National Rehabilitation Association: Legislative Alert

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[an error occurred while processing this directive] Governmental Affairs: Advocacy in action. Read current and previous Legislative Network Alerts. View a listing of the Legislative Network Members. Frequently asked questions about the Legislative Network.		Legislative Network Alerts Alert Number 150 January 12, 2006 For Your Information NRA's TeleSeminar on CSPD To: Members of the Legislative Network From: Patricia Leahy, Director of Governmental Affairs Pursuant to our December 30, 2005, Washington Wire announcing the TeleSeminar on CSPD: 'Qualifications Count: CSPD; Past, Present and Future,' we are very pleased to provide you with the Program, biographies and brief descriptions of the presentations of the prestigious panelists. On behalf of all in the National Rehabilitation Association, we want to thank the presenters -- who are among the best and the brightest in the rehabilitation field -- for their gracious acceptance of our invitation to present on this important issue. Program Opening/Welcoming Remarks by Linda Winslow, Executive Director, National Rehabilitation Association Welcoming Remarks by Susan G. Sherman, Assistant VR Program Director of the Georgia Department of Labor Rehabilitation Services and 2006 President of the National Rehabilitation Association Moderator, Patricia Leahy, Director of Governmental Affairs, National Rehabilitation Association Learning Objectives: 1. Enhance your knowledge of the history and legal basis of the Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD) in Vocational Rehabilitation; 2. Achieve enlightenment on the relevant research that purports to link counselor performance with consumer outcomes; 3. Gain appreciation for the issues, problems and concerns encountered by Agency administrators and University educators responsible for the implementation of CSPD authority; 4. Become familiar with effective practices in the implementation of CSPD requirements; 5. Establish a forum for the review, discussion and exchange of information, ideas and practices pertinent to CSPD implementation; 6. Demonstrate how partnerships among government and private agencies, colleges and universities, and professional and consumer organizations can foster and strengthen CSPD; 7. Listen and learn from consumers about the ways in which qualified rehabilitation counselors and professionals assisted them in achieving economic and personal independence in conjunction with their self-determination to achieve the American Dream. We are very pleased to have a prestigious panel of presenters, including Dr. Fred R. McFarlane, State Agency Representatives Charlene Dwyer and Rita Martin, University representative Dr. Donald Dew, Consumer perspectives from Jamie Ray, Clifford Thorne and Global perspectives from Dr. Fredric Schroeder. Dr. Fred R. McFarlane Biographical sketch of Fred R. McFarlane, Ph.D., CRC Professor and Chair, Department of Administration, Rehabilitation and Post-secondary Education and Co-Director of the Interwork Institute, San Diego State University Fred R. McFarlane, Ph.D. is a Professor at San Diego State University (SDSU). Dr. McFarlane joined the SDSU faculty in 1972 and has directed the graduate program and related rehabilitation education, research, and services since that time. With Ian Pumpian, he co-directs the Interwork Institute, which is one of the largest institutes at SDSU with over 40 faculty and staff. He has extensive experience in working with organizations and individuals throughout the United States, the Pacific, Europe, Mexico, South America and Asia. He was the Chairperson of the Commission on Work and Employment of Rehabilitation International from 1996 to 2002. Areas of current involvement are distance learning, personnel development, organizational change, leadership in rehabilitation and working with diverse organizations and groups. Prior to joining the faculty, he worked in mental health and community rehabilitation programs. His earned degrees are from the University of Wisconsin - Stout (BS and MS) and the University of Georgia (Ph.D.). Presentation The basis for the comprehensive system of personnel development is to insure that a plan is developed and followed by each organization to insure qualified personnel are employed in all capacities. Further, there is an expectation that continual learning and development are integral to the organization for each agency. Included in this continual development is a plan to prepare for succession of individuals with changes through retirement, transfer and job changes. The precedence for CSPD is the Rehabilitation Act. A CSPD plan is required for each agency and must demonstrate the agency's responsiveness to national and state standards (i.e., CRCC). Dr McFarlane will discuss the relationship between the well-qualified rehabilitation counselor and consumer outcomes. Dr. Charlene Dwyer and Rita Martin Biographical sketch of Dr. Charlene Dwyer Since 2001, Charlene Dwyer has served as the Administrator of the Wisconsin Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). Charlene has 28 years of experience in the development and provision of services to persons with disabilities. In addition to her current work in public vocational rehabilitation, she has also worked in the higher education and non-profit sectors. Dr. Dwyer earned her Doctorate Degree in counselor education from Northern Illinois University in 1985. She previously chaired the Human Resources committee and currently chairs the Rehabilitation Research committee for the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR). Dr. Dwyer represents CSAVR on the Council of Rehabilitation Education (CORE) Board Biographical sketch of Rita Martin Rita Martin from the State of Indiana is the Assistant Director of the CSAVR. Rita has more than 33 years of experience in the field of rehabilitation, having begun her career as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, CRC in 1972. She is the former State Director for the Indiana Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program, having served in this capacity from 1995-2001. During her tenure as State Director, Indiana underwent a Redesign of the Vocational Rehabilitation Services Delivery System, with an emphasis on customer service and customer satisfaction. There were also significant yearly increases in the numbers of individuals obtaining employment during Rita’s leadership of the agency. She is also a Past President of the CSAVR and a Mary E. Switzer Scholar. From 1998-2000, Rita served on the National Workforce Excellence Board established by the Department of Labor. Her knowledge of field services and operating a state agency is of significant value to the State’s Council. Presentation CSVAR teleconference presentation on the importance of Qualified Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors and Personnel - the Public Vocational Rehabilitation Program Perspective The public vocational rehabilitation program is facing a national shortage in meeting its need for Qualified Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors and Personnel. The presenters will provide background on the reasons behind the crisis and the CSAVR leadership and partnership efforts that have taken place over recent years to effectively respond to current personnel challenges. The public VR program commitment to the Rehabilitation Act and the Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD) will be emphasized. Public sector environmental trends and impacts shaping the delivery of VR services and the competencies of the qualified VR Counselor will be discussed. Dr. Donald W. Dew Biographical sketch of Donald W. Dew, Ed.D., CRC Donald W. Dew, Ed.D., CRC, is the Director of The Center for Rehabilitation Counseling Research and Education at The George Washington University. Dr. Dew is a Professor of Counseling and Research Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. As an Educator, Researcher, and Practitioner he has focused his work on Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling, Supervision, and Leadership. Dr. Dew’s Professional experience over the past 40 years has been as a Rehabilitation Counselor, Supervisor, Regional Director, Assistant State Director, Educator, and Researcher. Dr. Dew has been active in a number of professional rehabilitation organizations such as the National Council on Rehabilitation Education (NCRE) and American Rehabilitation Action Network (ARAN). He has also served as past Vice President of the National Association of Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers. In the past he has also served as a Commissioner of the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification. He has also authored numerous articles and developed and delivered nearly 100 training programs. Presentation Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD): A Few Challenges and Rewards for One University The CSPD program is an excellent example of how the Government (RSA) can assist with the start up of a new program. As new educational programs are developed, it is important to understand the organizational and philosophical challenges Universities may have. A brief discussion related to one University’s journey to be innovative and responsive to learner’s needs, while holding to the values and quality, may help participants understand some of the University policies. Jamie C. Ray Biographical sketch of Ms. Jamie C. Ray, Esquire Ms. Ray is the Assistant Director of the Client Assistance Program in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is a 1999 graduate of Temple University School of Law, where she was a Note/Comment Editor for the Temple Political & Civil Rights Law Review. She received her undergraduate degree in 1995 from York College of Pennsylvania. She is admitted to practice law in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Ms. Ray is the 2004 and 2005 Chairperson of the Pennsylvania Bar Association's Committee for Delivery of Legal Services to Persons with Disabilities. Her personal essay, 'Tapping My Potential' is featured in the 2004 book 'What Adults with Disabilities Wish All Parents Knew Reflections from a Different Journey” (Stanley D. Klein, Ph.D. and John D. Kemp Editors). She is the author of Class, Conduct and Confusion: The Third Circuit Analyzes the Scope of Section 1985(3) in Lake v. Arnold, 8 Temple Political & Civil Rights Law Review 217 (1998), a note exploring the applicability of section 1985(3) of the Civil Rights Act to individuals with mental retardation. She is also the co-author of several articles related to employment discrimination litigation and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), including, The Substantial Limitation Approach to Defining Disability: Why Does it Create an Insurmountable Barrier to Individuals Who are Regarded as Disabled?, 9 Temple Political & Civil Rights Law Review 333 (2000) (with Stephen S. Pennington). Ms. Ray has provided training to Client Assistance Program (CAP) personnel for the last 4 years on topics including the impartial hearing process, basic evidence for CAP advocates, client confidentiality, and preparing your client for the impartial hearing. In 2004, she developed and provided a disability sensitivity training workshop for the Temple University Center for Intergenerational Learning, “Full Circle” Theatre Project. She has also been a frequent presenter at the Pennsylvania Statewide Independent Living (SILC) Conference, and has presented at several continuing legal education seminars sponsored by the Plaintiff’s Employment Panel, the Pennsylvania Bar Institute and the Temple University Political & Civil Rights Law Review. Presentation Pennsylvania Client Assistance Program Ms. Ray will focus her presentation on her personal experience as a customer of Pennsylvania Vocational Rehabilitation. She will address the benefits of both working with a counselor who has attained a masters degree, and the benefits of working with counselor with no masters degree, but 37 years of hands on vocational rehabilitation counseling experience. Clifford Thorne Biographical sketch of Clifford Thorne Clifford Thorne is Chair of the State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) for the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Mr. Thorne is a Member of the Board of Directors of the National Rehabilitation Leadership Institute (NRLI) at San Diego State University. Mr. Thorne is the Vice Chairman of the Special Education Advisory Council in Washington, D.C. Clifford Thorne also serves as a member of the Planning Conference for the Institute for Rehabilitation Issues (IRI), a publication of the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA). Presentation Mr. Thorne will discuss the impact of the well-qualified rehabilitation counselor and staff on the quality and effectiveness of services and supports to eligible individuals with disabilities who seek economic and personal independence. Dr. Fredric K. Schroeder Biographical sketch of Fredric K. Schroeder, PH.D. Fredric K. Schroeder is a research professor with the Interwork Institute at San Diego State University Specializing in the area of leadership and public policy in Vocational Rehabilitation. He also serves as a Senior Policy Advisor to the National Council of State Agencies for the Blind and to the National Council on Rehabilitation Education. In 1994, Prior to joining the Interwork faculty, President Bill Clinton appointed Dr. Schroeder to serve as the ninth Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) within the U.S. Department of Education. As RSA Commissioner, Dr. Schroeder administered a 2.5 billion dollar program that provides services to more than 1 million people with disabilities annually. In the early 1980s, Dr. Schroeder helped establish the New Mexico Commission for the Blind. Beginning in 1986, Dr. Schroeder worked for eight years as the first Executive Director of the newly created Commission for the Blind where he was responsible for a variety of statewide services which assisted blind people in the State to acquire the skills and confidence to work and live normal, productive lives. Dr. Schroeder earned a Baccalaureate Degree in Psychology in 1977; a Master's Degree in Education in 1978 and completed postgraduate work in Orientation and Mobility in 1980. Dr. Schroeder was the first blind person in the nation to be admitted to a university program in orientation and mobility, although he was denied certification on the basis of blindness. Dr. Schroeder went on to earn a Ph.D. in education administration from the University of New Mexico in May, 1994. Dr. Schroeder is a tireless advocate for the blind and other people with disabilities; an accomplished scholar with over forty published articles to his credit; a Board Member of the National Federation of the Blind; and he is a nationally and internationally recognized lecturer on disability policy. He has made numerous presentations before the general public, consumer groups, rehabilitation professionals and educators on the future of disability policy in the United States and the world. Presentation Dr. Schroeder will discuss the relationship of qualified rehabilitation personnel as required under the Comprehensive System of Personnel Development in the Rehabilitation Act in relation to national trends. Dr. Schroeder believes that it is the qualified rehabilitation counselor that distinguishes vocational rehabilitation (VR) from the generic workforce programs authorized under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). Without clearly identified standards for rehabilitation counselors, the VR system is subject to greater integration, and eventual absorption, into the general system of workforce programs in America. The issue is not simply one of protecting a bureaucratic structure--the VR program -- it is one of insuring that people with disabilities have access to the life-changing services they need to achieve full integration into society.

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