iowa rehabilitation association terestiraiowa.org/assets/pdf/newsletter/2015/09-2015.pdf ·...

My suggestion is that we look to

this somewhat perplexing time as

an opportunity to practice our

own ability to have a voice, be

resilient and maintain the kind of

internal locus of control that

allows us to keep our positive

attitude. As we step forward into

uncharted waters, let’s hold

ourselves accountable to be

advocates. Let’s set a standard of

character where we do not simp-

ly complain about what is outside

our control but are active, prob-

lem solving agents within our

organizations. As rehabilitation

professionals we sit with people

every day who are trying to navi-

gate a world they find confusing

and filled with barriers. We are

uniquely qualified to handle

whatever lies before us.

The reason that we belong to IRA

is that it connects all of us work-

ing in this field. We can obtain

good information about the

changes that are coming and

collectively can advocate for and

with those we serve. So you

won’t want to miss the upcoming

IRA conference. It will be a bit

Change is in the air. The imple-

mentation of the Workforce

Innovation and Opportunity Act

(WIOA), the upcoming move to

managed care for Medicaid, and

various other legislative and

organizational changes make it

feel like the land is shifting below

our feet. Yes, some of these

changes are scary, some really

scary, and it is important for us

all to stay well informed and

advocate for positive change.

That said, this is also a chance for

us to put ourselves in the shoes

of the people we serve.

When our job seekers enter or

reenter the world of work, they

often find themselves in a system

that they do not know how to

navigate. They may not agree

with or understand the new rules

to which they find themselves

accountable. Our role is to walk

with them in this journey so they

can find their resiliency, their

voice and their internal locus of

control to face the challenges

before them.

shorter this year with the dates

being October 14 and 15. This

newsletter is packed with infor-

mation about this awesome

opportunity for professional

development. The conference is

built around three tracks -- eth-

ics, motivational interviewing,

and legal issues. Jami Schwick-

erath has done an amazing job

putting together a conference

where every session is a not-to-

be-missed opportunity to gain

important professional

knowledge and insight. It is a

shorter conference, compact but

powerful. I cannot wait to see

you there!

Pres ident’s Report

Brag and Steal 2015

The Brag & Steal Conference held on June 26th at the FFA Enrichment Center on the DMACC Ankeny campus was a success! Jennifer Mc Taggart, the events coordinator was great to work with, and the venue couldn’t have been better, and was quite reasonable for the caliber of accommodations included. Lunch was catered by Smokey D’s BBQ, who served a BBQ buffet. We had a great line up of dynamic speakers, covering topics related to collabora-tion, life after a spinal cord injury, assistive technology, community and work strategies for those expe-riencing a brain injury, and ethics. A special thanks to our speakers, Brian Dennis, Jenna Batten, Gary

Johnson, Kim Karwal, Rosie Thierer, Shannon Oakley, Dave Anders, David Demarest, Justin Bogers, and Matt Bruinekool. Thanks also to the committee members from DU-IRA: Millie Cowles, Jenna Batten, Kim Karwal, Ashlee Inman, and Gloria Graves, who developed the theme, presentation topics, and contacted speakers. Also, thanks to Marcia Gracey, Treasurer, who kept track of expenses and registrations. Although we wished that more would’ve attended, we had a total of 40 participants, and after ex-penses were paid, the conference almost broke even, losing $123. Conference registration, agenda and overview were sent to Iowa

Association of Community Provid-ers and Iowa State Association of Counties/Case Management & Mental Health Disability Services to forward to their members. Despite this, mostly Rehabilitation Counse-lors attended Brag & Steal this year. Evaluations included good and excellent marks, and here is a rep-resentation of the comments written: “the AT training was good”, “diversity of topics excel-lent”, “Brian’s presentation rocked.” Suggestions for improve-ments include, “presenters from the VA when discussing collabora-tion” “bringing in more stakehold-ers to attend” “less about out-comes, and more practical steps/

Special points of in-terest:

President’s Report

Brag and Steal Report

State Legislative Report

National Legislative

Report

IRA Achievement Award

IRA Conference Update

IRA Silent Auction

IRA BOARD

IRA Promotion

IRA Registration

IRA Conference 2015

Agenda

Iowa Rehabilitation

Association

Iowa Rehabilitation Association

September 2015

Diane Hernandez

President

tricks on how to get outcomes desired through partnering with other part-ners.”

Thank you for allowing me to serve as JPD President this year. I will be step-ping down from this position at this time to serve in other capacities, and will be more than happy to support and assist the next JPD president.

Sincerely,

Jackie Olson Leech

To paraphrase Infonet, the Iowa

Legislature decided this year that

Iowans needed higher gas taxes

to pay for road maintenance and

construction but didn’t need

medical marijuana, legal fire-

works, anti-bullying legislation,

betting on fantasy sports, and

any kind of gun laws, including

kids under 14 not being allowed

to use handguns. The highlights:

Education: Lawmakers agreed

on an increase of about 2.62

percent for the coming academic

year, but only 1.25 percent of

that additional money will be built

into the base for state aid to

districts. This was less than the

percentage wanted by Demo-

crats so as a concession, $55.7

million in additional one time

funding was approved by the

Legislature. This, however, was

vetoed by Gov. Terry Branstad.

There was no decision on school

aid for the 2016-17 academic

year. The Iowa Board of Regents

sought a 1.75 percent funding

increase to assure a third con-

secutive year without an under-

graduate tuition increase at the

three state universities. Lawmak-

ers provided a 1.25 percent

increase, however this was also

vetoed by Governor Branstad.

Schools are still trying to plan for

these cuts in funding and most

regent’s schools have decided to

raise tuition in the spring.

School Start: Lawmakers

agreed to set Aug. 23 as a start-

ing date for kindergarten-through

-12th grade classes statewide.

Broadband: Lawmakers ap-

proved legislation to expand high

-speed Internet service to under-

served communities. Whether it

will work or not is unknown.

Some are skeptical because the

grant program doesn't have any

state money for grants.

Mount Pleasant and Clarinda:

Although lawmakers voted to

keep these facilities open, the

governor vetoed that bill. Law-

makers are faced with a decision

of calling a special session to

see if they can override the veto,

which seems unlikely. There is a

court case now filed against the

Governor’s actions. There were

several articles in the newspa-

pers last weekend about former

residents of these facilities being

transferred to Care Centers that

aren’t equipped to deal with that

population.

Health and Human Services

budget: The Legislature did

approve a nearly 2 billion health/

NRA also had a concern regarding the elimi-nation of the requirement to re-train staff not meeting the VR agencies’ personnel stand-ards for qualified staff. PRE-EMPLOYMENT TRANSITION SER-VICES Under section 422, Pre-employment Transi-tion Services, the law indicates that State VR agencies are responsible for making these services available to “students with disabilities in need of such services who are eligible of potentially eligible for VR ser-vices.” The concern is that given this re-sponsibility students receiving these ser-vices may not have an approved and signed Individual Plan for Employment. The pro-posed definition of participant for VR ser-vices excludes a potentially large number of students to be served under pre-employment transition services and may not provide an accurate number of the total number of program participants being ser-viced by State VR. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO VETERANS The National Rehabilitation Association also commented that the draft NPRM of WIOA did not contain any language dealing with that. The National Rehabilitation Association recommended the inclusion of language that would support the technical assistance to veterans in the final NPRM. SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT The National Rehabilitation Association sought clarification and guidance in the regulations to support the availability of Supported Employment funds for the pay-

ment of extended services and if were in-tended to supplement, not supplant funds that States establish a 50% set asides of Supported employment funds for youth with disabilities a 10% state match for these funds. There were other areas that NRA comment-ed on including comparable services and benefits; identifying the definition of certain information if an individual is receiving below minimum wage; one stop career centers being both physically and programmatically accessible, as well as other issues. It is anticipated that these comments will be considered with final regulations being devel-oped in either the fall or early next year. As it is the season of Presidential candidates coming to Iowa to get their names and views out prior to the caucuses, if you have the opportunity, meet with them, even if they might not be of your own party to find out their views on legislation pertaining to per-sons with disabilities, etc. By: Ellen Sokolowski

Following the signing of the Workforce Invest-ment Act, a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) was sent out to various parties. The National Rehabilitation Association shared concerns in a variety of areas. Highlights of those are listed below. COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM OF PERSON-NAL DEVELOPMENT (CSPD): The National Rehabilitation Association ex-pressed concern about the addition of a busi-ness degree in WIOA as a credential for be-coming a qualified rehabilitation counselor. NRA viewed the business degree as being supplemental to a Master’s Degree in Rehabil-itation Counseling and not to supplant the higher standard in state, which is the Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling. There was language in the bill which identified “other comparable requirements.” A request was made the RSA Commissioner identify and define other comparable requirements as the skills domain of personnel providing VR ser-vices. It was recommended that these areas include (a) competence in guidance and coun-seling; (b) knowledge and application of the medical and psychological aspects of disabil-ity; (c) knowledge and application of vocational testing, assessment strategies and application of transferrable skills; (d) working knowledge and integration of labor market data and disa-bility employment policy; (e) competence in providing the services required to develop and implement individualized career plans hat assist persons with disabilities in successful employment in a competitive, integrated work environment.


National Legis lative Report

State Legis lative Report

human service budget, the highlight of

which was the enacting of the ABLE Act,

which allows people with disabilities to

have tax free savings accounts. For more

details about the human service budget,

go here: http://www.infonetiowa.org/

news/#article-359

Medicaid: DHS is having a public com-

ment period for changes to Medicaid

waivers, related to the Iowa High Quality

health Care Initiative. Through this initia-

tive, the State will contract with private

health organizations for delivery of health

care services for the majority of current

populations and services in the Iowa

Medicaid program. For more details

about how to comment and the deadlines

for public input, go to: http://

iddcouncil.idaction.org/news/41-dhs-

announces-public-comment-period/

By: Jeffrey Morgan

http://www.infonetiowa.org/news/#article-359

http://www.infonetiowa.org/news/#article-359

http://iddcouncil.idaction.org/news/41-dhs-announces-public-comment-period/



IRA Achievement Award Nominations

Nominations are being accepted for the following awards, which will be given at the 2015 IRA Conference

(Applications can be found on the IRA website at http://

www.iraiowa.org/awards.html) Chuck Wood Memorial Award This award is given to recognize the achievements of a person with a disability who has at-tained a high level of independence, self-reliance, and self-sufficiency in the community. Some-one who has demonstrated achievement of his/her goal of independence in community and personal life.

Bill Donohue Memorial Award This award is provided to a professional who has demonstrated the most outstanding efforts in placing Iowans with disabilities. The recipient of the Bill Donohue Award will be presented with a plaque and savings bond. There is no requirement of being involved with JPD, IRA or NRA.

IRCEA Counselor of the Year Award This award is specific to an individual who has given time and commitment beyond the call of duty. The nominee must be a current member of the NRCA/IRA and be verified as working as a rehabilitation counselor.

Gerry Byers Award for Outstanding Service Gerry Byers spent most of his adult life dedicated to helping persons with disabilities achieve their employment goals, and to the Iowa and national Rehabilitation Association. he spent 30 plus years employed as a placement specialist for the Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services in the Council Bluffs area. As a member of NRA/IRA he was tireless in his efforts, particularly in the area of membership. Often the recipient of a free membership in the association (but al-ready a life member) he would donate the free membership to a new person. He rarely missed a state, regional, or training conference and throughout his tenure held several offices. he was a Bill Donohue Award recipient, and the national Margaret Fairbairn Award recipient for his ex-emplary achievement in job placement.

Please send submissions for Awards to:

Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Attn: Michelle Dickerson 510 E 12

th Street

Des Moines, IA 50319

IRA Conference Update

Make plans now to attend the Iowa Rehabilitation Association Conference on October 14th and 15th in Ames. The conference is coming together quite smoothly and registrations are now open to sign up to attend as the early bird deadline is September 22nd. Topics that you will see at the conference include: Motivational Interviewing, Ethics, and Legal with topics that include the legal aspects of working with youth who have guardians, and other special populations such as individuals who have Immigrant Visas. This is an amazing opportunity to get those ethics CEUs, and gain insight into a proven approach to helping people overcome ambivalence that gets in the way of change. We are so fortunate to have the people who are at the top of their profession, such as Candace Peters, Dr. John Lui, Dr. Robert Stensrud, and Richard Madden, presenting at this year's conference. It's a shorter, more compact schedule this year, but will be time well spent. Those in attendance will walk away assured that they have new tools to improve their efficacy and work with individuals facing challenges. This year the conference will be at the Quality Inn & Starlite Village Conference Center (2601 East 13th St., Ames, IA). This is a place that has treated us very well in the past, so we are happy to bring it back to that hotel. The conference is fast approaching on October 14th & 15th. It is a half -day on Wednesday to accommodate travel and a full day on Thursday. I welcome you to come and be part of IRA!

By: Jami Schwickerath

IRA

SILENT

AUCTION

As the conference quickly approaches, we are beginning to focus on our 2015 Silent Auction

and Raffle items. There will be a large variety of items to bid on, from homemade specialties

to basket bundles. We will also have raffle drawings throughout both days.

This is where we need your help! As we put together our auction, we are asking for donations

from our members to continue to grow the auction as much as possible.

Below are suggestions to acquire items for our IRA auction:

1. Are you creative? Do you have a hobby or craft? Please consider donating an item for the

auction.

2. Do you know anyone who does the same as above? Or someone who does home sales,

such as Scentsy or Lia Sophia? Ask friends and family if they have anything they would be

willing to donate!

Have any questions? Please contact Michelle Dickerson at 515-281-5395

President: Diane Hernandez 515-321-5393 [email protected]

President-Elect: Jami Schwickerath 507-259-3549 [email protected]

Past President: Lindsay Walker 641-799-5888 [email protected]

Vice President: Michelle Dickerson 515-612-4929 [email protected]

Secretary: Ellen Bunkers 515-669-3339 [email protected]

Treasurer: Janelle Burger 641-895-1938 [email protected] Preferred mailing address (for checks): 6210 Rockwell Dr. NE #204 Cedar Rapids, IA 52402

Legislative Co-Chair: Ellen Sokolowski 712-254-1021 [email protected]

Legislative Co-Chair:Jeffrey Morgan 319-354-4766 [email protected]

Bi-Laws Chair: Rosie Thierer 515-577-3562 [email protected]

Publications Editor: Alice Castle 563-451-6834 [email protected]

Publications Editor: Kevin Dalin 515-401-5089 [email protected]

Membership Chair: Shannon Myers 515-661-8597 [email protected]

Board Members at Large: Matt Bruinekool Brian Dennis Shannon Myers Kera Oestreich Todd Ohnesorge

IRA Board (Dates of position are for one calendar year, with the exception of the treasurer, secretary, and board members at large which are for two years)

IRA is looking for persons to serve on the 2016 board. We have three open board positions and will be elect-ing a treasurer, secretary, and president elect. If you have nominations, please contact Diane Hernandez at [email protected].

mailto:[email protected]













IOWA REHABILITATION

ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

OCTOBER 14 & 15, 2015

Make plans NOW to attend the Annual Iowa Rehabilitation Association Conference

in Ames, Iowa. Network with professionals in your field and hear

TOPICS OF:

-Effective Motivational Interviewing

-Reasonable Accommodations with Assistive Technology

-Understanding the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.

Rooms can be booked now at the Quality Inn at $65 per night with a Valid State of Iowa ID—reference “IRA Confer-

ence”

Quality Inn and Suites Starlite Village Conference Center

Ames, IA

IOWA REHABILITATION

ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE

Quality Inn & Starlite Village Conference Center

NAME:______________________________ADDRESS:_______________________________

CITY: ___________________________________STATE:_______________ZIP:____________

PHONE:_________________CELL:_________________EMAIL:________________________

NAME TO BE ON NAMETAG:____________________________________________________

***EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION DUE: September 22nd, 2015

Wednesday, Thursday, Both Days

October 14th October 15th Both 14 &15

A) IRA Member $50.00 $89.00 $99.00 $_______

B) Non IRA Member $60.00 $105.00 $115.00 $_______

C) Student Member $25.00 $40.00 $50.00 $_______

LATE REGISTRATION (AFTER September 14th, 2015)

Wednesday, Thursday, Both Days

October 14th October 15th Both 14 &15

A) IRA Member $70.00 $120.00 $130.00 $_______

B) Non IRA Member $85.00 $140.00 $150.00 $_______

C) Student Member $40.00 $60.00 $70.00 $_______

Additional attendees for Thursday's Award Luncheon- $20 per guest x ___#Guests $_______

GRAND TOTAL:$_____________

Special accommodations/requests:

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________

REGISTER NOW FOR THE

2015

IRA CONFERENCE!

Rooms can be booked now at the Quality Inn at $65 per night with a Valid State of Iowa ID –reference “IRA Conference”.

Mail form and payment to: Jami Schwickerath, 14243 80th Street, Lime Springs, IA 52155


IOWA REHABILITATION ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE

OCTOBER 14TH & 15TH

QUALITY INN & SUITES STARLITE VILLAGE CONFERENCE CENTER

2601 E 13TH

ST.

AMES, IA

Wednesday, October 14th, 2015

8:30-11:45 Registration open

12:00-1:15 General Session: Recruiting, Retaining and Honoring Federal Employees with Disabilities, Michael Murray

Learning Objectives:

Develop a greater understanding of the steps the Federal government is taking to become a model employer for people with disabilities.

Examine best practices various employers are utilizing to recruit and retain people with disabilities.

Strategize ways to implement these best practices at their place of employment.

1:15-1:30 Break

1:30-2:45 Legislative Session General, Lisa Heddens, BA


Participants will have an opportunity to hear from legislators about the changes made in the mental health redesign.

Questions about the closing of state mental health institutions and the move to managed care will be addressed.

Legislators will share their goals and ideas about the upcoming legislative session.

Participants will have a chance to learn about how they can become involved in the legislative process.

2:45-3:00 Break

3:00-4:30 Session 1: ApprenticeshipUSA, Richard Madden


Provide an overview of Registered Apprenticeship.

Discuss earning while learning.

Learn about Veterans Benefits and Registered Apprenticeships.

Session 2: More Money, Fewer Problems: The Basics of SSI/SSDI, Brian Dennis, MS


Discover the best Social Security Work Incentives to use for people receiving SSDI or SSI.

Understand the steps involved in accessing your individualized work incentive information.

Answer the tough questions:

Can I work and still receive my Social Security check?

If I work what will happen to my medical coverage?

What work incentives are available to me from Social Security?

Are there work incentives with any other state program receive?

Session 3: The Ethics of Technology Use in Rehabilitation, Dr. John Lui, Ph.D., MBA, CRC, PVE


Develop an understanding of ethical issues that surround the day- to- day routines in the use of technology in rehabilitation practice - business practices and

service provision.

Identify applicable ethical guidelines/standards for the application of technology use in rehabilitation practices.

Analyze and discuss the recognized ethical issues in the application of technology in the business practices and service provision in rehabilitation service

delivery.

Create solutions and operationalize choices for ethical rehabilitation practice.

4:30 Adjourn

4:45 IRA Board Meeting

6:00 Social Hour

7:00-10:00 Activity

Thursday, October 15th, 2015

7:00-8:30 President’s Breakfast

8:00- 8:30 Registration open

8:30-10:00 Session 1: Motivational Interviewing: Concepts and Strategies- Preparing for Change, Candace Peters, MA


Describe key elements in Motivational Interviewing and barriers for change.

Identify Motivational Interviewing steps and strategic direction.

Establish and integrate Motivational Interviewing skills.

Session 2: Counselor Administration and Ethical Use of CareerScope Online, John Reeves, MA


Understanding the administration, scoring and reporting of a CareerScope Assessment.

Selection and emphasis of interpretation of the resulting CareerScope recommendations.

Ethical considerations of appropriate use with individuals, and how to find reliability and validity.

Considerations of using assessment recommendations at face value.

Session 3: Ex-Offender Employment, Lynn Slykhuis, MS, OWDS


Gain an understanding of the costs of correctional supervision and the population size.

Learn, from the employers’ standpoint, why businesses hire ex-offenders.

Acquire tips to assist clients.

10:00-10:15 Break

10:15-11:45 Session 1: Motivational Interviewing: Concepts and Strategies- From Spirit to Practice, Candace Peters, MA





Session 2: The Ethics of Customized Employment, Ashlea Lantz, BA


This session will explore what is Customized Employment and apply current ethical guidelines used in the industry (Code of Professional Ethics for Rehabili-

tation Counselors, APSE Ethical Guidelines for Professionals, Principles of the Rehabilitation Act, Responsibilities of VR per Title I and RSA principles)

reviewing their application to Customized Employment practices.

This training will help prepare counselors address the core concepts and ethics surrounding customized employment.

The training is designed for vocational rehabilitation counselors and employment specialists who support individuals with the most significant disabilities.

Session 3: Iowa Aftercare: How Can We Work Together? Joanie Havel, LBSW & Kelli Noveshen, LBSW


To gain an understanding of the Iowa Aftercare Services Network (IASN) and the services we provide to youth that age out of foster care.

To understand the eligibility requirements of Aftercare and how it affects other benefits/services.

To know when and how Aftercare should or should not be involved.

11:45 -12:00 Break

12.00-1:00 Awards Luncheon

1:00-1:15 Break

1:15-2:45 Session 1: Motivational Interviewing: Concepts and Strategies: Integrating MI Skills, Candace Peters, MA





Session 2: Are Evidence-Based Practice Guidelines Ethical?, Dr. Robert Stensrud, Ed.D., CRC


Participants will understand:

The methodology by which evidence-based practices are developed and implemented.

How evidence-based practices are used to develop practice guidelines.

The impact of following practice guidelines on counseling plan formation and reimbursement.

The impact of these factors on consumers regarding their input into interventions and their actual knowledge of the potential impact of following these prac-

tice guidelines.

Session 3: Guardianships, John Gish, J. D. & Scott Lyons, J. D.


Will cover rights of wards under guardianship and conservatorship.

Less restrictive alternatives.

Specific issues in substitute decision-making such as relationships and diet.

2:45-3:00 Break

3:00-4:30 Session 1: Motivational Interviewing: Concepts and Strategies- From Evoking to Planning, Candace Peters, MA





Session 2: Ethics and Inclusion, Breanne Ward, MS, LMHC, CRC & Maria Alonzo-Diaz, MS


Strategize ways to improve the representation of communities of color at all levels of the organization and integrate people with disabilities and Veterans.

Create an inclusive work environment that fosters creativity and innovation and promotes colleague engagement.

Start conversations with HR and management to build accountability for their organization diversity & inclusion goals and objectives.

Session 3: Immigration Documents and Their Use, Chuck Pratt, BA


Determine the types of documents provided by various federal agencies and the purpose of the documents.

Explain how the documents may be used for multiple purposes.

Discuss the validity of the documents issued by various federal agencies and when multiple types of documentation may be needed.

Review of how the documentation may be used for obtaining benefits and complying with organizations requesting documentation.

4:30 Adjourn

4:45 IRA Board Meeting