Narrative: d. 2. I. ii.

MVR works actively in recruiting new counselors with master’s degrees in rehabilitation counseling or other related areas. As mentioned above, Missouri has one graduate level rehabilitation counseling program that, at this time, is not sufficient to produce the number of qualified rehabilitation professionals needed by MVR in all areas of the state. Even though graduate enrollment is high at Maryville University, many of the students are not willing to relocate from the St. Louis area. To address this issue, job announcements are sent to other institutions of higher learning that have rehabilitation counseling programs such as Southern Illinois University–Carbondale, Emporia State University, Arkansas State University, University of Arkansas, and Missouri universities that offer graduate–level counseling, social work and/or psychology programs.

MVR advertises all openings with the jobs.mo.gov web page and lists all openings on the agency’s website. Additionally, MVR advertises all openings on multiple online job search sites, including Indeed.com.

MVR sends all job announcements to its state’s historically black college, Lincoln University–Jefferson City, Missouri; as well as other historically black colleges such as Southern University–Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Fort Valley State College–Fort Valley, Georgia; and Mississippi State–Starkville, Mississippi.

MVR utilizes a diversity consultant to assist with ongoing staff development activities and outreach to underserved populations around the state. The consultant and the MVR Diversity Team work with MVR staff as well as CRP staff. The diversity consultant presented in–person training sessions for all staff in each of MVR’s 25 offices and in–person training to new counselors this past year.

At the end of FY2015, approximately 12% of all professional staff and 24% of support staff with MVR were persons from diverse backgrounds. MVR also actively recruits individuals with disabilities. District supervisors and VRCs in MVR district offices receive all VRC job notices. Other disability organizations, including CILs and CRPs, are consulted about recruiting persons with disabilities. At the end of FY2015, approximately 28% of all professional staff and 14% of support staff with MVR were persons with disabilities.

MVR continues to offer non–paid as well as paid graduate internships for potential employees. MVR also considers candidates who have completed their necessary coursework and need to complete their internship requirement for open positions with the agency. During FY2015, MVR provided two students with unpaid internships and practicum experiences to enable them to complete their graduate coursework. Those students will be considered for upcoming counselor vacancies.

MVR has a close working relationship with graduate rehabilitation counselor programs at Maryville University, University of Arkansas, University of Southern Illinois–Carbondale and Emporia State University. MVR representatives sit on the advisory councils of the above programs or make regular contacts and visits to recruit students from the above master’s level rehabilitation programs. Staff development needs and important future training/recruiting issues are discussed at these advisory meetings.