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:
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[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:
- 3. Personnel Standards
- i. Comprehensive System of Personnel Development; Data System on Personnel and Personnel Development
i. 3. 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
Current Narrative:
Nebraska VR employs staff in twelve (12) self-directed teams and one (1) administrative team throughout the state to provide services and supports.
During FY 2003, Nebraska VR implemented the new "VR Service Specialist" personnel classification. This position was created as the result of a Nebraska Department of Education position classification study based on job analyses of current job incumbents. The study found that the direct service work performed by Nebraska VR staff fell into three (3) distinct classes of personnel instead of the two (2) that existed. It was recommended that VR create a VR Service Specialist position classification located between the VR Associate and VR Rehabilitation Specialist positions comprised of job duties taken from the other two (2) classifications.
VR Associate and VR Senior Associate
VR Associates provide direct support to teams serving persons with disabilities seeking employment, provide follow-up monitoring with clients, request/collect necessary medical, demographic, financial, and employment information, maintain confidential staff files, make copies, route information, process mail, maintain mailing lists, perform receptionist duties, validate and process bills for payment, prepare authorizations, procure agreed-upon goods and services, verify their receipt, and work with providers regarding payments.
Associate academic degree standards
There are no national or state approved or state-recognized standards applicable to the associate position. The highest entry-level academic degree required for comparable work in the Nebraska Department of Education Classification System requirements is ahigh school diploma. All currently employed associates meet or exceed this standard.
VR Service Specialist and VR Senior Service Specialist
VR Service Specialists provide direct support to persons with disabilities seeking employment. Their responsibilities include conducting orientation to Social Security benefits and benefits analysis, client orientation, respond to basic questions about vocational rehabilitation, assist clients in developing resumes and completing job applications, arrange job shadowing experiences and information interviews, record basis for extension of time to determine eligibility, basis for termination of VR services for reasons other than ineligibility, and trial work experience periodic assessment plan, analyze and synthesize client medical, demographic, and employment information, analyze client strengths and barriers, assess independent living skills, conduct job site analysis, make appropriate referrals to community resources, provide individualized planning and Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) development.
VR Service Specialist academic degree standards
There are no national or state approved or state-recognized standards applicable to the VR Service Specialist. The highest entry-level academic degree required for comparable work in the Nebraska Department of Education Classification System requirement is the baccalaureate degree in a field of study reasonably related to vocational rehabilitation. Fields of study for this position include vocational rehabilitation counseling, social work, psychology, disability studies, business administration, human resources, special education, supported employment, customized employment, economics or another field that reasonably prepares individuals to work with clients and employers. In addition to the baccalaureate degree is paid or unpaid work experience for not less than one-year directly working with individuals with disabilities. All currently employed VR Service Specialists meet this standard.
VR Rehabilitation Specialist and VR Senior Rehabilitation Specialist
VR Rehabilitation Specialists make determinations and provide specialized direct services to persons with disabilities pursuing employment goals. Their responsibilities include facilitating and supporting clients in overcoming barriers to employment, interacting with clients with disabilities and responding to their individual needs which may include approving employment outcomes, finalizing and approving Individualized Plans for Employment (IPEs) and amendments to IPEs, approving IPE annual reviews, determining eligibility, priority group, and recording basis for eligibility, priority group, IPE, and employment outcome determinations and approvals.
VR Rehabilitation Specialist academic degree standards
There are no national or state approved or state-recognized standards applicable to the VR Rehabilitation Specialists. The highest entry-level academic degree required for comparable work in the Nebraska Department of Education Classification System requirement is the Master’s degree or doctoral degree. Fields of study for this position include vocational rehabilitation counseling, law, social work, psychology, disability studies, business administration or another field that reasonably provides competence in the employment sector, in a disability field, or in both business-related and rehabilitation-related fields. All currently employed VR Rehabilitation Specialists meet this standard.