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2 Year Modification

Idaho PYs 2022-2023 (Mod)

Vocational Rehabilitation Program (Combined or General)

Located in:
  • Program-Specific Requirements for Vocational Rehabilitation (Combined or General)

    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:

    __________

    [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:

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

View corresponding narrative from PYs 2020-2023

Current Narrative:

The State of Idaho does not have a state licensure for rehabilitation counseling.  IDVR’s personnel standards satisfy Federal requirements as outlined in 34 CFR 361.18(c).

IDVR has established two QRP levels: Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) and Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Senior (VRC Senior). The standards that satisfy the Agency’s Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD) policy for VRC positions are as follows:

  1. A current Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) designation obtained through the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC). OR
  2. Confirmed eligible (from CRCC) to take the exam to become a CRC. OR
  3. Graduation from a program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) with a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling. OR
  4. A current Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) designation issued by the State of Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licensing (IBOL); Rules of the Idaho Licensing Board of Professional Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists, IDAPA 24.15.01.

The standard for the VRC Senior position that satisfies the Agency’s CSPD policy is a current Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) designation obtained through the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC). The LPC or LCPC designation does not meet the CSPD requirement for a VRC Senior.

Requirements to meet CSPD for staff hired at Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist (VRS) level and maintain employment eligibility include the following:

The VRS will be required to meet IDVR’s CSPD standard within five years of the staff member’s hire date.

  1. The VRS, with assistance from Regional Manager (RM), will develop a CSPD Plan within six-months of hire date to be reviewed for approval by Human Resources.  Each CSPD plan will require the following elements:
    • Educational requirements necessary to complete CSPD (if applicable). Number of courses required and an outline of anticipated timeframe for completion of each course.
    • As the coursework is completed grades must be submitted to the Regional Manager and Human Resources within one month upon completion of term.
    • Employment internship or work experience requirement necessary to complete CSPD (if applicable).
    • Official acceptance documentation should be submitted to Regional Manager and Human Resources.
    • Acceptance of RSA scholarship (if applicable).
    • Estimated cost of tuition and books.
    • Outline of timeline for completion from the university.
  2. CSPD will be evaluated for progress as part of the VRS overall performance requirements as outlined in the VRS job description each year.
  3. The VRS is expected to meet periodically with their manager until the CSPD plan is implemented. The manager will submit a monthly report to HR, which will provide a summary of progress.
  4. Staff members at VRS level will be required to produce adequate semester progress to Human Resources for their personnel file.

When IDVR experiences a limited number of recruits for a QRP positions the agency will consider hiring individuals into the VRS classification.

IDVR requires a CRC for all Regional Manager or Assistant Region Manager positions.

IDVR will reimburse the cost of the CRCC application and testing fee upon verification of achievement of CRC certification, when funds are available.

IDVR will recognize current standards as outlined in the CRC Certification Guide when determining qualifying degrees, programs, coursework and acceptable employment experience.  http://www.crccertification.com/.

The agency will annually review and evaluate if financial assistance can be provided to support VR Specialists (VRS) that are working towards meeting CSPD. HR will notify all VRSs at the time IDVR determines that financial assistance is available. The notification will specify the time frame and process on how to obtain the financial assistance offered.