Social Security Vocational Expert Section (BPA Required)

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IARP Social Security Vocational Expert Section Board of Directors Election Slate (2016-2017)

By IARP Headquarters posted 04-15-2016 15:32

  

IARP Social Security Vocational Expert Section Board of Directors Election Slate (2016-2017)

Eligible voters: Individual Professional members of the association who are members of the Social Security Vocational Expert Section.

Position and Candidate(s):

Social Security Vocational Expert Representative to the IARP Board of Directors: Michelle McBroom Weiss
Board Member At Large: Michelle Aliff
Board Member At Large: Steve Duchesne

Candidate Statements:

Social Security Vocational Expert Representative to the IARP Board of Directors: Michelle McBroom Weiss

Describe your qualifications for the position:

I began working as a vocational rehabilitation counselor in 1991. Since that time, I worked as a vocational consultant, supervisor, manager and statewide manager of vocational and medical case management for more than twenty years. During my years in management, I received specialized training in leadership through a corporate leadership program at Emory University. I served on the Branch Manager's Advisory Council for the company as a liaison between my peers and executive level management.

I have served as a vocational expert in forensic cases for more than twenty years. I have also worked as a contractor with the Social Security Administration as a vocational expert (VE) and have been approved for the Federal OWCP contract since 1995. I started my private practice in 2006.

I joined lARP while in graduate school and have been a member since 1991. After starting my private practice, I had the flexibility to be more active. My involvement includes but is not limited to participation on the conference committees (2009-2015); member of the lARP Forensic Board from 2010-2014; Chairman, 2011 Forensic Conference; current Co-Chair of the lARP Mentoring Committee. I am a Diplomat to the American Board of Vocational Experts.

During the last few years, I have had a heightened interest in SSA VE concerns. I presented at lARP, ABVE and NASPPR regarding SSA VE topics. I believe my leadership experience and extensive work as a SSA VE will prove beneficial as SSVE Section Representative to the lARP Board of Directors.

What do you hope to accomplish during your term if elected?

I would like to secure a raise for VEs, update the DOT, and ensure we have solid standards for VE qualifications. We are at a critical time in this specialty area of work and all of these issues are paramount to the survival and growth of our profession. I will work diligently to ensure that our concerns are addressed on the SSA VE Board and that the lARP Board of Directors has a clear understanding of the importance of these issues. Working together, we can make certain our needs are addressed by the Social Security Administration. I will make certain that our goals within lARP, as a group, are heard and that we continue to have strong educational programs related to SSA VE topics.

What is your vision for IARP during your term?

The new lARP branding is "The Course of A Lifetime." For me this could not be more true. lARP has always been a tremendous resource to me at the various stages of my career. I would like to see lARP aid students and those new to the field by giving them knowledge and resources to be effective in their work. The forensic field is not easy to enter, but to remain viable we must be willing to mentor others and ensure as an organization that we make decisions to ensure we remain viable.

Part of being viable is ensuring that there are opportunities for our members who are new to the field while remaining a valuable resource to our experienced members. In the area of SSA VE we must make certain that the agency understands the value of our expertise and compensates our VE members with a fair wage. Lack of a fair wage for VE services will result in fewer lARP members working in this field. The cost-benefit of the dedication of time, education and training versus the current authorized compensation model, is simply not economically feasible for many lARP members who work as SSA VE's. The SSA VE Board has raised the attention of our plight within lARP, within the industry and within the SSA. Now is the time to build on this momentum by moving forward to achieve the goals of the SSA VE Board and the lARP Board of Directors.



Board Member At Large: Michelle Aliff

Describe your qualifications for the position:

I have been an SSVE for 3 years. I have been in the field of vocational rehabilitation since my undergraduate years. My background is in vocational rehabilitation and forensics work as well as teaching in a Masters of Rehabilitation Counseling program. I believe this uniquely suits me to fill the position of Member at Large, specifically Education. I am an active member on the Listserv and believe on continual updating of one’s knowledge base.

What do you hope to accomplish during your term if elected?

I hope to utilize the white paper to further our cause of setting a standard level of qualifications for our field, not just SSVE’s. I believe it is very important during these times to have a standard level of qualifications to ensure the integrity of those that are directly impacted by our services and for the integrity of the profession. I also hope to see the mentoring program continue to grow as we continue to push for standard credentials and high levels of professionalism.

What is your vision for IARP during your term?


My vision for IARP is to continue to grow and expand our professional reach. I would like to see us continue to reach out to relevant professional organizations to increase our influence. By partnering with other professionals in our field we can increase the quality of services provided and also the stature of our profession. I would also love to see continued collaboration amongst members in the form of mentoring, projects and research that assist all of us in being the best vocational experts possible.


Board Member At Large: Steve Duchesne

Describe your qualifications for the position:
I have over 30 years certified rehabilitation counseling experience and 20 years working as a vocational expert, 15 years as a SSVE. I have served in numerous leadership positions including Board Member of IARP, Co-chair of the Forensic Section, and served 5 years on the CRC commission. I am a charter member of IARP and attended the first national conference in Texas. I am also the Region X representative for the SSVE section. During my career as a rehabilitation counselor I advocated for legislative change in Washington State and successfully promoted a bill to increase funding for injured worker training. I have worked cooperatively with rehabilitation colleagues both on SSVE issues as well as issues related to workers' compensation.

What do you hope to accomplish during your term if elected?


As a Master's level trained rehabilitation counselor and a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, I am a strong advocate for SSA using highly qualified rehabilitation professionals as vocational experts. If elected I will advocate for higher qualification of all SSVEs with allowance of grandfathering of existing VEs into the system. The current system of qualifying VEs is woefully inadequate.

I would also continue to advocate that SSVE get paid a rate that is commensurate with our qualifications and experience. I will not lose focus on this issue.

I would like to see IARP develop a mandatory training program that all new VEs in order to be qualified to provide expert testimony. There is too much at stake for claimants to have untrained VEs providing testimony.

What is your vision for IARP during your term?


I want IARP to become the premier rehabilitation professional association in the world; serving rehabilitation clients in a wide range of settings utilizing various  skills, techniques and professional qualifications to improve lives of those who can benefit from our expertise.

 



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