The Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) will launch a new version of the National Clearinghouse of Rehabilitation Training Materials (NCRTM) website in October 2022. The new version of the website is a result of user feedback collected over the past two years to simplify and improve navigation, continue to meet user needs, grow the NCRTM audience, and contribute to the vocational rehabilitation field. Information and resources have been compiled specifically for individuals with disabilities and businesses. Users will be able to more easily find library materials and resources through improved search and filter functionality, view information in a more simplified clean layout, easily share information with colleagues via email or social media, and more. NCRTM will host a YouTube Premiere Launch Party on 10/24/22 at 1pm EST to provide a first look at the new and improved website. Stay updated on the website launch by following NCRTM on Twitter and registering for the NCRTM YouTube Premiere Launch Party.
The National Clearinghouse of Rehabilitation Training Materials (NCRTM) is maintained by New Editions Consulting, Inc. and sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), under Contract No. 91990021C0033.
Of particular interest to VR leaders, managers, administrators, and counselors
New Awards
Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment
On September 21, 2022, RSA announced new five-year grant awards for the Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment (SWTCIE) demonstration project to 14 state vocational rehabilitation agencies. The purpose of these grants is to decrease the use of subminimum wages and increase access to competitive integrated employment for people with disabilities.
American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services
On August 15, 2022, RSA announced new five-year grant awards for the American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services (AIVRS) program to the governing bodies of six Federally recognized Tribes in Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, and South Dakota. The purpose of these grants is for the governing bodies of Indian Tribes to provide vocational rehabilitation services to American Indians with disabilities who live on or near Federal or State reservations.
State Plan Information Collection Request: Required Elements for Submission of the Unified or Combined State Plan and Plan Modifications Under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)
On September 23, the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) published for public comment the Information Collection Request (ICR) “Required Elements for Submission of the Unified or Combined State Plan and Plan Modifications Under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA),” OMB control number 1205-0522. The ICR collects the required information for the submission of the four-year Unified or Combined State Plan and two-year modification of the State plan, describing the State’s strategic goals, priorities, operational processes and required assurances for the State’s workforce system, including the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program.
The comment period will be available to the public through October 18, 2022. Submit comments regarding the ICR by email (Harrell.Harlan.C@dol.gov) or by mail or courier to the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, 200 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20210, Attn. OWI/DASG. Please do not email or copy RSA on any comments that are submitted to ETA.
WIOA Performance Accountability Guidance
On September 15, 2022, ED and DOL updated the joint policy guidance related to the WIOA Performance Accountability system and RSA reissued TAC-17-01 titled Performance Accountability Guidance for WIOA Core Programs. This joint policy guidance rescinds and replaces TAC 17-01, published on August 23, 2017.
This update reflects changes made to the information collection request (OMB Control No. 1205-0526), after August 23, 2017, and incorporates other changes to improve clarity of the guidance. On page 66, Attachment X summarizes substantive and technical revisions in the order in which they appear. The remainder of the joint policy guidance remains unchanged. Please contact your RSA State Liaison with any questions.
Proposed Definition for Effectiveness in Serving Employers
On September 14, 2022, ED and DOL announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to incorporate a standard definition for the Effectiveness in Serving Employers performance indicator in the WIOA joint regulations. RSA encourages State VR agencies and stakeholders to provide feedback during the 60-day public comment period that closes on November 14, 2022. The proposed rule is published in the Federal Register.
RSA Publishes V9 of RSA-911 Edit Checks for PY22Q1 Reports
Based on feedback received from our grantees and to improve the quality of the dataset, the Rehabilitation Services Administration will use V9 of the Edit Checks for PY 2022 Q1 reports submitted between October 1, 2022 and November 15, 2022.
These changes are reflected in our RSA-911 Edit Checker available for testing now. Each version of the Edit Checks, under PD 19-03, are posted on the RSA website. Please email RSAData@ed.gov with any questions.
PY 2021 WIOA Annual Reports (ETA-9169)
The Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) has aggregated Case Service Report (RSA-911) data into the PY 2021 WIOA Annual Reports (ETA-9169) and these reports are now available in the RSAMIS for users with the necessary permissions. RSA did not receive any extension requests by the September 1, 2022 deadline. The PY 2021 WIOA Annual Reports are due by October 1, 2022. Because this deadline falls on a Saturday, RSA will accept reports submitted by October 3, 2022 as timely.
The ETA-9169 is replicated as a webpage in the RSAMIS wherein the three data elements outlined above are entered. These reporting instructions outline the general steps for submitting reports at Report Data.
If you need assistance with your RSAMIS account or submitting the ETA-9169, please email RSAData@ed.gov.
The VR Workforce Studio Podcast was recently awarded the Excellence in Media award by the National Rehabilitation Association. The Excellence in Media Award is presented to an individual or organization whose media production has made a noticeable contribution towards the accurate and progressive portrayal of people with disabilities. It is presented in recognition of outstanding effort in any medium, including print, radio, television, film, and advertising. Rick Sizemore and Betsy Civilette, co-hosts of the podcast reflected on what it means to the podcast team to win this esteemed award. “Our team is very humbled by this award because it gives us an opportunity to reflect on our purpose. We bring our listeners into intimate conversations with people who share their stories about disability and career pathways. It's a joy to podcast these sparks that ignite vocational rehabilitation”. Congratulations to the VR Workforce Studio Podcast team for this momentous achievement! Catch up on episodes of the award-winning VR Workforce Studio podcast here: https://vrworkforcestudio.com/blog/.
“Essential Self-Employment Training Topics as Reported by Vocational Rehabilitation Professionals” summarizes feedback from VR counselors from 29 states collected through an online needs assessment on their training needs in self-employment. This information brief reports on what they identified as the essential training topics. Although caution should be taken when generalizing the results to all VR professionals due to the small sample size, the information provides a snapshot as to what VR professionals report as important self-employment training topics.
“Self-Employment Training Needs as Reported by Vocational Rehabilitation Professionals” focuses on the self-reported training needs of VR professionals for assisting clients whose employment goal is self-employment. Participants were also asked their opinions on various statements about self-employment for individuals with disabilities. Overall, the respondents had positive perceptions of individuals with disabilities being able to pursue self-employment as a vocational goal.
“Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors talk about the barriers to Self-Employment for Individuals with Disabilities.” This brief presents information on barriers to self-employment as reported by the participants during focus groups conducted by the National Center on Self-employment, Business Ownership, and Telecommuting. These focus groups with VR counselors aimed to understand what may be limiting the number of individuals exiting services in self-employment. The goal was to learn what VR counselors believe are the barriers and facilitators to self-employment as well as the training needs of VR counselors.
To read these briefs and find additional resources please visit the National Center on Self-Employment, Business Ownership, and Telecommuting section on resources. For more information follow The National Center on Self-Employment, Business Ownership, and Telecommuting (Griffin-Hammis Associates) on Facebook and LinkedIn.
The National Center on Self-Employment, Business Ownership, and Telecommuting is an Innovative Rehabilitation grant (PR/ Award #H263E200005) funded by RSA.
Self-Employment Through the VR Lens is a free, self-paced, seven-module series that guides Vocational Rehabilitation counselors (VRC) through the steps to support self-employment, from intake/eligibility through case closure. Modules 1 and 2 introduce self-employment, highlight its potential benefits and opportunities, and explain the steps to become self-employed. Modules 3-7 follow the VR service delivery model, addressing self-employment considerations at every stage (e.g., intake and eligibility, IPE development, etc.). Designed specifically for VR professionals, the series explores the VRC’s roles and responsibilities when supporting self-employment candidates and provides practical information, tools, and examples. Counselors are encouraged to complete all seven modules in the series but have the option to complete only the ones they need the most. For more information about the course visit the National Center for Self-Employment, Business Ownership, and Telecommuting Training page.
The National Center on Self-Employment, Business Ownership, and Telecommuting is an Innovative Rehabilitation grant (PR/ Award #H263E200005) funded by RSA. For more information follow The National Center on Self-Employment, Business Ownership, and Telecommuting (Griffin-Hammis Associates) on Facebook and LinkedIn.
Of particular interest to VR leaders, VR administrators, VR managers, and VR Counselors
The Center for Innovative Training in VR (CIT-VR) and the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality Management (VRTAC-QM) are working collaboratively to develop a series of trainings that highlight effective rapid engagement strategies in State VR agencies. Rapid engagement is a strategy whereby individuals with disabilities are moved through the rehabilitation process from application to service provision as quickly and efficiently as possible in order to maximize the likelihood that they will be active and full participants in their rehabilitation plans and achieve successful outcomes. This four-module series will highlight various facets of rapid engagement that include strategies for administrators and counselors, the role of community partners, and strategies for engaging youth and young adults.
Part 1 of this module provides an overview of the data and background on why this is an important strategy to implement and demonstrates the linkages with better outcomes. Part 2 focuses on strategies for administrators to assess their current practices and develop methods to incorporate rapid engagement strategies as part of their service models. Examples are also provided of agencies that successfully implemented these practices. Module 3, & 4 will be launched later this Summer and in early Fall. To access the training series please visit: https://www.vrtac-qm.org/training VRTAC-QM
Twitter: https://twitter.com/vrtac_qm Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VRtacQM.org Website: https://www.vrtac-qm.org CIT-VR
Website: https://gwcrcre.org/cit-vr/home/
CIT-VR is Innovative Rehabilitation Training Program funded by RSA under PR / Award number H263C190007. VRTAC-QM is funded by RSA under PR/ Award Number H264J200002.
Of particular interest to: Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation leaders, administrators, and counselors and general audiences
The American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Training and Technical Assistance Center (AIVRTTAC) provides training and technical assistance, continuing education, coaching, and guidance to the 93 American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services (AIVRS) projects across the nation. The AIVRTTAC’s goal is to improve the ability of project staff to provide culturally appropriate, high-quality vocational rehabilitation services that help American Indians and Alaska Natives with disabilities obtain gainful employment.
AIVRTTAC recently released a new Smoke Signals Practice Guide which provides a description of the services and resources offered by AIVRTTAC, as well as information on how to access those services. It is intended as a reference for all AIVRS project staff as well as anyone interested in the history and activities of AIVRTTAC. Learn more by visiting AIVRTTAC’s website or by following AIVRTTAC on Facebook.
AIVRTTAC (PR/Award Number H250Z210001) is a grant funded by RSA.
Of particular interest to VR leaders, VR administrators, VR managers, and VR counselors
Dee Torgerson, Director of VR General in Minnesota, joins Carol Pankow in the VRTAC-QM Studio to take a close look at VR service delivery through a post-pandemic lens. Dee presented at CSAVR and was part of the National Rehabilitation Leadership Institute (NRLI) that produced a paper titled, "Now is the Time: Advancing Services to Individuals with Disabilities by Re-envisioning VR Services."
The pandemic forced VR agencies to offer services in new and flexible ways to meet the evolving needs of individuals with disabilities and employers, and Dee and her team at Minnesota General rose to the occasion. Listen in as Dee talks about bringing her vision to life.
Of particular interest to VR leaders, VR administrators, VR managers, VR counselors, and services providers
The IT’S EMPLOYMENT training series is designed to support vocational rehabilitation staff and related partners in improving employment services and outcomes for individuals with intellectual disabilities who receive services through vocational rehabilitation agencies. This training series offers self-paced, online training modules that have been developed based on research and promising practices. Each module is equivalent to two hours of learning. CRC credits are offered after course completion. Participants can take just one module, a few, or all modules, depending on their professional development needs. Facilitator guides are shared for each module to support group learning and discussions. The course schedule from October 2022- September 2023 is now available. Courses are free of charge.
IT'S EMPLOYMENT (PR/ Award Number H263C190011) is a grant funded by RSA under the Innovative Rehabilitation Training Program.
National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15) recognizes the contributions and achievements of Hispanic and Latinx Americans. The observance of Hispanic Heritage Month began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988.
This newsletter includes some acronyms for RSA-funded Technical Assistance Centers and other grantee offerings. Links to these centers are included in the “RSA-Funded Assistance and Other Resources” section of the NCRTM.
The National Clearinghouse of Rehabilitation Training Materials (NCRTM) is maintained by New Editions Consulting, Inc. and is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), under Contract No.91990021C0033. However, these contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.
