Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation

The 477 Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation (TVR) department provides culturally relevant vocational rehabilitation (VR) services in collaboration and partnership with State of Alaska, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (ADVR) to eligible Alaska Natives and American Indians (AN/AI) with disabilities residing in Southeast Alaska. VR services assist clients in planning their path to maintain or achieve gainful employment, selfemployment, and small business ownership.

The department works to empower tribal citizens with disabilities to become self-sufficient and live independently through an array of VR services that are designed to help them achieve their unique employment goal.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, VR service opportunities were limited in 2021 which hindered TVR’s ability to achieve its goals and objectives.

TVR services include: » Guidance and counseling throughout the VR process. » Referrals to appropriate employment agencies – tribal/federal/state for jobs that best suit their skills, abilities, and strengths. » One-on-One counseling when a client needs moral support, discussion on basic needs, training or issues surrounding impediments to employment. Daax’tein Teresa Sarabia Manager

2021 Highlights

ƒ Provided VR services to 62 clients of which 3 secured and/or maintained employment. ƒ Provided small business support to one client who successfully developed a business plan to launch a small business in early 2022. ƒ Successfully assisted three clients in securing Work Experience positions with: » Goldbelt Tram » Sacred Grounds Café » Sacred Shine Auto Detailing ƒ Continued to assist clients with education/vocational training: » One client completed the Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) course through the

University of Alaska Southeast. » One client received a Certificate of Completion for Administrative Assistant training via distance education through the Vocational Training & Resource Center. » One client enrolled in Purdue University Global, an accredited online university, for an Associates of Science of Legal Support and Services. » Four clients enrolled in University of Alaska Southeast courses (Fundamentals of Oral

Communication, Northwest Coast Art, Tlingit Language, and Sociology). » Five clients registered and participated in the 477 POWER Conference & Job Fair. » Two clients participated in a Career and Life Skills workshop.

ƒ Awarded a five-year grant (2021-2026) in the amount of $3,167,875 from the U.S. Department of

Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA). ƒ Completed five client psychological assessments. ƒ Participated in virtual Region 10 Vocational Rehabilitation Coalition meetings. ƒ Referred nine clients to ADVR for VR services.

2022 Goals

ƒ Provide VR services to 62 tribal citizens with disabilities. ƒ Successfully close three cases that result in clients securing and/or maintaining employment. ƒ Secure five-year grant from U.S. Department of Education – Rehabilitation Services Administration (USDOE/RSA).