Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services Secretary Rochelle Chronister today announced that 10 agencies across Kansas have been awarded a total of $1.6 million in career development grants to provide vocational assessment and supported education services to persons being served by the Kansas Rehabilitation Services Commission.

Funding for the awards became available after the closure and sale of the Kansas Vocational Rehabilitation Center, Salina. Over 1,100 persons are expected to be served under terms or the awards, which fund 18 months of services from January 1, 1999 to June 30, 2000.

The ten new vocational assessment and supported education grant programs join the existing network of career development centers already located in Salina, Topeka, Olathe, Wichita, Kansas City, Hays and Garden City. Secretary Chronister said the additional grants have created statewide coverage for vocational assessment and supported education for rehabilitation services consumers. (A listing of grantees and their awards is attached.)

"Consumers of rehabilitation services asked that these services be made available close to their home community so they do not have to travel and live away from home," Secretary Chronister said. "Through the sale of the Vocational Rehabilitation Center, we now have vocational assessment and supported education services in all parts of the state."

Rehabilitation Services Commissioner Joyce Cussimanio said vocational assessment helps a person match interests, strengths, abilities, resources and concerns with employment options. She said supported education services provides counseling, advocacy, and supports for rehabilitation consumers in education or training programs in their community, with an ultimate goal of employment following training.

"Feedback from consumers indicated that assessment and supported education services are valuable to assist persons with their vocational plans, but traveling to a centralized place in Salina often took the person away from natural supports in their home community," Cussimanio said. "The intent of this network of services is to ensure service availability within 100 miles of any consumer in the state."

Those awarded grants are: the Garden City Area Mental Health Center, the Cerbral Palsy Research Foundation, CLASS LTD, Cottonwood, Inc., Jewish Vocational Services, the Johnson County Mental Health Center, KETCH, the Rehabilitation Institute, Shawnee County Mental Health Center, and Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center.

CAREER DEVELOPMENT SERVICE GRANTS

Page Last Updated: May 29, 2001