2017 Schedule

Aware business analyst manager, Pam Clevenger, offers a general overview of budget tools within the software, then digs deeper into specific techniques for leveraging Aware to manage new WIOA requirements.

Elements of RSA-911, Common Measures, and PIRL are evolving in the WIOA environment. Aware senior business analyst, Alan Rhoten, and product manager, Don Alveshere, discuss what’s changed, the impacts, and new reporting expectations.

Agencies are now required to submit RSA-911 reporting each quarter, beginning in November. Aware strategic account manager, Ralph Vigil, and customer services manager, Karen Dunn, share best practices that will produce accurate, complete, and timely reports.

New WIOA requirements introduce a different degree of data tracking and reporting. Aware business analyst manager, Pam Clevenger, discusses adaptation required to assist field staff in data collection and tracking.

Recent audit findings from the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) provide timely discussion points. Aware customer services manager, Karen Dunn, highlights quality assurance solutions that cover audit concerns.

When the WIOA added complexity to case management, the new Manage Layouts features in Aware became a must-have work tool. Aware business analyst manager, Pam Clevenger, demonstrates how to use Manage Layouts to access and organize information.

Inside Aware, there’s a treasure trove of insightful analytics just waiting to be found and used to better serve clients. Analytics expert, Dan Bartels, and product manager, Don Alveshere, show how to access this rich data.

New Aware features make it easier to use assistive technologies. Customer services manager, Karen Dunn, overviews the changes that will be particularly relevant for JAWS and Dragon users.  

Aware business analyst manager, Pam Clevenger, demonstrates how to create daily reports that assist with monitoring and tracking progress of WIOA goals.

Following on the Intro to Aware Analytics session, this course goes deeper into the potential of Aware Analytics to generate valuable WIOA insights using Tableau and Power BI.  

Aware business analyst manager, Pam Clevenger, offers a general overview of budget tools within the software, then digs deeper into specific techniques for leveraging Aware to manage new WIOA requirements.

Agencies are now required to submit RSA-911 reporting each quarter, beginning in November. Aware strategic account manager, Ralph Vigil, and customer services manager, Karen Dunn, share best practices that will produce accurate, complete, and timely reports.  

Elements of RSA-911, Common Measures, and PIRL are evolving in the WIOA environment. Aware senior business analyst, Alan Rhoten, and product manager, Don Alveshere, discuss what’s changed, the impacts, and new reporting expectations.

New WIOA requirements introduce a different degree of data tracking and reporting. Aware business analyst manager, Pam Clevenger, discusses adaptation required to assist field staff in data collection and tracking.

Recent audit findings from the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) provide timely discussion points. Aware customer services manager, Karen Dunn, highlights quality assurance solutions that cover audit concerns.

When the WIOA added complexity to case management, the new Manage Layouts features in Aware became a must-have work tool. Aware business analyst manager, Pam Clevenger, demonstrates how to use Manage Layouts to access and organize information.  

Inside Aware, there’s a treasure trove of insightful analytics just waiting to be found and used to better serve clients. Analytics expert, Dan Bartels, and product manager, Don Alveshere, show how to access this rich data.

RSA-911 requires a lot more information gathering and reporting to stay in compliance. What if there was a one-stop page to capture the information required for the first quarterly report? Customer services manager, Karen Dunn, demonstrates the “Catch Up” page that does it.  

Aware business analyst manager, Pam Clevenger, demonstrates how to create daily reports that assist with monitoring and tracking progress of WIOA goals.

Following on the Intro to Aware Analytics session, this course goes deeper into the potential of Aware Analytics to generate valuable WIOA insights using Tableau and Power BI.  

Chris M. Pieper, Alliance CEO, and Butch McMillian, Former Director, MDRS Conference Kick-off

Former RSA commissioner Janet LaBreck, who lost her vision at age 10, draws from more than 30 years of leadership experience serving people with disabilities. She weaves her personal story through this inspiring presentation centered on how assembling the right people, tools, and strategies leads to success. She’ll focus on how to develop effective partnerships, the definition of performance and why it matters, and the role technology and data play in the path forward.

The landmark Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) changed the way vocational rehabilitation (VR) professionals serve people with disabilities. Joelle, Director of Community Access at the Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, explores the challenges, opportunities, and decisions related to the WIOA. Beneath the changing methods for gathering and reporting data is what really matters: the positive impact VR programs are having on people’s lives. Joelle shares the best ways to develop these compelling stories in the new world of the WIOA.

The Utah State Office of Rehabilitation, working with Alliance, is implementing Aware WIOA changes. System administrator, Mike Brooks, and Alliance’s Alan Rhoten walk through the project’s checklist.

John Harper from the Missouri Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and Alliance’s CTO, Sven Akerman Jr., discuss the agency’s migration to the cloud in 2016. The move led to cost efficiency, greater scalability, and new technology capabilities.

Ph.D. Susan Foley shares findings from researching how vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies work. In a fast-moving world, VR professionals need to prioritize rapid engagement with clients, while eliminating barriers that get in the way of it.

Since the passage of the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) in 1990, there have been many improvements to the opportunities available for those with disabilities. The young men and women who have come to age since the law's passage, known as the ADA Generation, serve as a testament to the progress our nation has made. However, challenges remain for people with disabilities, hindering the ability to truly provide equal opportunities for all. Joseph discusses the responsibilities we carry to continue to close the gap and provide the resources and support for these individuals to grow and prosper.

As Past President of the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR), Lisa Hinson-Hatz shares leadership insights from the organization that includes 80 VR agencies.

Alliance subject matter experts Lisa Gifford and Karen Dunn will take you through the 10 most important adaptations to optimize your Aware environment. With the WIOA changes underway, Aware has many new adaptations available for your agency. Get a rundown of the most important changes to make!

Missouri elementary and secondary schools recently launched a project to track pre-employment transition services online. John Harper from the Missouri VR agency and Alliance’s CTO, Sven Akerman Jr., discuss this project and other data-sharing where VR agencies have engaged external stakeholders.

Tableau senior product consultant, Matt Miller, and OEM partner manager, Christi Becker, demonstrate principles and techniques for authoring Tableau content for accessibility ensuring Section 508 compliance.

We live in a distracted world. The average attention span is just 9 seconds. Sally Hogshead teaches audiences how to communicate and add value in the first 9 seconds.

Alliance’s Emerging Solutions Director, Sean Campbell, and Product Manager, Jim Tobin, will discuss how to leverage a simple and effective technology solution to guide teams through a guided plan for WIOA compliance.

Fascinate CEO, Sally Hogshead, estimates that roughly 90% of introductions fail to engage a conversation, let alone a relationship. She will show each attendee how to highlight his or her own personality advantage, creating a personal “anthem.”

Learn how VR agencies are using partners for certain services, such as IT Help Desk support, freeing up their staff to better serve clients. Daniel B. Frye J.D., Executive Director, New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and Libera SVP, Matt Stanton, cover the available services and resulting benefits.

Much went into Oregon’s successful rollout of WIOA, but probably most important was a rock-solid communication plan and consistent messaging. System administrator, Nate Cordle, details the cross-agency discussions, education sessions, and strong leadership that drove it forward.

There’s a mountain of data that can be mined to better serve clients. Warren Granfor, a systems specialist at the North Dakota VR agency, discusses QA techniques to slice and dice the data in case reviews to improve performance and compliance and to move cases forward.

Kunal Tanwar, on Microsoft’s Azure team, explains how the Microsoft Government Cloud is helping agencies to engage their constituents, to empower their employees, to optimize their operations, and to transform their services.

The passage of the WIOA has opened the horizon for greater collaboration between vocational rehabilitation and the workforce system, with endless opportunities. Scott shares how this evolving partnership is providing benefits such as expanded talent populations, enhanced recruitment support, increased access to training partners, and connections to additional resources.

In this clearest-to-date presentation about WIOA financial reporting obligations, David’s federal guidance positions state agencies to be in full compliance with accurate, complete and timely financial reporting, reducing the risk of recovery of funds. He’ll spotlight the most common financial reporting mistakes, the importance of the recent guidance related to the period of performance, and propose solutions that systemically address data quality, accuracy and timeliness issues. Finally, the presentation foreshadows what future Federal financial reporting requirements may look like and the potential impact on state agencies. This presentation provides timely and important recommendations to a range of senior agency professionals. Agency directors will get valuable context and a better understanding of how to implement the changes. Operation leads will gather insights on how to best guide necessary system changes and controls, and technology leads will learn how to prepare for these changes. Field leads will learn tactics for getting their staff aligned on Federal requirements and on the road to successful financial reporting!