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

Left to right: Lacey Keller, Celina Cline, Jennifer Owen, Gabrielle Broere, Doug McElroy, Chanda Hermanson, Kendra Lewis, Corrine Moore, Tommy Roberts, June Hermanson, Brian Tocher, Shandra Bell, Heidi Gibson, Jolene Weatherwax, Eva Belatski, Desiree Johnson

As of 10-17-2024

Representation required in Law

Business, Industry, and Labor (4)

Parent Training and Information Center

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
Quarterly Meeting topics:

Spring (April/May)

SRC:

  • Welcome and orient any new members
  • Meet jointly with the State Independent Living Council (SILC)
  • Review, and revise if necessary, SRC bylaws
  • Include economic development activity or business/employer engagement
  • Share committee reports
  • Plan for round-table and invite VRBS program staff and stakeholder locals

 

VRBS:

  • Consumer Satisfaction Survey presentation
  • VR Director Update
  • Program Updates
  • Budget Report

 

Summer (July/August)

SRC:

  • Welcome and orient any new members
  • Include economic development activity or business/employer engagement
  • Share committee reports
  • Plan for round-table and invite VRBS program staff and stakeholder locals
  • Nominate and elect officers for next year

 

VRBS:

  • Goals, Priorities, and Strategies presentation
  • VR Director Update with Legislative and Executive Planning Process every other year
  • Program Updates
  • Data Report

 

Fall (October/November)

SRC:

  • Welcome and orient any new members
  • Review, and revise if necessary, SRC manual
  • Include economic development activity or business/employer engagement
  • Share committee reports with Full Governor’s Report presentation
  • Plan for round-table and invite VRBS program staff and stakeholder locals

 

VRBS:

  • VR Director Update
  • Program Updates
  • Budget Report with SRC spending update

 

Winter (January/February)

SRC:

  • Welcome and orient any new members
  • Review, and revise if necessary, SRC bylaws
  • Include economic development activity or business/employer engagement
  • Share committee reports
  • Plan for round-table and invite VRBS program staff and stakeholder locals

 

VRBS:

  • Goals, Priorities, and Strategies presentation/State Plan presentation on even years
  • VR Director Update
  • Program Updates
  • Budget Report

Meeting Dates

Meetings, Agendas and Minutes

Dates

Location

Zoom Link

Agenda

Minutes

Aug 8th
2025

Havre Public Library

MS Teams

Agenda

Aug 7th
2025

Havre Public Library

Link

Agenda

 

May 12th & 13th 2025

The University of Montana
University Center - Room 340
Missoula MT 59812

 Link

 Agenda

Minutes coming soon

March 28 2025

Special Zoom meeting for OOS

None

None

Notes

Townhall responses

Feb 13 & 14 2025

Helena, Double Tree 22 N Last Chance Gluch Helena MT, 59601

Link

Agenda

Minutes

Nov 14 & 15 2024

Belgrade
Even Hotels
406 Belgrade Blvd
Belgrade MT 59714

Link

Agenda

Minutes

Aug 8 & 9 2024

Dillon

University of Montana – Western
Library Conference Room
750 E Cornell St
Dillon, MT 59725

Link

Agenda

Minutes

April 18, 2024

Missoula

Homewood Suites by Hilton Missoula

4825 N. Reserve Street, Missoula, MT 59808

Link

Agenda

Minutes

April 17, 2024 (with SILC)

Missoula

Homewood Suites by Hilton Missoula

4825 N. Reserve Street, Missoula, MT 59808

Link

Agenda

Minutes

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

 


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 Tommy Roberts

Planning & Review

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

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 Allyson Talaska

Legislative Committee

Synopsis
This committee informs the SRC Board to take positions on issues concerning proposed bills on issues that may affect individuals with disabilities and issues that may impact their overall independence, accessibility, and quality of life across the state of Montana.

  1. Duties:
    1. Prioritize bills during the legislative session that have the most impact on those with individuals with disabilities
    2. Define stakeholders
    3. Train stakeholders to testify during the legislative session.
  2. Chair June Hermanson

If you have other questions, contact Desiree Dean, staff to the Council at:

Montana Vocational Rehabilitation
PO Box 4210
Helena, MT 59604
Phone 406-444-1898
Email: desiree.dean@mt.gov