South Carolina Legislature

HOUSE LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
Commission for the Blind


Subcommittee: Healthcare and Regulatory

Subcommittee Chair: Phyllis J. Henderson

Subcommittee Members: Hon. William K. Bowers, Hon. Bill Taylor, Hon. MaryGail K. Douglas
Agency Website: http://www.sccb.state.sc.us/

Agency Head: James M. Kirby

Study Contact: Elaine Robertson
Contact Email: [email protected];
Agency Information

How the Agency Measures Its Performance

In the Accountability Report and the Annual Restructuring Report, the agency was asked to provide information about how it measures its own performance. Performance measures are used to gauge whether or not the objective is being accomplished efficiently and the intended results are being achieved. There are four types of Performance Measures: (1) outcome measures, (2) efficiency measures, (3) output measures and (4) input or explanatory measures.

Agencies should focus on efficiency and outcome measures. Efficiency measures measure the amount of resources required to produce a single unit of output. Outcome measures measure what occurs as a result of the outputs (i.e. what happens when someone uses the output.). Focusing on these types of measures allow the agency to determine what changes can be made to continually improve tangible outcomes and do so at lower costs and faster speeds.


Below is the list of performance measures provided by the agency with the type of measure each one is considered by the agency. The Committee may or may not agree each measure is the type indicated by the agency but will examine them and work with the agency when the agency is under study. After the list of performance measures are additional details, including the targets and results, for each performance measure. This information was provided by the agency in its Annual Restructuring Report, Program Evaluation, Request for Information, or Accountability Report.

Click on any of the links below to go to the applicable part of this webpage:
  • Summary
  • Provide Input
  • Performance Documents
  • Performance Details

    • Summary (Click on a measure below to see additional details)

    The type of measure indicated (e.g. input, output, effiency, etc.) was provided by the agency. The Committee may or may not agree that each measure is the type indicated by the agency.

  • Input/Activity
  • Output
  • Efficiency
  • Outcome

    • Provide Input
    Do you think the agency is using the right performance measures or are there others you would like to see the agency use? Submit your input here.

    Details

    Vocational Rehabilitation Referrals
  • Type of Measure: Input/Explanatory/Activity Measure
  • Does the state or federal government require the agency to track this? Only Agency Selected
  • Applicable Objectives: 1.1.1; 1.1.2
    • Results
  • 2013-14 Actual Results (as of 6/30/14): 880
  • 2014-15 Target Results: 1008
  • 2014-15 Actual Results (as of 6/30/15): 689
  • 2015-16 Minimum Acceptable Results: 900
  • 2015-16 Target Results: 1008
    • Details
  • Why was this performance measure chosen? To increase the number of referrals and eligible consumers.
  • What was considered when determining the level to set the target value in 2015-16 and why was the decision finally made on setting it at the level at which it was set? Vacant positions were filled and new media was created to distribute across the state to increase awareness of the programs offered at SCCB.

    • Total Number of Consumers Served
    Type of Measure: Input/Explanatory/Activity Measure
    Does the state or federal government require the agency to track this? Only Agency Selected
    Applicable Objectives: 1.1.1; 1.1.2; 1.2.1; 3.1.2
    Results
  • 2013-14 Actual Results (as of 6/30/14): 2015
  • 2014-15 Target Results: N/A--It is difficult to set a target in this area because there is no way to know how many people with visual impairments will decide to work and utilize the services of SCCB.
  • 2014-15 Actual Results (as of 6/30/15): 2052
  • 2015-16 Minimum Acceptable Results: N/A--none noted
  • 2015-16 Target Results: N/A--none noted
    • Details
  • Why was this performance measure chosen? To track the total number of consumers served by the VR program.
  • What was considered when determining the level to set the target value in 2015-16 and why was the decision finally made on setting it at the level at which it was set? No target value set for this measure in 2015/16.

    • Vocational Rehabilitation Successful Closures
    Type of Measure: Output
    Does the state or federal government require the agency to track this? Federal
    Applicable Objectives: 1.1.1; 1.1.2; 1.1.3; 1.2.1; 1.2.2; 1.2.4
    Results
  • 2013-14 Actual Results (as of 6/30/14): 174
  • 2014-15 Target Results: 175
  • 2014-15 Actual Results (as of 6/30/15): 153
  • 2015-16 Minimum Acceptable Results: N/A--none noted
  • 2015-16 Target Results: 175
    • Details
  • Why was this performance measure chosen? To track the total number of successful employment closures as required by the RSA.
  • What was considered when determining the level to set the target value in 2015-16 and why was the decision finally made on setting it at the level at which it was set? RSA recommendations have been to set closure level at +1 from previous year. SCCB selected a higher value based on hiring of new counselors and chose to select the same goal as the previous year.

    • Vocational Rehabilitation Closure Quality Rate
    Type of Measure: Efficiency
    Does the state or federal government require the agency to track this? Federal
    Applicable Objectives: 1.1.3; 1.2.1; 1.2.2; 1.2.4
    Results
  • 2013-14 Actual Results (as of 6/30/14): 79%
  • 2014-15 Target Results: 80%
  • 2014-15 Actual Results (as of 6/30/15): 79%
  • 2015-16 Minimum Acceptable Results: 80%
  • 2015-16 Target Results: 80%
    • Details
  • Why was this performance measure chosen? The measures track the educational level of counselors, ability to move consumers from application status to quality closure, and consumer satisfaction, all of which assist in determining caseload sizes to prevent burnout of counselors.
  • What was considered when determining the level to set the target value in 2015-16 and why was the decision finally made on setting it at the level at which it was set? With vacancies filled it reduces caseload sizes and allows counselors to spend more time with consumers.

    • Youth Consumers Completing Work Skills Training
    Type of Measure: Output
    Does the state or federal government require the agency to track this? Only Agency Selected
    Applicable Objectives: 1.2.3
    Results
  • 2013-14 Actual Results (as of 6/30/14): N/A (New program component based on WIOA)
  • 2014-15 Target Results: N/A
  • 2014-15 Actual Results (as of 6/30/15): N/A
  • 2015-16 Minimum Acceptable Results: 10
  • 2015-16 Target Results: 10
    • Details
  • Why was this performance measure chosen? To assess the effects of providing Work Skills Training with a youth population.
  • What was considered when determining the level to set the target value in 2015-16 and why was the decision finally made on setting it at the level at which it was set? This is a new program being introduced into state schools and values were kept conservative for the first year as SCCB staff identifies schools where Blind and Visually Impaired youth are enrolled.

    • Number of Referrals to Vocational Rehabilitation, age 14 to 21
    Type of Measure: Input/Explanatory/Activity
    Does the state or federal government require the agency to track this? Only Agency Selected
    Applicable Objectives: 1.2.3
    Results
  • 2013-14 Actual Results (as of 6/30/14): N/A (New program component based on WIOA)
  • 2014-15 Target Results: N/A
  • 2014-15 Actual Results (as of 6/30/15): N/A
  • 2015-16 Minimum Acceptable Results: 20
  • 2015-16 Target Results: 20
    • Details
  • Why was this performance measure chosen? To assess the effects of providing Work Skills Training with a youth population.
  • What was considered when determining the level to set the target value in 2015-16 and why was the decision finally made on setting it at the level at which it was set? This is a new program being introduced into state schools and values were kept conservative for the first year as SCCB staff identifies schools where Blind and Visually Impaired youth are enrolled.

    • Number of Placements, age 14 to 21
    Type of Measure: Outcome
    Does the state or federal government require the agency to track this? Federal
    Applicable Objectives: 1.2.3
    Results
  • 2013-14 Actual Results (as of 6/30/14): N/A (New program component based on WIOA)
  • 2014-15 Target Results: N/A
  • 2014-15 Actual Results (as of 6/30/15): N/A
  • 2015-16 Minimum Acceptable Results: 4
  • 2015-16 Target Results: 4
    • Details
  • Why was this performance measure chosen? To assess the effects of providing Work Skills Training with a youth population.
  • What was considered when determining the level to set the target value in 2015-16 and why was the decision finally made on setting it at the level at which it was set? This is a new program being introduced into state schools and values were kept conservative for the first year as SCCB staff identifies schools where Blind and Visually Impaired youth are enrolled.

    • Independent Living Successful Closures
    Type of Measure: Outcome
    Does the state or federal government require the agency to track this? State
    Applicable Objectives: 2.1.1
    Results
  • 2013-14 Actual Results (as of 6/30/14): 297
  • 2014-15 Target Results: 160
  • 2014-15 Actual Results (as of 6/30/15): 352
  • 2015-16 Minimum Acceptable Results: 353
  • 2015-16 Target Results: 353
    • Details
  • Why was this performance measure chosen? To measure the success of the Older Blind program.
  • What was considered when determining the level to set the target value in 2015-16 and why was the decision finally made on setting it at the level at which it was set? Following RSA practice of +1 to the previous years actual results. The final reasoning for the current target value was the significant increase in the actual results for 2013-14.

    • Monthly Leadership Team Meetings
    Type of Measure: Input/Explanatory/Activity
    Does the state or federal government require the agency to track this? Only Agency Selected
    Applicable Objectives: 3.1.3
    Results
  • 2013-14 Actual Results (as of 6/30/14): N/A
  • 2014-15 Target Results: N/A
  • 2014-15 Actual Results (as of 6/30/15): N/A
  • 2015-16 Minimum Acceptable Results: 12 meetings with 80% minimum Leadership attendance
  • 2015-16 Target Results: 12 meetings with 90% minimum Leadership attendance
    • Details
  • Why was this performance measure chosen? To improve communication and partnerships between the 8 SCCB departments.
  • What was considered when determining the level to set the target value in 2015-16 and why was the decision finally made on setting it at the level at which it was set? The importance of improving communications between all members of the leadership team and the ability to all make it to a meeting once a month to share progress on the Strategic Plan goals and objectives.


    • Performance Measures Explained

    There are four types of Performance Measures: (1) outcome measures, (2) efficiency measures, (3) output measures and (4) input or explanatory measures.

  • Outcome Measure - A quantifiable indicator of the public and customer benefits from an agency's actions. Outcome measures are used to assess an agency's effectiveness in serving its key customers and in achieving its mission, goals and objectives. They are also used to direct resources to strategies with the greatest effect on the most valued outcomes. Outcome measures should be the first priority. Example - % of licensees with no violations.

  • Efficiency Measure - A quantifiable indicator of productivity expressed in unit costs, units of time, or other ratio-based units. Efficiency measures are used to assess the cost-efficiency, productivity, and timeliness of agency operations. Efficiency measures measure the efficient use of available resources and should be the second priority. Example - cost per inspection

  • Output Measure - A quantifiable indicator of the number of goods or services an agency produces. Output measures are used to assess workload and the agency's efforts to address demands. Output measures measure workload and efforts and should be the third priority. Example - # of business license applications processed.

  • Input/Explanatory/Activity Measure - Resources that contribute to the production and delivery of a service. Inputs are "what we use to do the work." They measure the factors or requests received that explain performance (i.e. explanatory). These measures should be the last priority. Example - # of license applications received


    • Legislative Services Agency
    h t t p : / / w w w . s c s t a t e h o u s e . g o v