Located in:
- Program-Specific Requirements for Vocational Rehabilitation (Combined or General)
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:
- 4. Staff Development
- i. Comprehensive System of Personnel Development; Data System on Personnel and Personnel Development
i. 4. B. Procedures for the acquisition and dissemination of significant knowledge from research and other sources to designated State unit professionals and paraprofessionals.
Current Narrative:
Maine DVR partnered with DBVI to offer a four-part webinar WIOA cross-training series. The series included several Workforce GPS WIOA webcasts to provide a basis of information. They were followed by topics which included Common Performance Measures, Bureau of Employment Services, Career Pathways, Youth Programming and Resources. Presentations were provided by Adult Education, Job Corps, Youth Build, Community College Workforce Development, Center for Workforce Research and Information.
A supervisor training curriculum was developed for new DVR Regional Managers and Casework Supervisors to be offered in conjunction with New Counselor Training. Curriculum includes mentoring from veteran Regional Managers/Casework Supervisor.
DVR and DBVI supervisors completed a three-day Leadership Effective Training Program (L.E.T). The training provided effective ways to communicate and to deal with conflict to create a positive climate.
DVR staff completed a two-day communication training. Staff participated in small groups to enhance active listening skills, conflict resolution skills, I-Messages and shifting gears.
DVR staff completed a two-day Motivational Interviewing training. Training included the basic to advancing practice of MI with the intent of strengthening a client’s motivation and commitment to change in their vocational lives.
A sample of trainings that staff attended FY 2019:
Motivational Interviewing
New Counselor Training (24 new staff)
Communication training
Personality Disorders
BRS Leadership Training
Brain injury
Peer Mentoring
CRP project training (actual services)
Syntiro Training
BRS STATEWIDE (2018)
Apprenticeship
WOWI / Career Exploration workshop
IARP New England Fall Conference
Trauma Informed Care and Compassion Fatigue
Transitions: Creating great job candidates
NRE conference
Fading and Natural Support Strategies for Employment Success
WIOA Cross Training Series
Education:
8 Staff graduated with Master’s in Rehabilitation
4 staff received CRC credential
1 staff enrolled with USM- Master’s in Rehabilitation