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.

2024 Council Members

Left to right: Lacey Keller, Celina Cline, Jennifer Owen, Gabrielle Broere, Doug McElroy, Chanda Hermanson, Kendra Lewis, Corrine Moore, Tommy Roberts, June Hermanson, Brian Tocher, Shandra Bell, Heidi Gibson, Jolene Weatherwax, Eva Belatski, Desiree Johnson

As of 10-17-2024

Representation required in Law

Business, Industry, and Labor (4)

Parent Training and Information Center

Workforce Innovation Board

  • Tammie Hickey, Great Falls
    State of Montana State Workforce Innovation Board Director
    Tammie.Hickey@mt.gov

Native American VR Project

Education Agency

Client Assistance Program

Independent Living Council

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

  • Celina Cline, Havre
    Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Supervisor
    ccline@mt.gov

Community Rehabilitation Program

Director of the Designated State Unit

Current/Former VR Clients / Disability Advocates (9)

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
Quarterly Meeting topics:

Spring (April/May)

SRC:

  • Welcome and orient any new members
  • Meet jointly with the State Independent Living Council (SILC)
  • Review, and revise if necessary, SRC bylaws
  • Include economic development activity or business/employer engagement
  • Share committee reports
  • Plan for round-table and invite VRBS program staff and stakeholder locals

 

VRBS:

  • Consumer Satisfaction Survey presentation
  • VR Director Update
  • Program Updates
  • Budget Report

 

Summer (July/August)

SRC:

  • Welcome and orient any new members
  • Include economic development activity or business/employer engagement
  • Share committee reports
  • Plan for round-table and invite VRBS program staff and stakeholder locals
  • Nominate and elect officers for next year

 

VRBS:

  • Goals, Priorities, and Strategies presentation
  • VR Director Update with Legislative and Executive Planning Process every other year
  • Program Updates
  • Data Report

 

Fall (October/November)

SRC:

  • Welcome and orient any new members
  • Review, and revise if necessary, SRC manual
  • Include economic development activity or business/employer engagement
  • Share committee reports with Full Governor’s Report presentation
  • Plan for round-table and invite VRBS program staff and stakeholder locals

 

VRBS:

  • VR Director Update
  • Program Updates
  • Budget Report with SRC spending update

 

Winter (January/February)

SRC:

  • Welcome and orient any new members
  • Review, and revise if necessary, SRC bylaws
  • Include economic development activity or business/employer engagement
  • Share committee reports
  • Plan for round-table and invite VRBS program staff and stakeholder locals

 

VRBS:

  • Goals, Priorities, and Strategies presentation/State Plan presentation on even years
  • VR Director Update
  • Program Updates
  • Budget Report

Meeting Dates

Current Meetings, Agendas and Minutes

Dates

Location

Zoom Link

Agenda

Minutes

January 29th and 30th, 2026

DoubleTree by Hilton Helena Downtown

22 N Last Chance Gluch Street, Helena, Montana, 59601

 Link

 

 

 


Past Meeting Information 

Education & Membership

  1. Duties:
    1. Recruit new members
    2. Plan orientation for new members
    3. Review Bylaws/Constitution
    4. Review SRC binder/Council Manual
  2. Chair Tommy Roberts

Planning & Review

  1. Duties:
    1. Write the Governor’s Report (annual report)
    2. Review State Plan
    3. Discuss Priorities & Goals
  2. Chair Joleen Weatherwax 

Consumer Satisfaction & Needs Assessment

  1. Duties:
    1. Client Satisfaction survey
    2. Establish the needs assessments (through 3rd party) and Review
  2. Chair Celina Cline

Policy, Procedure, & Personnel Development

  1. Duties:
    1. Covers all policy & procedure changes with VRBS
    2. Personnel – maintaining & turnover rates
    3. Review IHO decisions
    4. Reviews training curriculum
    5. All-Staff training
  2. Chair Allyson Talaska

Legislative Committee

Synopsis
This committee informs the SRC Board to take positions on issues concerning proposed bills on issues that may affect individuals with disabilities and issues that may impact their overall independence, accessibility, and quality of life across the state of Montana.

  1. Duties:
    1. Prioritize bills during the legislative session that have the most impact on those with individuals with disabilities
    2. Define stakeholders
    3. Train stakeholders to testify during the legislative session.
  2. Chair June Hermanson

If you have other questions, contact Desiree Dean, staff to the Council at:

Montana Vocational Rehabilitation
PO Box 4210
Helena, MT 59604
Phone 406-444-1898
Email: desiree.dean@mt.gov