Assessment and eligibility are critical components of the Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation (TVR) process. In this session, attendees will gain an in-depth understanding of these key elements, with a special focus on conducting comprehensive assessments. Through interactive group activities, participants will reinforce their knowledge and apply practical strategies. Additionally, attendees will receive valuable resources and materials to support their work in assessment and eligibility determination.
This workshop will have four total sections that will be presented, three sessions in the a.m. and one final session in the p.m. It is recommended that participants attend all four sessions.
They are as follows:
- Part 1 – Intake and Application (deep dive into comprehensive assessment)
- Part 2 – Eligibility Determination (asking the important questions, putting intake, assessment together to identify the impairments and impediments to employment)
- Part 3 – IPE Development (putting it all together, intake, comprehensive assessment, great eight, etc. to find the impediments to employment, identify rehab need)
- Part 4 – IPE Development Cont. (steps to selecting services, putting services in the IPE, amendments, monitoring progress, etc.)
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the Components of Assessment – Gain insight into the key elements of assessment, with a special focus on conducting a comprehensive assessment.
- Connect Assessment to Eligibility – Learn how assessment outcomes inform and support the eligibility determination process in the Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation (TVR) program.
- Identify the Six Eligibility Criteria – Recognize and apply the six essential criteria for determining an applicant’s eligibility for TVR services.
Assessment and eligibility are critical components of the Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation (TVR) process. In this session, attendees will gain an in-depth understanding of these key elements, with a special focus on conducting comprehensive assessments. Through interactive group activities, participants will reinforce their knowledge and apply practical strategies. Additionally, attendees will receive valuable resources and materials to support their work in assessment and eligibility determination.
This workshop will have four total sections that will be presented, three sessions in the a.m. and one final session in the p.m. It is recommended that participants attend all four sessions.
They are as follows:
- Part 1 – Intake and Application (deep dive into comprehensive assessment)
- Part 2 – Eligibility Determination (asking the important questions, putting intake, assessment together to identify the impairments and impediments to employment)
- Part 3 – IPE Development (putting it all together, intake, comprehensive assessment, great eight, etc. to find the impediments to employment, identify rehab need)
- Part 4 – IPE Development Cont. (steps to selecting services, putting services in the IPE, amendments, monitoring progress, etc.)
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the Components of Assessment – Gain insight into the key elements of assessment, with a special focus on conducting a comprehensive assessment.
- Connect Assessment to Eligibility – Learn how assessment outcomes inform and support the eligibility determination process in the Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation (TVR) program.
- Identify the Six Eligibility Criteria – Recognize and apply the six essential criteria for determining an applicant’s eligibility for TVR services.
While best practices encourage clinicians to support all languages used by AAC users, implementing bilingual interventions often presents more challenges than solutions. This presentation explores evidence-based frameworks for implementing culturally responsive AAC intervention for multilingual communicators. Key topics include strategies for effective caregiver collaboration, bilingual AAC system personalization, and how to leverage AI tools for bilingual material development. Attendees will gain actionable strategies for supporting multilingual AAC users while honoring their cultural and linguistic diversity, as well as access to ready-to-use resources for immediate clinical application.
Learning Outcomes
- Participants will analyze key features and limitations of bilingual AAC systems to make informed decisions for customization for bilingual communicators.
- Participants will integrate strategies for meaningful caregiver collaboration to support long-term AAC use across multiple language environments.
- Participants will utilize artificial intelligence tools and translation resources to support the development of bilingual AAC materials while maintaining cultural and linguistic accuracy.
This interactive presentation will discuss ways that multidisciplinary teams can meaningfully engage with Diné during the Autism diagnostic process. Researchers at NAU recently received a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health titled AHAA: Advancing Hózhó in Autism Assessment for Diné Families. Through this grant, an observation guide was developed as a set of practices and processes to implement when collaborating with Diné families who have a child being assessed for Autism. It was developed using data gathered through observing assessments, interviewing clinicians who conduct assessments and work with Diné families, and reviewing relevant research. During this session, the elements of the observation guide will be shared and attendees will have the opportunity to share their perspectives and experiences working with Diné families.
Learning Outcomes
- Attendees will be able to identify strategies for supporting Diné families in the Autism diagnostic process.
- Attendees will be able to identify the development and purpose of the AHAA observation guide.
- Attendees will be able to gather and share insights and perspectives from working with Diné families in Autism assessments.
Creating an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) and delivering Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services are essential components of the Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation (TVR) process. The IPE serves as a roadmap for both the consumer and the TVR counselor, guiding the provision of services and monitoring progress toward the employment goal.
In this session, attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of IPE development and the delivery of TVR services. Through interactive group activities, participants will reinforce their learning and apply practical strategies. Additionally, attendees will receive valuable resources and materials to support effective IPE development and service provision.
This workshop will have four total sections that will be presented, three sessions in the a.m. and one final session in the p.m. It is recommended that participants attend all four sessions.
They are as follows:
- Part 1 – Intake and Application (deep dive into comprehensive assessment)
- Part 2 – Eligibility Determination (asking the important questions, putting intake, assessment together to identify the impairments and impediments to employment)
- Part 3 – IPE Development (putting it all together, intake, comprehensive assessment, great eight, etc. to find the impediments to employment, identify rehab need)
- Part 4 – IPE Development Cont. (steps to selecting services, putting services in the IPE, amendments, monitoring progress, etc.)
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the Mandatory Components of the IPE – Learn the required elements of the Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) and the Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation (TVR) services that can be included.
- Identify Essential VR Services – Recognize the vocational rehabilitation services that can be incorporated into an IPE to support consumer success.
- Develop a Draft IPE – Apply knowledge by creating a draft IPE based on a consumer case scenario.
Creating an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) and delivering Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services are essential components of the Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation (TVR) process. The IPE serves as a roadmap for both the consumer and the TVR counselor, guiding the provision of services and monitoring progress toward the employment goal.
In this session, attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of IPE development and the delivery of TVR services. Through interactive group activities, participants will reinforce their learning and apply practical strategies. Additionally, attendees will receive valuable resources and materials to support effective IPE development and service provision.
This workshop will have four total sections that will be presented, three sessions in the a.m. and one final session in the p.m. It is recommended that participants attend all four sessions.
They are as follows:
- Part 1 – Intake and Application (deep dive into comprehensive assessment)
- Part 2 – Eligibility Determination (asking the important questions, putting intake, assessment together to identify the impairments and impediments to employment)
- Part 3 – IPE Development (putting it all together, intake, comprehensive assessment, great eight, etc. to find the impediments to employment, identify rehab need)
- Part 4 – IPE Development Cont. (steps to selecting services, putting services in the IPE, amendments, monitoring progress, etc.)
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the Mandatory Components of the IPE – Learn the required elements of the Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) and the Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation (TVR) services that can be included.
- Identify Essential VR Services – Recognize the vocational rehabilitation services that can be incorporated into an IPE to support consumer success.
- Develop a Draft IPE – Apply knowledge by creating a draft IPE based on a consumer case scenario.
Creating employment opportunities for Indigenous youth with disabilities starts with relationships, not job placements. Before we can help youth find meaningful work, we must first mobilize the community—building trust, listening to elders, and engaging those who know the land, culture, and people best. This panel brings together tribal members who have worked to strengthen local connections and create spaces where employment conversations can begin. They will share how trust and relationship-building must come first before any real change can happen. Attendees will learn how to engage tribal communities, honor cultural knowledge, and support the groundwork needed for employment services to be accepted and effective in tribal communities.
Learning Outcomes
- Why Trust Comes First – Learn why relationship-building must happen before employment programs can take root in Tribal communities.
- Mobilizing Community Leadership – Understand how engaging elders, families, and local leaders creates a strong foundation for employment efforts.
- Honoring Culture in Employment Services – Discover how to align employment programs with tribal values to ensure they are accepted and effective.
