1. NAVAJO NATION OFFICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION & REHABILITATION SERVICES
Paula S. Seanez, Navajo OSERS

4. NAV AJO NATION OSERS
Mission: Promoting Work and Independence for People with disabilities.
Provide culturally relevant VR services necessary to assist American Indians with disability in preparing for securing, retaining, or regaining an employment outcome.

5. NAV AJO NATION OSERS
1962 – AZ RSA funded a study revealing active participation by Navajo people in VR
Established in July 1975 with 3 staff
Cooperative relationships between the state, federal agencies, and Navajo Nation to improve existing system.
3 year (I & E) grant from DES/RSA
with a 10% match by the Navajo Nation

6. History of Navajo OSERS
Comprehensive VR service delivery plan
Affirmative Action plan
1978 authorized special project grants to governing bodies of Indian tribes on federal and/or state reservations for cultural relevant VR services

7. Department of Dine Education
Office of Special Education & Rehabilitation Services
Navajo Nation
Education Committee
Navajo Nation
Board of Education
Superintendent
of Schools
Associate Superintendent
of Schools
Federal/State
Supported Programs
Navajo Nation
Council on Disability
OSERS
Rehabilitation Services
Vocational Rehab./Independent Living
Early Childhood Intervention
Training & Support Services
ARIZONA
Chinle
Ft. Defiance
Ganado
Kayenta
Keams Canyon
Polacca
TubaCity
Winslow
NEW MEXICO
Crownpoint
Gallup
Tohajiilee
Tohatchi
Shiprock
Chinle Agency
Crownpoint Agency
Ft. Defiance Agency
Ganado Sub-office
Kayenta Agency
Shiprock Agency
Tuba City Agency
Utah Navajo Service Area
Tuba City Industrial
Laundry Program
Tuba City
Food Service
Vending Operation
Window Rock

8. Unemployment Rates over time
2000
2001
2005
2007
Navajo Nation
44%
42%
53%
49%
Arizona
4.0%
4.7%
4.6%
3.8%
U.S.
5.1%
Source: Arizona Dept of Commerce Research Administration, Arizona Unemployment Statistics Program Special Unemployment Reports ( ).

9. Navajo Nation Office of Special Education & Rehabilitation Services
Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Independent Living Services
Early Childhood Intervention (Growing in Beauty)
Tuba City Industrial Laundry/Food Vending Services
Navajo ABLE
Navajo Nation Trust Funds
Navajo Nation Advisory Council for People with Disabilities

10. Early Childhood Intervention (Growing in Beauty)
“Hozhoogo Jinooseel” brings families and professionals together, working to support the child’s growth, development and learning.

11. A person is Eligible for VR services:
1. Be an enrolled member of an American Indian
Tribe/Alaska Native Tribe;
2. *Must physically reside on/near the reservation;
3. Have a physical or mental impairment which constitutes an impediment to employment;
4. Require VR services that will lead to employment.
*Each Tribes determines radius of on/near reservation

12. What Services may be Provided?
Native Healing Services
An evaluation to determine eligibility and vocational needs
Guidance & counseling
Work related placement services
Vocational skills training
Mental/Physical restoration
Expenses for Maintenance, tuition, books/supplies, personal needs, room/board, transportation
Services for the blind, deaf, visual impairments

13. Services….. Self employment start up costs, tools, equipment, supplies
Occupational needs, licenses, tools, uniforms, work shoes
Rehabilitation Technology Accommodations
Assistive technology devices for participating in training, employment
Post-employment & other services to help or maintain employment
Information and Referral to other programs as needed

14. Independent Living Services
Independent Living Services(IL) are provided to assist Navajo people with significant disabilities so that they can live independently in their home, community and environment.
IL Services are funded by the Navajo Nation Trust Funds set aside by the NN Council in 1986.

15. A person is eligible for IL services:
Enrolled member of the Navajo Nation;
Have a significant mental/physical impairment which limits their ability to function independently in their community, home and environment, or engage in employment;
IL services are required to achieve a greater level of independence.

16. What IL services maybe provided?
Information/referral
Advocacy
Peer Counseling
Assistive Technology devices & equipment
Native Healing Services
IL skills Training
Rehabilitation services(ramps, home modifications)
Assistance in identifying accessible housing, transportation, services.
Mobility skills training for blind/visual impairment.

17. Tuba City Industrial Laundry Food Vending Services
TCIL/Food Vending Services are training sites that provide support services and employment for individuals with disabilities who are referred from VR, IL , schools and other services.
The training sites are located in Window Rock and Tuba City.

18. Navajo Nation Council on People with Disabilities
Advisory Council for the Navajo Nation.
Appointed by the President of the Navajo Nation.
Composed of Navajo Persons with disabilities, parents of children/students with disabilities and service provider agencies;
Advises and recommends to Navajo OSERS and Navajo Nation programs to assure equal access to employment, public buildings and services on the NN

19. Advisory Council Current Members
Hoskie Bennally, Jr. President /Waterflow
Sylvia McKinley,Vice-President/Fruitland
Janice Begay, Secretary-Treas/Shiprock
Cecelia Benally/ Fruitland
Elsie Dee, Montezuma Creek, UT
Rose M. Zunie, Church Rock, NM
Roger B. Johnson, Rehoboth, NM
Stephanie L. Benally, Midvale, UT
Emmett Betsuie, Shiprock, NM

20. Navajo Nation Trust Fund for People with Disabilities
OVERVIEW
In December 1986 the NN established the trust fund for seven million dollars pursuant to Resolution CD for Navajo people with disabilities.
Every year
5% of annual accrued interest is reinvested.
95% of the annual accrued interests are used to provide services to individuals with disabilities.

21. Purpose – Trust Funds
Provide supplemental fiscal support to NN and non- Tribal programs for the establishment and provision of appropriate, quality, accessible services which promote the self-sufficiency of Navajos with disabilities.

22. Conceptual Representation of Navajo Cycle of Services

23. Conceptual Representation
Resilience
(north)
Thinking
(east)
Implementing
(west)
Planning
(south)

25. Email Address: rmtreva@msn.com
Ahė hee
(Thank You)
For more information:
(928)
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