Join the Rule Advisory Committee to help update youth services and rate setting rules
The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program is seeking your help in updating rules affecting how VR delivers services to youth with disabilities. Staff from programs that provide contracted services to youth and young adults are invited to apply to be a volunteer on VR's Rule Advisory Committee (RAC).
The committee is set to meet Nov. 27 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. to review the draft rules regarding youth services and rates VR pays contractors to deliver these services. To participate, submit an electronic application by 5 p.m. Nov. 20.
The committee is tasked with reviewing and commenting on proposed changes to youth services provided in Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 582 Division 150: Transition Services and Coordination for Students and Youth with Disabilities. VR staff will review all input and may modify the proposed rules before seeking public input in December 2023 and January 2024.
More information is provided in our Nov. 14 news release.
Questions? Contact Robin Brandt at robin.l.brandt@odhs.oregon.gov or 503-507-5226.
Community of Practice meetings to kick off Dec. 11
Save the date for Community of Practice meetings the second Monday of every month from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. These meetings will kick of Dec. 11. We'll send out a follow-up email with the meeting link soon.
These meetings will be open to VR staff and contracted youth services providers. For the format, we are trying something new! We will begin with a soft welcome followed by a brief (no more than five minutes) update on progress toward our new contracts and resources and supports. This update will be recorded and posted on our YTP page. We will follow the recorded update with unrecorded time for discussion, questions and answers. It is our hope this approach accommodates everyone’s’ varied and full schedules while making what is most important easily accessible to a wide audience.
Enter Pre-ETS by Dec. 15
To support the continued effort of fixing our data reporting system, we need all second quarter Pre-ETS (Oct 1 - Dec 31) entered by December 15, 2023.
Save the date for February trainings
We are planning a series of regional trainings in February. These will be two-day trainings held around the state with a virtual option for those who cannot attend in person.
Trainings will be offered two consecutive days during the following weeks and regions. Day 1 will be for VR staff; Day 2 will be for VR and current YTP teams.
We will share exact dates, locations and venues soon.
- Eastern and central Oregon: Feb. 5 – 9
- North coast: Feb. 12 – 16
- Southern Oregon: Feb. 19 – 23
- Gorge: Feb. 26 – 29
- Mid-Willamette Valley: March 4 – 8
Meet the Youth Services team
The youth team is growing! I am pleased to introduce our four Youth Services Coordinators. We are currently recruiting for a fifth Youth Service Coordinator to serve Southern Oregon.
The Youth Services Coordinators are your regional leads for training, technical assistance support and any questions related to youth contracts.
In these roles are:
Desiree Berry serves central and eastern Oregon.
Desiree comes into her new role with 14 years of experience in disability services with a focus on education and employment. She brings a diverse perspective through her experience working at the Center for Independent Living, as well as in supported employment, school transition programing, YTP and most currently in VR as the Pre-Employment Transition Services Coordinator. Her passion is empowering youth, and she is a trained facilitator in PATH, Motivational Interviewing and Person-Centered Planning as well a trainer for Supported Decision Making and M.E.G.I.
Outside of work Desiree can be found enjoying the central Oregon outdoors camping, hiking, kayaking, snowshoeing and more with her husband, three daughters and their families.
Reach Desiree at desiree.berry@odhs.oregon.gov.
|
Derek Hill recently joined VR as the Youth Services Coordinator for the east side of the Portland Metro area and the Gorge.
Derek has nine years of experience within Vocational Rehabilitation in a variety of roles, most recently as a Program Analyst for the Oregon Commission for the Blind. Derek started in social service as a volunteer with AmeriCorps and Peace Corps, and earned his master’s degree in social work in 2013.
Moving to Portland from eastern Washington in 2007, Derek worked for seven years supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, first in employment services then as a brokerage personal agent. Derek has been a strong advocate for Employment First initiatives and collaborated in transition services such as the Youth Transition Program, the Seamless Transition Pilot, and Project SEARCH.
Outside of work, Derek enjoys spending time with his dogs, spouse and 3-year-old playing at the park, gardening and planning wooden train track systems.
Reach Derek at derek.r.hill2@odhs.oregon.gov.
|
MaryLynn Parks recently joined VR as the Youth Services Coordinator for Linn, Lane, Benton and Lincoln counties.
MaryLynn Parks graduated from Western Oregon University's Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling master’s program in 2017 and obtained her certification as a Rehabilitation Counselor. She dedicated six years as a VR counselor actively supporting individuals in their vocational endeavors and helping them navigate the challenges they faced. MaryLynn's passion lies in ensuring that youth in rural communities have access to equitable services, allowing them to thrive and succeed.
Outside of her professional life, MaryLynn enjoys living in the Pacific Northwest coast and embraces the joy of motherhood — she welcomed her first child in March of this year. She cherishes her role as a parent while also finding time to indulge in some leisurely activities, including watching Bravo TV.
Reach MaryLynn at marylynn.b.parks@odhs.oregon.gov.
|
C.J. Webb has transitioned from Pre-Employment Transition Services Program Coordinator to a Youth Services Coordinator for Marion, Polk, Yamhill, Tillamook, Clatsop, Columbia and Washington Counties.
C.J. has worked for VR for almost six years as the Pre-ETS Program Coordinator. Prior to VR, she provided training and technical assistance about employment, including Oregon 12 Supported Employment Core Competencies and how to work with VR, along with Individual Support Plan training and Person Centered Thinking training. She has a degree in psychology with a focus on dance as therapy and human development. C.J. has worked in the disability field for over 30 years. She has worked for a provider organization, providing employment and residential services in both Oregon and Washington. She also had the pleasure of working on the Developmental Disabilities Employment Task Force, which was the group that drafted Oregon’s Employment First Policy.
Outside of work, C.J. enjoys spending time with her partner and their two cats, working in the garden, which includes nine fruit trees, and exploring the outdoors. She has been married for over 30 year, and they enjoy backpacking and cooking meals together. One of her greatest accomplishments is hiking to the top of Mt. Whitney, twice!
Reach C.J. at carolyn.webb@odhs.oregon.gov.
|
The VR Youth Team also includes Pre-ETS coordinators.
At a glance, these positions:
- Coordinate supports for students
- Coordinate services between schools and other partners for students
- Provide direct Pre-ETS to students
Whitnie Leiss is serving as Pre-ETS Coordinator for the state as we work quickly to fill three additional open positions.
She has a master’s in special education experience as a special education educator, Child Welfare case manager, and Aging and People with Disabilities (ADP) case manager. She specializes in making youth and the families she works with feel they have a voice. She finds joy from working with youth with disabilities and seeing them succeed.
Whitnie lives with her husband and two cats in Beaverton and enjoys camping, hiking, snowboarding, exploring, trying new food, and spending time with family.
Reach Whitnie at whitnie.k.leiss@odhs.oregon.gov.
Resources
Resources for Youth Transition Program Contractors
YTP Implementation Timeline
|
|
