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:
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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:
- i. Comprehensive System of Personnel Development; Data System on Personnel and Personnel Development
i. 5. Personnel to Address Individual Communication Needs
Describe how the designated State unit has personnel or obtains the services of other individuals who are able to communicate in appropriate modes of communication with or in the native language of applicants or eligible individuals who have limited English speaking ability.
Current Narrative:
Describe how the designated State unit has personnel or obtains the services of other individuals who are able to communicate in appropriate modes of communication with or in the native language of applicants or eligible individuals who have limited English speaking ability.
IDVR provides or purchases interpreter or language services required to access the program.
The Agency is currently working with the Division of Human Resources to determine a process and standards to assess staff competency in Spanish or other foreign languages. If staff meet competency standards, they may work with and interpret for customers who’s primarily language is other than English.
IDVR has created a statewide counselor position for the deaf. This position will better serve individuals who are deaf and increase the overall effectiveness of our service delivery for this underserved population. The position filled last fall and has passed certification and is now receiving referrals as of January 2022.
Since Idaho has a separate entity that addresses issues related to low vision and blindness, IDVR does not provide specific training to its staff in braille, but instead refers customers who require braille to the Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired.