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:
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* 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:
- 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. ii. Plan for Recruitment, Preparation and Retention of Qualified Personnel
Current Narrative:
DVR regularly partners with UNC to offer internship opportunities for students and a number of graduates have been hired by DVR in recent years. .In addition, DVR has partnered with a number of Rehabilitation Counseling programs out of state that offer distance education, including Utah State University, University of Wisconsin-Stout and Hunter College when staff require additional training to meet minimum qualifications. 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’s plan for recruiting qualified personnel, including qualified individuals from minority backgrounds and individuals with disabilities, includes collaboration with all of the relevant educational programs mentioned above as well as several additional graduate schools with programs in vocational rehabilitation. 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
DVR first established a CSPD policy to require all DVR rehabilitation counselors to meet minimum qualifications in 2000. At that time, DVR established a target 5 year period by which all existing rehabilitation counselors would meet the requirement. Since attaining that target, DVR has maintained the established minimum qualifications for newly hired staff in collaboration with the Department’s Division of Human Resources. As DVR moves to CDLE, this partnership will continue with human resources staff there. DVR will ensure HR staff who assist with initial screening of applicants are knowledgeable of the education and experience requirements needed to assure qualified personnel.
Of the 95 individuals currently in filled rehabilitation counselor positions within DVR (there are currently 10 vacant rehabilitation counseling positions), 1 individual is currently categorized as a rehabilitation intern and is working on completing her master’s degree.