Vocational Provider News Bulletin
January 2026
Attention all firm managers, please share with your staff.
In this monthly digest, you'll find important updates, reminders, and resources.
We will still send individual GovDelivery messages when your action is requested or when information is time sensitive.
Vocational Recovery Advisory Committee
Year-end-Review
In case you missed it, here's the Vocational Recovery Advisory Committee (VRAC) 2025 Year-end-Review.
Membership Change
After five years of volunteering on VRAC, Sound Vocational Services’ Aimee Jolie is stepping down from her role on the committee. Throughout her time on VRAC, Aimee has been a valuable contributor and trusted advisor to the department.
Thank you, Aimee!
Members of the vocational community are encouraged to consider serving on VRAC. If you are interested, please submit the interest form.
Updates
New Quality Assurance Manager
We are excited to announce that Ryan Guppy has returned to L&I in an acting capacity as the Vocational Services Quality Assurance Manager.
Ryan will assist the team in evaluating L&I’s quality assurance approach, strengthening its quality assurance elements, and identifying recommendations. His appointment lasts through Dec. 31, 2026.
Ryan brings years of experience in the public and private sectors, and a valuable perspective from his role in the initial design of L&I’s quality assurance model. After leaving L&I in December 2021, Ryan gained additional insights as a consultant on return-to-work programs with other organizations, most recently as the director of quality assurance for a private sector firm.
We are glad to have Ryan back to support our collaborative approach to managing quality.
Mileage Reimbursement Increase
The mileage reimbursement rate for privately owned vehicles has increased from $0.70 to $0.73 and is effective starting 1/1/26. Please see MARFS Updates & Corrections tab (Fee schedule updates) for more information.
Vocational Services Specialists (VSS) Stats
The VSS Activity Report Nov-Dec is now posted on the website.
Did You Know?
Tips and best practices – Skill Enhancement Training (SET)
SET applications are increasing and VRCs and workers are finding creative ways to build skills. Thank you for your thoughtful efforts to support workers!
To help streamline the application process, here are some things to keep in mind:
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Partner with a WorkSource VSS: Collaboration with staff is a great strategy as you identify education or training opportunities for workers who want to update job skills. Visit the Labor and Industries at WorkSource page for contacts and additional information.
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Activity Prescription Forms (APFs): These are required with all SET applications. Before submitting, review the form to ensure the worker’s participation aligns with current restrictions.
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Confirm the provider number: Make sure the information entered on the application matches the type of service being requested, to ensure billing payment.
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Sales tax: Be sure to include sales tax in the overall funding request for SET.
Thank you for your continued efforts to support workers with their return-to-work goals through SET!
Reminders
Vocational Internship Supervisor Expectations are due Jan. 21, 2026.
Email your monthly data to the Vocational Firm Data mailbox on the 21st day of every month.
Feedback
If you have questions, send an email to the Vocational Recovery Project inbox.
Help us improve! Take our quick survey and tell us what you think.
This bulletin will be posted to L&I’s “What’s New for Vocational Counselors” web page.
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