Located in:
- Program-Specific Requirements for State Vocational Rehabilitation (Combined or General)
The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services Portion of the Unified or Combined State Plan must include the following descriptions and estimates, as required by sections 101(a) and 606 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by title IV of WIOA.
- i. Comprehensive System of Personnel Development.
In accordance with the requirements in Section 101(a)(7) of the Rehabilitation Act, the VR agency must develop and maintain annually a description (consistent with the purposes of the Rehabilitation Act) of the VR agency’s comprehensive system of personnel development, which shall include a description of the procedures and activities the State VR agency will undertake to ensure it has an adequate supply of qualified State rehabilitation professionals and paraprofessionals that provides the following:
- i. Comprehensive System of Personnel Development.
i. 3. Standards that are consistent with any national or State-approved or -recognized certification, licensing, registration, or other comparable requirements that apply to the profession or discipline in which such personnel are providing VR services; and
A. Standards that are consistent with any national or State-approved or -recognized certification, licensing, registration, or other comparable requirements that apply to the profession or discipline in which such personnel are providing VR services; and
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.
Current Narrative:
GVRA's goal is to hire and retain staff with the competencies necessary to improve individual performance and agency outcomes. Although Georgia state law does not require certification or licensure for rehabilitation professionals or paraprofessionals, GVRA established the CRC credential awarded by the CRCC as the highest preferred standard for the Counselor. GVRA has developed a counselor series that will allow for those without the CRC credential to develop their skills and abilities as well as further their knowledge while working with individuals with disabilities. The minimum qualifications for the counselor series are Bachelor’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling or a related field (Counselor Education, School Counseling, Mental Health Counseling, Counseling Psychology, Education, etc.) AND two years of experience working with individuals with disabilities; OR a Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling or a related field (Counselor Education, School Counseling, Mental Health Counseling, Counseling Psychology, Education, etc.); OR a CRC in good standing; OR Interns who are within 12 weeks of graduation from a regionally accredited Master’s Rehabilitation Counseling Program. Successful completion of an internship will be deemed equivalent to one year of professional experience.
CRC Certification Reimbursement: In 2021, GVRA established opportunities for staff to pursue CRC certification. The initiative is designed to promote the highest quality service for all GVRA clients through employee training and professional development. The goal of the initiative is to eliminate the barriers for staff pursuing agency-approved industry-recognized credentials. The focus will award counselors with the opportunity to pursue their Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) certificate by absorbing the costs of the Commissionon Rehabilitation Counselor Certification’s (CRCC) CRC examination, practice tests, and renewal.
- Ongoing Training Programs: GVRA offers ongoing training programs to staff covering a variety of topics regularly to enhance their skills and knowledge. Training programs include weekly team meetings and/or work sessions, monthly workshops or webinars on relevant topics, quarterly staff development sessions, and yearly conferences or symposiums.
- Opportunities to Attend Conferences: GVRA actively encourages staff to attend conferences, seminars, and other professional development events relevant to their roles. These events provide opportunities for networking with other VR professionals, learning about new trends and best practices, and gaining insights from experts in the field. Annually, VR staff have the opportunity to submit conference attendance requests and are approved based on the content of the training program and the benefit of attendance to enhance their ability to serve clients. Staff are charged with returning from the events and sharing information with their teams so all can benefit.
- Individualized Professional Learning Plans: GVRA provides staff with the opportunity to develop individualized professional learning plans (PLPs) that align with their career goals and desired areas for growth. The PLPs outline specific objectives, training opportunities, and timelines for achieving professional development goals.
- Access to Virtual Learning Resources: GVRA provides staff access to virtual learning platforms, resources, and databases to support staff in staying updated on industry trends, research findings, and evidence-based practices in vocational rehabilitation. Method(s) the VR agency uses to ensure that personnel are able to communicate in appropriate modes of communication with or in the native language of applicants or eligible individuals who have limited English speaking ability.