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Plan: Massachusetts PYs 2020-2023
Combined Plan C

Section: Vocational Rehabilitation Program (Combined or General)

Narrative: i. 3. B.

Published
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:

      • 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 2018-2019

Current Narrative:

All MRC vocational rehabilitation counselors are expected to meet at least the education and experience requirements of a Qualified Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor. Promotional opportunities in the series would require more experience and/or a higher educational level.

IN-SERVICE TRAINING AND CONTINUING EDUCATION:

MRC’s Training Department supports a wide variety of training and development programs for all staff through a comprehensive training program.  MRC’s training program have been focused on supporting implementation of WIOA regulations and guidelines, and on working with our workforce partners and other disability agencies to provide coordinated services. MRC will continue to provide training to its staff to enhance their skills, professional development, and enhanced practices to best serve consumer needs.

A series of workshops and seminars have been and will continue to be planned in the following priority areas:

Continued implementation of WIOA, Vocational Rehabilitation best practices, trainings related to the agency’s new initiatives with the Department of Mental Health and the Department of Transitional Assistance, trainings on MRC’s revamped CIES employment services procurement and its linkage to the new MRC-DMH Employment initiative, substance abuse training in partnership with the Department of Public Health, Pre-Employment Transition Services, quality employment outcomes, leadership development and succession training, transportation options, transitional planning, serving consumers on the autism spectrum, computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Access), and programs under Section 4 of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998 (operated by MRC).

MRC has also worked with the Workforce Innovation Technical Assistance Center (WINTAC) on a series of staff development efforts related to Pre-ETS and transition services, Integrated Resource Team (IRT) approach, career pathways, and trainings on the Common Performance Measures and understanding and using data. MRC is also working on trainings for staff and consumers in partnership with Work Without Limits, a program run by the University of Massachusetts, and is also coordinating training with MRC employer partners and MRC providers.

MRC also continues to offer ongoing professional development for VR counselors, managers, supervisors, as well as aspiring supervisors. These trainings address 21st century labor trends, high growth occupations and skills that are in demand, trainings on job accommodations and employment tax credits, amongst other topics.  MRC is also conducting Change Management Training to support its staff with changes related to WIOA and focusing on improving practices to better serve the needs of MRC consumers and to improve consumer satisfaction.  MRC also makes trainings available in cooperation with staff labor unions on professional development, including computer software training and online training via LinkedIn’s Learning Online training site.

MRC has also worked with the state HR Division’s Center for Staff Development to develop a certificate program for aspiring managers and supervisors where staff works to gain leadership and management skills guided by a supervisor or manager serving as a mentor. Also, project management and leadership certificates are available through this program. Finally, MRC has developed and has operated a regular new staff orientation to assist with educating and retaining staff.

Through its training department, MRC acquires and routinely disseminates rehabilitation materials and research to staff such as the latest publications from the Institute on Rehabilitation on Issues, training materials from the Research and Training Centers, training guides and resource materials produced by recipients of RSA grants, and products from the National Clearinghouse of Rehabilitation Training Materials, as well as information and knowledge from RSA VR Technical Assistance centers such as the Workforce Innovation Technical Assistance Center (WINTAC), the National Technical Assistance Center on Transition (NTACT), the Job-Driven Vocational Rehabilitation Technical Assistance Center (JDVRTAC), the Vocational Rehabilitation Youth Technical Assistance Center (Y-TAC), and the Rehabilitation Training and Technical Assistance Center for Program Evaluation and Quality Assurance (PEQATAC). MRC also disseminates materials and information from the National Rehabilitation Association, the Association of People Supporting Employment First, Explore VR, and other sources.  These information and materials are also discussed and utilized in training and staff development meetings and webinars.  MRC has also coordinated and consulted with WINTAC and NTACT on training efforts.