State Rehabilitation Council
The State Rehabilitation Council advises the Vocational Rehabilitation and Blind Services program to improve policies, programs, and delivery of services through a collaborative effort with other agencies.
Membership of Council
The Council is composed of 22 members representing different disabilities, business, education, and advocacy groups. The members come from all parts of Montana, and over 50% of the members must have disabilities.
Back row (left to right): Jolene Weatherwax, Chanda Hermanson, Celina Cline, Emma Rooney, Tom Manthey, Brian Tocher, and Marcy Roberts
Front row (left to right): Doug McElroy, Lacey Keller, Wes Feist, Corinne Moore, Denise May, and Gabrielle Broere
Not pictured: John Gorton, Kathy Hampton, Kendra Joyce, Mike Manhardt, Carlos Ramalho, and Jean Schroeder
As of 5-1-2023
Representation required in Law
Business, Industry, and Labor (4)
- Emma Rooney, Helena
eeelson09@gmail.com - Marcy Roberts, Kalispell
meomt17@outlook.com - Corinne Moore, Helena
cmoore@bozemanhealth.org - Kendra Joyce, Laurel
cuttingfencesfoundation@gmail.com
Parent Training and Information Center
- Jean Schroeder, Vaughn
406-750-8086
MT Empowerment Center, Inc.
Workforce Innovation Board
- Wesley Feist, Helena
wesley.feist@mt.gov
(406) 444-4480
1327 Lockey Ave. Helena, MT 59601
Native American VR Project
- Joleen Weatherwax
manylightswoman@hotmail.com
Section 121 Native American Project
Education Agency
- John Gorton, Miles City
Office of Public Instruction
john.gorton@mt.gov
Client Assistance Program
- Kathy Hampton, Helena
kathy@disabilityrightsmt.org
Client Assistance Program
Independent Living Council
- Michael Manhardt
mrmanhardt@uwalumni.com
MT Statewide Independent Living Council
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
- Celina Cline, Havre
(406) 265-6933
Community Rehabilitation Program
- Doug McElroy, Great Falls
doug.mcelroy@qlc-gtf.org
Director of the Designated State Unit
- Chanda Hermanson, Helena
Administrator of Disability, Employment and Transitions Division
Current/Former VR Clients / Disability Advocates (9)
- Chair Lacey Keller, McAllister
lkeller@milp.us - Vice Chair Gabrielle Broere, Missoula
gabrielle.broere@gmail.com - Brian Tocher, Butte
btocher@mt.gov - Tom Manthey, Billings
tom.manthey@msubillings.edu - Carlos Ramalho, LIFTT, Billings
carlosr@liftt.org
Direct (406) 294-5190,
Mainline (406) 259-5181 - Barb Lowney, Missoula
skylarbarb58@gmail.com - Tommy Roberts, Billings
highpointlifec@gmail.com
The Council shall convene at least four (4) meetings per year in such places as it determines necessary to conduct business. The Council may conduct forums and hearings as the Council considers appropriate. The meetings, hearings, and forums shall be publicly announced. The meetings shall be open and accessible to the general public unless there is a valid reason for an executive session.
General Meeting Objectives
2/9/2023
Spring (May)
Welcome and orient new members
Joint meeting with Statewide Independent Living Council (1 full day)
Consumer Satisfaction survey results presented by VRBS staff
Review/Revise SRC Bylaws (Education and Membership Committee)
Economic Development and Employer Engagement/Presentation
Committee reports
Summer (August)
Welcome and orient new members
Strategic Plan Presentation by VRBS staff
Federal report presentation and review
Economic Development and Employer Engagement/Presentation
Vote for Chair and Vice Chair for next fiscal year
Committee reports
Fall (November)
Welcome and orient new members
Committee Presentation and review the Governor’s Report
Election of new officers for next fiscal year
Review/revise the SRC Manual (Education & Membership Committee)
Economic Development and Employer Engagement/Presentation
Committee reports
Winter (February)
Welcome and orient new members
Legislative/Executive Planning Process
State Plan presentation by VRBS staff
SRC spending prior fiscal year
Economic Development and Employer Engagement/Presentation
Committee reports
*Meeting Dates
- February 9, 2023; virtual meeting (Agenda)
- May 10, 2023 - Joint meeting with MT SILC in Helena (Agenda)
- May 11, 2023 in Helena (Agenda)
- August 10-11, 2023 in Anaconda
- November 2-3, 2023 in West Yellowstone
*Meetings are open to the public.
Dates and Locations are subject to change.
Contact Shawn Tulloch (stulloch@mt.gov) for confirmation and Zoom link.
Joint Meeting of MT SRC and MT SILC
- April 20-21 Meeting Recording
Note: (click on Watch and Listen; Streaming Schedule and click the date on the Calendar)
Meeting Minutes
Education & Member
- Duties:
- Recruit new members
- Plan orientation for new members
- Review Bylaws/Constitution
- Review SRC binder/Council Manual
- Chair Emma Rooney
- John Gorton
- Brian Tocher
- Darrel Hannum (staff)
- Shawn Tulloch (staff)
Planning & Review
- Duties:
- Write the Governor’s Report (annual report)
- Review State Plan
- Discuss Priorities & Goals
- Chair Marcy Roberts
Consumer Satisfaction & Needs Assessment
- Duties:
- Client Satisfaction survey
- Establish the needs assessments (through 3rd party) and Review
- Chair Celina Cline
Policy, Procedure, & Personnel Development
- Duties:
- Covers all policy & procedure changes with VRBS
- Personnel – maintaining & turnover rates
- Review IHO decisions
- Reviews training curriculum
- All-Staff training
- Chair Brook Hodge
- Council Manual – Welcome Message
- How to apply to serve on the Council
- Code of Federal Regulations
- CFR 34 361.17 Requirements for a State Rehabilitation Council (Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Sec. 105)
- Montana State Rehabilitation Council Bylaws:
- Mission and Vision
- Operating Principles
- General Information
- Job Description
- MT SRC Agenda TEMPLATE
- Roles and Responsibilities – Chair, Vice Chair, Past Chair, Functionary
- MCA 2-3-103 Public Participation
- MT State Rehabilitation Council Budget
- Travel Reimbursement for Council members
- General questions on Federal Requirements of the State Rehabilitation Council (RSA-TAC-12-01)
- Vocational Rehabilitation and Blind Services
If you have other questions, contact Shawn Tulloch, staff to the Council at:
Montana Vocational Rehabilitation
PO Box 4210
Helena, MT 59604
Phone (406) 564-4864 (Video) (406) 579-2630 (Text)
Email: STulloch@mt.gov