Review VR Briefs

The Review VR series is a product of Explore VR: a web portal that provides a range of vocational rehabilitation (VR) data. Explore VR (explorevr.org) increases knowledge about the public VR program and its role within the larger employment and disability service system. This interactive platform allows users to customize and manipulate live data. Through Review VR, we will provide a snapshot of VR data in an accessible, user-friendly format. In each issue, we will explore a hot topic in the field, and will provide an easy-to-read visualization and table linked to data in the Explore VR Data Lab.

VR Counselor Huddles: Agencies for the Blind Providing Services Remotely

By Vito DeSantis, Julisa Cully, Linda Mock, Cecilia Gandolfo, Russell Thelin

In April and May 2020, the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) conducted five virtual “counselor huddles” with 106 VR counselors from 11 state VR agencies using the video conferencing platform Zoom. These events brought VR counselors from several Agencies for the Blind together to discuss how they are adapting to working remotely during the time of COVID-19, what strategies they’ve found helpful, and what practices and tools they expect to keep using after the pandemic ends. 

VR Counselor Huddles: Providing Job Search Assistance Remotely

By Cecilia Gandolfo, Julisa Cully, Linda Mock, Vito DeSantis, Russell Thelin

In April and May 2020, the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) conducted five virtual “counselor huddles” with 106 VR counselors from 11 state VR agencies using the video conferencing platform Zoom. For those ready to pursue employment, counselors shared strategies for using online resources for the job search, connecting clients with businesses, running or attending virtual job fairs, and other strategies to move clients along with their job searches. 

VR Counselor Huddles: Providing Transition Services Remotely

By Linda Mock, Julisa Cully, Vito DeSantis, Cecilia Gandolfo, Russell Thelin

In April and May 2020, the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) conducted five virtual “counselor huddles” with 106 VR counselors from 11 state VR agencies using the video conferencing platform Zoom. A number of themes emerged in the huddles around transition services for youth. 

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VR Counselor Huddles: Providing Counseling and Guidance Remotely

By Russell Thelin, Julisa Cully, Linda Mock, Vito DeSantis, Cecilia Gandolfo

In April and May 2020, the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) conducted five virtual “counselor huddles” with 106 VR counselors from 11 state VR agencies using the video conferencing platform Zoom. Rehabilitation counselors from these agencies identified advantages and disadvantages in providing counseling and guidance remotely.

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VR Counselor Huddles: Accessing Virtual Mental Health Services Remotely

By Julisa Cully, Linda Mock, Vito DeSantis, Cecilia Gandolfo, Russell Thelin

In April and May 2020, the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) conducted five virtual “counselor huddles” with 106 VR counselors from 11 state VR agencies using the video conferencing platform Zoom. The counselors discussed challenges and useful strategies for clients who were dealing with mental health issues. 

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VR Counselor Huddles: Providing VR Services Remotely

By  By Linda Mock, Julisa Cully, Vito DeSantis, Cecilia Gandolfo, Russell Thelin

In April and May 2020, the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) conducted five virtual “counselor huddles” with 106 VR counselors from 11 state VR agencies using the video conferencing platform Zoom. These events brought VR counselors from several agencies together to discuss how they are adapting to working remotely during the time of COVID-19. 

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The Dual-Customer Dynamic: How are State VR Agencies Developing their Staffing and Agency Infrastructure to Meet the Needs of Businesses?

The ICI administered the 2014 National Survey of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Agencies and Business Relations to further examine state VR agencies’ capacity for assessing and meeting business needs.This brief focuses exclusively on the staffing and organizational structure module, intended to determine the skillsets of business relations staff as well as the VR agency infrastructures within which these indiv

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