Thank you for all your great work!
Your Whitepaper is a great model and now, by government definition, those without the right stuff listed are simply not Vocational Experts. It should and will be used to get faux "experts" tossed. It could also be used in legal action against government agencies and insurers who hire unqualified people passing them off as professionals.
Looking back, it seems that our profession has always been at risk. With ink from Arnold's pen poof, goes California WC Rehab. With a corrupt agreement between WC insurers and claimant attorneys smelling money, mandatory VR goes away in state after state. Starve out the claimant and get him to settle for a few thousand dollars, then he is someone else's problem. With changes in administration the Red Book rules of OWCP is set aside time and time again. Rules? What rules. Controvert the claim for whatever reason. The reason is always money.
But pendulums swing back. A defense WC attorney told me a few years back that they have ran out of stuff to take away from injured workers..........nothing left. Pendulum will swing back he said.
As with everything, stand up to the lying liars and the denying deniers, the holier than thoughs dispensing cruelty at every turn, and the "patriotic" and allegedly rule abiding folks curiously never wishing to play by either rule or logic. It's our responsibility as CRCs. Like my old professor used to constantly say, as counselors we must be aware of our endless, 24/7 duty, at work and in community to be models of what is appropriate and best for us all as humans. Cry foul. Interrupt the baloney. It's not just about our jobs and income and getting the next case but about the people who need us. Any of us, our kids, neighbors and friends could instantly be one of them
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Scott T. Stipe, MA, CRC, CDMS, IPEC, D/ABVE
Certified Rehabilitation Counselor
Board Certified Vocational Expert
Scott Stipe & Associates, Inc.
DBA Career Directions Northwest
4110 SE Hawthorne Blvd
#188
Portland, Oregon, 97214
(503)234-4484
(503)234-4126 fax
email:
sstipe@careerdirectionsnw.comwebsite:
www.careerdirectionsnw.com------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 09-14-2022 17:47
From: Michelle Aliff
Subject: IARP Governmental Relations Update
Greetings everyone:
The state of our profession is certainly in question. Recently there has been a few posts regarding the state of our profession and I want to take the time to respond and indicate what IARP has been doing to address the issues.
As a representative from IARP as the Special Projects Director (Governmental Relations), IARP has been tackling these issues in a multitude of ways. IARP has focused on the educational standards and the necessary training programs for rehabilitation counselors. As most are aware, IARP led the way in ensuring SSVEs are qualified. IARP was the only organization that has ever been successful in having the CRC required. We must have a pipeline of new professionals coming up that meet the requirements.
- IARP has been addressing the issues with the CACREP standards and asking that they reflect the knowledge necessary to become a rehabilitation counselor.
- IARP brought the CACREP standards issues to CCD's attention which led to the CCD statement addressing the CACREP educational standards. It is of the utmost importance that people with disabilities have access to competent and appropriately trained professionals.
- CACREP and CRCC will be at our conference in Fort Worth for a town hall. It is vitally important people come, listen and express their views.
- IARP has been working with stakeholders and staffers on the Hill to address educational and certification requirements for rehabilitation counselors, specific to WIOA. Successful employment outcomes for people with disabilities in the federal/state system are just bad. IARP has advocated for the restoration of the master's degree requirement and further, the requirement for a CRC. We have specifically indicated that there are many tasks a bachelor's level person can do, but they are not qualified to provide assessments, counsel, or write plans for employment.
Finally, yes, the field does need to come together on issues. We do have many different professional associations, fiefdoms, and tribes. I would state that yes, our groups do need to talk about the issues that impact us all and make strategic moves to further our goals and messages. Many voices making similar statements and points are MORE powerful than one group or coalition saying it. Many voices are better than one.
IARP has led the way in action, as opposed to talking. I do believe the time is now to act and IARP continues to do so. Please join the good fight and contact any of us from your section or your board if you want to get involved in this continued campaign! Lisa Byrne is the contact for the VRCC committee that has been meeting but we would love some new energy and insight!
Michelle Aliff
Anne Veh IARP President
Lisa Byrne VRCC
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Michelle Aliff
Ph.D, CRC, CVE
michelle.aliff@gmail.com
[Keller], TX United States
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