Located in:
- Program-Specific Requirements for State Vocational Rehabilitation (Combined or General)
The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services Portion of the Unified or Combined State Plan must include the following descriptions and estimates, as required by sections 101(a) and 606 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by title IV of WIOA.
- i. Comprehensive System of Personnel Development.
In accordance with the requirements in Section 101(a)(7) of the Rehabilitation Act, the VR agency must develop and maintain annually a description (consistent with the purposes of the Rehabilitation Act) of the VR agency’s comprehensive system of personnel development, which shall include a description of the procedures and activities the State VR agency will undertake to ensure it has an adequate supply of qualified State rehabilitation professionals and paraprofessionals that provides the following:
- i. Comprehensive System of Personnel Development.
i. 1. E. Projected number of individuals to be served in 5 years:
Current Narrative:
WVDRS expects to see an increase in the number of consumers in its caseload system, from 10,652 individuals in PY 2022 to a projected 14,275 individuals in PY 2028. WVDRS administrators believe that the expected future caseload size will be managed by existing counseling personnel and the gradual filling of the 13 vacant counselor positions over the next five years. Additionally, WVDRS employs 55 RSAs to assist Counselors with their caseloads to more efficiently meet the needs of the increasing numbers of consumers.
The following information presents a range of the number of counselors and other agency personnel projected to leave WVDRS employment after becoming eligible for early retirement under the West Virginia Public Employees Retirement System by PY 2028. Of the 23 counselors who will be eligible, there will be 6 Rehabilitation Counselors, 7 Senior Rehabilitation Counselor, and 10 Certified Rehabilitation Counselors; no Rehabilitation Counselor Trainees are projected to retire by PY 2028. WVDRS continues to experience a gradual retirement of counselors and other personnel. The agency expects this trend will continue over the coming years.