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:
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;
The State of Idaho does not require a state licensure for rehabilitation counselors. Educational standards for personnel established by ICBVI for qualified rehabilitation professionals (QRP) are intended to meet a base level of quality expected of the counselors by the Commission.
ICBVI’s minimum standards for Senior VR Counselor for the Blind are consistent with the national standard of CRC. ICBVI places great importance on recruiting, hiring and retraining staff that are appropriately and adequately trained to provide services to our blind and visually impaired clients. We currently have eight staff with CRC certification, including the Chief of Rehabilitation Services. In addition, we have 14 Instructors for the Blind and six of them have Master’s degrees and/or AER Certification in Rehabilitation Teaching or Orientation and Mobility.
ICBVI tracks and monitors each employee’s individual training and development. Special emphasis is placed on training required to maintain CRC or AER certification. This includes training on disability topics, vocational counseling, ethics, case management, assessment, job placement strategies and especially assistive technology for the blind and visually impaired. Specific development needs identified for each employee are addressed during annual performance evaluations. While specific priorities evolve year-to-year, ICBVI consistently addresses WIOA, data collection and reporting, assessment, counseling and guidance, vocational planning, job placement, as well as assistive and rehabilitation technology.