Tuition Assistance Policy

The Tuition Assistance Policy outlines eligibility for participation, approved programs and specific guidance for the employee applying for assistance as well as for the supervisor of the employee.  Employees requesting tuition assistance must meet the eligibility requirements for this program in order to be approved for participation. 

Every employee is required to complete a Career Development Plan (CDP) within the first three months of employment. This form acts as a road map for planned professional development opportunities including tuition assistance. 

The Career Development Plan is reviewed by the employee and supervisor at least two times per year (April and August) in conjunction with the employee evaluation. An updated form must be kept on file with the supervisor and HRD program administrator for a minimum of three (3) years.  At the manager discretion the employee may be required to keep an active CDP after the initial three (3) years if it is determined that the employee is in need of additional professional development to become more succesful in their job responsibilities and may be used in conjunction with a performance improvement plan.

Exception: Employees required to meet CSPD who have not done so by the end of the three (3) years will be required to maintain an active CDP until CSPD has been achieved.  Please see the information below for additional guidance regarding this exception. 

The Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) requires that counselors who do not meet the current Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD) standard for the agency be under an approved development plan to achieve the standard.  Kentucky OVR has set the standard for CSPD as “educational qualification to sit for the CRC”.  Employees who do not meet the current standard must do so within five (5) years of hiring and must maintain an active Career Development Plan on file until the standard is achieved. 

While the statute requires standards for all professional and paraprofessional staff, RSA is currently focusing on Rehabilitation Counselors.  It is important to note that RSA’s current position on who is considered to be a rehabilitation counselor is anyone who does one or more of the following:

• Makes an eligibility determination
• Approves an IPE and any amendments to the IPE
• Makes the determination as to who is an individual with a significant disability
• Makes the determination as to who is an individual with a most significant disability
• Makes the determination, in consultation with the individual, of ineligibility
• Makes the determination, in consultation with the individual, that the record of service of an individual who has achieved an employment outcome can be closed