Vocational Rehabilitation Program (Combined or General)

Projections of types and numbers of employees needed are based on current caseload sizes, demographic information regarding the population of Hoosiers with disabilities, the projected number of individuals exiting high school with disabilities, trends regarding number of consumers served in recent years, and current initiatives. The budget and state allocation available also drive the determination for the number of staff that can be sustained within Vocational Rehabilitation (VR). Reports that outline ratios of VR Counselors to consumers on a statewide, region, local area, and counselor basis, are readily available and are regularly reviewed by management. As of February, 2018, the Counselor to consumer ratio is 1:126. VR has consistently hired 20-25 new counselors per year due to retirements, promotion of staff, and general turnover. Over the next five years VR will need to fill additional vacancies due to an increased number of employees reaching retirement age. The projected number of consumers to be served is among the data reviewed in consideration of staffing levels. The following are projections of the anticipated number of applicants and eligible individuals coming into the system annually for each of the next five years.

FFY17 ACTUAL (Applicants: 10,942; Eligible: 8,777) FFY18 ESTIMATE (Applicants: 11,050; Eligible: 8,860) FFY19 ESTIMATE (Applicants: 11,160; Eligible: 8,950) FFY20 ESTIMATE (Applicants: 11,270; Eligible: 9,040) FFY21 ESTIMATE (Applicants: 11,380; Eligible: 9,130) It is anticipated that VR will see a similar trend in the number of applicants, or an increase in applicants and eligible consumers in the coming years, due to increased outreach and education at schools statewide through the provision of pre-employment transition services, and through outreach to individuals employed at sub-minimum wage through provision of career counseling and information and referral services. VR is planning outreach efforts aimed at increasing VR applicants and expects the application trend to gradually increase over the next several years. A counselor-consumer ratio of not more than 1:100 is best practice to maintain efficient caseload management and quality service. As the number of applicants and people who are eligible are anticipated to increase, the number of staff needed to meet consumer needs may increase as well. As of this submission, 35 VR Counselors, 11 VR Case Coordinators, 5 secretaries, 5 area supervisors, and 2 regional managers are eligible for retirement.

Row Job Title Total positions Current vacancies Projected vacancies over the next 5 years 1 Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors 175 11 35 2 VR Area Supervisors 22 0 5 3 VR Region Managers 4 0 2 4 BRS Management/Leadership Staff 7 0 1 5 VR Case Coordinators 60 0 11 6 VR Area Secretaries 19 8 5 7 Blind/VI/Deaf programs 7 1 2 8 BRS Central Office Staff 16 2 5