American Indian Advisory Council Minutes from March 18, 2003
Welcome and Introductions by June Kuehn, District Administrator, and Mary Helen Leyva, Vocational Counselor Department of Rehabilitation
Guest Speaker June Kuehn, DA Dept. of Rehabilitation
Impact of State Budget on Dept. of Rehabilitation (DOR) – 2% cut in staffing (9 positions lost). The Department is not anticipating any layoffs or change in the current Order of Selection categories impacting services to consumers. However, there are plans to shift the Habilitation section to Dept. of Developmental Services.
Community Colleges are anticipating a 45% cut in staffing. Disabled Student Program Services staff reductions will impact DOR budget i.e. cuts in American Sign Language interpreter services. DOR position is to provide the service when comparable benefits are not available in order to minimize the negative impact on the consumer.
Medi-Cal is facing significant funding cutbacks. Cutbacks in the purchasing of aids and devices for disabled consumers will shift the cost to DOR.
Senate Bill 105 – With the passing of SB 105, the DOR has been in the process of creating a new Division for services to blind and visually impaired consumers, effective July 1, 2003. Guest Speaker Jennifer Villalobos Native Share Varenchik & Associates
Jennifer is a consultant with experience in working with American Indian youth. Native Share provides job information, scholarship information, and general information about American Indian events in the community. She holds workshops in “Prepare for Success.” The professional makeover has been very successful in transitioning individuals from military to civilian life. Jennifer can be reached at http;//groups.yahoo.com/group/nativeshare/
Guest Speaker Manny Enriquez Interwork Institute San Diego State University
As part of the Interwork Institute of San Diego State University, Manny has been developing the following projects:
1. The National Rehabilitation Leadership Institute, a program for new Directors of Rehabilitation Programs nationwide. The program covers current issues and legislation impacting vocational rehabilitation agencies. In addition, seminars focus on: Systems Change Organizational Development Cultural Issues i.e. underserved populations.
2. Recruiting for the Masters in Rehab Counseling (MSRC), an on-line / distance learning program through San Diego State University . 3. Post-Employment Training of American Indian Rehabilitation (PET/AIR) is a project specifically for leadership development for American Indians in the vocational rehabilitation field. The focus is on meeting the needs of underserved populations: Tribal politics Limited resources Rural contexts / covering vast distances
* Scholarships for the MSRC and PET/AIR are available through Rehabilitation Services Administration, contact Interwork Institute at http://www.interwork.sdsu.edu/
4. San Diego State also received a grant for a student exchange program. Mexico, Canada, and the U.S. are exchanging students to develop a common language on vocational rehab issues. An example is a common definition and understanding of accessibility needs such as architectural barriers.
5. Increasing successful employment outcomes of monolingual and bilingual for Department of Rehabilitation consumers. The goal is to develop a model that can be imitated by other cultural groups. The goal is to develop an “empowerment model” to support confidence and trust between the Counselor and Consumer.
* Manny invites you to share your ideas on these projects. E- mail address: [email protected]
Open Discussion
Southern California Indian Center provides employment and training services, see http://www.indiancenter.org for details. The Center is seeing a high percentage of convicted felons coming out of prison and needing comprehensive services and help reintegrating into the community. SCIC no longer has funding for their mobility health van program as of March 15, 2003. Also, no longer provide legal services.
Torres-Martinez Tribal TANF in City of Commerce has tripled the size of their caseload since opening last summer. Their official Open House is scheduled for July 2003.
Discussion on the need for DOR staff presence on the reservations and the difficulties in making that happen. Barbara Madson, DOR Laguna Hills office of the San Diego District, is developing an outreach program for the Juaneno Band of Mission Indians of the Acjachmen Nation. Steve Rockett, DA, DOR Riverside District, shared their efforts in outreach to several American Indian tribes in that area. Steve suggested inviting Suzanne Malson, State Rehabilitation Council member to the AIAC meetings.
Candelaria American Indian Center (CAIC) “Spring Gathering and Fundraiser” March 30, 2003 at 593 E. Main Street, Ventura. For information call (805) 650-8352 CAIC is closing their Santa Barbara office. Ernestine Lopez will still cover Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties from the Candelaria office, 1650 Palma Drive, suite 101, Ventura. Since Santa Barbara was a one-person office, Ernestine needed to stay in the office. Now, she will be able to do more resource development for Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo.
DOR Committee on Unserved and Underserved is on hold due to budget issues. However, June Kuehn has member’s applications and will keep us informed. United American Indian Involvement (UAII) outreach program to Veterans going very well. UAII provides guidance and advocacy on services available to Vets through the Veterans Administration. For details contact Tony Lilhawk at e-mail [email protected]
Native Share invites you to view their web site for information on 5K Run March 30th fundraiser, American Indian Youth basketball tournament at UCLA, and other current events.
5th Annual Cinco de Mayo Career Expo sponsored by Diversity Employment on Thursday, May 1, 2003 at Hollywood Park, 3883 Century Blvd. Inglewood, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Diversity Employment Services (DOR Commerce) will be providing a soft skills workshop focusing on After you got the Job. No date yet.
Thank you to our hosts for this meeting: Mary Helen Leyva, June Kuehn, and Ken Iwasaki
Next Meeting: July 23, 2003 Hosted by Susie Yellowhorse Jensen, Southern California Indian Center, City of Commerce
If you have Agenda items for next meeting please e-mail Susie Yellowhorse Jensen at [email protected]