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2 Year Modification

Plan: Florida PYs 2022-2023 (Mod)
Unified Plan U

Section: Vocational Rehabilitation Program (Blind)

Narrative: i. 4. A.

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:

      • 4. Staff Development

        Describe the State agency's policies, procedures, and activities to ensure that, consistent with section101(a)(7)(C) of the Rehabilitation Act, all personnel employed by the designated State unit receive appropriate and adequate training in terms of:

i. 4. A. A system of staff development for professionals and paraprofessionals within the designated State unit, particularly with respect to assessment, vocational counseling, job placement, and rehabilitation technology, including training implemented in coordination with entities carrying out State programs under section 4 of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998; and

View corresponding narrative from PYs 2020-2023

Current Narrative:

(i) Staff Development

FDBS monitors personnel development needs on an annual basis. The VR basic support grant funds all training. FDBS based its core training programs on the areas emphasized in the federal regulations: rehabilitation technology, career guidance and counseling, job development, placement, and assessment. Staff members receive additional training as needed to ensure a 21st century understanding of the evolving labor force. FDBS collaborates with the CareerSource Florida Network’s career centers and shares information about its services and the referral process with disability navigators at the CareerSource Florida Network’s career centers. FDBS seeks opportunities to coordinate training FAAST by referring clients to FAAST for assistive technology. The FAAST demonstrates, trains, and temporarily loans equipment for clients to use.

The assessment of training needs is an ongoing process consisting of ensuring compliance with federal and state mandates and examining individual personnel training requirements related to current job performance, future job requirements, and promotional or career advancement needs. Training is an essential component of the VR program and turnover often complicates this process. FDBS plans to incorporate a new Learning Management System (LMS) into its training process. The chosen LMS must have an array of courses designed for vocational rehabilitation to enhance understanding of the rehabilitation process. FDBS selected several staff members serving in positions with varying roles and responsibilities to complete online courses offered via the Yes LMS, Florida TRAIN, and Udemy Business. Based on their feedback, FDBS will determine which system best fits its needs as it relates to the VR program. Analysis of training needs compiled from performance reviews, the strategic plan, Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment, training evaluations and surveys indicated continual training is necessary in the following areas:

  • Expanding staff knowledge of serving individuals with dual disabilities (where individuals have a primary disability of blindness and a dual disability unrelated to vision);
  • Overcoming employment barriers for visually impaired consumers with a criminal history;
  • Providing rehabilitation counseling for individuals with visual impairment and substance abuse issues and/or psychiatric disorders; and
  • Information on benefits counseling and the Ticket to Work Program.

VR counselors also benefit from training in supported employment, identifying appropriate candidates, working through the rehabilitation process with these individuals, and recording accurate information for federal reports. Vocational rehabilitation staff receives annual training on various aspects of the VR program, including career counseling and assessment. The annual training in April 2021 focused on topics specific to fiscal management, business enterprise program, vocational evaluations, case management/documentation, dual cases, social security reimbursement/Ticket to Work, Pre-ETS/Transition, policies and procedures, SSI/SSDI, and customized employment.

Given that job placement and development are pivotal elements to client success, FDBS requires all rehabilitation specialists, senior rehabilitation specialists, and assistant district administrators to participate in three levels of training - assessment, job development, and placement as part of the Employment Outcomes Professional II Training Manual developed by DTG-EMP, Inc.

Training during the assessment level entails eligibility determination, understanding low vision reports and eye diseases terminology, and vocational assessment. The assessment level also includes training on developing an IPE. For the job development level, training is concentrated on the process of developing jobs, which includes generation of leads, selection for time management purposes, holding face-to-face meetings with employers to identify needs, and closing the deal (actual placement). This level of training incorporates a tool for self-assessment as job developers. The job placement level focuses on training employees to identify the essential elements needed to obtain/maintain a job including motivation, abilities, access to employers, and credibility. At this level, employees learn intervention tools and marketing strategies to manage their caseloads as job developers.

FDBS utilizes the rehabilitation technology training conducted by the Rehabilitation Center (RC) for all professional and paraprofessional personnel. This training includes a weeklong introduction to rehabilitation technology for blind and visually impaired individuals and incorporates the use of rehabilitation technology in job development activities. The RC provides this training annually to update existing personnel on new technology issues.