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TO:                DVR Counselors

 

DFB              Counselors

 

FROM:           Sherri Greer Rice, Director of Program Services

                        Department of Vocational Rehabilitation

 

                        Beth Cross, Director of Client Services

                        Department for the Blind

 

DATE:             March 13, 2001

 

SUBJECT:     Professional Collaboration

Due to the nature of deafblindness it is likely that a counselor from either the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation or the Department for the Blind will be presented the opportunity to provide services to consumers with deafblindness. The unique characteristics of deafblindness can be very complicated and require the use of multiple resources.

We have entered the second phase of the Deafblind Dual Case Project. In specific areas counselors from both agencies have been providing services to the same consumer. They quickly recognized the expertise each representative was able to provide. As a result these counselors have recommended the use of courtesy consults from counselors’ counterparts in the respective sister agency. A counselor from DVR or DFB who has a consumer with vision loss, hearing loss or both, is encouraged to collaborate with the corresponding counselor in order to optimize all resources available.

While the issue address thus far has focused upon deafblindness, it can have a much greater impact. Both agencies are providing services to an increasing number of consumers who have multiple disabilities. Counselors from both agencies possess information and skills that could be beneficial in the rehabilitation of consumers who have multiple disabilities.

Each of us can benefit from additional resources and expertise. We encourage each of you, as the need arises to request consultations and to develop partnerships. As individuals in the rehabilitation profession, the atmosphere needs to be one of sharing skill, information and assisting each other to increase the likelihood of positive employment outcomes.