News Release

March 22, 2018

NATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNSELORS APPRECIATION DAY IS MARCH 22

Thursday, March 22 has been designated as National Rehabilitation Counselors Appreciation Day. This is in celebration of rehabilitation counselors who provide services including assessments, planning, implementing, and placement. Research has demonstrated that services delivered by qualified rehabilitation counselors improve employment outcomes.

“We help Nebraskans with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep jobs while partnering with businesses to access an untapped pool of talent and skills,” Nebraska VR Director Lindy Foley said. “More than 5,000 adult Nebraskans received employment services last year and we worked with hundreds of Nebraska employers to meet their hiring needs.  Rehabilitation counselors also provide pre-employment transition services to students across the state in partnership with schools and communities.”

Clients appreciate the work to meet individual job goals.  “The services provided to me have done wonders,” said one client of Nebraska VR’s Rehabilitation Counselors.  The same client, now in a plant manager position, also says, “now and going forward when looking for employees, Nebraska VR is where I will look first.”

Foley noted that most Nebraskans who receive services face multiple barriers to employment. “Nebraska VR Rehabilitation Counselors help individuals with disabilities to overcome those barriers,” she said. “Last year we assisted 1,778 Nebraskans in gaining employment at an average hourly wage of $12.58. A successfully employed person is estimated to return $6.78 to Nebraska taxpayers for every dollar spent through Nebraska VR services.”

Foley continued, “I would like to thank our counselors as well as all Nebraska VR staff, service providers, referring partners, and business partners, for the work they do every day to positively impact the lives of individuals with disabilities in Nebraska.”

To learn more about Nebraska VR or to connect with Nebraska VR staff, go to: http://vr.nebraska.gov

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