Application to Center for Innovative Training in Vocational Rehabilitation
Provider Advancement Through High-Quality Training (CIT-VR: PATH)
The George Washington University’s Center for Rehabilitation Counseling Research and Education (CRCRE), in partnership with the University of Arkansas’s Center for Utilization of Rehabilitation Resources for Education, Networking, Training & Services (UA Currents), San Diego State University’s Interwork Institute (SDSU-II), the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR), and YesLMS, is pleased to introduce the newly created Center for Innovative Training in Vocational Rehabilitation: Provider Advancement Through High-Quality Training (CIT-VR: PATH)—a pathway to skills, partnerships, and better outcomes.*
The Center aims to expand the number of trained personnel who support individuals with disabilities (IWD) and to strengthen the skills, effectiveness, and long-term success of current rehabilitation professionals and paraprofessionals working as Direct Service Professionals (DSPs) in Community Rehabilitation Providers (CRPs).
To achieve this, CIT-VR: PATH will partner with State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies (SVRAs) and their designated CRPs to implement an innovative, comprehensive approach to professional development and to strengthen partnerships between SVRAs and the CRP community.
*This project is funded through a grant from the US Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration under the Innovative Rehabilitation Training Program (CFDA 84.263G).
Contact Information
John C. Walsh, Co-Project Director: jcwalsh@gwu.edu
DJ Ralston, Co-Project Director: djralston@gwu.edu
Training Information
CIT-VR: PATH will select 10 SVRAs and their designated CRPs to participate as part of a cohort that will include:
- During year 1 each state will receive an individualized landscape analysis of SVRA and CRP capacity to identify training and professional development needs
- Access to the Provider 101 Training Pathway which includes a sequenced series of role-specific learning paths and organized into 3-tiers (foundational, advanced, & tailored) with five learning pathways:
- Foundations of Disability
- Communication and Interpersonal Effectiveness
- Advanced Practices in Disability Services
- Operational Foundations for Sustainable CRP Services
- Leadership Development
- Participation in Community of Practices (COPs)
- Participation in SVRA/CRP Collaboration Academy and/or CRP Leadership Academy
The Center will also offer webinars on a variety of topical areas throughout the duration of the grant period in which all SVRAs and CRPs can participate.
Application
As part of the application process, each SVRA must:
- Identify and secure a letter of commitment from at least three (3) approved CRPs in their state.
- Additional CRPs may participate, up to a maximum of seven (7) CRPs per SVRA for this project.
- Letters of Commitment from SVRAs’ CRPs should be emailed to jcwalsh@gwu.edu and djralston@gwu.edu with the Subject Line: Your State’s Name – CRP LOC
The Center has developed a rubric, with input from a variety of stakeholders, to assist in the selection of SVRAs and their respective CRPs to participate.
The deadline to submit your application is by COB, Friday, December 19, 2025. We will notify you of your acceptance status for this cohort by close of business on February 17, 2026.