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3 OVR counselors graduate from SDSU
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Posted on Jul 01 2005
Three vocational rehabilitation counselors from the CNMI Office of Vocational Rehabilitation graduated from San Diego State University with their master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling on May 22, 2005.
Bernice Ravell, Kasinda Ludwig, and Suzanne Castano were in San Diego to take part in the commencement exercise.
The three, through full assistance from OVR, completed their graduate work via distance education and learning. After the graduation, Ravell, Ludwig, and Castano, together with another OVR staffer, Arlene Yamagata, completed a weeklong training—Pacific Islands Training Academy—that was coordinated and facilitated by the Rehabilitation Continuing Education Program, Interwork Institute, and San Diego State University.
The PITA training addressed current issues unique to the delivery of vocational rehabilitation services to qualified persons with disabilities in the Pacific basin.
OVR staff spent another week performing job shadowing with other VRCs from the State of California Department of Rehabilitation.
“Many thanks to Interwork Institute and the Department of Rehabilitation for making the PITA training and job shadowing experience possible, productive, and memorable,” said the local OVR in a statement.
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Rehabilitation Services Administration mandate the establishment of a comprehensive system for personnel development designed to ensure an adequate supply of qualified rehabilitation personnel, including professionals and paraprofessionals, for all public vocational rehabilitation agencies. In compliance with this measure, OVR created a program to enable full-time, permanent personnel to further develop their knowledge, skills and abilities in the field of rehabilitation counseling. OVR is committed to providing quality services to eligible individuals with disabilities.
It is the mission of OVR to increase employment and promote independence among eligible individuals with disabilities throughout the CNMI. (PR)
