FY 2010 Final Data Summary
Service Data
| Category |
Referrals |
Applications |
New Plans |
Total Served |
Outcomes |
| Region 1 |
7,471 |
5,106 |
2,651 |
12,860 |
1,084 |
| Region 2 |
5,602 |
4,010 |
2,270 |
10,162 |
1,007 |
| Region 3 |
3,613 |
2,820 |
1,668 |
7,101 |
960 |
| Region 4 |
2,481 |
1,906 |
1,053 |
4,540 |
585 |
| Region 5 |
3,012 |
2,188 |
1,218 |
5,089 |
773 |
| BBS |
1,379 |
964 |
720 |
2,783 |
278 |
| Statewide Total |
23,558 |
16,994 |
9,580 |
42,535 |
4,687 |
Customers By Service Category
| Category |
STEP |
Non-STEP |
Transition |
SEP |
Ext Services |
College |
| Region 1 |
4,302 |
925 |
5,227 |
944 |
13 |
612 |
| Region 2 |
4,512 |
546 |
5,058 |
856 |
14 |
330 |
| Region 3 |
2,570 |
401 |
2,971 |
456 |
27 |
430 |
| Region 4 |
1,762 |
367 |
2,129 |
132 |
9 |
198 |
| Region 5 |
1,716 |
582 |
2,298 |
168 |
20 |
420 |
| BBS |
105 |
68 |
173 |
32 |
1 |
123 |
| Statewide Total |
14,967 |
2,889 |
17,856 |
2,588 |
84 |
2,113 |
Customers By Age Group
| Category |
Served |
Outcomes |
| < 20 years |
20,252 |
1,868 |
| 21-30 years |
6,005 |
753 |
| 31-40 years |
4,752 |
617 |
| 41-50 years |
6,411 |
836 |
| 51-60 years |
4,186 |
485 |
| 61 or more years |
928 |
128 |
| VR Total |
42,534 |
4,687 |
Earnings Data
| Avg. Earnings |
Weekly |
Monthly |
Annual |
| Case Opening |
$69.82 |
$302.53 |
$3,630.36 |
| Case Closure |
$287.11 |
$1,244.05 |
$14,928.57 |
| Avg. Increase |
$217.29 |
$941.52 |
$11,298.21 |
| Total Increase |
$1,018,438 |
$4,412,893 |
$52,954,714 |
Customers By Disability Category
| Category |
Served |
Outcomes |
| Blind-Visual Impairment |
2,875 |
297 |
| Deaf-Hard of Hearing |
2,705 |
414 |
| Physical Disability |
4,374 |
442 |
| Mental Illness |
6,049 |
687 |
| Mental Retardation |
5,552 |
553 |
| Learning Disability |
10,566 |
1,306 |
| Alcohol-Drug Abuse |
44 |
5 |
| Brain Injury |
657 |
76 |
| Other Condition |
9,712 |
907 |
| VR Total |
42,534 |
4,687 |
Customers By Race/Ethnic Group
| Category |
Served |
Outcomes |
| White |
26,073 |
3,338 |
| African American |
11,806 |
911 |
| Hispanic/Latino |
3,674 |
340 |
| Asian |
538 |
53 |
| Hawaiian/Pacific Islander |
61 |
4 |
| American Indian |
78 |
14 |
| Multi Racial |
304 |
27 |
| VR Total |
42,534 |
4,687 |
Comparison of Data by Race/Ethnic Group, FY 2005 to FY 2010
Competitive Employment Outcomes
| Race/Ethnic Group |
FY 2005 |
FY 2010 |
Percent Difference |
| White |
4,042 |
3,338 |
-17.4 |
| African American |
1,356 |
911 |
-32.8 |
| Hispanic/Latino |
373 |
340 |
-8.8 |
| Asian |
75 |
53 |
-29.3 |
| Hawaiian/Pacific Islander |
6 |
4 |
-33.3 |
| American Indian |
12 |
14 |
16.7 |
| Multi Racial |
11 |
27 |
145.5 |
| Total |
5,875 |
4,687 |
-20.2 |
Average Monthly Earnings
| Race/Ethnic Group |
FY 2005 |
FY 2010 |
Percent Difference |
| White |
$1,217 |
$1,256 |
3.2 |
| African American |
$1,190 |
$1,271 |
6.8 |
| Hispanic/Latino |
$1,274 |
$1,171 |
-8.1 |
| Asian |
$1,114 |
$1,325 |
19.0 |
| Hawaiian/Pacific Islander |
$1,158 |
$1,823 |
57.5 |
| American Indian |
$1,189 |
$1,384 |
16.4 |
| Multi Racial |
$1,409 |
$1,073 |
-23.9 |
| Total |
$1,213 |
$1,235 |
1.8 |
Rehabilitation Rate
| Race/Ethnic Group |
FY 2005 |
FY 2010 |
Percent Difference |
| White |
63.0 |
63.8 |
1.3 |
| African American |
45.8 |
47.1 |
2.8 |
| Hispanic/Latino |
52.3 |
54.2 |
3.6 |
| Asian |
53.3 |
51.8 |
-2.9 |
| Hawaiian/Pacific Islander |
69.2 |
44.4 |
-35.8 |
| American Indian |
57.1 |
63.6 |
11.4 |
| Multi Racial |
64.0 |
58.0 |
-9.4 |
| Total |
57.5 |
58.7 |
2.1 |
Vocational Rehabilitation Program
| Race/Ethnic Group |
FY 2005 |
FY 2010 |
Percent Difference |
| White |
30,730 |
26,073 |
-15.2 |
| African American |
14,584 |
11,806 |
-19.0 |
| Hispanic/Latino |
3,832 |
3,674 |
-4.1 |
| Asian |
611 |
538 |
-11.9 |
| Hawaiian/Pacific Islander |
65 |
61 |
-6.2 |
| American Indian |
142 |
78 |
-45.1 |
| Multi Racial |
190 |
304 |
60.0 |
| Total |
50,154 |
42,534 |
-15.2 |
Home Services Program
| Race/Ethnic Group |
FY 2005 |
FY 2010 |
Percent Difference |
| White |
18,475 |
18,770 |
1.6 |
| African American |
14,455 |
17,215 |
19.1 |
| Hispanic/Latino |
2,067 |
2,525 |
22.2 |
| Asian |
425 |
474 |
11.5 |
| Hawaiian/Pacific Islander |
25 |
40 |
60.0 |
| American Indian |
134 |
117 |
-12.7 |
| Multi Racial |
63 |
165 |
161.9 |
| Total |
35,644 |
39,306 |
10.3 |
