By Amanda Race, MA, CRC, Coordinator/Certified Rehabilitation Counselor
Our Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation (TVR) Program is 29 years old! You may not have heard of us because we maintain confidentiality on who we provide services to in the region, however our clients have been known to talk about our TVR services to others and how we can help. As of October 2023, TVR is included in the 477 Plan within TCC and we plan to coordinate even more with the programs identified in the plan.
We will begin year 1 of a new 5-year grant staring October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2029 from Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) within the Department of Education. The program is one of 11 Tribal programs in Alaska and part of the larger family of 93 American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation (AIVR) Programs nationwide from Alaska to Georgia serving over 6,000 Alaska Natives and American Indians with disabilities. The complete listing can be found at https://aivrttac.org/aivrs-projects/ . We coordinate with programs such as Employment & Training, Education, TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families), General Assistance, the State of Alaska Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), Alaska Independent Living Centers (such as Access AK in Fairbanks), our regional school districts and Veteran’s Affairs to provide culturally appropriate vocational rehabilitation services to eligible Tribal Members living in the TCC service area.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR SERVICES?
Anyone enrolled in an Alaska Native Village, Corporation or Native American Indian Tribe from the Lower 48 with a documented permanent physical or mental disability may be eligible. If your disability interferes with your ability to get or keep a job or to fully participate in a Subsistence lifestyle, you may be eligible for services. We determine eligibility within 60 days after reviewing your medical information and application. Tribal member’s age 18 to 64 years must live in the TCC service area or in their Village. Providing current Medical documentation of your permanent disability and a copy of your Tribal ID with your application will help us determine eligibility faster. There are no income restrictions and this is a voluntary program.
WHAT HELP IS AVAILABLE?
The overall purpose of TVR is to help people go to work, which could be competitive employment, self-employment, or Subsistence activities. The program counselors work one-on-one with each person to begin the process by identifying an employment goal to become self-sufficient. Examples of services provided include vocational counseling and guidance (or case management); referral to other health service providers as needed; training; purchase of supplies, tools, equipment, and/or materials needed to succeed. If eligible, we can assist with purchase of eyeglasses, hearing aids, and prosthetics (not already covered by medical benefits); and job related services that include job search referrals, on-the-job training, and job coach or mentoring services. The type of assistance the program provides is based on individual needs: no two Individualized Plans for Employment (IPE) are identical. ALL information is confidential and no one is given any information without having written & signed consent from the applicant.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!
TCC was awarded this grant on behalf of the Tribes within the TCC service area for the past 29 years. Thank you to the TCC Executive Board for signing Resolution 2024-02 and several other TVR programs, Fairbanks Native Association, State DVR, the Interior Independent Living Center Access, AK, Fairbanks Resource Agency and the Governor’s Council on Disabilities & Special Education who also supported TVR with letters of support to apply for these federal grant funds on your behalf!
HOW TO REACH US:
Please call us toll-free 800-478-6822 or locally at (907) 452-8251, extension 3232 or 3329. We are part of the Workforce Development Department, including Employment & Training in the Family Services & Supports Division on the 5th floor at the Chief Peter John Tribal Building. Our fax number is (907) 459-3883.
Amanda Race, the Program Coordinator/Counselor, can be contacted by email at amanda.race@tananachiefs.org. Sean Rice, TVR Counselor, can be reached at sean.rice@tananachiefs.org extension 3329. We currently have 1 vacancy for Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors. Interested persons may apply for those positions at www.tananachiefs.org/careers
Please check us out at Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation Program – Tanana Chiefs Conference or we can mail or fax you a short Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation Application & Brochure at your request.
Please feel free to stop by the office or if we are traveling to your Village, please look for our Outreach Fliers posted in your local Tribal Offices. We will travel and bring the services to you!