This is the second installment in VRTAC-QM's three-part data literacy series. Data: A VR Culture Shift covers the critical role culture plays in establishing and maintaining a data-driven organization.

Rapid Engagement: The Essential Role of Partners and Providers is the third installment of a four-part series on Rapid Engagement. The first two presentations focus internally on rapid engagement applied to processes such as eligibility determination and plan development. This presentation focuses on the delivery of services outside of a State VR agency, emphasizing the importance of State VR agencies playing a lead role in the development of partners and resources needed to provide services in the most efficient manner. In addition, this presentation focuses on the importance of understanding current inter-agency processes and improving them to reflect the principles of rapid engagement highlighted in the previous presentations.

Participants are encouraged to read RSA Technical Assistance Circulars 15-01 and 15-02 that provide guidance around resource identification, partnership development and continuous improvement of processes to meet the needs of the customers and reach the vision of competitive integrated employment for persons including those with the most significant disabilities.

This three-part series will provide relevant information for VR administrators, managers, and VR counselors to increase VR data literacy and data quality at all levels of the agency.

Rapid engagement in VR - Module 1: A Call to Action makes the case that streamlining and expediting the processes associated with eligibility determination and IPE development in State VR agencies is a practice that will have positive impacts in maximizing the likelihood that consumers will be active and full participants in their rehabilitation plans and achieve successful outcomes.

Part 1 – Background and Purpose of Training provides an overview of the data and background on why rapid engagement is an effective strategy and demonstrates the linkages with better outcomes based on data from the RSA 911.

Part 2 - Administrator’s Perspective focuses on strategies for administrators to assess their current service practices and develop change initiatives to incorporate rapid engagement strategies as part of their service models. Examples are also provided of agencies that successfully implemented these practices.

This training is intended for supervisors and managers, providing an overview of managing up and across strategies as foundational management practices to promote personal and organizational effectiveness. Topics covered in the training include relationship building, leadership styles, and communication skills. In addition, the role of emotional intelligence is explored as a key ingredient of a great leader.