California's Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) has been working on systems' improvements and innovations designed to improve customer service, increase efficiency, and support success. These new approaches to meeting the employment needs of participants and the talent needs of businesses are all designed to increase customer satisfaction and successful outcomes for individuals with disabilities. CA DOR will describe some of these initiatives and detail four specific efforts that are well under way that are changing how services are provided and how the customer experiences the vocational rehabilitation system. Information will be provided on "Expedited Enrollment", "Sector-Based Strategies", the implementation of a pilot "Non-Traditional Apprenticeship Intermediary" program and the piloting of "Community Resource Navigators."
Meet the presenters:
Mark Erlichman
Mark is the Deputy Director of the Vocational Rehabilitation Employment Division at the California Department of Rehabilitation.
Mark has over twenty-eight years of experience in the provision of support and services to individuals with disabilities starting his career as a rehabilitation counselor. Mark was previously the Assistant Deputy Director in the Employment and Policy Divisions and served as a District Administrator.
Mark holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from U.C. Santa Barbara and a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from Fresno State University.
E-mail address: mark.erlichman@dor.ca.gov
Trung Le
Trung is an Assistant Deputy Director of the Vocational Rehabilitation Employment Division for the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR). He began his career with DOR in 1997 as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor. In his current role, Trung focuses on working to engage with stakeholders, businesses, supporting sector-based strategies to create a pathway for people with disabilities to enter into high wage and high demand jobs. As an immigrant to this country from Vietnam, Trung understands the challenges that many are facing being new to the U.S. As such, he is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and works hard to ensure all Californians with disabilities, and those in the underrepresented communities, can access DOR services and employment opportunities. Trung is also passionate about expedited enrollment, empowering DOR Counselors to use their professional judgement to help determine eligibility timely and create opportunity for consumers to quickly participate with employment services.
E-mail address: trung.le@dor.ca.gov
Shayn Anderson
Shane is a proud member of both the disability and Native American communities, Shayn Anderson is the Regional Director for the San Joaquin Valley District with the California Department of Rehabilitation. Shayn holds a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling from San Diego State University and has over 35 years in the field of vocational rehabilitation.
E-mail address: shayn.anderson@dor.ca.gov
Danielle Hackworth
Danielle is the Pathways to Success Manager for the California Department of Rehabilitation. Dedicating 10 years to helping individuals with disabilities secure employment and independence, she worked for the CA DOR Workforce Development Section and as a local Business Specialist serving consumers in rural parts of Northern California.
E-Mail address: danielle.hackworth@dor.ca.gov