[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 87 (Friday, May 4, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19740-19744]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-09429]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
[Docket ID ED-2018-OSERS-0026]
Request for Information on the Future Direction of the
Rehabilitation Training Program
AGENCY: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services,
Department of Education.
ACTION: Request for information.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Education (Department) is requesting
input on the portfolio of grants supported under the Rehabilitation
Training Program, specifically those supported under the Rehabilitation
Long-Term Training, Rehabilitation Short-Term Training, and Innovative
Rehabilitation Training authorities to determine whether the activities
funded under the Rehabilitation Training Program are aligned with the
goals of the Department and the needs of State vocational
rehabilitation (VR) agencies. We will use the information gathered in
response to this request for information (RFI) to determine whether any
changes are needed in designing and implementing grant activities under
this program, including the specific mix of activities supported each
year.
[[Page 19741]]
DATES: We must receive your submission on or before July 3, 2018.
ADDRESSES: Submit your response to this RFI through the Federal
eRulemaking Portal or via postal mail, commercial delivery, or hand
delivery. We will not accept submissions by fax or by email. To ensure
that we do not receive duplicate copies, please submit your comments
only one time. In addition, please include the Docket ID and the term
``Future Direction of the Rehabilitation Training Program'' at the top
of your comments.
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov to submit
your comments electronically. Information on using Regulations.gov,
including instructions for accessing agency documents, submitting
comments, and viewing the docket, is available on the site under the
``Help'' tab.
Postal Mail, Commercial Delivery, or Hand Delivery: If you mail or
deliver your comments, address them to Mary F. Lovley, Office of
Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Rehabilitation Services
Administration, Attention: Future Direction of Rehabilitation Training
Program, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Potomac
Center Plaza, Room 5057, Washington, DC 20202-2800.
Privacy Note: The Department's policy for comments received from
members of the public (including comments submitted by mail, commercial
delivery, or hand delivery) is to make these submissions available for
public viewing in their entirety on the Federal eRulemaking Portal at:
www.regulations.gov. Therefore, commenters should be careful to include
in their comments only information that they wish to make publicly
available on the internet.
This is a request for information only. This RFI is not a request
for proposals (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP or a notice inviting
applications (NIA). Please note that the Rehabilitation Services
Administration (RSA) is not soliciting input related to the technical
assistance (TA) activities funded under the Rehabilitation Training
Program. RSA intends to request input on TA funding opportunities and
activities in the future. This RFI does not commit the Department to
contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, we are not
seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. The
Department will not pay for any information or administrative costs
that you may incur in responding to this RFI.
The documents and information submitted in response to this RFI
become the property of the U.S. Government and will not be returned.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary F. Lovley, U.S. Department of
Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services,
Rehabilitation Services Administration, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Potomac
Center Plaza, Room 5057, Washington, DC 20202-2800. Telephone: (202)
245-7423.
If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text
telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-
800-877-8339.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Rehabilitation Training Program is
authorized by title III of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
(Rehabilitation Act), as amended by the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act (WIOA), and is administered by RSA of the Office of
Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
Through this RFI, we are seeking input on four areas:
(1) The preparation of VR program professionals through the
Rehabilitation Long-Term Training program;
(2) The training of VR professionals through the Short-Term
Training program;
(3) The need for investments in the development of innovative VR
training programs; and
(4) How the Rehabilitation Long-Term Training, the Rehabilitation
Short-Term Training, and the Innovative Rehabilitation Training
programs can better support the implementation of the Rehabilitation
Act, as amended by WIOA.
Context for Responses
We are interested in responses that contain data, specific examples
and other relevant documentation to assist us in determining whether
the discretionary grants funded under the Rehabilitation Training
Program (specifically the Rehabilitation Long-Term Training, the
Rehabilitation Short-Term Training, and the Innovative Rehabilitation
Training programs) are aligned with the goals of the Department and the
needs of State VR agencies. The Department wants to ensure Federal
resources are efficiently and effectively targeted to best support
State VR agency needs, including the requirements under the
Rehabilitation Act, as amended by WIOA.
WIOA amended the Rehabilitation Act by making large-scale changes
to the work of State VR agencies and VR counselors that required
intensive capacity-building focused on both infrastructure and human
capital. We are interested in how we can best support States in meeting
the requirements of the law relating to pre-employment transition
services, competitive integrated employment, and comprehensive systems
of personnel development (CSPD). To that end, we are re-evaluating how
RSA can best direct the limited resources of the program to meet the
critical needs of State VR agencies. We are not seeking letters of
support in a particular targeted area. Rather, it is our expectation
that respondents will consider the questions RSA has developed in the
context of their responses. A response to each question is not
required.
We are seeking responses from a knowledgeable and diverse range of
individuals, including, but not limited to, the following--
(1) State VR agency staff, including directors, supervisors, and
counselors;
(2) Current or former project directors or principal investigators
of grants funded under the Rehabilitation Training Program
(specifically the Rehabilitation Long-Term Training, the Rehabilitation
Short-Term Training, and the Innovative Rehabilitation Training
programs);
(3) Current and former scholars funded under the Rehabilitation
Long-Term Training program; and
(4) Consumers of VR services.
The questions in this RFI focus on the Department's training
programs that prepare VR professionals. Responses will assist us in
designing priorities for grants funded under the Rehabilitation
Training Program (specifically the Rehabilitation Long-Term Training,
the Rehabilitation Short-Term Training, and the Innovative
Rehabilitation Training programs) that--
(1) Reflect current knowledge and skills needed by VR
professionals;
(2) Effectively link the employment needs of individuals with
disabilities with current workforce demands;
(3) Demonstrate cost-effective practices used by State VR
professionals; and
(4) Address personnel shortages in the field of VR counseling
through training.
I. Rehabilitation Long-Term Training Program
Background
The Rehabilitation Long-Term Training program, authorized by
Section 302 of the Rehabilitation Act and the program regulations at 34
CFR part 381, provides financial assistance for projects that provide:
(1) Basic or advanced training leading to an academic degree in one of
the areas outlined below; (2)
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a specified series of courses or program of study leading to the award
of a certificate in one of the areas outlined below; or (3) support for
medical residents enrolled in residency training programs in the
specialty of physical medicine and rehabilitation. The Rehabilitation
Long-Term Training program is designed to provide academic training
that leads to an academic degree or academic certificate in areas of
personnel shortages identified by the Secretary and published in a
notice in the Federal Register. These areas may include--
(1) Assisting and supporting individuals with disabilities pursuing
self-employment, business ownership, and telecommuting;
(2) VR counseling;
(3) Rehabilitation technology, including training on its use,
applications, and benefits;
(4) Rehabilitation medicine;
(5) Rehabilitation nursing;
(6) Rehabilitation social work;
(7) Rehabilitation psychiatry;
(8) Rehabilitation psychology;
(9) Rehabilitation dentistry;
(10) Physical therapy;
(11) Occupational therapy;
(12) Speech pathology and audiology;
(13) Physical education;
(14) Therapeutic recreation;
(15) Community rehabilitation program personnel;
(16) Prosthetics and orthotics;
(17) Rehabilitation of individuals who are blind or visually
impaired, including rehabilitation teaching and orientation and
mobility;
(18) Rehabilitation of individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing;
(19) Rehabilitation of individuals who are mentally ill;
(20) Undergraduate education in the rehabilitation services;
(21) Independent living;
(22) Client assistance;
(23) Administration of community rehabilitation programs;
(24) Rehabilitation administration;
(25) Vocational evaluation and work adjustment;
(26) Services to individuals with specific disabilities or specific
impediments to rehabilitation, including individuals who are members of
populations that are unserved or underserved by programs under the
Rehabilitation Act;
(27) Job development and job placement services to individuals with
disabilities;
(28) Supported employment services and customized employment
services for individuals with the most significant disabilities;
(29) Specialized services for individuals with significant
disabilities; and
(30) Other fields contributing to the rehabilitation of individuals
with disabilities.
The Rehabilitation Long-Term Training program regulations at 34 CFR
386.31 require that 65 percent of the total cost of the project be used
for scholarships. Section 302 of the Rehabilitation Act requires
individuals who receive a scholarship either to (1) work two years in a
nonprofit rehabilitation agency or related agency or in a State
rehabilitation agency or related agency for every year of assistance or
(2) repay all or part of any scholarship received, plus interest, if
the individual does not fulfill these requirements.
Under the priorities used for the current grant cycle (78 FR 66271
and 79 FR 42680), grantees must build close relationships with State VR
agencies, promote careers in VR, identify potential employers who would
meet the trainees' payback requirements, and ensure that data on the
employment of scholars are accurate. Scholars in the program must
complete an internship in a State VR agency or a related agency as a
requirement for completion of a program leading to a master's degree.
The internship must be in a State VR agency unless the VR agency does
not directly perform work related to the scholar's course of study or
an applicant can provide sufficient justification that it is not
feasible for all scholars receiving scholarships to complete an
internship in a State VR agency.
The Department currently supports 106 academic training grants
awarded to colleges and universities with graduate and certificate
programs in the field of VR. Some grants support more than one degree
or certificate. The breakdown of the degree programs offered by the
recipients of the 106 grants is as follows:
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Number of
Areas Number of Number of masters
grantees cert. programs programs
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Rehabilitation Counseling (84.129B)............................. 73 0 73
Vocational Evaluation (84.129F)................................. 2 1 1
Rehabilitation of Individuals with Mental Illnesses (84.129H)... 12 0 12
Rehabilitation of Individuals Who Are Blind or Who Have Low 9 2 8
Vision (84.129P)...............................................
Rehabilitation of Individuals Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing 3 0 4
(84.129Q)......................................................
Grants to Assist VR Agency Staff to Meet CSPD Requirements 7 1 6
(84.129W)......................................................
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Questions
1.1. In your State or local area, what are the current and
projected employment opportunities in the field of VR counseling and
related specialty areas, and what are the degree and/or certificate
requirements for these employment opportunities (e.g., bachelor's,
masters, or doctoral degree)?
1.2. The Department currently provides funding in six of the
possible 30 specialty areas. What are your recommendations for the
specialty areas that the Department should support, given the changes
in the Rehabilitation Act, as amended by WIOA, and the current needs of
the State VR agencies?
1.3. Should the Department fund bachelor-level programs, and, if
so, should they be general VR counselor programs, areas other than VR
counseling, or a combination of the two? Please explain.
1.4. How do VR counseling degree or certificate programs ensure
that they are adequately preparing VR counselors to meet skill demands
now and in the future? How have VR counseling degree or certificate
programs changed to address the requirements of the Rehabilitation Act,
as amended by WIOA (e.g., requirements for pre-employment transition
services, emphasis on competitive integrated employment, etc.)?
1.5. How do colleges and universities ensure that VR counselor
programs remain current and effective in meeting State VR agencies'
CSPD requirements?
1.6. How can the Department increase the percentage of scholars who
(a) complete a VR counseling program, (b) obtain qualifying employment
after completing the program, and (c) obtain employment in State VR
agencies?
1.7. Do the curricula used by VR counseling programs reflect the
emerging trends and evidence-based practices in VR?
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1.8. Currently, the Department provides colleges and universities
with 5 year grants of up to $200,000 annually for VR counseling
programs and grants of up to $150,000 annually for the other specialty
areas. Are these funding levels appropriate? If not, what funding
levels would be appropriate?
1.9. Colleges and universities vary in the amount of scholarship
funds they provide to scholars both within a single institution and
across institutions. Should colleges and universities award
scholarships that are consistently more substantial to fewer scholars
rather than smaller amounts to a greater number of scholars? Would this
approach increase overall outcomes in terms of successful completion of
the VR counseling program and in obtaining qualified employment?
1.10. What do you anticipate will be the cost of scholar support in
the next 5 to 10 years? Based on this cost, approximately how many
scholars could be adequately served with a $750,000 grant (i.e.,
$150,000 each year for five years) and $1,000,000 grant (i.e., $200,000
each year for five years)?
1.11. What percentage of your college or university's VR counseling
degree seekers receive a scholarship through this program?
1.12. What is the effect of the requirement that scholars complete
an internship in a State VR agency or related agency as part of their
program? How has the requirement for internships at State VR agencies
or related agencies affected the scholars' ability to obtain qualifying
employment? Should these internships be required? Are there other
avenues for scholars to gain experience? Is there another method to
ensure scholars receive experience beyond the practicum?
1.13. Do State VR agencies have the capacity to support internships
for the number of scholars who need to complete them? If not, is there
a sufficient number of related agencies (i.e., an American Indian
rehabilitation program; or a Federal, State, or local agency, nonprofit
organization, or a professional corporation or practice group that
provide services to individuals with disabilities under an agreement or
other arrangement with a designated State agency in the area of
specialty for which training is provided) to provide internship
experiences?
1.14. How has the merger of the Council on Rehabilitation Education
(CORE) with the Council of Accreditation of Counseling and Related
Educational Programs (CACREP) affected Long-Term Training grantees? Is
there anything in the current Long-Term Training grant program that is
in conflict with the CACREP requirements?
1.15. How have the changes in WIOA related to CSPD benefited or
hurt Long-Term Training grantees? Are there any new Long-Term Training
needs as a result of these changes?
1.16. RSA supported a much larger number of masters level Long-Term
Training grants in recent years than in the past. Are the VR masters
degree programs able to find enough qualified scholars?
1.17. Are there sufficient vacancies for scholars to find
employment in the State VR agencies, or in agencies that have
agreements with the State VR agencies, especially for States that have
multiple Long-Term Training awards?
II. Rehabilitation Short-Term Training Program
Background
The Rehabilitation Short-Term Training program, authorized by
section 302 of the Rehabilitation Act and the program regulations at 34
CFR part 390, supports special seminars, institutes, workshops, and
other short-term courses in technical matters relating to vocational,
medical, social, and psychological rehabilitation programs; independent
living service programs; and the Client Assistance Program. These
projects are evaluated based on their relevance to the State-Federal VR
programs and whether they improve the skills and competencies of
personnel engaged in the administration or delivery of rehabilitation
services and meet the training needs of States.
The Department currently funds one Client Assistance Program
training and technical assistance grantee at $200,000 each year for
five years.
We are seeking information about whether the existing Short-Term
Training resources are meeting State needs to implement the
requirements in WIOA.
Questions
2.1. Should the Department direct more resources to Short-Term
Training?
2.2. Have the existing Short-Term Training resources met State VR
agency needs? If not, how could existing resources be better leveraged
or additional resources be used to meet needs?
2.3. What Short-Term Training areas are the greatest needs for
State VR agencies, especially given the changes in WIOA?
2.4. How can this program better support State VR agencies as they
implement their CSPD?
2.5. How can the Short-Term Training program address the need for
no-cost preparation for VR professionals?
III. Innovative Rehabilitation Training Program
Background
The Innovative Rehabilitation Training program, authorized by
section 302 of the Rehabilitation Act and the program regulations at 34
CFR part 387, is designed to--
(a) Develop new types of training programs for VR personnel and
demonstrate the effectiveness of these new types of training programs
for VR personnel in improving the delivery of VR services to
individuals with disabilities;
(b) Develop new and improved methods for training VR personnel so
that there may be a more effective delivery of VR services to
individuals with disabilities by designated State VR agencies and
designated State VR units or other public or nonprofit VR service
agencies or organizations;
(c) Develop new innovative training programs for VR professionals
and paraprofessionals that provide instruction on the evolving 21st-
century labor force and the needs of individuals with disabilities so
they can more effectively provide VR services to individuals with
disabilities; and
(d) Investigate the efficacy of new curricula to address system
change resulting from implementation of the requirements in WIOA.
The Department does not currently fund any grants under this
program.
We are seeking information about whether new types of training
programs for VR personnel, new and improved methods of training VR
personnel, or new innovative training programs for VR professionals and
paraprofessionals are needed.
Questions
3.1. Should the Department fund grants under this authority?
3.2 What topical areas would best support State VR agencies'
implementation of the requirements in WIOA?
3.3 In recent years, a number of VR counseling programs have
closed, including programs that had Long-Term Training grant funding.
Is there a more innovative way to deliver VR counselor programs? If so,
please describe.
3.4 What type of innovative training projects might be supported to
develop a new training curriculum to address system changes resulting
from implementation of the requirements in WIOA?
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3.5 What type of innovative training project might be supported to
prepare VR professionals and paraprofessionals to have a 21st-century
understanding of the evolving labor force and the needs of individuals
with disabilities?
Accessible Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this
document in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print,
audiotape, or compact disc) on request to the program contact person
listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this
document is the document published in the Federal Register. You may
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You may also access documents of the Department published in the
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Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 6771.
Dated: April 30, 2018.
Johnny W. Collett,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 2018-09429 Filed 5-3-18; 8:45 am]
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