| (a) The Vocational Rehabilitation Division (VRD) helps
vocational rehabilitation (VR) counselors to meet the Comprehensive
System of Personnel Development (CSPD) standard, as set forth in 34
Code of Federal Regulations §361.18, by making funds available
through the Qualified Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (QVRC) program
for the required graduate education except when:
(1) unforeseen circumstances occur that may restrict
or prohibit the funding; or
(2) VRD management discontinues a VR counselor's participation
in the program in the best interests of VRD.
(b) The VRD director or designee must approve QVRC
financial assistance. This financial assistance is contingent on:
(1) funding;
(2) VRD management approval; and
(3) compliance with qualifications for participation.
(c) Qualifications for participation in the QVRC program
require that VR counselors and transition VR counselors applying for
assistance must:
(1) have completed the initial training year;
(2) be meeting or exceeding job performance expectations;
(3) obtain the appropriate approvals to pursue a graduate
degree or prescribed coursework;
(4) apply for Rehabilitation Services Administration
scholarship and university stipend funding, if applicable; and
(5) be accepted by the appropriate institution of higher
education.
(d) A VR counselor who meets the CSPD standard is considered
a QVRC.
(e) A VR counselor is expected to meet the CSPD standard
within seven years from completion of the initial training year. VRD
must conduct transcript reviews and/or confirm certifications to determine
compliance with standards or to outline coursework to be completed
by the VR counselor.
(f) A VR counselor is expected to pay all costs or
expenses:
(1) associated with the college application, admission,
and GRE exam (reimbursement of one GRE exam is allowed);
(2) related to tuition, fees, and books for any coursework
that must be repeated because of failure to successfully complete;
and
(3) related to completing work necessary to remove
any grade of "I" (Incomplete) within three months, unless there are
valid reasons (for example, serious illness, or university regulations
to the contrary).
|
| Source Note: The provisions of this §850.11 adopted to be effective March 12, 2012, 37 TexReg 1713; duplicated effective September 1, 2016, as published in the Texas Register September 2, 2016, 41 TexReg 6773; amended to be effective May 13, 2019, 44 TexReg 2364; amended to be effective December 26, 2022, 47 TexReg 8738 |
