Helen Keller Services (HKS)

Representative

• Collaborate, provide technical assistance and consultation with vocational rehabilitation and services for the blind & visually impaired, state and community partners to improve the quality of local and statewide services toward systemic change, reflecting increase in access and state capacity.
• Through state interagency teams, state collaborative plans (formerly long range service plans, LRSP) will guide capacity building.
• Contributes to the HKNC strategic planning and implementation process with information and data from state interagency teams.
• Collaborate with consumers, VR and services for the blind, state DeafBlind projects, and community partners to identify DeafBlind youth and adults for inclusion in the HKNC National Registry;
• Facilitate the application process for individuals to HKNC for virtual and/or on-site assessment and/or training and facilitate coordination of transition back/follow up services to their community of choice;
• Provide information, advocacy and referral to local services for individuals and their families to maximize opportunities that are accessible;
• Coordinate and/or provide professional development training/resources to increase the number of qualified service providers (targeted, universal and intensive);
• Offer and provide business relations and consultation services for employers to recruit, hire and retain qualified employees, develop employee retention strategies, and learn about work-site related accommodations;
• Work with HKNC and community-based teams to support consumers with achieving their quality of life and employment goals;
• Assist with National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP) capacity building within the region;
• Support the development and provision of billable employment training services to VR consumers through the services of the DeafBlind specialist in the state(s);
• adhere to state contract/agreement and reporting responsibilities;
• Provide consultation, support, and training to/on behalf of individuals, 55 and better, and service providers in collaboration with HKNC Older Adult Specialist;
• Provide consultation, support, and training to/on behalf of transition-age young adults in collaboration with their families and community partners including, but not limited to: educators, vocational rehabilitation counselors, Pre-ETS transition specialists, state deaf-blind projects, and the National Center on Deaf Blindness;
• Responsible for other duties as may be assigned or requested by his/her immediate supervisor, Executive Director and/or the HKS President & CEO.

Regional Representative