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. 6. Coordination of Personnel Development Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
As appropriate, describe the procedures and activities to coordinate the designated State unit's comprehensive system of personnel development with personnel development under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
Current Narrative:
(6) Coordination of Personnel Development Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. As appropriate, describe the procedures and activities to coordinate the designated State unit’s comprehensive system of personnel development with personnel development under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
The Division has personnel who have specialized caseloads serving transitioning youth. These staff participate in quarterly training activities on current transition topics. Staff are also encouraged to participate in ongoing professional development through participation in a variety of workshops, conferences, and in service training opportunities that are disseminated via email to all staff and posted on the Divisions InDORS intranet. Staff are also encouraged to participate on WIOA Partner trainings and in other activities, such as the George Washington University’s Master’s level 12 credit online transition certificate program. Examples of cross-training with secondary school personnel include the following:
- Training in evidence-based transition practices for Local Education Agency staff and DORS staff provided by TransCen, Inc., as part of the Maryland Seamless Transition Collaborative
- Training on Autism Spectrum disorders provided by DORS in partnership with Pathfinders for Autism and the Maryland Rehabilitation Association. The Workforce & Technology Center supervisor of Autism Services is a certified Autism Specialist and has provided training to Workforce & Technology Center staff, to offices with the Office of Field Services, and at the Maryland Rehabilitation Association/DORS Annual Training Conference
- Training and presentations on blindness and vision services with the Local Education Agency and itinerate teachers and DORS staff are held on a regular basis