As rehabilitation professionals, many of us still seem to sell ourselves short, thinking that we somehow don’t quite measure up to our colleagues who practice in other areas of counseling. It has even been said by some that what we do is not counseling at all. Some who purchase our services have even suggested that we not provide counseling, but just get the person back to work. Anyone who is successful as a rehabilitation counselor recognizes this as an impossibility. Without a full understanding of our client’s needs, concerns, family issues, unresolved feelings regarding disability, personality characteristics, in addition to the more measurable factors of skills, aptitudes and capacities we will not have successful outcomes. Loss of one’s livelihood, that defining quality that is so important to most of us is often no less traumatic than other major losses, illnesses and transitions we all face as human beings.

While technology will dramatically improve the chances of individuals with disabilities to find meaningful employment, adaptive devices and modifications are useless without an individual who is confident of his or her ability to overcome obstacles and to provide needed, appreciated effort. Accommodations by employers that lead to artificial, temporary solutions are short sighted and could be ultimately far more costly to employers than providing quality vocational rehabilitation. Focus on the quick-fix of cash settlements prior to assisting the individual in developing realistic vocational options virtually guarantees new claims or new reliance on other systems already overburdened.

Where does all this lead? We have a mission as rehabilitation professionals. We need to advocate and to spread the word for the employment of people with significant barriers and to educate and counsel all consumers of our services of the vital role our members play. We need to encourage non-members to get on board because there is power in numbers. Expanding the application of our services benefits us all. When people in our field continue to ask how OARP/IARP membership can possibly benefit them, I provide the many reasons, but also ask how it could possibly not benefit them. I cannot even imagine being a professional who does not belong to a professional organization.

At our conferences and others I attend in our field, I still hear a certain amount of grumbling about credentials and the need for continuing education. While some of us feel we know everything we need to know to practice, those who purchase and regulate our services feel otherwise. Our colleagues in Washington state and with VRD are faced with major credentialing changes in the next few years. Like it or not, as counselors we will always be involved in continuing education. OARP will continue to focus on cost-effective programs designed to fulfill our members various certifications

OARP/IARP is here for you to benefit from and to help benefit others. Share your ideas, your time and your energy with us. I look forward to seeing you at the upcoming holiday social as well as our next conference. Please try your best to convince a colleague to attend.

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OARP HOLIDAY SOCIAL

FOOD! – FRIENDS! – FUN!

Hosted by OARP and PCC PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

Join us for our annual Holiday Social. This was a big success last year.

When: Thursday, December 6, 2001

Where: Holiday Inn Convention Center - Windows Sky Room

1021 NE Grand Avenue near the Convention Center, Portland, Oregon

What Time: 5:30 – 7:30 PM

Music by Free Range Tuna

Free parking underneath the hotel entrance

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Barbara Smith, Re-employment Assistance Unit Manager, presented information at the OARP Fall Conference, regarding the new rules. The Employer-At-Injury Program rules (now Division 105) have been separated out from the Preferred Worker Program rules (Division 110). By now, many of you have already attended one of the training sessions held around the state by Re-employment Assistance Unit members. An additional training session will be held on Tuesday, November 20 from 8 a.m. to 12 noon in Salem in the Labor and Industries Building, Room 260. The new rules for both Division 105 and Division 110 went into effect October 1, 2001. The new rules will be posted on the Website at www.oregonwcd.org/docs/rules/rules.htm#perm.

Barbara Smith noted that the Division 110 changes are expected to make the rules easier to use and clearer. These rules apply to requests for PWP assistance received by WCD on or after 10/01/01. It was noted that obtained employment purchases will no longer be allowed out of state and moving expenses, once the person has moved out of state, will not be allowed.. Obtained Employment Purchase maximum amounts have been increased to $1000 for tuition, books, fees; $500 for temporary lodging, meals and mileage; $2000 for tools and equipment; $400 for clothing. A wage subsidy can now transfer to a new company if one company buys out another company. The new rules allow up to $1000 to prevent exacerbations of accepted conditions, based on judgements from published "best practices". Worksite modifications can be assigned to an employee leasing company’s client. Under some circumstances the PWP will sometimes agree to pay for a PCE.

The new Division 105 Rules apply when the individual Employer-at-injury Program (EAIP) begins on or after 10/01/01. The new rules disallow alternative worksites at non-profits as part of the wage reimbursement program. Medical releases must indicate specific injury-caused work restrictions (more than "light duty" or "modified work"). Worksite modifications will not be reimbursed if ordered before the MD actually gives restrictions. Barb Smith noted that WCD is still doing 100% audits and that the most common problems are related to payroll documentation and releases.

Barbara Smith noted that the department plans to put Questions and Answers in the Focus newsletter and/or on the Website, www.oregonwcd.org. They are working on revising their forms as well. The final copies will be posted on the website.

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It was great to see many of you at the Fall conference in Hood River. Thanks go to the Program Committee Chair, Margaret Moore and to Sandy Johnston, Clayton Rees, Grace Smith, Cheri Ballantine, and Linda Hill for arranging the facilities and speakers. We especially appreciate their fast work in arranging for one of the keynote speakers, Dianne Simmons-Grabb, IARP President, to do both of her presentations by phone because of flying issues raised by her employer in light of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Having her present by phone was a reasonable way to proceed and special thanks go to Margaret Moore and the Hood River Inn for making it all work out. Please refer to the article by Margaret Moore along with the photos from the conference in this issue of the newsletter.

The OARP Board is looking forward to seeing everyone at the Holiday Social in Portland on December 6 (see the announcement in this Newsletter). Last year’s social was very well attended and very well received and featured great music, great food and great company. This year’s social, again co-sponsored by OARP and PCC Professional Skills Training Program, should be as good. As Scott suggested in his President’s article in this issue, try and bring along a friend, especially if they might consider becoming an OARP member.

The membership has asked the OARP Board, and we are trying our best to provide as much notice as possible regarding the dates of future conferences. Please refer to the notice in this newsletter that the OARP Spring conference will be held on May 17, 2002 at Chemeketa Community College. Please contact any Board member with requests or suggestions for topics or speakers for the conference. We are dedicated to continually trying to meet your needs for continuing education.

As always, please continue to provide feedback about OARP At Work or anything else related to OARP or the Rehab community to any Board member (names and phone numbers are listed on the front of this issue). The opinions expressed in any OARP At Work article are those of the author of the article only and do not necessarily represent the opinion of the OARP Board or any of its members.

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• You need 60 hours of continuing education units (CEUs) and at least seven and one-half hours of the hours must be for training in ethical practices in rehabilitation counseling.

• The department will accept CEUs for training approved by the CRCC, CCMC or the CDMSC.

• The department will accept CEUs for courses in or related to psychology, sociology, counseling, and vocational rehabilitation, if given by an accredited institution of higher learning.

• The department will accept CEUs for any program certified by the department for vocational rehabilitation providers.

• The department will accept CEUs for training presented by the department pertaining to OAR 436-120 and OAR 436-110.

• A form titled Request for approval of training program by vocational rehabilitation counselor is available on the Internet if you need to request approval for a training that is not covered in the rules.

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Pictured above: OARP President Scott Stipe introduces Coleen Carney who spoke on tips for counselors regarding communication issues with diverse cultures.

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Barbara Smith, RAU Manager, discusses the new rules for PWP and EAIP.

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Next!

OARP

Spring Conference!

May 17, 2002

Chemeketa Community College

Salem