Located in:
- Program-Specific Requirements for Vocational Rehabilitation
The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services Portion of the Unified or Combined State Plan* must include the following descriptions and estimates, as required by section 101(a) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by WIOA:
__________
* Sec. 102(b)(D)(iii) of WIOA
- d. Coordination with Education Officials
- 2. Information on the Formal Interagency Agreement with the State Educational Agency with Respect To:
- I. Comprehensive System of Personnel Development; Data System on Personnel and Personnel Development(Formerly known as Attachment 4.10)). Describe the designated State agency's procedures and activities to establish and maintain a comprehensive system of personnel development designed to ensure an adequate supply of qualified State rehabilitation professional and paraprofessional personnel for the designated State unit, including the following:
- I. Comprehensive System of Personnel Development; Data System on Personnel and Personnel Development
- 2. Information on the Formal Interagency Agreement with the State Educational Agency with Respect To:
- d. Coordination with Education Officials
d. 2. I. ii. Plan for Recruitment, Preparation and Retention of Qualified Personnel
Current Narrative:
VR periodically conducts needs assessments with staff to identify training priorities. Staff performance appraisals were substantially revised in 2015 to shift expectations to increase focus on customer service and quality outcomes. The ongoing review of performance goals will also identify additional areas of training need for staff. VR has a designated staff member who coordinates the provision of training for VR staff.
VR in partnership with IIDC continues to evaluate and modify a web-based training program, called the Leadership Academy, for continuous improvements and increased effectiveness. This program will be explained in more detail below.
Initiatives within VR that may improve staff retention include the addition of 7 itinerant VR Counselor positions to assist with covering caseloads in local VR offices experiencing vacancies in VR Counselor positions. Additionally, the ongoing efforts to increase communication and training across VR may assist with retention. This includes ongoing quarterly statewide supervisor meetings, monthly regional management meetings, and monthly field staff training webinars, new supervisor trainings, regional field visits, and other opportunities to bring staff together within the region or state. In September 2016, BRS held a 2-day statewide VR Symposium for all counseling staff, case coordinators, and Central Office staff to come together for the purpose of training and collaboration. Additionally, Field Region Managers are an integral part of monthly Leadership Team meetings and give essential input on policies, training needs, new initiatives and priorities, etc. The VR Commission honored staff by presenting awards to four outstanding VR staff.
VR continues to offer counselors and support staff opportunities to participate in special agency projects outside of their regular work routines, which sends the message that leadership values and desires the input of field staff. In the coming year, VR will work to establish a more targeted focus on reaching out to local universities as a recruitment source for identifying qualified individuals with master’s degrees in rehabilitation counseling or closely related areas.
VR has a long-standing history of hiring qualified candidates from minority backgrounds and individuals with disabilities for all BRS positions, including VR Counselors. The Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), the agency in which DDRS/BRS sits, has an Affirmative Action plan that includes FSSA’s policy on Affirmative Action, recruitment strategies, identifies responsible parties for implementation and monitoring, and addresses FSSA’s progress toward meeting goals for new hires. Outreach strategies include recruitment activities at events such as Indiana Black Expo as well as events at local universities such as job fairs and advisory board meetings. Furthermore, VR job postings are shared locally with Centers for Independent Living, CRPs and Mental Health Centers for broad distribution. VR Counselors also share openings as appropriate with VR consumers and VR has hired several former consumers into VR positions.