[rehab] responses from states replying to inquiry re training ofrehab counselors of the blind

[RJ Sandefur]

What was Florida's responce? How does the NFB plan to use the information 
gathered? RJ
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bob Kresmer" <krezguy at cox.net>
To: <rehab at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, February 21, 2013 1:33 PM
Subject: [rehab] responses from states replying to inquiry re training 
ofrehab counselors of the blind


> RSA new counselor training for RCB
>
> Informal responses from various states when asked to describe required
> training of RCBs in their states.  There were additional comments 
> discussing
> the benefits of all RCBs and supervisors with direct contact with blind
> consumers becoming personally acquainted with the process of adjustment to
> blindness, and the individual's efforts to master new skills and 
> attitudes.
> Additionally, better personal knowledge of the techniques, strengths, and
> characteristics of the various training centers and programs.
>
>
> Hawaii
>
> Our VRSs spend 4 months in full time sleep-shaded training, taking all the
> classes our blind students take.
>
> Iowa
> In Iowa, any rehab counselor, home teacher and/or supervisors of said
> counselors and teachers undergo an intensive 6-month training in the Iowa
> Department Adult Orientation and Adjustment center where they are under
> sleep shades at all times.  They also carry with them the long white cane,
> both at work and after hours so they get completely immersed in the use of
> the cane.  No doubt, this gets them some strange looks when they exit 
> their
> motor vehicles, but they still do it.  They are also involved in the
> Business Of Blindness classes where attitudes about blindness are 
> discussed.
> This has been a policy of the Department since 1959, as far as I know, and
> it has been a successful one.  The rehab counselors and home teachers are
> really able to communicate adequately with their clients about blindness 
> and
> can sell them on the fact that they need to come to the Orientation Center
> and learn attitudes and skills of blindness.
>
> Louisiana
> Requires new RCB to spend two weeks in intensive sleepshade and adjustment
> to blindness training at the Louisiana Center for the Blind.
>
> Minnesota
> legislation is set forth in Minnesota Statutes 248.07 subdivision 14B and 
> is
> pasted below.  We first worked with our agency (State Services for the
> Blind) to get a policy in place requiring the six weeks training.  When 
> the
> policy was in place we went to the legislature and got it codified into 
> law,
> making the case that policies can change with administrations and that 
> this
> training was essential and needed to remain in place. Here is the
> legislation:
> Subd. 14b.Certification and qualifications of rehabilitation counselors 
> for
> the blind.(a) No person shall provide rehabilitation counseling services 
> for
> the blind or hold themselves out as a qualified rehabilitation counselor 
> for
> the blind unless the person is certified as a rehabilitation counselor by
> the director of State Services for the Blind.
>
> (b) A rehabilitation counselor for the blind is not a mental health
> practitioner.
>
> (c) A certified rehabilitation counselor for the blind shall have, in
> addition to any necessary education background for rehabilitation 
> counselors
> in Minnesota, the following qualifications:
>
> (1) successful completion of a minimum of six weeks of intensive training
> under sleep shades from an adjustment-to-blindness center set forth by 
> State
> Services for the Blind in the contracting process; and
>
> (2) completion of additional appropriate training as approved by the
> director of State Services for the Blind.
>
> (d) Each certified rehabilitation counselor for the blind shall, in the
> period since the counselor's certificate was issued or last renewed,
> complete continuing competency requirements as set forth by the director 
> of
> State Services for the Blind.
> State services contracts with Blind, Inc. to provide sleepshade and
> adjustment to blindness services to counselors and supervisors and 
> managers
> who have contact with blind clients.
>
>
> Nebraska
> We are one of the lucky state agencies that require all of our state 
> agency
> staff go through Sleep-shade training.
> Our counselors, supervisors, managers go through 600 hours, 4 months of
> sleep-shade training.  Our support staff go through 6 weeks of sleep-shade
> training.
> We do the training at our Nebraska Center for the Blind facility, 8 hours 
> a
> day, the same training that our clients go through.
>
> Nevada
> VR in Las Vegas. We usually require staff that are new to the agency to go
> through Hadley School for the Blind for basic classes and we have one 
> staff
> member that's participating in Mississippi State Program.
>
> Ohio
> Right now, Ohio's program is highly technical in nature such as how to 
> read
> an eye chart or other medical evidence, how to process a claim, etc., with 
> a
> dusting of blindness technology on good days.
>
>
> Utah
> Require all VR Counselors who are newly hired that work with the Blind to
> have 240 hours of blindfold training in all of the classes that students 
> are
> required to do. Started this program about 4 months ago and so far 2
> counselors and 2 employment specialists have done this with good success.
>
>
> Hope this helps,
>
> Bob Kresmer
> Arizona
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> rehab mailing list
> rehab at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/rehab_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> rehab:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/rehab_nfbnet.org/joltingjacksandefur%40gmail.com