State Ed Dept. Responsible for Shortcomings of Program for Disabled
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The New York State Public Employees Federation represents vocational rehabilitation counselors (VRCs) who work at Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR) offices like the one described in your “Special Investigation: Job Program Fails Disabled Locals” (June 6-12). VRCs help people with disabilities find employment and be as independent as they can.
Your investigation uncovered a “large pattern of failure,” but we disagree with the assertion it is the fault of any local ACCES-VR office. The failure starts at the top of the state Education Department (SED), which implements and monitors ACCES-VR. SED leaders are focused on meeting compliance metrics, not delivering quality services. VRCs are relegated to pushing paper instead of helping clients.
With the severe staffing shortage, VRCs now have caseloads equivalent to what two or three VRCs did in the past. Consequently, ACCES-VR is plagued with high turnover, low morale and limited support, which all contribute to a decline in the quality of services delivered. Common sense suggests that with an aging workforce, leadership should be recruiting staff while doing everything they can to retain the professionals they have.
As a union, the Public Employees Federation has suggested many actions to management to help attract and maintain VRCs, like increased telecommuting and ways to change the toxic work environment, but they have not implemented these.
Rob Merrill
Director of Communications
New York State Public Employees Federation
Albany, N.Y.
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