Position Paper on Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Education Level Requirements for Providers of Transition Assessments and Career Development

Vocational rehabiliatation services for transition students has been a focal point of the Individuals with Disability Education Act (IDEA, 2004) and further represented in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA, 2014). Special education and vocational rehabilitation literature support that appropriate assessments lead to good transition plans. There is a significant need to provide exemplary transition plans with students to facilitate theh- career development. Under new legislation, the proficiency of Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors (VRC) was lowered and does not meet the professional standards to address career planning and assessment for students in transition which impact and lower post-secondary outcomes. This article will (a) identify the essential role of a qualified Rehabilitation Counselor (RC), (b) distinguish the current practices in transition and vocational assessments, and (c) offer recommendations for better employment and outcomes in career planning for youth in transition.