About

Image

Accelerated Training to Strengthen the VR Workforce

StaffUp ASAP is all about building a stronger, more skilled Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) workforce—fast.
This project is part of the University of Wisconsin - Stout Vocational Rehabilitation Institute's Accelerated VR Training and Capacity Building Program, funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Disability Innovation Fund.

Our Mission

We’re creating a fresh, accelerated training program to help VR professionals and partner organizations gain the knowledge and tools they need to better support people with disabilities on their path to employment.

Project Goals

What We’re Doing:

  • Training VR Staff: We’re designing a modern, fast-track training program for people working in state VR programs—helping them build practical skills for today’s challenges.

  • Supporting Community Providers: A similar version of the training will be offered to community rehab providers and others who work closely with VR clients.

  • Engaging Partners: We’ll also offer a simplified training option for organizations that partner with VR—like those in workforce development—so they can better understand how VR works and how to collaborate effectively.

The Challenge

Finding qualified staff for state Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) programs has been a long-standing issue—and it's only getting harder. Today’s VR programs are expected to deliver strong results while facing major staffing gaps and limited training options.

In the past, most VR counselors had graduate degrees in rehabilitation counseling. But fewer people are entering the field. In fact, only 947 rehabilitation counseling degrees were awarded in 2022—a sharp drop from 1,363 in 2012. That’s a 31% decrease in just 10 years.

To help fill vacancies, recent changes to federal policy (through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, or WIOA) gave state VR agencies more flexibility. They no longer have to hire only counselors with a master’s degree. While this helps in hiring, it also means many new staff don’t have training in key areas like disability, rehabilitation, or employment services.

As a result, agencies are hiring people from a wide variety of backgrounds—but then need to provide training from the ground up. Unfortunately, there’s no widely available, high-quality training program to teach the essential knowledge and skills that VR staff need today.

This creates an urgent need: to build a modern, short-term training program that helps new and existing staff grow their knowledge and confidence, improve services, and stay in the field longer. A coordinated effort between universities and VR leaders is a smart way to make this happen.

That's where the StaffUp ASAP - Accelerated Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Training and Capacity Building Program comes in!

What We Expect to Achieve

This project is designed to create real, lasting impact across the vocational rehabilitation system by strengthening the workforce and improving outcomes. Here’s what success looks like:

  • Stronger VR Teams: VR staff will build the knowledge and skills they need to improve the way they work—and the results they achieve for participants.

  • Better Support from Community Providers: Staff at community-based rehab agencies and partner organizations will be better prepared to support VR participants and work more effectively with VR agencies.

  • Improved Collaboration Across Systems: WIOA partners will gain a clearer understanding of the VR program, helping them work more closely with VR and align services.

  • Workforce Gaps Addressed: The most urgent hiring and training needs identified by VR leadership will be tackled through targeted, practical solutions.