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2 Year Modification

Plan: Arkansas PYs 2022-2023 (Mod)
Combined Plan C

Section: Vocational Rehabilitation Program (Blind)

Narrative: i. 3. B.

Published
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:

      • 3. Personnel Standards

        Describe the State agency's policies and procedures for the establishment and maintenance of personnel standards consistent with section 101(a)(7)(B) to ensure that designated State unit professional and paraprofessional personnel are adequately trained and prepared, including:

i. 3. B. The establishment and maintenance of education and experience requirements, in accordance with section 101(a)(7)(B)(ii) of the Rehabilitation Act, to ensure that the personnel have a 21st century understanding of the evolving labor force and the needs of individuals with disabilities.

View corresponding narrative from PYs 2020-2023

Current Narrative:

The Arkansas Office of Personnel Management (OPM) continues to recommend the minimum qualifications, job descriptions and salary rates for specific classifications, based upon labor market surveys, which are then reviewed and approved by the legislature. The spring 2019 legislative session gave DSB the authority to pay tuition for its VR Counselors working on their CRCs. DSB is exploring ways to assist Area Field Supervisors with the costs of tuition to meet CSPD standards.

DSB recruits, and, to the degree possible, hires counselors with a Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling or other closely related degree. DSB implements individual education plans for existing personnel to be retrained to meet certification standards for Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Counselors have seven years to meet CSPD requirements from date of hire.

Effective July 1, 2019, all DSB vocational rehabilitation counselors were reclassified as either grade level GS06 Rehabilitation Counselor or GS08 Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. The GS08 Certified Rehabilitation Counselor classification requires CRC certification. According to state Office of Personnel Management (OPM) requirements, DSB now advertises for a GS08 position with the preferred qualification being a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and CRC certification. State hiring policy authorized by OPM allows DSB to hire graduates with Bachelor’s degrees in Rehabilitation for GS06 positions when there is no suitable applicant with a Master’s degree with the condition the person will seek and obtain a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling within seven years of employment and will meet CRC certification or become eligible to sit for CRC certification within one year of receipt of the Master’s degree. Internships are available to students in the rehabilitation programs across the State. DSB did not have any interns in FY 2019.

As of the December 2019 DSB Board meeting, the CSPD status is as follows: Field Services Administrator-Non certified; 5 VR Counselors with CRC. 1 VR Counselor anticipating taking CRC exam Spring 2020. 1 VR Counselors with LPC. 4 currently enrolled in CRC Master’s level program. 6 pending enrollment in a CRC Master’s level program and 5 Area Managers with CRC.

Update PY2022-2023 The spring 2021 legislative session gave DSB the authority to pay tuition for its VR Counselors working on their CRCs. DSB is exploring ways to assist Area Field Supervisors with the costs of tuition to meet CSPD standards.

As of the December 2021 DSB Board meeting, the CSPD status is as follows: Field Services Administrator-Noncertified; 7 VR Counselors with CRC; 1 VR Counselor anticipating taking CRC exam FFY2022; 4 currently enrolled in CRC Master’s level program; 5 pending enrollments in a CRC Master’s level program; and 4 Supervisors with CRC.

DSB sends staff to trainings with CSAVR, NCSAB, Mississippi State University, Helen Keller National Center, and through the Technical Assistance Centers to enhance their knowledge of supporting individuals with disabilities. DSB Field Services Staff received an in person training on Labor Market Information and how to access it in July 2019. In addition, DSB staff are registered in and have access to the Talent Acquisition Portal. Additional trainings are being scheduled for staff on these topics to ensure knowledge stays up to date.