VRA Annual Meeting and Lunch

APSE Board Meeting

Exhibit Set-Up

Conference Registration

vaACCSES Board Meeting

Pre-Conference Sessions:

Ethical Considerations for Rehabilitation Professionals 2026

Dr. Rob Froehlich, Associate Professor of Counseling, George Washington University

Artificial Intelligence is a phrase we hear multiple times daily, in both our personal and professional lives. This presentation will encourage discussion regarding how rehabilitation professionals can make decisions pertaining to AI use (or non-use). The presentation will use the recently developed CRCC FAQ’s and Guiding Questions to Support CRCC’s using AI as a basis for discussion. As such, the presentation will provide some background descriptions of AI, how AI can be used in counseling, client (and counselor) AI literacy considerations, limitations and benefits of AI, safeguarding clinical decision-making, and informed consent re: AI use.

In addition, applicable sections of the CRC Code of Ethics (2023) will be examined for guidance pertaining to this emerging topic. Examples include section K (technology, social media and virtual counseling), Section E.1.b New Specialty Areas of Practice, section A (the counseling relationship), Section B (confidentiality privileged communication and privacy) and section M (resolving ethical issues).  In addition, this session will review the major revisions to ACA Code of Ethics, with particular attention to the ways these changes strengthened guidance related to multicultural competence, technology-assisted counseling (including AI related topics), distance counseling, confidentiality, professional boundaries, advocacy, assessment, supervision and counselor self-care.

Positive Psychology

Lynne Daley
David Leon 

Positive psychology offers and vocational rehabilitation professionals a powerful framework for addressing a core challenge in the field: many clients enter services with histories of setbacks, low confidence and limited belief in their own potential. By shifting from a deficit‑focused model to one that emphasizes strengths, hope, motivation and meaningful goal‑setting, VR staff can improve engagement, build stronger counselor–client relationships and support more sustainable employment outcomes. Implementing this approach involves integrating strengths‑based assessments, fostering positive emotions and self‑efficacy and aligning employment plans with clients’ values and sense of purpose. While challenges may include staff training needs, time constraints and shifting long‑standing organizational habits, the benefits for both clients and practitioners are substantial—greater resilience, improved follow‑through and more collaborative rehabilitation planning. For participants in this training, the key takeaway is that positive psychology is not an “add‑on,” but a practical, evidence‑supported method that enhances the effectiveness of VR services by helping clients recognize what is strong in them, not just what has gone wrong.

This presentation will include an overview of DARS work and partnership with the University of Pennsylvania’s Positive Psychology program with specific attention to the VIA Character Strengths and how to tie these into your personal and agency values.

8:00 pm

Music Bingo