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. I. Standards That Are Consistent with Any National or State- Approved or -recognized Certification, Licensing, Registration, or Other Comparable Requirements That Apply to the Profession or Discipline in Which Such Personnel Are Providing Vr Services; and
Current Narrative:
MVR acknowledges the state code: 5 CSR 20-500.140 is the standard in Missouri for the highest degree required for VRCs.
The State of Missouri requires that a qualified VR counselor must have the following minimum qualifications:
• a master’s degree from an accredited college or university in rehabilitation counseling, guidance and counseling, psychology, social work, or closely related field; and
• fluency in American Sign Language or other appropriate mode of communication if the counselor provides services to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
For individuals whose master’s degree is not one of the above areas, MVR requires them to complete a certificate program in rehabilitation counseling.
MVR is pleased that six VRCs completed CSPD requirements for their master’s degree in counseling during 2017. MVR has identified two staff members who are working on their master’s degree to meet the requirements for CFR 361.18 and RSMo 337. At the end of FY 2017, MVR had 135 VRCs who met the CSPD requirements. There are a total of 139 VR counselors, some of which are part-time positions.
MVR continues to prioritize the CSPD funding of the VRCs mentioned above who are involved in university coursework, certification (CRC) and licensure (LPC). MVR is committed to ensuring that VRCs’ tuition, fees and books are funded to obtain necessary coursework to meet the above requirements.
The human resource manager (HRM) for MVR develops an individualized plan with each newly hired staff member to identify/evaluate specific staff development needs, required courses, available resources and timelines necessary to achieve the standards in RSMo 337 or the appropriate CRC requirement. The HRM also monitors each staff development plan to ensure that all objectives are met. As necessary, the HRM consults with the state licensing boards and CRC officials. All staff is required to submit updated transcripts to the HRM to ensure compliance with the objectives of the standards.
The above plan is non-discriminatory and encourages the retraining and recruitment of persons with disabilities and from diverse backgrounds.
Annually MVR reviews the performance evaluations for rehabilitation staff to determine if they are consistent with the actual job functions, agency values and the Rehabilitation Act mandates.