Located in:
- Program-Specific Requirements for Vocational Rehabilitation (Blind)
The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services Portion of the Unified or Combined State Plan [13] must include the following descriptions and estimates, as required by section 101(a) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by title IV of WIOA:
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[13] Sec. 102(b)(2)(D)(iii) of WIOA
- i. Comprehensive System of Personnel Development; Data System on Personnel and Personnel Development
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:
- 3. Personnel Standards
Describe the State agency's policies and procedures for the establishment and maintenance of personnel standards consistent with section 101(a)(7)(B) to ensure that designated State unit professional and paraprofessional personnel are adequately trained and prepared, including:
- 3. Personnel Standards
- i. Comprehensive System of Personnel Development; Data System on Personnel and Personnel Development
i. 3. A. Standards that are consistent with any national or State-approved or -recognized certification, licensing, registration, or other comparable requirements that apply to the profession or discipline in which such personnel are providing VR services; and
Current Narrative:
DBVI follows the same standard used by the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation to be in compliance with Section 101(a)(7) of the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1992. This requires State Vocational Rehabilitation agencies to establish qualified personnel standards for rehabilitation personnel. This addresses the qualifications necessary to meet the highest standards which are required in the State of Vermont.
DBVI follows standards set forth in the Comprehensive System for Professional Development (CSPD) 34 C.F.R. § 361.18 . This prescribes a national standard for vocational rehabilitation counselor qualifications. This standard gives highest priority to counselors with a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling. The second level of priority is for counselors with related degrees in social work, psychology, mental health counseling or special education. This group must complete four additional courses to meet the standard: Foundations of Rehabilitation, Career Counseling, Vocational Assessment and Evaluation, and Medical and Psychosocial Aspects of Disability. All efforts are made to hire new Counselors into this standard. When this is not possible, new hires are required, by written agreement, to attain the standard in a reasonable amount of time. The availability of online course work should allow any new hires to reasonably take the four “core” courses or any other course work they would need to reach this standard.
DBVI has a standard of bachelor’s degree for new Rehabilitation Associates and Associate Counselors. This provides the groundwork for moving Associates into graduate programs, helping DBVI maintain qualified staff. Presently all DBVI Rehab Counselor positions are filled by qualified professionals. All staff receive extensive training to help them learn and understand services for visually impaired individuals and the implication caused by visual loss. Training is focused around meeting with other highly trained vision professionals both within DBVI and from our sister agency, VABVI (Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired).
All new employees receive training with a qualified rehabilitation therapist, a low vision therapist and orientation and mobility instructor. In addition, they are scheduled to meet with the rehabilitation technology specialist to learn about how adaptive equipment can enhance job opportunities for consumers. They also meet with professionals from VABIR (Vermont Association of Business Rehabilitation and Industry) to learn about job development and placement. The performance expectations of all newly hired staff are to meet all the expected standards established for the position.
All newly hired staff attend new hire orientation which includes the following required trainings: HIPPA, Preventing and Addressing sexual Harassment in the Workplace, Conflict of Interest, Ethics, and Motivational Interviewing. Existing staff are required to update these trainings periodically.
DBVI allows for flexible work schedules, provides training assistance, supports state, regional and national learning opportunities and is strongly supportive of the time, effort, and commitment expended by each staff member to establish and maintain educational standards. DBVI encourages the use of training funds for staff to use to attain and maintain professional standards and to maintain and enhance their professional capabilities. DBVI seeks and distributes information and training opportunities for staff at the regional and national level. DBVI maintains current educational material through journals, internet sites and information gathered at conferences and trainings. DBVI works with the DVR Staff Development and Training Coordinator to ensure inclusion in opportunities offered by educational institutions for vocational rehabilitation professionals. Opportunities for online and distance learning are also available.