N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. tit. 8 § 246.3

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 45, November 2, 2024

Section 246.3 - Standards for community rehabilitation program personnel

All personnel employed by a community rehabilitation program, whose duties include the provision of rehabilitation services to individuals sponsored by the New York State Education Department, Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individual Disabilities (VESID), shall meet the requirements specified for these or equivalent titles in this section.

(a) Definitions. As used in this section:

(1) Agency means the New York State Education Department.

(2) Bachelor's degree, master's degree or master's degree program means a degree from, or program of, a college or university accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization recognized by the United States Commissioner of Education, or the programs of which have been registered by the State Education Department.

(3) Community rehabilitation program means an organization which is operated for the purpose of providing vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities, and which provides, singly or in combination, one or more of the following services for individuals with disabilities:

(i) vocational rehabilitation services, which may include, medical, psychological, social and vocational services;

(ii) testing, fitting or training in the use of prosthetic and orthotic devices;

(iii) speech and hearing therapy;

(iv) psychological services;

(v) evaluation of rehabilitation potential;

(vi) work adjustment;

(vii) vocational training for entry level or career advancement (in combination with other rehabilitation services);

(viii) evaluation or control of specific disabilities;

(ix) orientation and mobility services and other adjustment services to the blind;

(x) supported employment services; and

(xi) placement services.

(b) Director of vocational rehabilitation services I.

(1) Individuals with this title shall be directly supervised by a staff member who fully meets the standards for director of vocational rehabilitation II.

(2) Minimum qualifications.

(i) a bachelor's degree; and

(ii) two years of professional experience in rehabilitation.

(3) Requirements upon employment. The agency may additionally require that the individual participate in specific training programs particular to the responsibility and background of the individual, and as provided by written statements prepared by the agency.

(c) Director of vocational rehabilitation services II.

(1) Minimum qualifications:

(i) a bachelor's degree and five years of progressively increasing administrative responsibility in a rehabilitation setting;

(ii) a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling and two years of progressively increasing administrative responsibility in a rehabilitation setting; or

(iii) a combination of education and experience which, in the judgment of the agency, is substantially equivalent to the standards of this subdivision.

(2) Requirements upon employment. The agency may additionally require that the individual participate in specific training programs particular to the responsibility and background of the individual, and as provided by written statements prepared by the agency.

(d) Employment counselor-placement specialist I.

(1) Individuals with this title shall be directly supervised by an employment counselor-placement specialist II who meets the qualifications established by subdivision (e) of this section.

(2) Minimum qualifications:

(i) a bachelor's degree and one year of experience in rehabilitation placement or related fields, and enrollment in a specialized course approved by the agency; or

(ii) a bachelor's degree, enrollment in a specialized course, and enrollment in a master's degree program in vocational rehabilitation counseling or evaluation or related areas; or

(iii) a combination of education and experience which, in the judgment of the agency, is substantially equivalent to the standards of this subdivision.

(e) Employment counselor-placement specialist II. Minimum qualifications:

(1) a bachelor's degree; and

(2) three years of experience in employment counseling, employment interviewing, personnel administration or industrial relations, which included responsibility for placement; and

(3) one year of experience working with the physically or mentally disabled; or

(4) a combination of education and specialized experience which, in the judgment of the agency, is substantially equivalent to the standards of this subdivision.

(f) Evaluator I.

(1) Individuals with this title shall be directly supervised by an evaluator II who meets the qualifications established in this section.

(2) Minimum qualifications:

(i) a master's degree in vocational rehabilitation counseling or evaluation or related area such as personnel, counseling and guidance, and enrollment in a short-term specialized course approved by the agency;

(ii) a bachelor's degree, enrollment in a specialized course, and enrollment in a master's degree program in vocational rehabilitation or related areas; or

(iii) a combination of education and experience which, in the judgment of the agency, is substantially equivalent to the standards of this subdivision.

(g) Evaluator II. Minimum qualifications:

(1) a master's degree in vocational rehabilitation or related area such as personnel, counseling, guidance, and one year of experience in vocational rehabilitation or other suitable fields;

(2) a bachelor's degree and three years of appropriate experience in such areas as industrial arts, occupational therapy or rehabilitation counseling; or

(3) a combination of experience and training, such as experience as evaluator in a community rehabilitation program; or experience in industry and completion of specialized rehabilitation-related courses which, in the judgment of the agency, is substantially equivalent to the standards of this subdivision.

(h) Job coach. Minimum qualifications for this Title shall be a combination of education and specialized experience, by which the individual demonstrates experience, aptitude and ability to provide direct assistance to persons in supported employment placements and to their employer.

(i) Vocational rehabilitation counselor. Minimum qualifications:

(1) satisfaction of the requirements for eligibility to take the New York State civil service examination for vocational rehabilitation counselor; or

(2) certification as a rehabilitation counselor by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification; or

(3) satisfaction of the requirements for eligibility to apply for such certification.

N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 8 § 246.3

The amended version of this section by New York State Register January 26, 2022/Volume XLIV, Issue 04, eff. 1/26/2022 is not yet available