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Manager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center

VRTAC Team

ONE CENTER. ONE TEAM. ONE MISSION.

business management

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20:38

From the Big Sky to Big Wins: Montana’s VR Story...

Manager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical... ·

2025/09/02

In the final episode of Manager Minute, host Carol Pankow closes out the series with a powerful conversation featuring Chanda Hermanson, Director of Montana Combined Vocational Rehabilitation (VR). Chanda’s lifelong passion for the field—shaped by family connections and early volunteering—has guided Montana’s innovative approach to serving people with disabilities across a vast and rural state. Together, they reflect on Montana’s recent breakthroughs, including legislative support for counselors,

29:43

VRTAC-QM Manager Minute: Finance Without Fear: Kat...

Manager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical... ·

2025/08/01

Finance doesn’t have to be scary. In this episode of VRTAC-QM’s Manager Minute, Kat Martin, Finance Director at the Oregon Commission for the Blind, joins Carol Pankow to break down the complexities of government finance in vocational rehabilitation. Kat shares her journey from the private sector into VR, the lessons she’s learned managing federal and state dollars, and the difference between budget authority and actual revenue (spoiler: it’s not as simple as it sounds). From making reports

18:36

VRTAC-QM Manager Minute: Project AccessTECH — State...

Manager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical... ·

2025/07/01

Get ready to be inspired by Project AccessTECH, a bold, nationwide initiative that’s breaking down barriers and reshaping the future of tech employment for people with disabilities. In this episode, Carol Pankow welcomes Dr. Ayse Torres, Associate Professor in the College of Education, and Dr. Javad Hashemi, Professor in the College of Engineering and Computer Science at Florida Atlantic University, into the VRTAC-QM Studio. Powered by Florida Atlantic University and funded by the Disability

26:10

New Episode Alert: Order of Selection – A Candid Look...

Manager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical... ·

2025/06/02

In this episode of Manager Minute, host Carol Pankow sits down with Cora McNabb, Executive Director of Kentucky Combined, for an honest, in-depth conversation about how her agency is responding to the rising fiscal pressures in vocational rehabilitation. Facing skyrocketing service costs in the wake of the pandemic, McNabb shares how Kentucky made the tough but necessary decision to implement an Order of Selection. She walks through the agency’s strategic approach, including cost containment

38:55

VRTAC-QM Manager Minute: Facing the Storm: What’s...

Manager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical... ·

2025/05/01

We’re celebrating a major milestone with the return of our very first guests: Kristen Mackey, Director of Arizona Combined, and Natasha Jerde, Director of Minnesota Blind. As Vocational Rehabilitation leaders navigate rising demands, shifting funding, and major structural change, Kristen and Natasha join us again to reflect on the post-pandemic landscape—and how it’s testing directors like never before. From managing centralized services to sustaining staffing under fiscal strain, they share the

16:55

VRTAC-QM Manager Minute: From Job to Career: How...

Manager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical... ·

2025/04/01

Nebraska VR is on a mission to elevate careers and empower businesses through its innovative Disability Innovation Fund Career Pathways Advancement Project (CPAP 2.0). In this episode, Carol Pankow sits down with Cathy Callaway, Nebraska VR’s Assistant Director, to discuss how the program helps individuals with disabilities advance in high-demand fields like STEM and skilled trades. With over 130 business partners signed on, the initiative is breaking barriers, fostering workforce development, and

38:57

VRTAC-QM Manager Minute: Inside Order of Selection –...

Manager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical... ·

2025/03/03

Join host Carol Pankow as she dives into the complexities of Order of Selection (OOS) in vocational rehabilitation with two expert guests: Theresa Kolezar, Director of Indiana Combined, and Chris Pope, Director of the State Monitoring and Program Improvement Division at RSA. In this episode, they break down: · Why agencies implement OOS due to financial and staffing constraints · Key regulatory requirements and compliance considerations · Strategies for managing and eventually

31:32

VRTAC-QM Manager Minute: AI-Powered Solutions:...

Manager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical... ·

2025/02/03

This Manager Minute episode spotlights how the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind and MassAbility are leveraging AI to improve service delivery. Host Carol Pankow discusses innovative AI applications with guests Lola Akinlapa, Nathan Skrocki, and John Oliveira. They explore an AI-assisted intake platform designed to streamline processes, enhance multilingual support, and enable faster access to services. The conversation also highlights AI-powered tools like policy lookup systems and data

29:41

VRTAC-QM Manager Minute – Fiscal Team...

Manager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical... ·

2025/01/02

Join host Carol Pankow in this thought-provoking episode of Manager Minute as she sits down with VR fiscal powerhouses Katie Marchesano, Chris Merritt, Allison Flanagan, and Sarah Clardy. Together, they unpack the pressing fiscal issues shaping the vocational rehabilitation (VR) landscape, including: · Navigating fiscal forecasting challenges · Addressing technology gaps · Strengthening collaboration between program and fiscal teams The conversation highlights the vital role of policies,

33:56

VRTAC-QM Manager Minute: Unlocking Potential with...

Manager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical... ·

2024/12/02

Join us for this enlightening episode of VRTAC-QM Manager Minute, where we explore the transformative power of Value-Based Purchasing (VBP), also known as Performance-Based Payment (PBP). In the studio, we have Chip Kenney, Co-Project Director of the VRTAC-QM, and Lisa Mills, a consultant and subject matter expert in VBP, sharing their expertise. VBP is more than just a financial model—it's a strategic shift designed to drive better outcomes for individuals with disabilities. By aligning provider

32:09

VRTAC-QM Manager Minute: Pathways to Partnership DIF...

Manager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical... ·

2024/11/04

Join us for the latest episode of the Manager Minute podcast, where host Carol Pankow sits down with the incredible Serina Gilbert, Cheryl Carver, and Peter Pike from Colorado's Pathways to Partnership DIF Grant! In this episode, they dive into their groundbreaking Pathways to Partnership project, a collaborative initiative designed to enhance outcomes for children and youth with disabilities. Discover how they're embedding VR counselors in schools, launching the innovative “Map My Transition” app,

35:56

VRTAC-QM Manager Minute: RISE-Up! Elevating...

Manager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical... ·

2024/10/04

The RISE-UP project is a transformative initiative to revolutionize rehabilitation services for underserved populations, focusing on racial and ethnic minorities. Dr. Mari Guillermo and Dr. Mark Tucker, Project Directors at San Diego State University's Interwork Institute, highlight how this project seeks to drive systemic change through state agency partnerships and tools like QA Advisor Plus. RISE-UP strives to reshape vocational rehabilitation and improve employment outcomes nationwide by

40:12

VRTAC-QM Manager Minute: Maximizing VR Impact -...

Manager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical... ·

2024/09/03

Get ready to dive deep into the future of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) with Dr. Joe Ashley and Dr. Bob Schmidt in our latest episode! Joe, the dynamic Project Director of the VR-ROI initiative at George Washington University, teams up with Bob, one of the leading economists and the Project Research Coordinator, to bring you insider knowledge on revamping return on investment models for VR programs. They’re on a mission to streamline and elevate how VR agencies operate, helping them become more

38:01

VRTAC-QM Manager Minute: Unlocking the Potential-...

Manager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical... ·

2024/08/01

Go behind the curtain at the National Clearinghouse of Rehabilitation Training Materials (NCRTM) with Heather Servais, Project Manager. Join us as we delve into the vast resources available to vocational rehabilitation counselors, supervisors, and VR professionals. From employment navigation to disability-specific resources and cutting-edge training, Heather reveals how the revamped NCRTM website is a treasure trove of information and tools to enhance your practices and improve services. Tune in to

31:43

VRTAC-QM Manager Minute: Navigating Case Management...

Manager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical... ·

2024/07/01

Join us for an insightful episode of the VRTAC-QM Manager Minute as Brittny MacIver and Sarah Clardy from the VRTAC-QM team share their expertise on case management systems. Brittny, an expert in Program and Performance within our Quality Management team, and Sarah, the Program Director for Fiscal and Resource Management, delve into best practices and the growing trend of states seeking to upgrade their systems. Learn about the nuances of state requests and the RFP process, and gain valuable

29:33

VRTAC-QM Manager Minute: From Subminimum to...

Manager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical... ·

2024/06/03

Join us in the studio with Tyler Sadek, Go MN! Project Manager, and Amanda Jensen-Stahl, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Minnesota General, as we explore the transformative efforts of Minnesota's DIF Grant Go MN! This episode delves into innovative strategies designed to transition individuals with disabilities from subminimum wage to competitive, integrated employment. Listen Here Full Transcript: {Music} Amanda: Give them the tools and resources to look at other ways to support

42:13

VRTAC-QM Manager Minute: DIFing the Path Forward -...

Manager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical... ·

2024/05/01

Welcome to VRTAC-QM Manager Minute! Today, we're joined by Brandy McOmber, Project Director, Ashley Banes, Counselor Specialist, and Paul Fuller, Counselor Specialist, all representing Iowa General. Our focus is Iowa's Blueprint for Change DIF Grant and its creative use of the collective impact approach. This initiative aims to amplify opportunities for competitive integrated employment through strategic partnerships and pilot programs. Its overarching mission? To phase out sub-minimum wage

23:58

VRTAC-QM Manager Minute: CTPIE is reshaping...

Manager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical... ·

2024/04/01

Today, we're thrilled to have Lynn Frith, Education Consultant from the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services at Connecticut General, in the studio. Discover how CTPIE, fueled by the RSA SWITCIE DIF Grant, is revolutionizing disability employment by shifting individuals from subminimum wage to competitive integrated jobs. With a focus on family input and multi-agency collaboration, CTPIE is at the forefront of innovating employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Listen Here Full

28:38

VRTAC-QM Manager Minute: DIF and California DOR -...

Manager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical... ·

2024/03/01

Mark Erlichman is in the studio today, Deputy Director of the VR Employment Division with the California Department of Rehabilitation. Learn how this DIF Grant innovates by aligning services with industry needs, not location, and creating targeted support in tech and more. They also combined the Career Index Plus with the artificial intelligence program SARA to create customized Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) portfolios. Operational in just three months! #Innovation #DisabilityEmployment

30:55

VRTAC-QM Manager Minute: Using AI so VR Staff can...

Manager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical... ·

2024/02/01

In the studio today are Cassie Villegas, Outgoing Interim Director of Washington General, and Sven Akerman Jr, a contractor from Outlook Insight with Washington General. You can find out how Washington General empowers staff with an integrated AI tool that does the heavy lifting when researching policies, regulations, and RSA requirements, freeing staff to focus on providing quality services. Listen Here Full Transcript: {Music} Sven: Our team was presented with a challenge from DVR. They

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