Located in:
- Program-Specific Requirements for Vocational Rehabilitation
The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services Portion of the Unified or Combined State Plan* must include the following descriptions and estimates, as required by section 101(a) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by WIOA:
__________
* Sec. 102(b)(D)(iii) of WIOA
- d. Coordination with Education Officials
- 2. Information on the Formal Interagency Agreement with the State Educational Agency with Respect To:
- I. Comprehensive System of Personnel Development; Data System on Personnel and Personnel Development(Formerly known as Attachment 4.10)). 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:
- iii. Personnel StandardsDescribe the State agency's policies and procedures for the establishment and maintenance of personnel standards consistent with section 101(a)(7)(B) and 34 CFR 361.18(c) to ensure that designated State unit professional and paraprofessional personnel are adequately trained and prepared, including:
- iii. Personnel Standards
- I. Comprehensive System of Personnel Development; Data System on Personnel and Personnel Development
- 2. Information on the Formal Interagency Agreement with the State Educational Agency with Respect To:
- d. Coordination with Education Officials
d. 2. I. iii. II. The Establishment and Maintenance of Education and Experience Requirements, in Accordance with Section 101(a)(7)(b)(ii) of the Rehabilitation Act, to Ensure That the Personnel Have a 21st Century Understanding of the Evolving Labor Force and the Needs of Individuals with Disabilities.
Current Narrative:
To ensure Rehabilitation Counselor and Evaluator positions have an adequate background to successfully enter the profession, LRS requires the following minimum qualifications:
a.) A baccalaureate degree plus one (1) year of professional level experience in social services, teaching, vocational counseling, employment counseling, psychiatric counseling, social services counseling, guidance and counseling, rehabilitation counseling, personnel, nursing, recreation therapy, music therapy, physical therapy, art therapy, rehabilitation instruction, rehabilitation evaluation, worker’s compensation dispute resolution, or worker’s compensation rehabilitation dispute resolution.
b.) A baccalaureate degree in rehabilitation counseling or master’s degree in any field may substitute for the one (1) year of required experience.
LRS decided not to change the qualification requirements for the entry–level Rehabilitation Counselor and Evaluator positions as there are only two universities in Louisiana that have accredited rehabilitation programs. Changing the entry–level Rehabilitation Counselor and Evaluator qualification requirements would have dramatically affected the ability to fill these positions, particularly those located in more rural areas.
The agency offers the following starting salaries based upon level of education and field of study as a method to attract individuals already possessing a degree in rehabilitation.
Entry Rate of Pay: Bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation – 12% above minimum Master’s degree in related field – 17% above minimum Master’s degree in Rehabilitation – midpoint of the range Ph.D. in Rehabilitation or related field 3rd quartile of pay range (i.e., midpoint equals minimum + maximum/2)
Rehabilitation Counselors at the highest priority for retraining are encouraged to achieve the agency’s CSPD standard per 34 CFR 361.18(c)(1)(ii)(B).
The following depicts the educational breakdown of Rehabilitation Counselors and Evaluators on board as of October 2015:
Rehabilitation Counselors – 101
• Has a Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling or a related field – 67
• Lower priority for retraining – 10 • Higher priority for retraining – 24
• Currently enrolled in a Master’s Program – 1
• Those needing to begin training – 23
• Percent of Counselors at higher priority for retraining not currently enrolled – 23%
Evaluators – 7
• Has a Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling or a related field – 6
• Lower priority for retraining – 1
• Higher priority for retraining – 0
• Currently enrolled in a Master’s Program – 0
• Staff members needing to begin training – 0
• Percent of Evaluators at higher priority for retraining not currently enrolled – 0%
The agency recognizes that some employees in the higher priority retraining group will not be able to either pursue their master’s degree or complete all requirements of a master’s degree program. These individuals will not be eligible for advancement to the Master Counselor positions, and will not be given priority or consideration when filling supervisory and management level positions. In addition, should the agency consider instituting different sign–off requirements for levels of Rehabilitation Counselors and Evaluators; those individuals not at the master’s level will have casework randomly reviewed to ensure standards are maintained. Agency staff members serving on university advisory committees keep the universities abreast of the CSPD mandate and status of the agency’s compliance. In addition, vacancy announcements are shared with local universities and posted on the State Civil Service website. Universities frequently refer students to LRS for internships that may lead to full–time employment and to apply for vacant Rehabilitation Counselor positions.