Program for Rehabilitation Leadership¹
at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies

The Program for Rehabilitation Leadership (PRL) provides human resource development and organizational development services to public and not-for-profit rehabilitation organizations. The program is funded through federal cooperative agreements as well as various state and local contracts. PRL activities include on-campus and field-based training and education, technical assistance, and action research. PRL is nationally recognized among rehabilitation leaders for exemplary practices in human resource development and organizational development. James E. Stephens served as Director of the Program for Rehabilitation Leadership until the end of 2001. His successor is Deon Locklin.

Projects

The Regional Continuing Education Program for Community Rehabilitation Providers (CRP-RCEP). Deon Locklin, Project Director. The CRP-RCEP is designed to address the broad range of learning needs shared by community rehabilitation organizations throughout the eight southeastern states. Begun in 1997, the CRP-RCEP is funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration, to provide learning services to over 700 community rehabilitation providers and independent living centers in the region. Each of these organizations provides employment-related services and supports to individuals with disabilities. The CRP-RCEP is a partnership of the Program for Rehabilitation Leadership at Georgia State University and the University of Tennessee Technology, Inclusion and Employment (UT-TIE) program.

The Regional Rehabilitation Continuing Education Program for Administration & Management (RRCEP-A&M). James E. Stephens, Project Director. The RRCEP-A&M was established in 1978 in order to meet the recurring learning needs of supervisory, managerial, and administrative personnel in state vocational rehabilitation agencies in the eight states of federal Region IV. The RRCEP-A&M has evolved into an on-demand, rapid response, continuing education and technical assistance program serving state rehabilitation leaders. In addition, the RRCEP-A&M provides technical assistance to affiliated RRCEP programs around the nation in the areas of organizational development and human resource development.

Consortium for Distance Education in Rehabilitation (CDER). Sally Siewert, Project Manager. The Program for Rehabilitation Leadership at Georgia State University, the University of North Texas, and San Diego State University received funding in 2001 from the U.S. Department of Education Rehabilitation Services Administration, to provide M.S. degrees in Rehabilitation Counseling to currently employed professionals in the field, allowing them to meet current standards in federal legislation for rehabilitation providers. The degree program is conducted using distance learning technologies, and includes cohorts of 50 counselors from throughout the nation.

Region IV Employer Outreach Project. Sally Siewert, Project Manager. The Program for Rehabilitation Leadership, in concert with the Region IV Employer Partner's Team (made up of representatives from each of the twelve state vocational rehabilitation agencies in the southeast), is well entrenched in this 24 month project to develop five marketing resources for vocational rehabilitation. During 2001, a Marketing Plan, a Practical Guide to Establishing Effective Employer Relationships, training materials, and training workshops have been produced. Underway is the development of a web site dedicated to employment issues for state agency rehabilitation staff as well as the production of marketing videos to be utilized in outreach to employers. The project is funded by the Technical Assistance Center, Rehabilitation Services Administration, and jointly administered by the Georgia Division of Rehabilitation Services.

Under Review

Regional Continuing Education Program for Community Rehabilitation Providers. Deon Locklin. U.S. Department of Education. ($2.5 million), under review.

Highlighted Activities

The Program for Rehabilitation Leadership hosted several events during the year, including:

• Conducted the Regional Community Rehabilitation Leadership Program. The program included face-to-face sessions and distance learning activities via a WebCT online classroom for 24 emerging leaders from throughout the Southeast.
• 2000/2001 New Supervisors Institute. Nineteen new supervisors representing 7 state vocational rehabilitation agencies in the southeast region attended the New Supervisors Institute which is comprised of three one week sessions spread over a one year time period. Major themes covered included leadership, performance managaement, coaching, team development, change management, organizational culture, stress management, and ethics. Pat Mundt managed this program.