Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation

1. PennsylvaniaOffice of Vocational Rehabilitation The Public VR Program: Rehabilitation Counselor Cindy Mundis, M.A., CRC, LPC Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist �

2. Introduction This presentation will review: a brief historical perspective of the public VR program the role of the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor the career opportunities within PA OVR.

3. The Public VR Program One of the oldest federal/state matching fund programs Priorities and services focus on persons with disabilities Goal has always been an employment outcome Improve person�s employability through a wide array of services provided by qualified rehabilitation counselors

4. Public VR Program is located At the state level, the PA Department of Labor and Industry�s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation is the Commonwealth�s designated state unit At the federal level, the VR program is located in the Department of Education�s Office of Special Education Rehabilitation Services (OSERS), Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA)

5. Landmark legislation 1920 Smith-Fess Act Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Individualized Written Rehabilitation Program (IWRP) Section 504 Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1978 National program for Independent Living services Focus on consumer as full participant Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1992 Increased access to persons with significant disabilities Established State Rehabilitation Councils Vocational Rehabilitation is one of the oldest programs in which state funds are matched by federal funds. In 1920 Congress passed the Civilian Vocational Rehabilitation Act encouraging states to provide rehabilitation services to disabled veterans. In the years following this landmark legislation, rehabilitation counseling in the public and private sectors expanded to provide an array of vocational and independent living services to an increasing population of adults with a variety of physical and mental disabilities. State units must establish personnel standards that assure personnel are adequately prepared and trained. The standards must be consistent with the highest entry-level academic degree needed for any national State-approved ore recognized certification, licensing, or registration specific to professionalVocational Rehabilitation is one of the oldest programs in which state funds are matched by federal funds. In 1920 Congress passed the Civilian Vocational Rehabilitation Act encouraging states to provide rehabilitation services to disabled veterans. In the years following this landmark legislation, rehabilitation counseling in the public and private sectors expanded to provide an array of vocational and independent living services to an increasing population of adults with a variety of physical and mental disabilities. State units must establish personnel standards that assure personnel are adequately prepared and trained. The standards must be consistent with the highest entry-level academic degree needed for any national State-approved ore recognized certification, licensing, or registration specific to professional

6. Landmark legislation con�t Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998 Rehab Act linked to Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Individualized Plan of Employment (IPE) WIA Reauthorization � legislative update Currently, VR continues under Continuing Resolution through Nov 18, 2005 � stopgap funding measure which keeps the Federal government operational

7. The Public VR Program works Over its 85-year history, has assisted more than 14 million eligible individuals with disabilities in securing employment Approximately 1.5 million individuals are served annually, many receiving services for multiple years Of those served in FY 2003, 217,800 were placed in competitive employment

8. RSA Longitudinal Study 69% achieved employment as a result of VR services and 75% of those were in competitive employment Three years after job placement, 76% continued to be employed and received increases in salary and benefits 21% utilized assistive technology (specialized computerized devices, portable speech synthesizers, special software) in helping to enter the workforce Earned an average of $7.33/hr; rate increase to $9.62/hr after 3 years The quality of the relationship between the qualified VR counselor and consumer was significantly related to employment and earning levels

9. Definition of a Rehabilitation Counselor A rehabilitation counselor is a counselor who possesses the specialized knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to collaborate in a professional relationship with people who have disabilities to achieve their personal, social, and vocational goals.

10. The role of the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Rehabilitation counselors help people to deal with the personal, social and vocational effects of disabilities Counsel people with disabilities Evaluate the strengths and limitations of individuals Provide personal and vocational counseling

11. Rehabilitation Counseling Is a process that builds upon the strengths and goals of persons with disabilities The goal is integration and inclusion of persons with disabilities in society The core of the Rehab process = relationship between the counselor and the consumer

12. VR Counselor Competencies Medical and psychological aspects of disability Clinical assessment and interventions skills Assistive technology Job Placement Vocational Counseling and guidance Job analysis Counseling skills are considered an essential component of all activities undertaken by the practitioner throughout the rehabilitation process. It is the practitioner;s specialized knowledge of the client�s disabilities and of the environmental factors that interact with those disabilities as well as the range of knowledge required in addition to his/her counseling skills that serves to differentiate the rehabilitation counselor for social workers and other types of counselorsCounseling skills are considered an essential component of all activities undertaken by the practitioner throughout the rehabilitation process. It is the practitioner;s specialized knowledge of the client�s disabilities and of the environmental factors that interact with those disabilities as well as the range of knowledge required in addition to his/her counseling skills that serves to differentiate the rehabilitation counselor for social workers and other types of counselors

13. Rehabilitation Counselors  work in a variety of settings Public or state VR programs Private rehabilitation companies Mental health centers Rehabilitation Centers Worker�s Compensation agencies Substance abuse facilities Correctional facilities Private, nonprofit community-based organizations Job training centers Employee assistance programs Insurance companies Medical Centers and hospitals While the technical aspects of the counseling process vary based upon the needs of the client and the setting in which the services are provided, the essential elements of a professional counseling practice are constant.While the technical aspects of the counseling process vary based upon the needs of the client and the setting in which the services are provided, the essential elements of a professional counseling practice are constant.

14. Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation

15. OVR consists of the following Bureau of Central Operations Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Services Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services Hiram G. Andrews Center Office of Deaf and Hard of Hearing

16. The composition of OVR 21 District Offices statewide that serve Pennsylvanians with disabilities in all 67 counties Some BVRS and BBVS offices co-locate Hiram G. Andrews Center located in Johnstown provides vocational training and comprehensive rehabilitation services

18. PennsylvaniaOffice of Vocational Rehabilitation Assists individuals with disabilities to get or keep a job Eligibility is based upon having a disability that creates an impediment to employment, a desire to work and an ability to benefit from VR services.

19. The Rehabilitation Process in OVR Referral Application Eligibility Develop and Implement IPE Follow/support in employment Close case Post Employment State VR Program � Order of Selection

20. On average, Counselors will: Carry caseload of 130-150 people with disabilities Receive 70-80 referrals per year, take applications on 65-70, find eligible 60-65, and write plans on 50-60 Close 30-40 people/yr who have successfully achieved an employment outcome Close another 3-4 people/yr who have successfully achieved employment outcome via the State VR program Spend $130,000-$150,000/yr on services for their customers

21. VR Counselors in OVR Provide individualized services to maximize the employability, independence, and integration of people with disabilities into the workplace by ensuring informed choice and facilitating client empowerment.

22. Employment opportunities�� There�s a high demand for master�s level rehabilitation counselors to work in public VR program state agencies OVR projects approximately 200 VR professional staff eligible for retirement OVR will need to hire an average of 35 VR counselors per year over the next 3-5 years

23. Are you a VR Counselor looking for a job?

24. Paid Internship Opportunities OVR continually accepts applications for VR Counselor Intern positions Statewide Paid VR Counselor Internship opportunities Students currently enrolled in the final year of a Master�s Degree program in rehabilitation can apply PA residency is not required An intern is eligible to seek promotion to VRC position upon graduation and successful completion of civil service probationary period

25. Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Employment Opportunities Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Service (BVRS) Counsel customers with a wide range of physical and/or mental disabilities which present barriers to employment. VRC Deaf and Hard of Hearing in BVRS - Counsel customers who are deaf or hard of hearing and who may use American Sign Language (ASL), other forms of sign and manual communication or assistive technology. Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services (BBVS) Counsel customers with a range of visual impairments which present barriers to employment.

26. VR Counselor position entry level requirements Successful completion of the Commonwealth�s VRC Intern Program A master�s degree in rehabilitation counseling, rehabilitation education, or rehabilitation administration Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) credentials Proof of approval to sit for the CRCC�s certification examination, as provided by the CRCC and completion of a master�s degree

27. Necessary special requirement for  VRC Deaf and Hard of Hearing positions Ability to communicate at the intermediate sign communication level as determined by the Sign Communication Proficiency Interview evaluation. The Sign Communication interview: administered at employment phase of hiring process you must obtain a score of intermediate or above to be hired. conducted entirely in ASL more info provided at time you are being considered for employment.

28. Competitive Salaries VR Counselor Intern = $13.49/hr limited-term wage position; not eligible for Commonwealth benefits. VR Counselor= $38,475/yr (19.67/hr) VRC Deaf & Hard of Hearing =$38,475 Salary based on 37.5 hour/week Paid biweekly (26 pays per year)

29. Employment Benefits Available Health Insurance coverage (employee co-pay required) Prescription, Dental and Vision Coverage (after 6 months) Paid Life Insurance 11 Paid Holidays, annually 13 paid sick days, annually 1 increasing to 4 paid Personal Leave Days 7 increasing to 26 paid Vacation Days Civil Leave Parental Leave Family Care Leave Credit Union Participation available Mileage reimbursement at GSA rate (48.5 cents/mile) Covered by collective bargaining agreement with PSSU Retirement Plan that includes Health Benefits and 87.5% of salary after 35 years Option to enroll in a Deferred Compensation Plan

30. Perks in Public Rehabilitation: Emphasis on vocational outcome Empowering people with choices Autonomy with caseload Work with complex cases Variety of work, responsibilities In charge of schedule VR management support Experts on disability in community Rich and consistent history Competitive salary and benefits

31. As a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor you will enjoy a satisfying career adhere to the highest ethical standards, always in the best interest of people with disabilities prepare and empower persons with disabilities to compete within the state, national and global economy

32. How to contact me Postal Mail: - Cindy Mundis PA OVR Bureau of Central Operations 1521 North 6th Street Harrisburg, PA 17102 Telephone: - 717-787-2521 (voice) - 717-787-4885 (TTY/TDD) E-Mail: cmundis@state.pa.us