2. Where Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation falls under Rehabilitation Act (1998) Title IV of the Workforce Investment Act U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services (OSERS) & Rehabilitation Services Administration ( RSA). Rehabilitation Act of 1978 (as amended) Tribal VR (section 121 of the Act) State Dept. Of Rehabilitation (section 110 of the Act)

3. Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation PURPOSE: To provide vocational rehabilitation services to American Indians and Alaskan Natives with disabilities who reside on or near federal or state reservations and Alaskan Native villages consistent with their individual capabilities, and informed choice, so that they may prepare for and engage in gainful employment, including self-employment, telecommuting and business ownership, strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities,

4. What is Menominee Vocational Rehabilitation? o Our GOAL is to help Native Americans with Disabilities PREPARE for employment in areas such as : Employment Preparation Employment Preparation for Self-employment Career Counseling Job Search Activities Work Experience Vocational/Technical Training GED Class or Training Needs Workplace Needs Post Employment Services

5. Menominee Vocational Rehabilitation Who we serve? A potential consumer MUST: o Be a member of ANY federally recognized or state recognized Native American Tribe: Need proof of Tribal Enrollment (enrollment card or letter from enrollment office). o Have a physical or mental impairment/injury that results in a considerable barrier to employment, Examples: Construction worker hurt on the job (back injury) may need to re-train for other employment. Recovering alcoholic who now can return to work alcohol free. o Normally serve from Junior/Senior year in High school to no cut off age.

6. Menominee Vocational Rehabilitation Who we serve? o Reside on the Menominee Reservation, including Shawano County and a 30 mile radius of the Reservation.

7. Menominee Vocational Rehabilitation Who we serve? o Require Vocational Rehabilitation services to PREPARE for, secure, retain or regain employment. Consumer must be reasonably expected to benefit from Vocational Rehabilitation Services. In other words, the disability can’t be so severe that it is impossible to pursue employment or the consumer’s disability is not constantly hindering his or her employment goals.

8. Menominee Vocational Rehabilitation What a Consumer can expect? o First point of contact- Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Staff or VR Director. o Consumers are provided a program over view o Initial intake of information o Refer consumer to VR Counselor More information is gathered. Counselor may recommend assessments to indentify the disability or may request previous documentation of the disability. Counselor determines eligibility for VR services based on information gathered. Counselor determination of eligibility shall not exceed 60 days. Those deemed ineligible will be provided with the reason for ineligibility, notice of their appeal rights, and information about Client Assistance Program (CAP).

9. Menominee Vocational Rehabilitation What a Consumer can expect? Consumer and Counselor VR Counselor is the primary point of contact. Develop a team effort approach to PREPARE a consumer for employment. Create an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE): Consumer’s employment goal Services needed to reach the consumer’s employment goal Start and end date for each service Cost of each Service Consumer’s responsibilities VR Counselor’s responsibilities Other agencies’ responsibilities. Criteria for measuring progress towards employment goal.

10. Menominee Vocational Rehabilitation What a Consumer can expect? o A consumer’s case is closed after 90 days of successful employment. o Post Employment Services are available after a consumer’s case is successfully closed. Services necessary to assist the consumer to retain, regain, or advance in employment.

11. Menominee Vocational Rehabilitation Contact Information College of Menominee Nation Vocational Rehabilitation Project N172 Hwy 47/55 P.O. Box 1179 Keshena, WI 54135 (715) 799-6226 (800) 567-2344 (715) 799-1336 fax Hours of Operation: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Hours can be adjusted to meet consumer needs.

12. Menominee Vocational Rehabilitation Questions WORK ABILITY, NOT DISABILITY