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:
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[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:
DBVI maintains a high level of performance. The current personnel structure is designed to ensure DBVI clients are well served, including those with significant disabilities, students and adults requesting vocational rehabilitation services. We have addressed the issue of Counselors retiring or leaving the field and staffing levels are sufficient. This is due in part to the way the DBVI program is structured, which allows for staff development and advancement. DBVI is proud of its prompt turn-around services and ability to quickly establish eligibility and develop plans for services.
DBVI expects to continue the need for four Blind Services Rehabilitation Counselors, Which includes one for each region. This also remains the same for having one Blind Services Rehabilitation Associate in each of the four regions. Other staff will include the Director, an Assistive Technology Trainer, and a Counselor for students who manages pre-ETS and the Learn, Earn, and Prosper program for students. This level of 11 staff will be needed for the next 5-years. DBVI does not expect any retirements. Three long-term staff retired recently and have been replaced by new counselors who chose to take coursework and advanced degrees to become Blind Services Counselors.