Image provided by: The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs; Warm Springs, OR
About Spilyay tymoo. (Warm Springs, Or.) 1976-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 5, 2000)
Spilyay Tymoo Warm Springs, Oregon October 5, 2000 3 Vocation Rehabilitation Department holds open house "1 i. - ;'' ' The Warm Springs Voca ': tional Rehabilitation program held an Open House Wednesday, ' September 20 to share with the 'public what the program does and 1 the people they serve. Brief tours ' were conducted, and staff were available to meet the public and 1 'answer questions, f ' ' Successful clients who went '"through the program were also on hand throughout the day. Most shared their success stories and spoke of the assistance they ' received from the program that helped them to achieve employ ment. Successful clients spoke of the places they worked and how they enjoyed their jobs. Two VR Board Members, Emma Smith and Dr. Creelman, were present showing their support f "l ; Walt Quinn, Private Janitorial j Contractor j Employed since 1997 j Disability: Addiction How did VR Help? They helped me to realize the difference between an addictive path versus a get-out-of-life-what-I-want path. I enjoyed the talking more than anything else because that's what I needed most. There was a connection. :"L' ? - j H - Lori Switzler, Senior Staff Accountant, Tribal Finance, pictured with Dr. Creelman, ' ' Second Term on VR Advisory Board' '"Employed since 1197 " ''Disability: Rheumatoid Arthritis .' How did VR Help? Computer training at COCC, vehicle repair, on-the-job training contract, insurance, and professional office clothing. ' I also received support in dealing with my disability and how it effects 'tnyjob. I appreciate the support of the staff and the program intent. I 'am glad VR is here to help others like me. : to people with Disabilities. Other Board members include: Chaz Mitchell, Carol Parra, Leo Wash ington, Harold Blackwolf, Charlotte Pitt, and Mitch Conley. The Open House was well attended. To commemorate the occasion free T-Shirts, Magnets, and Pens were given out, Food and snacks were available, and informa tion was displayed, including the Mission Statement & Goals, Eligibility Criteria, Examples of Disabilities & Substantial Impedi ments, Listing of Advisory Board Members, Policy Manual, Annual , Budget, Year-To-Date Consumer Statistics, Current Project Period Consumer Statistics, Program Costs, and a Client Case File Example. The VR program is 100 Successful Clients. These are individuals who over a minimum four-month period, had worked either part-time 90 consecutive days. This is the Federal standard that must be met in order to successfully close a person John Finch, Warehouseman, Food Commodities Warehouse Employed since 2397 (with a break) Disability: Addiction How did VR Help? Guidance and putting me in touch with other resources that were available to me. I received an on-the-job training contract, vehicle repair, CPR training, and computer training. I ' J I -- k K J- federally funded and operates on a Fiscal Year (October to September). No funds from the Warm Springs Tribal Budget supports the opera tion of the VR Program. VR has been in operation in Warm Springs since October 1992. At the end of this month, VR is ending their first year of a five-year Grant. There are 55 Indian VR programs in the United States. Each must compete for funding. There are only two Indian VR programs in Oregon, they are Warm Springs and Grand Ronde. Because citizens all across the United States pay Federal taxes, VR cannot limit services to only Warm Springs Tribal Members. They must serve any Native American as long as he or she meets all eligibil ity criteria. ' If. pi Marena Florez, Registrar, Boys & Girls Club. Employed since 5800 Disability: Addiction How VR Helped: increased confidence and self-esteem, obtained stability in my life, supported me in getting my ODL back, and helped me with transpor tation problems, Marena enjoys . working with the Boys & Girls . -Club. Their mission is to provide a positive, safe place for kids and teens to inspire and enable all young people to realize their full potential as productive and respon sible caring citizens. ,' Marlon LeClaire, Press Operator, Warm Springs Composite Products Employed since 398 Disability: Addiction . How did VR Help? Helped with GED, on-the-job training contract, and getting the job I have now. I am glad they were there to support me and give me guidance. They're really good People. 1 r 1 r" , t-r I 'S II IT I.. I. .11. A. . -... r !' 0 X' (Staff Picture) left to right. Front row: Laurel Wheeler, secretary, George Aguilar Jr, counselor, Lucinda Jim, secretary assistant. Back Row: Rhonda Atencio, intake coordinator and statistician, Cecil Ballou, counselor, and Tricia Sahme, director. Not pictured is Corina Brunoe. Corina is on Maternity Leave until December. Rhonda Atencio is filling in while she is on leave. Also, Jonathan Smith who is preparing to return to Mt, Hood Community College. Jon worked with VR for the summer. . Lamont Brown, Groundskeeper & Custodian, Museum at Warm Springs Employed since 0300 Disability: Addiction How VR Helped: I was jailed - and a friend referred me to VR. VR helped me get the charges dropped. I have been sober and tree or marijuana since May 1999. Each day makes my sobriety get easier. It took me 15 months to get my ODL back. I also run a lawn mowing business on the side called MowMo. VR also helped me with computer classes. I use the comput- ..' ers at work to change the room ' temperatures and control the heat pumps. Randy Scott, Realty Technician Employed since 1996 How did VR Help? I got back on my feet. I was incarcerated and was able to get a Work Release. VR helped me to get a chance to prove myself at the job by offering a "on-the-job" contract where they reimbursed the employer my wages at 100 the first month, 80 the second, and 50 the third. By the end of the reimbursement time, I proved that I could do the job, show up to work, and get it done. So I was hired after that. r I I ,""" s i m n 1 v . f or full-time in a job for more than from the VR program. Sandy Henry, Secretary Purchasing Agent, Warm Springs Police Department Employed since 899 - n, Disability: Addiction ! n " How VR Helped: They " Helped me with day-to-day problems at work and in my personal life. VR provided fuel, clothing, transportation and computer classes to help me maintain my job. Emma Smith, Secretary, Tribal Relations, Second Term on VR Advisory Board Employed since 1997 Disability: Addiction How did VR Help? Sup ported me, I am more confident, I've come to terms morally, I received help with clothing, fuel, vehicle repair, and have made new friendships. iiill VR Mission The mission of the Vocational Rehabilitation program is to help Native Americans WITH DIS ABILITIES obtain, maintain, or become promoted in employment. The eligibility criteria are: 1) Bean enrolled member of a federally recognized Indian tribe. 2) Reside on the WS Indian Reservation or within a 65-mile radius. 3) Have a physical or mental disability that can be confirmed by a professional. 4) That disability must result in a Thank you for success The Vocational Rehabilitation program director, Tricia Sahme, would like to thank the following people for making the day a success: Jonathan Smith for working with the program during the summer and getting the Policy Manual updated. Jon also designed and ordered the T Shirts, Magnets, and Pens. Jon will be returning to college majoring in computer sciences at Mt Hood Community College. Lucinda Jim for greeting our customers and helping at the Reception Desk. Lucinda is on assignment at VR until October and is supported by Work Force Develop ment. Marcia Givens for answering the phones and recording messages. Laurel Wheeler for conducting the Tours, helping our customers feel welcomed, and keeping us all organized. Rhonda Atencio for distributing the Give-A-Way items and managing the Reception Desk, especially since she was not feeling well that day. Cecil Ballou for conducting the Orienta tions and providing a Q&A session for the participants. George Aguilar Jr for volunteering to answer questions and conducting Orientations. George also prov ided support and entertainment with his wonderful sense of humor and his ability to use "story telling" to demonstrate his points. George acts as program director during Tricia's absence. KWSO Radio for the public service announcements, Spilyay Tymoo for Publishing the event ahead of time, and Food Commodities Warehouse for letting us borrow their refrigerator to hold our food and refreshments. And lastly, all the people who attended and were interested in the program. Without you and your support, w e w ouldn"t be here! You give us job satisfaction. r ' Jack Quinn, Bookkeeper, Unitel Inc., Portland Employed since 400 Disability: Addiction ' How did VR Help? Encour aged the opportunity and interest in office work and to pursue my hobbies. VR supported continuing education. IOwae rfs(k tip , j " r substantial impediment to employ ment. (Definition of a Substantial Impediment: Disability which impedes an individual's occupa tional performance by preventing or making very difficult his or her obtaining, retaining, or preparing for employment consistent with his or her capabilities and abilities.) If you are interested in the program, VR holds weekly Orienta tions on Monday at 3 p.m. Anyone interested in learning more about the program is invited to attend. n " , -1 ' ' tv- ' '"" -r-.r1 i i - X ' Ol 1