Located in:
- Program-Specific Requirements for Vocational Rehabilitation (Blind)
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:
- 1. System on Personnel and Personnel Development
- A. Qualified Personnel Needs
Describe the development and maintenance of a system for collecting and analyzing on an annual basis data on qualified personnel needs with respect to:
- A. Qualified Personnel Needs
- 1. System on Personnel and Personnel Development
- i. Comprehensive System of Personnel Development; Data System on Personnel and Personnel Development
i. 1. A. iii. Projections of the number of personnel, broken down by personnel category, who will be needed by the State agency to provide VR services in 5 years based on projections of the number of individuals to be served, including individuals with significant disabilities, the number of personnel expected to retire or leave the field, and other relevant factors.
Current Narrative:
It is anticipated that DBVI staffing needs could include approximately 7 new staff within the next five years. The table below highlights the current vacancies within DBVI. These vacancies are currently being covered by existing staff and contracted staff. The chart also depicts anticipated staffing needs for the next five years due to expected vacancies from retirements.
| Row | Job Title | Total positions | Current vacancies | Projected Vacancies over the next 5 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Director | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2 | Assistant Director | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Regional Directors | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| 4 | Blindness Rehabilitation Specialist | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 5 | Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor II | 7 | 1 | 1 |
| 6 | Paraprofessional VRC 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | Support Personnel | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 8 | Rehabilitation Consultant | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | Business Enterprise Program Staff | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 10 | Orientation & Mobility | 11 | 2 | 3 |
| Total | 35 | 6 | 7 |
One of the ways that DBVI has been a leader in the field regarding retention of qualified staff is our reimbursement program for certifications. Although DBVI does not pay for initial certifications, we recognize the financial strain to maintain these certifications, especially having multiple certifications. Therefore, we allow staff to request for reimbursement for ACVREP and CRC certification costs on a yearly basis if they provide those services as part of their DBVI employment during the course of the year.