Nov 13, 2025
VCU Rehabilitation Counseling earns $5.6 million federal grants to strengthen nation’s vocational rehabilitation workforce
Virginia Commonwealth University’s Department of Rehabilitation Counseling has earned six federal awards totaling more than $5.6 million through the U.S. Department of Education’s Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), reinforcing its reputation as a national leader in preparing the next generation of rehabilitation professionals.
Together, these five-year projects will train more than 100 scholars at the undergraduate, graduate and certificate levels – each focused on improving how public vocational rehabilitation (VR) systems serve individuals with disabilities. The programs also share a common goal to grow a skilled, credentialed and diverse workforce ready to meet the evolving needs of state agencies and community organizations. Of the grant total, more than $4 million will go directly to support students in training.
“These new awards help us expand access to training at every career level,” said Jared Schultz, Ph.D., CRC, HS-BCP, chair of the Department of Rehabilitation Counseling within VCU’s College of Health Professions. “From undergraduates just starting out to mid-career professionals seeking new credentials, these initiatives will build a stronger pipeline of rehabilitation counselors who are well-prepared to serve individuals with disabilities in every corner of the country.”
Each project also reflects VCU’s commitment to accessibility and innovation by offering hybrid and distance-learning options that make it easier for working professionals, caregivers and those in rural regions to enhance their careers and skills without leaving their jobs or communities.
“These grants demonstrate how VCU is on the front lines in preparing much-needed professionals for working to support individuals with a variety of disabilities,” said Amy R. Darragh, Ph.D., dean of VCU’s College of Health Professions. “This practice is rapidly changing with the emergence of both new best practices and technologies, and our training efforts will elevate the skills of these critical professionals.”
Expanding the VR Workforce through Certificate-Based CSPD Solutions
Principal Investigator: Schultz
This program will provide an affordable and flexible way for professionals already working in state VR agencies to earn a graduate-level certificate that qualifies them for national counselor certification. Over the next five years, at least 40 scholars will complete the one-year, part-time program entirely online, blending classroom learning with real-world application in their current roles. Participants gain new skills in counseling, employment supports and independent-living services – helping them better serve clients while staying rooted in their communities.
Strengthening the VR Workforce – A CSPD Initiative for Master’s and Certificate Training
Principal Investigator: Schultz
This project will support 22 scholars through VCU’s master’s and graduate certificate programs, helping working professionals expand their qualifications while maintaining full-time employment. Students will take courses online or in hybrid formats that fit their schedules, gaining knowledge in areas such as case management, vocational evaluation and career development. By offering both master’s and certificate tracks, the program will meet professionals where they are and give state VR agencies the skilled staff they need to improve outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
Expanding a Diverse, National VR Workforce through Accessible, Hybrid Education and AI-Integrated Practice
Principal Investigator: Kanako Iwanaga, Ph.D., CRC, LPC
This initiative will prepare future rehabilitation counselors to use emerging technologies – from artificial intelligence to assistive devices – to expand access to services for people with disabilities. Fourteen graduate scholars will receive tuition support and specialized training through VCU’s Master of Science in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling program. Courses will combine traditional counseling skills with technology-driven approaches, including AI-supported job matching and digital service delivery, ensuring that graduates are ready to serve in both in-person and virtual environments.
Preparing Rehabilitation Counselors to Serve Individuals Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision
Principal Investigator: Kanako Iwanaga, Ph.D., CRC, LPC
This project will prepare specialists to work with individuals who are blind or have low vision, an area of ongoing need nationwide. Twelve graduate scholars will learn to provide services that promote independence, accessibility and employment. The program will emphasize hands-on experience through internships with agencies such as the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired, while coursework will cover topics such as digital accessibility, assistive technology and telerehabilitation. Graduates will emerge ready to guide clients in achieving their personal and professional goals. This builds on VCU’s Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)-accredited rehabilitation counseling program with specialty training - the only educational offering of its kind in Virginia.
Mental Health Specialization with Evidence-Based Employment Focus
Principal Investigator: Christopher C. Wagner, Ph.D., CRC, LCP
Master’s-level scholars will gain skills to work with people who experience mental health challenges, including serious mental illness, autism or co-occurring conditions. Fifteen students will receive advanced training in evidence-based practices that support employment and community participation, including trauma-informed care and supported employment models. The program also will introduce cutting-edge tools such as virtual reality and AI job-matching systems to strengthen real-world practice. Through partnerships with the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), graduates will help fill critical workforce needs while improving employment outcomes across the state.
Competency-Based Undergraduate Training in Disability Services
Principal Investigator: Kelli G. Talley, Ph.D., OTR/L, MPH
This new undergraduate initiative will create a structured pathway for students interested in careers in disability and rehabilitation services. Through a minor in disability services within VCU’s Bachelor of Science in Health Services program, 21 students will gain foundational knowledge in counseling, vocational coordination and ethical service delivery. The hybrid program blends coursework, supervised field experience and interactive case simulations to prepare graduates for entry-level roles in state or community-based VR programs. It also introduces students to a field where compassion, communication and collaboration can change lives.