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Volume 23, Issue 2
November 2023
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SERVICE | RESEARCH | EDUCATION
SVRI NEWSLETTER
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COMMENTS FROM ERIN
Hello all, my name is Erin Nierenhausen. I am excited to step into my new role as the National Training Center for Transformational Rehabilitation Leadership (NTCTRL) Outreach Program Manager. In this role, I will serve SVRI, in collaboration with the Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts (ICI-UMass Boston) and the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) to support and develop leaders in the field of vocational rehabilitation. Our priority is to offer opportunities for individuals in the field of VR to develop leadership skills by earning their Certified Rehabilitation Leadership Certificate (CRL) therefore enhancing their individual motivation, morale, and job performance to transform service delivery to their consumers.
I began working for SVRI in 2011 as the Training and Development Coordinator. In that time, I have enjoyed the many opportunities I’ve been given to develop and implement training delivery as an outcome of the many varied projects SVRI has been involved in over the years. My involvement with the NTCTRL has been since its inception three years ago, by taking the written content developed by Kyle Walker (SVRI), and Russel Thielen (ICI-UMass Boston), I developed the online course that is currently used to deliver the Certified Rehabilitation Leader (CRL) certification. Additionally, I have taught training and development, and leadership development courses part-time through the College of Management at the University of Wisconsin-Stout since 2003. Prior to working for SVRI, I worked for many years in the training and development, and leadership development capacity for various manufacturing facilities in the Eau Claire, WI area. I earned my master’s degree in training and curriculum development from UW-Stout in 1999. Personally, I live in Lakeville, MN where I am a mom of two high schoolers and two beagles, and am about to celebrate my 20th wedding anniversary.
I look forward to this new journey of working with professionals in the field of Vocational Rehabilitation to help further develop their personal and professional leadership skills. Leadership is not a position, but it is a process…a way of being. I find joy in being part of a process that empowers others to feel that they have value and can in turn choose to make a positive impact on those they serve.
If you are interested in learning more about the NTCTRL and the Certified Rehabilitation Leader (CRL) certification program please feel welcome to contact me, Erin Nierenhausen, at Nierenhausene@uwstout.edu. Or take a look at our website https://www.uwstout.edu/SVRI/NTCTRL
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Kyle Walker Forbes Interview
As people with disabilities continue to push for more inclusion in the workforce, it’s essential to be aware of the latest trends in disability career services. Kyle Walker, SVRI Executive Director, shares his insights on how to help people with disabilities pursue their desired career paths and gain independence.
Read the full article titled, How Technology And Rehabilitative Services Help Disabled People ‘Create The Life They Choose’ All Their Own: Forbes Interview
Streamlining the Eligibility Determination Process
SVRI’s Director of Services, Kyle Schemenauer along with Delora Newton, Division Administrator for the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development were interviewed by Carol Pankow in the VRTAC-QM studio. This conversation discussed the lengthy and confusing eligibility determination process for vocational rehabilitation and how the partnership between Wisconsin VR and SVRI is transforming eligibility determination into a smoother and more efficient process.
In this conversation, Delora and Kyle delve into the details of their collaboration that have revolutionized the eligibility determination process for Wisconsin VR. By outsourcing and streamlining the pre-eligibility process to SVRI, the two departments have created an objective, consistent, and cost-effective solution. Utilizing a per-customer rate fee, this partnership has not only saved time and money for customers but has also been a game-changer for VR applicants in Wisconsin. Listen to the podcast
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SVRI CONTINUING EDUCATION UPDATES | |
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Innovation Inspiration Expo
Join us and participate in the 2024, 2-day conference focused on sharing your creative and innovative practices with your colleagues.
Date: January 17-18, 2024
Location: Virtually
Cost: $160.00 until November 27, 2023
CEUs: 17 CRCs including 2 Ethics (subject to approval)
This year's conference revolves around the belief that the most innovative and creative solutions are often born from the minds of frontline vocational rehabilitation professionals like yourself.
We invite you to:
- Share Your Ideas: Join in the discussion about your innovative solutions, creative projects, and fresh ideas with fellow professionals.
- Discover New Perspectives: Be inspired by your peers and start thinking differently about vocational rehabilitation.
- Revitalize Your Commitment: Reconnect with your creative abilities and rekindle your passion for improving the vocational rehabilitation landscape.
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CRC Exam Preparation Workshop
our interactive CRC Exam Preparation Workshop provides a unique and comprehensive experience that equips you to excel in the CRC exam. This workshop offers an in-depth look at exam content, personalized facilitation for guidance, ample test-taking practice with exam-style questions, and motivational support throughout your preparation journey.
Fully accessible online, our learning platform ensures you can engage with the material at your convenience, anywhere you have an internet connection.
For optimal preparation, we strongly recommend confirming your registration for the CRC exam before enrolling in this workshop.
Our next workshop begins January 11, 2023. Learn more
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Workforce Training Across Industries
A comprehensive training series created in partnership between the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and SVRI.
This free virtual training addresses aspects of hiring and retaining individuals with disabilities in four key industries: manufacturing, construction, healthcare, and information technology. After participating, individuals will gain the knowledge and tools necessary to maximize the potential of individuals with disabilities across various sectors. Learn More.
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Eligibility and Order of Selection Unit (EOS)
The EOS Unit has experienced remarkable growth, surpassing all expectations with a record-breaking number of referrals. Year to date, this unit has already exceeded the total referrals for 2022. In fact, they are currently on track to receive over 11,000 referrals, a level of demand not seen since 2017. With the recent expansion of this unit into New Hampshire, the team has grown to 33 full-time staff.
Nationally, State Vocational Rehabilitation programs typically have a 60-day window to determine an individual's eligibility for Vocational Rehabilitation services. Since 2016, SVRI has been entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing the Eligibility Determination process for both Wisconsin's Vocational Rehabilitation program and the newly added New Hampshire program. This partnership has yielded some significant results, including:
- Establishing a highly specialized unit dedicated to eligibility determinations.
- Reallocating an average of over 34,000 work hours annually from eligibility determinations to vocational guidance and counseling.
- Achieving a 5% reduction in per-case actual costs over a span of five years.
- Consistently improving overall cost efficiency, with an average annual increase of 13%.
If you would like to learn more, contact the EOS Unit at 715-232-5529 or by email at svri@uwstout.edu
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Project SEARCH
Project SEARCH is thrilled to introduce this year's new cohort of interns, featuring ten bright students hailing from the Chippewa Falls, Stanley-Boyd, and Menomonie school districts. We are collaborating with University of Wisconsin-Stout facilities management, dining services, catering services, multicultural student services, instructional resource services, archives, and the Qube. Currently, they are in the process of building an internship with Surplus right now and are very open to other opportunities!
The Project SEARCH program is built upon three core pillars:
- Job Development: Dedicated staff work closely with students to identify post-Project SEARCH job opportunities that align with their unique skills and career aspirations within the community.
- Work Experience: Through a series of three 10-week internships, students gain invaluable on-the-job skills through collaborated partnerships across campus in various departments, including dining services, facilities management, archives, instructional resource services, and more, ensuring a well-rounded learning experience.
- Curriculum: Crafted exclusively for this international initiative, our curriculum comprises nine comprehensive units, covering essential aspects such as team building, workplace safety, technology proficiency, self-advocacy, job retention, financial literacy, health and wellness, pre-employment readiness, and enhancing social and communication skills.
If you would like to learn more, take a look at the Project SEARCH website or reach out to the team via email at projectsearchmenomonie@gmail.com
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Pathways to Partnerships Model Demonstration
SVRI partners with Mathematica on 5 year federal grant project.
Mathematica Policy Research (MPR) and several partners including SVRI were recently awarded a 5-year grant project. This federally funded grant project will provide evaluation and Technical Assistance (TA) services to state grantees participating in the Disability Innovation Fund - Pathways to Partnerships Model Demonstration Projects awarded by the U.S. Department of Education Rehabilitation Services Administration. This collaboration extends over a five-year period, with a total award of $780,000 to SVRI. The primary mission of this grant is to deliver national Technical Assistance (TA) to state model demonstration projects that are dedicated to establishing systemic approaches for transition services benefiting children and youth with disabilities. This collaborative effort creates a “Wisconsin Team” that leverages the strengths of the University of Wisconsin-Stout Vocational Rehabilitation Institute and the evaluation expertise at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Other collaborative partners on this federal grant include the University of Maryland Center for Transition and Career Innovation, M. Davis and Company, and TransCen Inc.
For more information visit the Mathematica website
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Worker Connection Program
We continue to collaborate with our colleagues at the University of Wisconsin-Madison to craft and execute a process evaluation for the Worker Connection program, currently in its pilot phase under the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD).
This pilot program incorporates the introduction of new Career Navigator positions into the state's workforce development system. These Navigators play a crucial role in identifying and engaging individuals who are influenced by various employment-related factors, including those with disabilities. Their role involves linking these individuals to a range of existing services and support systems. These resources encompass training programs, apprenticeships, transportation options, childcare programs, long-term care and mental health resources, financial literacy programs, and employment-centric services. The overarching objective is to implement a variety of evidence-based practices that will effectively serve these individuals, fostering successful employment and career development outcomes. The process evaluation is meticulously designed to shed light on the distinct role of the Career Navigators and their impact on both participant and systemic outcomes.
For more detailed information visit the DWD Worker Connection program
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Vocational Rehabilitation Technical Assistance Center for Quality Employment (VRTAC-QE)
We continue to work in close collaboration with the QE team at the University of Wisconsin-Madison to facilitate essential training and technical support components for this national center. Funded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration, the QE Center plays a pivotal role in providing technical assistance to vocational rehabilitation (VR) personnel and their partners, covering a wide spectrum of topics, including the innovative concept of Career Pathways.
On June 7-8, 2023, the VRTAC-QE organized the National Symposium on Rehabilitation Counseling, a dynamic event aimed at fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange among vocational rehabilitation professionals. The symposium welcomed 196 attendees in person and successfully accommodated over 2,300 participants virtually, making it an inclusive and information-rich experience for all. Feel free to register and receive recorded on-demand content from the symposium (coming soon): Symposium On Rehabilitation Counseling
Call for Proposals and Save The Date! VRTAC-QE 2024 Symposium: Partnerships Across Rehabilitation Research, Employment, and Empowerment
May 22 – 23, 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin
The VRTAC-QE is seeking proposals, for both concurrent and poster presentations, for its conference being held in Madison, WI, from Wednesday, May 22, through Thursday, May 23, 2024. The conference theme is, “Partnerships Across Rehabilitation Research, Employment, and Empowerment".
Proposal submission deadline is Friday, December 15, 2023 at 11:55 pm (PDT)
Notification of submissions will occur by Monday, January 8, 2024.
To learn more and submit a presentation, individuals can navigate to the following Qualtrics survey
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SVRI STAFFING UPDATES
Welcome to the SVRI Team
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Jennifer Bartz
Jenny is an Administrative Assistant II at SVRI providing support for the Eligibility and Order of Selection Unit. She has worked at UW-Stout since 2019, holding administrative roles in the Foundation office and Stout Online. Jenny has an Administrative Assistant associate degree from Southwest Wisconsin Technical College. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and reading.
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Caroline Braun
Caroline is a case facilitator at SVRI, working with applicants to determine eligibility for the State of Wisconsin Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) program. Prior to joining SVRI, she provided therapy to children diagnosed with autism. Caroline has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Human Development and Family Studies.
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Jenesis Lindbo
Jenesis is a Case Facilitator at SVRI, working with applicants to determine eligibility for the State of Wisconsin Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) program. Before joining SVRI, Jenesis worked as an Independent Living/Assistive Technology Specialist at the Center for Independent Living for Western Wisconsin and serving on the Assistive Technology Advisory Council for 6 years. Jenesis graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stout with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Development and Family Studies with a Fundamentals of Social Welfare Concentration and Social Work Certificate. In her spare time, she works on writing curriculums to enhance skills development with video games and is a digital accessibility educator and advocate.
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Monique Manney
Monique is a Case Facilitator at SVRI, working with applicants to determine eligibility for the State of Wisconsin Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) program. Before joining SVRI she was a Vocational Coordinator working with individuals with mental illnesses, as well as Support Broker working with elderly and individuals with disabilities. Monique has been a co-instructor at Alverno College for the Today and Beyond Program: an educationally based mentorship intervention between at-risk Native American youth from a Tribal school and college students. She has training in mental health first aid as well as motivational interviewing. Monique holds a BS in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Stout with plans to pursue a master’s in social work at Augsburg University fall of 2023.
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Sara Nerbonne
Sara is a Case Facilitator at SVRI, working with applicants to determine eligibility for the State of Wisconsin Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) program. Prior to joining SVRI, she worked as a special education teacher for students with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disabilities at the elementary level. Sara holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in Special Education. Sara is passionate about working with people with disabilities to ensure access and empowerment through inclusivity.
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Monique Steiner
Monique graduated with a bachelor’s degree in social work from UW-Eau Claire and has an AODA degree from CVTC. She is currently a Case Facilitator at SVRI, working with applicants to determine eligibility for the State of Wisconsin Division of Vocational (DVR) program. Her past experiences include working in the Wisconsin Department of Corrections as a Social Worker for approximately six years and as a social worker with Eau Claire County CSP, where she provided case management to members of the community who have been diagnosed with a mental health disorder. Most recently she worked as a Vocational Specialist with Aurora Community Services and provided vocational services to individuals enrolled in ECC CSP. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors, kayaking, reading books, and watching TV. She also enjoys spending time with her husband and their pets, a dog named Wicket, and a cat called Momen.
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Erika Yawn
Erika is a case facilitator at SVRI. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Family Studies and continues her education to obtain her master’s degree in clinical social work. Erika enjoys spending her time outdoors with her dog, traveling, trying new foods, and enjoying community events.
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CONGRATULATIONS!
Jeff Lund
We want to extend a thank you to Jeff’s years of service at SVRI. Jeff has taken a counseling position within the local county jail systems.
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Ko Vang
Ko and her family welcomed Summer Kue Vang on July 23rd. Welcome to the SVRI family!
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PARTNER NEWS
New asynchronous online undergraduate degree, B.S. Rehabilitation Services
The University of Wisconsin-Stout, Department of Rehabilitation, Counseling and Human Services is now accepting applications.
This is a part-time, 3-year online program targeting working professionals that want to increase their skills and competencies in supporting individuals living with disabilities. Bring your associate degree with you to UW-Stout and earn your Bachelor of Science degree in Rehabilitation Services!
Turn your passion for people into a meaningful career related to counseling, psychiatric rehabilitation, social work, or substance abuse, and create a difference in the lives of those who deserve our support.
Please visit the website B.S. Rehabilitation Services or Contact DeLeana Strohl, Ph.D., LPC, CRC for more information: 715-232-4082 or email: strohld@uwstout.edu
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MISSION: SVRI contributes to the mission of the University of Wisconsin-Stout by providing services, research, and education programs preparing vocational rehabilitation professionals to empower people with disabilities to maximize careers and independence.
VISION: SVRI aspires to be the preeminent national source of vocational rehabilitation expertise, services, research, and professional education programs that advance the art and science of vocational rehabilitation.
VALUES: At SVRI, we are committed to the University of Wisconsin-Stout mission, vision, values, and student success. We are committed to empowering people with disabilities to maximize career development, independence, and community inclusion. We are dedicated to the advancement of the vocational rehabilitation profession by providing innovative services, life-long professional career education, and academic research that contributes to the profession’s knowledge base. Our actions are guided by our core principles of trust and integrity; inclusion; valuing diversity; and treating others with respect and kindness.
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