[nfbmi-talk] What Do Consumers Want Re: MCB Staff Training?

Mon May 2 19:23:29 UTC 2011

Hello, 

Below is a job announcement for a counselor position in Nebraska.  I wish to
call your attention to the training requirement for staff in Nebraska.  In
sworn testimony in an administrative hearing, a Michigan counselor testified
that she had a total of 4 weeks training in blindness skills, including
college and MCB.  All rehabilitation is not created equal.  Blindness brings
with it unique issues that call for unique solutions: solutions that can
only be fully understood through intensive emersion training.  Some of these
solutions are technical in nature like labeling, marking and so forth.
Primarily, however, these solutions have to do with attitude, philosophy and
a true belief in the efficacy of alternative techniques of blindness.  This
is not an indictment of staff who have not received such training, after
all, MCB employees have met all hiring and training expectations.  The
deficit is in the management's expectation regarding expertise in blindness
skills and attitudes.   Further the training deficit is graphically and
vividly expressed in  the poor outcomes with regard to placement rates and
the ongoing violations of the rehabilitation act as expressed in the federal
monitoring report and the continual illegal advisement of MCB clients that
the are required to use their SSI or SSDI funds for rehabilitation costs.

MCB needs to embark on a long-term and intensive training program for new
and existing staff to begin to change the culture of the agency to build it
into a culture of high expectations and above average outcomes in terms of
placements, starting wages, acquisition of advanced degrees, high GPA's for
students and competitive literacy rates for all readers who successfully
complete rehabilitation programs through MCB.

I hope that staff will encourage, embrace and advocate for more training in
blindness to help achieve the kinds of outcomes you all have for your
clients.  There is no doubt that better results will be achieved with the
same effort through the robust application of high standards and deep
expertise in blindness skills and positive attitudes about blindness and
blind people.  Knowing many of you as I do, I believe your goals are similar
to mine, good jobs for lots of blind people.

Warmest Regards,

Fred

>>> 

>>>> STATE OF NEBRASKA CLASS SPECIFICATION               EST:  08/70 -

>>>> REV:  12/10

>>>> 

>>>> VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNSELOR II

>>>> CLASS CODE:      C72512

>>>> 

>>>> Location:  Kearney Nebraska

>>>> Closing Date:  May 2, 2011

>>>> 

>>>> Apply online at:

>>>> http://agency.governmentjobs.com/nebraska/default.cfm?&promotiona

>>>> jobs=0&transfer=0

>>>> 

>>>> DESCRIPTION:  Under general supervision, performs complex, 

>>>> specialized vocational counseling, guidance and placement for 

>>>> individuals with visual impairments and/or other disabilities; 

>>>> performs related work as assigned.

>>>> 

>>>> DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:  (A position is assigned to this 

>>>> class based on the scope and level of work performed as outlined

>>>> below.)

>>>> 

>>>> This class is distinguished from the Vocational Rehabilitation 

>>>> Counselor I class by the scope and level of work performed and the 

>>>> amount of independence in which to perform the assigned tasks.  

>>>> Positions allocated to the Vocational Rehabilitation Technician 

>>>> class are responsible to perform a variety of supportive functions 

>>>> in the rehabilitation of persons with visual impairment and/or 

>>>> other disability.  Positions allocated to the Vocational 

>>>> Rehabilitation Supervisor class, on a regular and recurring basis, 

>>>> supervise a minimum of three rehabilitation and/or counseling 

>>>> staff.

>>>> 

>>>> Positions allocated to the Visually Impaired Orientation Counselor 

>>>> series perform counseling and provided teaching to assist clients 

>>>> in adjusting to blindness.

>>>> 

>>>> EXAMPLES OF WORK:  (A position may not be assigned all the duties 

>>>> listed, nor do these examples include all the duties that may be

>>>> assigned.)

>>>> 

>>>> Performs interviews, diagnostic services, testing, job training and 

>>>> job placement of eligible clients; confers with clients to discuss 

>>>> options and goals.

>>>> 

>>>> Provides follow-up services for clients in all aspects of 

>>>> vocational adjustment; monitors and records clients' progress and 

>>>> ensures goals and objectives are met.

>>>> 

>>>> Assists in coordinating training, re-socialization, remedial 

>>>> education and overall client programming.

>>>> 

>>>> Arranges for intelligence, psychological, vocational interest, 

>>>> aptitude testing and other tests and evaluations to obtain 

>>>> information in regards to assessing clients' needs and developing 

>>>> rehabilitation plans.

>>>> 

>>>> Assists district or unit supervisors with program needs and 

>>>> evaluation and may be involved in corollary administrative 

>>>> functions.

>>>> 

>>>> Serves as a resource person to the professional staff in vocational 

>>>> rehabilitation related matters.

>>>> 

>>>> Prepares and maintains required reports, correspondence, case files 

>>>> and records.

>>>> Develops and maintains relationships with originating agencies, 

>>>> schools, community organizations and public employers.

>>>> 

>>>> KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:  (These are needed to 

>>>> perform the work assigned.)

>>>> 

>>>> Knowledge of:  vocational rehabilitation counseling methods and 

>>>> techniques; human behavior and performance; medical and mental 

>>>> disabilities and their effects on the rehabilitation process; 

>>>> adaptive equipment available for clients served; principles and 

>>>> procedures for training development and instruction; group behavior 

>>>> and dynamics; basic sign language.

>>>> 

>>>> Skill in:  interviewing others to collect essential information; 

>>>> communicating to convey information; monitoring and assessing 

>>>> performance and implementing actions; reviewing information to 

>>>> develop options and implement solutions.

>>>> 

>>>> Ability to: learn, interpret and apply provisions of the 

>>>> Rehabilitation Act; collect, analyze and evaluate data to apply to 

>>>> the development and implementation of a rehabilitation plan; 

>>>> maintain accurate records; establish and maintain cooperative 

>>>> working relationships.

>>>> 

>>>> MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: (Applicants will be screened for

>>>> possession of these qualifications.   Applicants who need

>>>> accommodation in the selection process should request this in

>>>> advance.)

>>>> 

>>>> Bachelor's degree in social science, behavioral science, social 

>>>> work, counseling/guidance, psychology, sociology, human 

>>>> development, education or related and three years' experience.  OR 

>>>> Master's degree in any of the above mentioned fields or related 

>>>> area and one year experience.  Experience providing vocational 

>>>> rehabilitation counseling or related area may substitute for the 

>>>> educational requirements on a year-for-year basis.

>>>> 

>>>> SPECIAL NOTES:

>>>> 

>>>> Positions in this class may require an employee to possess a valid 

>>>> driver's license, or the ability to provide independent authorized 

>>>> transportation, and provide a passenger vehicle with adequate 

>>>> liability insurance in order to perform work-related travel.

>>>> 

>>>> Successful candidates for employment must be able to satisfactorily 

>>>> pass an extensive criminal background check and driver's license 

>>>> screening.  All new hires will complete 600 hours of immersion 

>>>> training in Lincoln, at NCBVI expense, at the Nebraska Center for 

>>>> the Blind to learn the alternative skills of blindness (cane 

>>>> travel, Braille, assistive technology, activities of daily living, 

>>>> etc.); those completing the training will be certified as 

>>>> Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors for the blind.

>>>> Work is performed under the direct supervision of a district or 

>>>> unit supervisor.  Field assignments and travel are involved in 

>>>> varying degrees.

>>>> 

>>>> Fatos Floyd, CRC, CVRCB

>>>> Director, Nebraska Center for the Blind Nebraska Commission for the 

>>>> Blind and Visually Impaired Our Mission:

>>>> Empowering blind individuals,

>>>> Promoting opportunities,

>>>> and building belief in the blind.

>>>> (402) 471-8120

>>>> 

>>>> _______________________________________________

>>>> acb-l mailing list

>>>> acb-l at acb.org

>>>> http://www.acb.org/mailman/listinfo/acb-l

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