State Rehabilitation Council

The State Rehabilitation Council advises the Vocational Rehabilitation and Blind Services program to improve policies, programs, and delivery of services through a collaborative effort with other agencies.

Membership of Council

The Council is composed of 22 members representing different disabilities, business, education, and advocacy groups. The members come from all parts of Montana, and over 50% of the members must have disabilities.

2024 Council Members. Names listed below image.

Left to right: Corrine Moore, Tommy Roberts, Barb Lowney, Gabrielle Broere, Kathy Hamton, Jean Schroeder, Tom Manthey, Jolene Weatherwax, Lacey Keller, Marcy Roberts, Doug McElroy, Chanda Hermanson, Celina Cline, Emma Roberts, Brian Tocher

Not pictured: John Gorton and Kendra Joyce

As of 11-15-2023

Representation required in Law

Business, Industry, and Labor (4)

Parent Training and Information Center

  • Jean Schroeder, Vaughn
    406-750-8086
    MT Empowerment Center, Inc.

Workforce Innovation Board

Native American VR Project

Education Agency

Client Assistance Program

Independent Living Council

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

  • Celina Cline, Havre
    406-265-6933

Community Rehabilitation Program

Director of the Designated State Unit

  • Chanda Hermanson, Helena
    Administrator of Disability, Employment and Transitions Division

Current/Former VR Clients / Disability Advocates (9)

The Council shall convene at least four (4) meetings per year in such places as it determines necessary to conduct business.  The Council may conduct forums and hearings as the Council considers appropriate.  The meetings, hearings, and forums shall be publicly announced.  The meetings shall be open and accessible to the general public unless there is a valid reason for an executive session.

General Meeting Objectives
2/9/2023

Spring (May)
Welcome and orient new members
Joint meeting with Statewide Independent Living Council (1 full day)
Consumer Satisfaction survey results presented by VRBS staff
Review/Revise SRC Bylaws (Education and Membership Committee)
Economic Development and Employer Engagement/Presentation
Committee reports

Summer (August)
Welcome and orient new members
Strategic Plan Presentation by VRBS staff
Federal report presentation and review
Economic Development and Employer Engagement/Presentation
Vote for Chair and Vice Chair for next fiscal year
Committee reports
Election of new officers for next fiscal year

Fall (November)
Welcome and orient new members
Committee Presentation and review the Governor’s Report
Review/revise the SRC Manual (Education & Membership Committee)
Economic Development and Employer Engagement/Presentation
Committee reports

Winter (February)
Welcome and orient new members
Legislative/Executive Planning Process
State Plan presentation by VRBS staff
SRC spending prior fiscal year
Economic Development and Employer Engagement/Presentation
Committee reports

Meeting Dates

Meetings, Agendas and Minutes

Dates

Location

Zoom Link

Agenda

Minutes

Fall 2024

Bozeman
Location TBD

Link coming soon

Agenda coming soon

Minutes coming soon

Summer 2024

Dillon
Location TBD

Link coming soon

Agenda coming soon

Minutes coming soon

April 18, 2024

Missoula

Homewood Suites by Hilton Missoula

4825 N. Reserve Street, Missoula, MT 59808

Link

Agenda

Minutes coming soon

April 17, 2024 (with SILC)

Missoula

Homewood Suites by Hilton Missoula

4825 N. Reserve Street, Missoula, MT 59808

Link

Agenda

Minutes coming soon

February 8 & 9, 2024

Red Lodge

The Pollard Hotel
2 N Broadway Ave
Red Lodge MT 59068

Link Day 1

Link Day 2

Agenda

Minutes coming soon

November 8 & 9, 2023

Butte

Best Western
Butte Plaza Inn
2900 Harrison Ave

Link Day 1

Link Day 2

Agenda

Minutes

August 10 & 11, 2023

Anaconda

The Forge Hotel
100 Union Ave

Link

Agenda

Minutes

May 11, 2023

Helena

Disability Rights Montana
1022 Chestnut St

Link

Agenda

Minutes

May 10, 2023 (with SILC)

Helena

Disability Rights Montana
1022 Chestnut St

Link

Agenda

Minutes

February 9, 2023

Virtual

Link

Agenda

Minutes

 


Past Meeting Minutes 

Education & Membership

  1. Duties:
    1. Recruit new members
    2. Plan orientation for new members
    3. Review Bylaws/Constitution
    4. Review SRC binder/Council Manual
  2. Chair Corrine Moore

Planning & Review

  1. Duties:
    1. Write the Governor’s Report (annual report)
    2. Review State Plan
    3. Discuss Priorities & Goals
  2. Chair Marcy Roberts

Consumer Satisfaction & Needs Assessment

  1. Duties:
    1. Client Satisfaction survey
    2. Establish the needs assessments (through 3rd party) and Review
  2. Chair Celina Cline

Policy, Procedure, & Personnel Development

  1. Duties:
    1. Covers all policy & procedure changes with VRBS
    2. Personnel – maintaining & turnover rates
    3. Review IHO decisions
    4. Reviews training curriculum
    5. All-Staff training
  2. Chair Brook Hodge 

If you have other questions, contact Lacey Conzelman, staff to the Council at:

Montana Vocational Rehabilitation
PO Box 4210
Helena, MT 59604
Phone 406-655-7673
Email: Lacey.Conzelman@mt.gov