[rehab] Systemic questions WAS Re: Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor II - September 15 2011.docx

[Tami Kinney]

Thank you so much for this! More gold. /smile/ Much to think about and
absorb as I change my own mindset from recovering individually from
those pervasive, endemic problems I alluded to while seeking to
understand some of the underlying causes of those problems and why they
have been going on for so long. Now, it is time for me to look at
positive models, and Nebraska has been on my list for awhile now.

Thank you for taking the time to give such a full description of those
underlying reasons your agency continues to function successfully. 

Keep up the good work!

Tami

On Thu, 2011-09-22 at 13:40 -0500, Floyd, Fatos wrote: 
> Hello Tami,
> 
> 
> 
> I had the opportunity to read your remarks on the list serve, and as an employee of the Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, I may be able to provide you with some understanding of the reasons our agency has its high level of success.
> 
> 
> 
> I believe there are several important reasons for the outcomes our clients have through our services. The first one is the fact that we are a stand alone agency. Far too often when services to the blind are under a larger Vocational Rehabilitation organization, blind people are left behind. Part of the reason for this is a tendency for these agencies to view blindness as just another disability, and to apply a generic approach to the service delivery. I also believe there is a tendency for many rehabilitation professionals, with limited knowledge of blindness, to believe that blind people simply don't have the potential to actually benefit from rehabilitation services, as do persons with other types of disabilities. So, there may very well be some hesitation to invest as much time, money, and effort in their rehabilitation as their might be for, say someone with a physical disability.
> 
> 
> 
> Our approach to blindness is based on a consumer driven model of rehabilitation, that is, it is based on concepts, alternative techniques, and a philosophy that was developed by successful blind people themselves, rather than conventionally trained "experts" in the field of blindness. We are very tuned into the beliefs, understandings, and values of consumer organizations, and we promote our clients becoming involved with these consumer organizations, attending their chapter meetings and conventions. Our board of commissioners is made up of blind people, most of whom are members of one of the state affiliates of the two national consumer organizations. In fact, our agency became a commission through the efforts of these consumer organizations, and we continue to value their input and involvement in the programs we conduct.
> 
> 
> 
> We have an in-house training center for our consumers, The Nebraska Center for the Blind, and it continues to be among the highest rated centers in the country. Our Center is a full emersion program, firmly based on the principles of "Structured Discovery," and a client centered approach to rehabilitation. It is not a cafeteria style approach to rehabilitation training, where students can choose whichever classes they wish, and avoid those that they either do not see the need for, or simply don't want to accept the challenge that they would experience in taking these classes. Our students are required to take all of the classes, including attending philosophical seminars, and as a result, less than one percent of our Center graduates returns for additional training. It is also the reason that on average, more than ninety percent of our Center graduates find gainful employment.
> 
> 
> 
> Some would claim that we only accept the "cream of the crop" into our Center program, but this is simply not true.Eligibility for our Center program is based upon the same Federal regulations that every state agency must follow, attending the Center is a matter of client choice, and we have students of every background and with every type of secondary disability successfully completing this training. During the past year alone, many students have completed their Center training, in spite of experiencing significant hearing loss, diabetes and other medical conditions, secondary physical disabilities, and difficulties with learning and social behavior. This is not the exception, this is typical of the students that attend our Center.
> 
> 
> 
> The Center training isn't simply for our consumers, it is also a requirement for all of our employees. Support staff, counselors, and administrators all receive training in the Center, most of them complete six-hundred hours, insuring that they have a solid understanding of what is truly possible for blind persons. We also have a large number of blind people working in our agency, and each of us must meet these same high standards, because, blind employees are not only equally responsible for the work that must be done, but they must also represent positive role models for our consumers.
> 
> 
> 
> One of the folks that responded to your questions, mentioned that much of the success of the rehabilitation process has to do with the person behind the desk, and this is certainly true. It is equally true that if that person is not effectively screened and properly trained, their likelihood of assisting the people they serve to achieve success is greatly reduced. There are many very good Rehabilitation Counselors working across the country; however, the failings of many rehabilitation systems cannot simply be dismissed as being "the nature of the business," if there are places experiencing much higher levels of success, certainly the people working within these organizations are key to these outcomes; however, it is much more than anyone individual, it is the overall approach to rehabilitation that determines whether an agency is successful, or falls short of it intended purpose. We believe that success can be traced in no small part to our staff preparation, which serves not only to develop effective skills, positive attitudes, and a resilient philosophy, but also tends to filter out those individuals not well suited to meeting the needs of our consumers.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> We also truly believe that having a positive philosophy, that governs every aspect of our approach to rehabilitation is critical to our success as an agency, and our experience bears this out. Many agencies and organizations serving the blind proudly tout the notion that they do not have a philosophy, yet no human endeavor can be undertaken without a philosophy. Whether it is baking a loaf of bread, or building the pyramids, the people involved conduct their work guided by a set of philosophical principals, or nothing would ever be accomplished. Therefore, a rehabilitation organization which does not adopt a resilient philosophy that runs counter to society's commonly held beliefs regarding blindness, has little choice, but to base their approach to rehabilitation on these same negative views. Our philosophy does two important things, it focuses our counselors and other employees, as well as our consumers, on the true assets and interests of each individual client. Allowing the person being served to take the leading role in the rehabilitation process, moving their true goals to the forefront, insuring that it is the client's goals that are being sought, and not those of the service provider, that could potentially underestimate the client's true ability. Client choice has been at the center of our approach from long before it was included in the Federal regulations. Secondly, having this philosophy means that each of our employees shares a set of core values regarding blindness, and holds high expectations for every consumer we serve. Each of us recognizes what is truly possible for blind people, the things that indicate proper training and rehabilitation services have been delivered, and we expect these things of ourselves and the people we serve.
> 
> 
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> 
> JeffAltman MA NOMCT CVRCB
> 
> Cane Travel Instructor
> nebraska Center for the Blind
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: rehab-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:rehab-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Tami Kinney
> Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2011 11:02 AM
> To: rehab at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [rehab] Systemic questions WAS Re: Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor II - September 15 2011.docx
> 
> Wow! That is fascinating. Also, quite wonderful. /smile/ So, then, it starts with leadership and is supported by some really great teamwork..
> I had not realized that history or how much that original strong leadership and teamwork then spread to influence all of us in one way or another for the better.
> 
> This example, then, does support the basic conclusions I have come to about the reverse effect in my state... As I see it, in my opinion, which may or may not be as accurate as I like to assume. /smile/ Top down problem, now endemic and pervasive. Based on clear negative attitudes toward blindness of the administrator who has been there since the beginning, having worked for the precursor agency. Sorry, I'm being vague and trying to leave out names, since I'm not communicating in order to bash. Just to try to figure some things out and gain greater understanding. And test my own conclusions.
> 
> Now the mystery to me is why certain things have been allowed to go on for so long. By the board of commissioners -- in that time span, it has to have been a variety of people doing the same thing over and over.
> which is to ignore the clear and documented problems by leaving the same administrator in charge. Sorry, 35 (plus, now) years of audits failed, each and every one, for the same reasons, with the same tone in the response by the same administrator is beyond me to grasp. In the present, I do see a lot of protectionism of that leadership and the underlying layers of management and staff that appears to me to be strongly counterproductive. If not destructive. So that's what I don't get at this point.
> 
> Then the naturally following question for me would be "What can I as an individual do to effect change" here in my own little corner of the Right now, within the context of my own life and circumstances, nil to nothing. Except to take opportunities to communicate and educate. /smile
> 
> So I thank you for your time and attention in answering my questions so openly and informatively. Any fool can run off at the mouth about what they think and feel, but ... Knowing and understanding is what makes communicating worthwhile and beneficial to all parties. Knowledge is power! Knowing how to use that knowledge is just plain tricky. /grin/
> 
> Tami
> 
> 
> On Thu, 2011-09-22 at 08:47 -0500, Dick Davis wrote:
> > Dave,
> >
> > That's the truth.  Jim Nyman, who is a Federationist, started as
> > director of the Nebraska agency in the mid-1970's.  He had a good
> > philosophy about blindness and a solid belief in blind people.  He
> > encouraged the growth of independent, self-sufficient, politically
> > astute blind people, and as a result, the NFB of Nebraska flourished.
> > They didn't always see eye to eye with him, but they knew a good thing
> > and supported it.  Fred Schroeder had his first job teaching
> > orientation and mobility there.  Carlos Servan became one of its
> > deputy directors, and still is. John Cheadle, who manages the
> > facilities at the National Center for the Blind and the Jernigan
> > Institute, was a supervisor in the Omaha office. Rose Lerdahl, who ran
> > its Lincoln office (and I think also their orientation center) became
> > director of the training center at Blind Industries and Services of Maryland.
> >
> > Nebraska introduced the concept of all day sleepshades, not Dr.
> > Jernigan, as many people believe.  Carl Olson worked to develop the
> > concept of structured discovery learning that was adopted by the NFB
> > training centers and others, and forms the basis for the professional
> > training programs at Louisiana Tech.  There's Pearl Van Zandt, Fatos
> > and Michael Floyd, Duncan Larson, who now works in the Colorado
> > Center, Dave Dawson, who runs the radio reading service in Colorado,
> > and many other good people whose names I would remember if I took more
> > time to think about them.  After many years of work, they were able to
> > convert the Nebraska agency, which had been in a larger umbrella
> > agency, into a freestanding commission for the blind.  The ACB, which
> > thought it was a good idea, pitched in to make it happen.  It took the
> > work of many people, blind and sighted, over a span of 35-plus years to make Nebraska what it is today.
> >
> > Dick Davis
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: rehab-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:rehab-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> > Behalf Of David Andrews
> > Sent: Wednesday, September 21, 2011 5:51 PM
> > To: Rehabilitation Counselor Mailing List
> > Subject: Re: [rehab] Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor II -
> > September 15 2011.docx
> >
> > It starts with leadership that "gets it," without that nothing will be
> > agency-wide.
> >
> > Dave
> >
> > At 03:03 PM 9/21/2011, you wrote:
> > >Yeah, I've heard really excellent things about Nebraska's agency..
> > >Despite the general devolution of the VR agencies in so many states
> > >over the last decade or so... No insult to any particular agency or
> > >any individual rehab counselor for working in one of the states that
> > >has lost ground. It does seem to have been an unfortunate trend...
> > >
> > >I know some of the eastern states are still on the list of those with
> > >working, effective agencies, some easier to get services from than
> > >others, but it seems people get those services in the end. But I
> > >notice Nebraska because It's just kinda out there all by itself being
> > >really great that way.
> > >
> > >So here's what I wonder... What is different about their state agency
> > >that makes it stand out in terms of providing those services and
> > >tools for their blind consumers efficiently and in a way that leaves
> > >the consumer felling happy for having such a great experience?
> > >
> > >I apologize if the question is beyond the scope of the list. I've
> > >been looking at the overall system to better understand my own state
> > >system from the point of view of a consumer, trying to figure out
> > >what the secret key is that makes the difference between a great
> > >state agency and a dysfunctional one. I mean, all the states operate
> > >under the same general set of laws and rules and requirements...
> > >They're all facing economic difficulties that are very similar in
> > >nature. So what is it that makes the difference and why are the differences often so profound?
> > >
> > >Just curious as heck. /smile/
> > >
> > >Tami
> > >
> > >On Mon, 2011-09-19 at 08:48 -0500, Dick Davis wrote:
> > > > From our state president in Nebraska. Excellent agency!
> > > > Dick Davis
> > > > ------------------------------
> > > >
> > > > Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor II
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Closing Date: 11:59 p.m. September 30, 2011
> > > >
> > > > Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Description:
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Under general supervision, performs complex, specialized
> > > > vocational counseling, guidance and placement for individuals with
> > > > visual impairments and/or other disabilities.
> > > >
> > > > Hours: 8-5, Monday - Friday.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Examples of Work:
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > 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.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Qualifications/Requirements:
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > REQUIREMENTS: Bachelors degree in social science, behavioral
> > > science, social
> > > > work, counseling/guidance, vocational rehabilitation, psychology,
> > > sociology,
> > > > human development, education or related and two years experience
> > > > OR Masters degree in any of the above mentioned fields or related area.
> > > > Candidates who possess the required degree, but do not meet the
> > > > experience requirements, may be hired as a Rehabilitation
> > > > Counselor I ($14.896/hour) until such experience qualifications are met.
> > > >
> > > > OTHER: Successful candidates for employment must be able to
> > > > satisfactorily pass an extensive criminal background check. 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. State agencies are
> > > > responsible to evaluate each of their positions to determine their
> > > > individual overtime eligibility status as required by the Fair
> > > > Labor
> > Standards Act (FLSA).
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > 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.
> >
> >
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