Please enjoy the latest edition of the Rehab Professional!

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Contents Include:

Editorial
Scott Beveridge

Articles

Content Expertise

Estimating Job Numbers for Vocational Expert Testimony in Social Security Disability Appeal Hearings in Light of the Recent SSR 24-3p Ruling
Sonia Peterson

Applying Universal Design for Workplace Inclusion of the Blind & Visually Impaired Employee
Tara Parker, Amy Peterson

Feeding Tube Use and Employment
Karen Linstrum

The Benefits of Exercise for Individuals With Traumatic Brain Injury: A Positive Psychology Approach
Michele Mahr, Connie Mancera, Aldo Juarez, Nicole Noble

Vocational Rehabilitation Needs of Bahamian University Graduates With Disabilities Living in the Bahamas
Sasha Smith

Empirical Research

Study Abroad Perceptions and Travel Experiences of Undergraduate Rehabilitation Students With and Without Disabilities: A Pilot Study
Emily Brinck, Gina Oswald, Garett Huck

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Volume 23, Number 1 is now available!

CONTENTS INCLUDE:

Editorial:

Tribute to Timothy Field, Ph.D. & Janet Field, MA
Tanya Rutherford-Owen, Ph.D., CRC, CLCP, FIALCP, CDMS, LPC

2024 Life Care Planning Awards
Tanya Rutherford-Owen, Ph.D., CRC, CLCP, FIALCP, CDMS, LPC

Research Articles:

Pathways to Positive Employment Outcomes for Individuals With Disabilities: Considerations for Life Care Planning
Christine Reid, Ph.D. CRC, Lauren Avellone, Ph.D., BCBA, LBA, Kanako Iwanaga, PhD, CRC, LPC, Paul Wehman, Ph.D., Jihad Torky, Simran Singh

An Update to the Federal Rules of Evidence vs. Professional Certifications: The Real Basis for Establishing Admissible Testimony in Life Care Planning
Alana Bomberger, MA, CRC, CCM, Nick Choppa, MA, CRC, CCM, CDMS

Life Care Planning and the Risk Connection
Denise Atwood, Esq., RN, CPHRM, CLCP

FLCPRR Contributors
Heidi Fawber, M.Ed., LPC, CRC, CCM, CLCP, FIALCP

Practitioner Toolkit:

Practitioner’s Toolkit: Applying Practice Standards in Life Care Plans
Karen Preston, PHN, MS, CRRN, FIALCP, FARN

Ethics Interface:

Ethics Interface
Mary Barros-Bailey, PhD, CRC, NCC, CLCP, ABVE/AE, CVE, CCC, Nancy Mitchell, MA, OTR/L, CLCP, FIALCP

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Please join us for the Life Care Planning Summit: Aligning for Consensus 2025
Past Foundations to Future Needs in Minneapolis, Minnesota!

May 16-17, 2025
The University of Minnesota McNamara Alumni Center

In our efforts to Align, we will be asking the Life Care Planning programs, the certification boards and the licensing bodies to do a short remote presentation on their specific accomplishments, goals and challenges for the field. Following this, we will dive into consensus statements as a whole.

Life care planning Summits have been occurring since 2000. From these Summits there has been collaboration and discussion about many topics impacting life care planners from Practice, Educational Programs, Certifications, Business Practices, Associations, etc. The collection of the outcome of these Summits has led to consensus and majority statements which life care planners are held to in addition to the Standards of Practice. 

Summit 2025 will present results of the Consensus Statement Work Group (which will have been meeting for a full year by then) led by Cloie Johnson, for review of Consensus Statements, categorization of these statements and after research and collaboration provide recommendations for their continued use, relevance and necessity.

Summit Objectives

• Distinguish between the different life care planning educational programs, organizations, and certification programs and their benefits and challenges.
• Identify the gaps we have in the field of life care planning that need solutions.
• Analyze the current list of Consensus Statements and how they apply to widely accepted life care planning practice.
• Evaluate the relevancy of individual Consensus Statements to provide a clearer basis for life care planning opinions.

Continuing Education

13 CEs of the following credits will be applied for: ABVE, CCMC, CDMS, CLCP-MSCC, CRC-CVE

Summit 2025 will be a historic event! Please plan to join us. 

Save the Date for the IARP Spring Virtual Mini-Series!

Your Opportunity to Learn, Connect, and Earn CEUs in 2025

Mark your calendar for the IARP Spring Virtual Mini-Series, a unique opportunity to elevate your professional expertise in 2025! This three-part series will take place on the following dates:

• April 25
• May 9
• May 23

Participants can earn up to 12 CEUs, with IARP applying for credits from ABVE, CCMC, CDMS, CLCP-MSCC, and CRC-CVE. A request for Ethics-specific credits for CLCP-MSCC and CRC has also been submitted.

Join us for live, interactive sessions featuring leading experts, valuable content, and professional development opportunities. Each session will focus on one of IARP’s key areas:

• Rehabilitation Case Management and Transition Services (RCTS)
• Forensic (FOR)
• Life Care Planning (LCP)
• Social Security Vocational Expert Section (SSVE)

Tailor your experience by registering for one, two, or all three tracks to match your professional goals. Best of all, you can participate from the comfort of your home or office!

Learn more

Greetings everyone!

I want to let everyone know of some major accomplishments in the recent Social Security Administration recompete for Vocational Expert BPA. The International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals (IARP) has been consistently lobbying for the past 10 years, advocating for fee increases, minimum qualifications, and beneficial policies. Thanks to SSVE leaders and our government relations representative, we have had three fee increases since 2015, maintained individual BPAs, minimum qualifications established and maintained, advocated for fair rotation, and assisted with payment/policy issues on behalf of IARP SSVE members.  

As you may recall, I invited everyone to a Zoom once the BPA was released and encouraged everyone to submit comments/questions. Many of you did, and as a result, terms were changed in the BPA to be positive and favorable. 

• For the first time EVER, we now have a fee increase built into the BPA for years 4 and 5. This is HUGE and it means we get a fee increase before 5 years. 
• The cancellation/resume upload date are now the same, meaning no more uploading resumes for free. 
• The BPA confirmed that rotation was generally by BPA holder and NOT the number of VEs working under a BPA. 
• The language regarding requiring VEs to submit interrogatories was changed to reflect we have the right to say no as independent contractors. 

I would like to take a moment and thank EVERYONE who submitted comments, as the sheer volume allowed SSA to see that many shared the same concerns that I and others on the governmental affairs team at IARP have been reporting for years. 

If you are not a member, I strongly encourage you to join IARP SSVE. We are stronger together, and when we use our voices, we can accomplish great things. 

Please see: https://rehabpro.org/page/join_benefits

Michelle Aliff Ph.D, CRC, CVE
Government Relations Liaison

Volume 32, Number 2 is now available!

Contents Include:

Editorial
Scott Beveridge

Articles

Drowning, Not Waving: Autism in Women and Girls
Rebecca Evanko

International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals Longitudinal Salary Survey
Scott Beveridge, Emily J. A. Decker, Lingyi Zhu, Dawn Jones

Reconsidering the Use of Race-Based Norms in Estimating Future Earnings Capacity
Craig Johnson

Treatment of Alcohol Addiction: Combining Rehabilitation Psychology and Acute Hospital Care: Cultural Comparison Between the United States and Germany
Michele M. Mahr, Logan Winkelman, Tobias Zellner

Book Review

Book Reviews: Life Care Planning and Case Management Across the Lifespan
Cloie B. Johnson

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Thank you,
IARP Headquarters

July 2024: The International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals (IARP) is delighted to announce the results of the 2024-2025 Board of Directors election as voted on by the organization’s international membership.

2024 – 2025 IARP Board of Directors

• President-Elect: Erin Bailey
• Forensic Section Representative to the Board: Stella Spencer
• SSVE Section Representative to the Board: Todd Gendreau
• Council of Presidents Representative to the Board: David Zak (Appointed)
• Director of Marketing & Membership: Evie Cowitz (Appointed)

2024 – 2025 IARP Life Care Planning (IALCP) Section Board

• Board Member at Large: Susan Guth
• Board Member at Large: Paul Ramos

2024 – 2025 IARP Social Security Vocational Expert Section Board

• Chair-Elect – Carolina Salazar
• Special Projects Director - Michelle Aliff (Appointed)
• Board Member at Large - Jacqueline Mendez
• Board Member at Large - Taylor Pytlik

2024 – 2025 IARP Emerging Professionals Section Board

• Chair: Mallory Houser
• Board Member at Large: Keondra Hampton
• Board Member at Large: Katharine Jett
• Board Member at Large: Courtney Whatley

2024 – 2025 IARP Rehabilitation and Disability Case Management Section Board

• Chair: Hantac Change (Appointed)
• Board Member at Large: Sharon Morra (Appointed)

If you’d like to learn more about IARP, please check out our website.

About IARP 
The International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals (IARP) is the premier association for professionals involved in private rehabilitation. Originally founded in 1981, IARP members are some of the most accomplished and respected professionals in their respective fields of practice. IARP offers members a lifetime of learning and professional development opportunities in the form of national conferences, advance training classes, local chapter events, mentoring and coaching programs, and a growing repository of online educational courses. 

Dear Members,

We are thrilled to introduce the editor of the RehabPro, Dr. Scott Beveridge!

With a wealth of experience in academia and private vocational rehabilitation, he brings a fresh perspective and dedication to advancing scholarly excellence.

Dr. Beveridge began working as a rehabilitation counselor in the private-for-profit sector in 1989. He is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Maryland with the supervisory credential (LCPC-S), Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), Certified Disability Management Specialist (CDMS), and a Diplomate for the American Board of Vocational Experts (ABVE-D). He began his academic career at the University of Maryland in 2004 as a Research Associate Professor and joined George Washington University in 2007 as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Beveridge has authored over 40 peer-reviewed journal articles and several grants, contributed to five books and has completed 60 regional, national and international presentations. In addition to the above duties, Dr. Beveridge has a private practice providing forensic rehabilitation services in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, New York and DC. Dr. Beveridge also provides pro bono mental health and career counseling for veterans via Give an Hour.

Please join us in welcoming him aboard as we embark on a journey of discovery and innovation in the IARP RehabPro. We are grateful that he is willing to serve in this capacity to enable IARP members to continue to benefit from the high-quality peer-review materials published in our journals.

Additional thanks to Dr. Tim Field and Dr. Aaron Mertes who assisted with the vetting process and who continue to guide the Journals forward. We also want to thank those who serve and will be serving on the editorial board. You help make IARP Journals a premier source of industry information!

Best Regards,

Dana Beining

Volume 22, Number 2 is now available — an exclusive benefit of your IARP all-inclusive membership.

Download the latest issue

Contents Include:

(3) Editor’s Message
Aaron Mertes

(5) Investigation of Implementation of Life Care Plans and Impact on the Quality of Life of Individuals with Spinal Cord Injuries
Tanya Rutherford-Owen: Dissertation

(59) An Empirical Investigation of the Job Functions Associated With the Development of the Life Care Plan
Tyra N. Turner: Dissertation

(83) Book Review: Life Care Planning and Case management Across the Lifespan (5th Edition) (Eds.) (Rutherford-Owen, Barros-Bailey, & Weed, 2023)
Cloie B. Johnson

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IARP is currently seeking submissions of interest for the position of Editor of the Journal of Life Care Planning.

The International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals owns and distributes two peer-reviewed journals, The Journal of Life Care Planning and The Rehabilitation Professional. These journals are distributed as a member benefit electronically in PDF format and (for an additional fee) in hard copy form. The electronic issues of both journals are available on the IARP website. The Journal of Life Care Planning focuses primarily on life care planning and related topics, while The Rehabilitation Professional publishes material related to all aspects of rehabilitation practice. Each journal produces two publications each year which typically contain 4-5 articles in each issue.

For those interested, please read the information below and click on the link to submit your interest from.

Organizational Structure:
IARP publications are developed by volunteers with an organizational structure that includes one Managing Editor serving both The Rehabilitation Professional and The Journal of Life Care Planning and one Editor each dedicated to The Journal of Life Care Planning and The Rehabilitation Professional. The Editors (and all related staff and personnel) serve at the pleasure of and under the direction of the IARP Board of Directors. These positions receive monthly monetary compensation as well as complimentary member and Annual Conference registrations.

The objectives of The Journal of Life Care Planning include:

• Publish materials which will add to the growing literature base of the practice of life care planning.
• Provide the professional field with information regarding events and developments important to the practice of life care planning
• Provide a forum for debate and discussion of practice issues.
• Promote professional practice by addressing issues relevant to certification, ethics, standards of practice and research methodologies.
• Promote advanced practice through the publication of preapproved continuing education feature article.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

Persons applying for the position of the above JLCP Editor position shall meet or exceed the qualifications listed below:

• Demonstrated skills and accomplishments as an author, presenter, and/or developer within the field of life care planning (JLCP) and/or rehabilitation counseling (RehabPro), and having demonstrated the authoring of professional, peer-reviewed articles in professional journals.
• Demonstrate, by whatever means, the capacity and time to commit to the additional responsibilities of managing a national, professional journal. Requires 2-10 hours per week, dependent upon the stage of publication and work required.
• Be a member of the International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals.

Editor Objectives and Responsibilities:

The following items define the objectives of the Editor for The Journal of Life Care Planning:

• Will adhere to APA standards in manuscript development/review (style, tables, references, format, etc.). It is essential that the Editor be fully familiar with the current Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th edition at this time).
• Will write (or assign for writing) the “Editor’s Message” for each issue.
• Will maintain procedures for knowing where all articles are in the review process for the journal, including an overall plan for decision-making on submissions (acceptance, acceptance with revisions, rejections).
• Will work with the publisher of the journal and provide final approval prior to the publication and release (digital or print) of the journal to the membership or public.
• Will include only ad copy, announcements, promotional pieces, and reports that are consistent with and complimentary to the mission of this professional journal.
• Will work with Managing Editor to define, assemble and promote the yearly “Special Edition” that will include articles form both journals during the past year.
• On occasion, the Editor may develop a “special issue” with a guest editor (optional) for a particular topic.
• Will solicit, invite, and otherwise develop articles and content for current and future issues.
• The Editor will have great latitude and freedom to develop content (topics, issues, and discussions) as long as the journal is developed within the context of the journal’s mission and the governing parameters set forth by the Board.

Education and Experience:

• Possess an MS (or higher) within an allied health field.
• Possess five or more years of experience and /or practice within the profession.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for someone to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions.

Term of Service:

Editor of The Journal of Life Care Planning - Three years

Application Procedure:

1. Submit a complete professional resume including a listing of all publications in professional journals, previous journal activity (if any), and a summary of professional activities with the Association.
2. A brief narrative of your desire, intent, and interest in applying for Managing Editor or Editor-JLCP
3. Two letters of reference from other professionals who are knowledgeable of the publishing process, and who can provide an objective appraisal of your capacities and skills for assuming the position for which you are applying.

1 More Week to Submit Your IARP Fall Forum Presentation

→ Submit Here

2024 Fall Forum & IALCP Symposium

November 7-9, 2024 in San Francisco, CA
at the Marriot Marquis

The submission deadine for the 2024 IARP Fall Forum and IALCP Symposium has been extended — submissions are due in one week on May 3 for the in-person event at the Marriot Marquis in San Francisco, California!

We are looking for proposals that go well beyond the broad spectrum into the fine detail of the expert's methodology, introduce innovative ideas and skills for rehabilitation and life care planning professionals and create/formulate opinions based on best practices and solid evidence-based research.

The IARP Fall Forum will continue our legacy of highlighting best practices, industry developments from recognized leaders and issues critical to the rehabilitation community. We are looking for conference presentations that provide knowledge, resources, and tools, which will increase performance and productivity, for rehabilitation professionals. Panel presentations comparing and contrasting methodologies using actual case examples would be very welcome. Takeaways that give participants tools they can immediately use in practice are highly desirable. In addition, consideration should be given in each presentation to applications relative to preparing a Life Care Plan.

All submissions must be made via the online system by 5:00pm CST on May 3, 2024.

Please enjoy the latest edition of the RehabPro

Click here to download this issue

Please note that you need to sign into your member account to access the Journal.

Contents Include:

(3) Editorial
Sonia Peterson

(5) The Opioid Epidemic: Impact on People with Chronic Illness and Psychiatric Disability
Jennifer Sánchez

(27) Reducing Systematic Stigma Surrounding Opioid Use Disorder: Harm Reduction Techniques and Treatment
Mary Huber, Enrique López-Ramírez, Joshua Francis, and Ronald Suprenant

(43) Disability-Related Equity Gaps in Post-Secondary Education
Matthew Sprong, George Mamboleo, Lindsey Fullmer, Kathleen H. Green, and Heaven Hollender

(57) Recommendations for Reentry Services at California’s State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency
Ana Daniela Maya and Sonia Peterson

(73) Practitioner Toolkit
Lisa Busby Thomas

(79) Careers in Private Rehabilitation Counseling: A Walkthrough Guide to Choosing or Transferring Careers
Author: Aaron Mertes; Reviewed by Mary Barros-Bailey

(81) Facilitating Social Justice, Service Delivery, and Advocacy Through Multicultural Counseling Competencies
Editors: Keith B. Wilson & Si-Yi Chao; Reviewed by Kate Friedman

Volume 22, Number 1 is now available — an exclusive benefit of your IARP all-inclusive membership.

Download the latest issue

Contents Include:

(3) Editor’s Message
Aaron Mertes

(5) Activities of Daily Living Assessment: Encompassing Qualitative and Quantitative Data
Sarah Malloy, Sara Brown

(13) Establishing a Basis for Supportive Care Recommendations in a Life Care Plan Utilizing the Observed and Objective Measures of Physical Function Algorithm (OOMPFA)
Amy Mackenzie, Bryan Muench

(25) Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Enhanced Life Care Planning: Innovations, Challenges, and Ethical Considerations
Paul Bourgeois, Amber Allison, and Christopher Skerritt

(39) Practitioner’s Toolkit: Applying Practice Standards in Life Care Plans
Karen Preston

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Click here to download this issue

Please note that you need to sign into your member account to access the Journal.

Contents Include:

(1) Editor's Message
Tanya Rutherford Owen

(3) IARP Presidents's Message
Dana Beining

(7) 2023 Award Recipients

(8) Foundation for Life Care Planning & Rehabilitation Research Recognition of 2023 Donors

(11) Results of the 2021 Survey of Remote Life Care Planning Practice: Pandemic Edition
Mary Barros-Bailey, Melissa Knott, Ann T. Neulicht, Nancy Mitchell, Tracy Albee, Rick Robinson, Susan Riddick-Grisham, and Debbe Marcinko

(36) Secretary’s Message: A Year-In-Review
Michelle McBroom Weiss

(38) IARP Life Care Planning Section Annual Report: A Year-In-Review
Gil Spruance

(35) Use of Artificial Intelligence to Enhance Case Management and Job Development Practices in Rehabilitation Counseling
Christopher Skerritt, Daniel Wolstein

(48) IARP Forensic Section Committee Annual Report: A Year-In-Review
Jason Puriton and Tricia Oakes

(50) IARP Education Annual Report, A Year-in-Review
Julie Sawyer-Little

(51) A Walk-Through from Referral to Testimony: Methodology
& Admissibility
John R. Cary, Nick Choppa, Cloie B. Johnson, John Fountaine, and Tony Choppa

(67) IARP Membership & Marketing Committee Annual Report, A Year-In-Review
Erin S. Bailey

(69) IARP Social Security Vocational Expert Section Annual Report, A Year-In-Review
Carolina V. Salazar

(72) Vocational Rehabilitation and Long COVID-19: Utilizing a Matrix for Multi-Level Interventions
Abigail O. Akande

(82) IARP Emerging Professionals Annual Report, A Year-In-Review
Nicole Fuscaldo

(84) Assessing Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs), and Functional Status
Lisa Busby Thomas

(104) IARP Council of President’s, A Year-In-Review
Evie Cowitz

(105) A Guide for Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors on Assisting Clients with Opioid Use Disorders Through Evidence-Based Coordination of Care and Employment Interventions
Charles E. Lynn, Emily M. Lund 

The Honorable Kilolo Kijakazi
Acting Commissioner
Social Security Administration
6401 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21235-6401

Submitted via www.regulations.gov

Re: NPRM on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process:
Including How We Consider Past Relevant Work [Docket No. SSA-2023-0024]

Dear Acting Commissioner Kijakazi:

The International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals (IARP) represents vocational experts as well as practicing rehabilitation professionals across the nation. In the course of our daily work as vocational experts in Social Security Administration (SSA) disability hearings, we are the experts with educational credentials (master’s degree or higher) and professional credentials (nationally board-certified in rehabilitation, vocational evaluation, job analysis and placement services) which SSA has tasked with addressing the key questions of transferrable skills derived from past work.

IARP agrees fifteen 15 years is too long of a work history to consider for remote past skills to remain potentially transferable. However, five years is too short and likely overlooks skills which are recent and potentially transferable. By the time a hearing occurs, it is not uncommon that the applicant has been out of work for up to two to three years waiting for a hearing. Also, in recent history of the COVID pandemic from March 2020 through May 2023, widespread unemployment, workplace routine disruptions of how work was performed, and acceleration of remote work would further complicate the scope of an individual’s work history compared to pre- or post-pandemic practices. For example, if an individual applied for SSI or SSDI benefits in 2022 or 2023, two of the recent five years of work history would likely have been impacted by COVID. If in addition the worker was out of work prior to the application, the work history being evaluated would be very limited.

Given the depth of vocational expertise and experience of IARP members, we agree that there are some occupations, namely technology sectors, that the rate of skill decay is quicker than that of other professions such as clerical occupations. However, most occupations retain skills after five years. There is no data source that addresses the rate of skill decay. IARP would propose ten years of work history be considered and this is based on our rehabilitation education and experience reviewing SSA files for work history information.

20 C.F.R. § 404.1565(a) states: "We do not usually consider [PRW] you did 15 years or more before the time we are deciding whether you are disabled (or when the disability insured status requirement was last met, if earlier) applies." If the goal of evaluating the PRW history is to International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals 1601 Utica Ave S., Suite 213, St., Minneapolis, MN 55416 www.rehabpro.org assess what occupations the applicant has engaged in, how they performed these occupations, in what environments, skills they utilized and materials, products, subject matters and services they worked with, ten years is a more realistic period to evaluate transferability. SSA offices have access to the earnings reports. At the hearing level, the Administrative Law Judge has access to and reviews detailed earnings query which lists the employers and wages. Field office and DDS level decisions are rarely made at Step 4 and Step 5 as typically they award benefits on medical evidence. At the hearing level where Step 4 and Step 5 are evaluated, a ten-year work history would better establish the workers knowledge, skills and abilities and allow for transferrable skills analysis. Over 90% of adult disability hearing have a vocational expert present who can provide the ALJ with information on the transferability of skills, if in question, and the degree to which any specific skill or industry change has impacted skills.

The proposal to reduce the number of years of work history considered from 15 years to five years is without foundation and without input from vocational rehabilitation industry experts on which SSA historically relies for employment analysis. SSA cites data collection cycles being five to ten years as a determining factor for selecting five years of PRW. The data sources cited in these proposed rules do not address what skills are required for work nor do they address the decay rate of those skills. SSA cites a listening session held with appointed representatives and attorneys regarding the collection of information to complete work history forms. Based on the proposal as released, no vocational experts and no practicing rehabilitation counselors were consulted. By contrast, rehabilitation industry experts in vocational services are recognized by SSA in their disability hearings, as well as federal, state and local court systems.

The shortening of the period for consideration of work experience to five years would also impact on the application of the Medical-Vocational Guidelines and not allow for proper evaluation of past work. In all other areas of both public sector and private sector vocational evaluation, consideration of past work is not limited to a five-year period as this increases the risk of underestimating an individual’s vocational skills, knowledge, and experience.

We recommend that this rule proposal on how SSA considers past relevant work in its disability determination process be reduced from 15 years to 10 years, as this would provide a more meaningful evaluation of the past work period without sacrificing the quality of decisions or unduly burden applicants or the agency.

Sincerely,

John M. Yent, MA, CRC, CPWIC, ABDA
IARP-SSVE Board Chair

Michelle Aliff, Ph.D., CRC, CVE
IARP-SSVE Governmental Relations

Contents Include:

(3) Editorial Comment
Sonia Peterson

(7) Suicide Risk and Prevention Among U.S. Military Veterans: A
Topical Review
William A. Ramsey & Patricia D. Russell

(17) The Intersection of Developmental and Acquired Disabilities, Mental Health, and Employment: A Review for Rehabilitation Professionals
Aryn Taylor, Amber Allison, & Aubrey Corwin

(35) Individualized Plan for Employment Development for Individuals with Psychiatric Disabilities: Recommendations for State Vocational Rehabilitation Administrators
Sonia Peterson, Christopher Skerritt, Matthew Sprong, & Lisa Busby Thomas

(53) Book Review
Lay-nah Blue Morris-Howe

(55) Practitioner Toolkit
Sonia Peterson & Lisa Busby Thomas

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Thank you,
IARP Headquarters

Contents Include:

(3) Editor’s Message
Aaron Mertes

(5) 2022 Life Care Planning Practice Survey
Ann T. Neulicht, Susan Riddick-Grisham, Mary Barros-Bailey, Melissa Knott, Amber Maxwell, Tracy Albee, Debbe Marcinko, Nancy Mitchell, Rick Robinson

(113) 2022 Life Care Planning Practice Survey-at-a-Glance
Rick Robinson

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Thank you,
IARP Headquarters

Contents Include:

(3) Editor’s Message
Aaron Mertes

(5) I Have Transitioned; I Wish I Would Have Known
Ingrid Van Duyne and Nathan Salvador

(31) Practitioner’s Toolkit
Karen Preston

(37) Assessing Activities of Daily Living
Lisa Busby Thomas

(57) Ethics Interface
Nancy Mitchel

Access the Latest Issue

Rehabilitation Professional Volume 31, Number 2

Contents Include:

(3) Editorial Comment
Sonia Peterson

(5) Tribute to Judith Heumann
Toni Saia, Lynn Pierce, Olivia Fadul, and Michael T. Hartley

(9) Vocational Rehabilitation and Long COVID-19: Utilizing a Matrix for Multi-Level Interventions
Abigail O. Akande

(19) Use of Artificial Intelligence to Enhance Case Management and Job Development Practices in Rehabilitation Counseling
Christopher Skerritt & Daniel Wolstein

(27) Using the Rickter Scale Method to Measure Genuine Personal Well-Being: Case Study
Keith Stead, Martin Dennis Timoney, Peter Benkendorf, Mary Huber, and Josephine F. Wilson

(35) Wellness Coaching Fosters Quality of Life in Rehabilitation Professionals in Thailand
Orawan Quansri & Eman Tadros

(55) Practitioner Toolkit: Assessing Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs), and Functional Status
Lisa Busby Thomas

(67) Book Review: The Professional Practice of Rehabilitation Counseling, 3rd Edition
Katherine Osabe

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Thank you,
IARP Headquarters

Volume 31, Number 1 is now available — an exclusive benefit of IARP's all-inclusive membership.

Download the latest issue

Please note that you need to sign into your member account to access the Rehab Pro from the website.

Contents Include:

Editorial
(3) Editorial Comment
Sonia Peterson

Articles

(5) Practitioner Toolkit: Social Security Disability Grid Rules by Age for Vocational Experts
Lisa Busby Thomas

(13) Examination of Forensic Vocational Rehabilitation Models: Prior Graduate-Level Training and Current Use per Forensic
Setting
Matthew E. Sprong, Lisa Thomas, Nicole Fuscaldo, Jason Purinton, and Tricia Oakes

(27) Using Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies to Conceptualize and Treat People Living with HIV
Roseina Britton and Eman Tadros

(39) Virtual Learning: A Cognitive and Sociocultural Perspective for Rehabilitation Counselor Educators
Sasha D. Smith

(53) A Guide for Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors on Assisting Clients with Opioid Use Disorders Through Evidence-Based Coordination of Care and Employment Interventions
Charles E. Lynn and Emily M. Lund

(65) Book Review: Introduction to Becoming a Vocational Expert
Roderick C. Stoneburner

Volume 21, Number 1 is now available — an exclusive benefit of IARP's all-inclusive membership.

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Please note that you need to sign into your member account to access the JLCP from the website. 

Contents Include:

(3) Editor’s Message
Aaron Mertes

(5) 2021 Survey of Remote Life Care Planning Practice: Pandemic Edition
Mary Barros-Bailey, Melissa Knott, Ann T. Neulicht, Nancy Mitchell, Tracy Albee, Rick Robinson, Susan Riddick-Grisham, Debbe Marcinko

(31) 2022 Life Care Planning Summit
Cloie B. Johnson , Jamie L. Pomeranz , Nami S.Yu, Evelyn Robert, Elizabeth Davis, Laura Woodard, and Dana Penilton

(69) A Walk-Through from Referral to Testimony: Methodology & Admissibility
John R. Cary, Nick Choppa, Cloie B. Johnson, John Fountaine, and Tony Choppa

(85) Multiple Amputations: Considerations for Life Care Planning
Carol Hadley Fricks, Lisa Gay, and Caroline Williams

(95) Book Review: The Valuation of Monetary Damages in Injury Cases by Michael Shahnasarian
Brian T McMahon

Thank you to everyone who participated in the survey that was done last year requesting feedback about the IARP Annual Conference. Based upon those results, we are pleased to announce that IARP will be hosting both an In-Person Fall Forum and a Virtual Conference!

IARP Virtual Annual Conference

The Annual Conference will become a 2-day virtual event on August 18-19, 2023. This will include continuing education offerings for all sections. We are working on compiling the committees to help execute and will have more information soon. Any help and volunteers are welcome!

IARP Fall Forum

IARP will host an in-person event in Arlington, Virginia on October 26-28, 2023. We will offer continuing education hours but will also focus on building our community through workshops, networking events and more! This boots-on-the-ground committee is currently being built, more to come soon! Any help and volunteers are welcome!

These changes have been made to meet the needs of our members and we hope you will participate in the manner that best suits your needs. Stay tuned for more details.

In the past five years, we have worked together to build strong relationships on Capitol Hill and within the Social Security Administration (SSA) to advocate for Social Security Vocational Experts (SSVEs) and Rehabilitation Counselors as a whole. We were successful in persuading SSA to back off of plans to abandon individual BPAs in favor of a national or regional contractor(s). In the most recent BPA renewal, we were able to convince SSA to include IARP-proposed qualifications for all SSVEs in order to assure the quality of VE testimony as well as obtain a fee increase for SSVEs.

In Congress, we have carefully built and strengthened long-term, trusted relationships with key congressional staff on the relevant authorizing and appropriations committees. We have used appropriations report language and congressional staff inquiries to influence SSA regarding vocational issues and funding.

When the Senate Finance Committee held a hearing on SSA service delivery during COVID, we drafted and submitted a statement for the record raising concerns about the impact of office closures on the most vulnerable claimants. The Committee appreciated IARP’s willingness to look beyond its members’ immediate concerns to speak up for those who may not be able to advocate for themselves. 

We also have built relationships with the broader disability community. We facilitated a letter of support from the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities ( a coalition of approximately 100 national disability organizations), Federal Employment and Training and Veterans Task Forces to CACREP regarding its 2023/2024 rehabilitation counselor curricular standards revision. We have opened dialogue for IARP with the National Association of Disability Representatives on the importance of full development and implementation of the Occupational Requirements Survey (replacement for the Dictionary of Occupational Titles).

In preparation for congressional reauthorization of WIOA, we opened a dialogue with the House Education and Labor Committee staff about restoring the Master’s Degree requirements in WIOA for rehabilitation counselors, and established IARP as a trusted source of information on rehabilitation issues. 

IARP is working with state licensing boards to advocate and establish licensure parity for Rehabilitation Counselors as well as access to direct billing for services.

IARP will continue to work with federal, state and local stakeholders to advocate for services for individuals with disabilities as well as professional recognition for the unique knowledge, skills and abilities that Rehabilitation Counselors provide.

Please consider joining us at IARP, all are welcome!

Join Today!

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Contents Include:

(1) Editor's Message
Tanya Rutherford Owen

(3) IARP Presidents's Message
Anne Savage Veh

(7) Foundation for Life Care Planning and Rehabilitation Research Awards

(11) Attendant Care Survey Methodology (ACSM)
Mary Barros-Bailey, Sarah Brown, Amber Maxwell, Sarah Malloy, Sherry Latham, Amy Thompson, and Elaina Donohoe,

(33) IARP Life Care Planning Section Annual Report, A Year-In-Review
Laura Woodard

(35) Rehabilitation Disability Case Management (RDCM) Annual Report, A Year-In-Review
Edward P. Steffan

(37) The Preliminary Findings of a Pilot Project
Mary J. Huber, Jordan Umphrey, Karen Via, and Joshua Francis

(49) IARP Forensic Section Committee Annual Report, A Year-In-Review
Jason Puriton and Tricia Oakes

(51) IARP Education Annual Report, A Year-in-Review
Julie Sawyer-Little

(53) An Analysis of Usual, Customary, and Reasonable Charges in Life Care Planning
Amber Allison and Aubrey Corwin and Michele J. Albers and Heidee White and Robert H. Taylor

(69) IARP Membership & Marketing Committee Annual Report, A Year-In-Review
Erin S. Bailey

(71) IARP Social Security Vocational Expert Section Annual Report, A Year-In-Review
Carolina V. Salazar

(73) Co-Occurring Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Substance Use Disorders in Veterans
Michele M. Mahr, Robert Paul Maddox II, Jonathan Carrier, Trista Olson, and Sonia Peterson

(87) IARP Young Professionals Committee Annual Report, A Year-In-Review
Amy Peterson

(88) A Comparison of the Definition of a Life Care Plan
Cloie B. Johnson, John R. Cary, and Evelyn Robert

(109) IARP Council of President’s Annual Report, A Year-In-Review
Evie Cowitz

(111) Intersectionality Theory and Advocacy
Sasha D. Smith