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:
- i. Comprehensive System of Personnel Development; Data System on Personnel and Personnel Development
i. 2. Plan for Recruitment, Preparation and Retention of Qualified Personnel
Describe the development and implementation of a plan to address the current and projected needs for qualified personnel including, the coordination and facilitation of efforts between the designated State unit and institutions of higher education and professional associations to recruit, prepare, and retain personnel who are qualified, including personnel from minority backgrounds and personnel who are individuals with disabilities.
Current Narrative:
DVR partners with UNC to offer internship opportunities for graduate students, sometimes hiring graduates into rehabilitation counselor positions at the conclusion of their student internship. When feasible, DVR also partners with universities from across the country to provide internship opportunities, particularly to students attending distance education programs or those considering relocating to Colorado. Additionally, there are a number of other institutions of higher education across the state that offer Master’s level degrees in counseling and related areas. Individuals obtaining this level of degree, when combined with the appropriate acceptable work experience, meet the minimum qualifications as well.
DVR is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to ensure employment opportunities are available to qualified individuals from minority backgrounds and individuals with disabilities, but no specific recruitment strategies targeting these groups have been developed. Additionally, DVR has recently undertaken a State as Model Employer initiative, which includes a full time State Advisor on Disability Employment. This position is responsible for developing and implementing strategies to increase the diversity of the workforce within both DVR and CDLE, while advising other State Departments and Colorado’s Department of Personnel Administration regarding these practices.
In addition to standard recruitment efforts managed by the Office of Human Resources, DVR frequently posts vacant positions on social media outlets, shares postings with relevant stakeholders and community partners, and collaborates with all of the relevant educational programs. DVR also recruits using various resources such as The Summit on Program Evaluation, Emerging Leaders, CSAVR, and other university websites to post staff openings.
Current Status of Qualified Personnel
Of the 104 individuals currently in filled rehabilitation counselor positions within DVR (there are currently 11 vacant rehabilitation counseling positions), 1.5 FTE are currently categorized as rehabilitation interns and working on completing minimum qualifications to be rehabilitation counselors. 1 position is being recruited at the rehabilitation intern classification due to difficulty in recruiting a fully qualified rehabilitation counselor.