Project Description:
1. The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) utilizes the services of benefits planners otherwise known as Community Work Incentive Coordinators (CWICs)to provide benefits planning services for their clients who are looking for employment or self-employment options. There is no oversight of the CWICs who provide these services and there is a need for a way to ensure the quality and accuracy of their work is maintained to a consistent level of standard. there is also a need to maintain and/or increase capacity to provide benefits and work incentive counseling within Alaska.
2. The objectives are as listed below:
A - Re-certification: The Center for Human Development (CHD) will coordinate and conduct re-certification annually for CWICs. CWICs who pass re-certification will be eligible for contracting with DVR.
B - Peer Review Quality Assurance: Alaska CWICs who contract with DVR are required to have their BSA's reviewed for accuracy to maintain certification as an approved DVR vendor. BSA required reviews are as follows:
*1st year CWICs or any CWIC who historically have completed less than 10 BSA's per year must have all BSA's reviewed. Any CWIC whose work does not meet standards will also be required to submit 100% of their BSAs prior to submitting them for payment.
*CWICs who have been practicing for 2 or more years and who complete more than 10 BSAs per year must have 2 BSA's reviewed every 6 months for a total of 4 BSAs reviewed per year.
3 - Unusual features of the program are the vast geographical distances in the state of Alaska. Services are frequently performed via distance.
4 - Having a review process in place will ensure that CWICs are writing BSAs that meet the accuracy and clarity standards expected.
Area of Emphasis
Quality Assurance, Employment-Related Activities
Target Audience:
Professionals and Para-Professionals
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
None
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
State
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
