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| Primary Activity Coordinators: |
Vocational Rehabilitation/Employment | ||||||||||||||||||
| Project/Program/Clinic Contacts: | Coordinator, Supporting Meaningful Employment | ||||||||||||||||||
| AUCD Council Membership: |
No Council Membership |
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Vita/Bio
Vicki Cullinan Ferrara
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Objective |
To train, consult and implement activities that promote the inclusion of people with disabilities in society through employment. |
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Functional summary |
A leader in the field of Supported Employment in Rhode Island. Extensive experience training, consulting, developing resources, and curriculum related to employment of people with disabilities, including systems change. Excellent group facilitation skills, with the ability to develop group consensus to identify goals and objectives. Excellent project, conference, and event planning coordination skills. Extensive survey development and data collection experience. Experience in vocational counseling, job development, job retention and program development. Developed two Affirmative Businesses. Extensive mental health background. |
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Employment |
1999-Present Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities at RI College, Providence, RI Employment Coordinator Coordinate, develop, and/or provide training related to the field of Supported Employment. Provide employment related information, technical assistance, and consultation. Develop and disseminate resources related to the employment of people with disabilities. Work effectively with state agencies to promote employment and facilitate change. Develop surveys. Manage multiple projects including the statewide Partnerships to Employment Conference, the annual employer awards breakfast, and the statewide job developer's network, OSESN.
2005-Present Salve Regina University, Newport, RI Adjunct Faculty RHB 550 Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment |
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Education |
1997 Assumption College Worcester, MA Master of Arts, Rehabilitation Counseling 1985 Rhode Island College Providence, RI Bachelor or Arts, Psychology; Bachelor of Arts, Communication |
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Summary of qualifications |
1994 University Affiliated Program of RI at RI College, Providence, RI 1997-1999 Project Coordinator, RI Supported Employment Partnership (RISEP) Coordinated the final 2 years of a federal Supported Employment Systems Change Grant. Developed and sustained working relationships with all stakeholders. Coordinated training, technical assistance, resource development, and management of multiple projects. •1994-1997 Employment Resource Specialist, RISEP Provided technical assistance to many groups/associations to develop consistent supported employment practices. Developed and facilitated needs assessments process and synthesized data. Developed and facilitated awareness activities. 1991-1994 The Providence Center for Counseling and Psychiatric Services Providence, RI 1991-1994 Supervisor of Vocational Services Developed and implemented long-range Department plan. Supervised staff to attain agency and program objectives. Monitored and developed pre-vocational, work adjustment and supported employment programs. Implemented effective report writing and billing systems. Developed and maintained effective working relationships with internal and external programs, agencies, and organizations. Assisted in preparation of state and federal grant applications. 1991-1993 Director of ProMail- a full service, bulk mail affirmative industry.
1990-1991 Northern RI Community Mental Health Services, Woonsocket, RI Community Employment Specialist Provided vocational assessment, rehabilitation planning and developed successful job placements. Provided individual and group employment counseling. Educated consumers and monitored Social Security Benefits. Consultation services to consumers and employers. Effective liaison to internal departments and external agencies.
1988- 1990 Micro Copy/Providence Affirmative Industry, Providence, RI Personnel Manager, Executive Assistant Provided leadership in organizing an experimental microfilm business employing disabled and non-disabled individuals. Coordinated recruitment, scheduling, and evaluation of employees. Developed policies and procedures manual. Assisted in time study appraisals. Developed and directed product-marketing strategy. Developed price quotations. Developed a computerized and hard copy record maintenance system.
1985- 1988 Alternatives Unlimited, Inc., Whitinsville, MA 1986-1988 Residential Program Director Developed Annual Plan and administered program budget. Implemented program in accordance to agency mission, CAR.F. standards and Department of Mental Health regulations. Facilitated individual and team supervision. Maintained positive community relations.
1985-1986 Residential Program Counselor and Supervisor Assisted Director in implementing program goals. Monitored daily routine and milieu of group home. Provided case management, ADL skills teaching, assisted consumers in developing and achieving their rehabilitation plans. |
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Professional Memberships |
2006-present Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators (ACRE) 2004-present Rhodes to Independence-Steering Committee Member 2004-present DDD Quality Consortium, Employment Sub-committee 2003-present RI Business Leadership Network-Liaison 2003-present DD Supported Employment Council-Coordinator 2003-present netWORKri Employer Service Network-TA support 2003-present Ocean State Employer Service Network (OSESN) 2001-present Supported Employment Professional Certification Program- Board Member 2001-present US Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy-RI Liaison 1997-present MH Supported Employment Council 1997-2000 MH Supported Employment Steering Committee (SAMHSA Grant) 1995-2006 National Association of Governors' Committees on People with Disabilities 1994-present Association for Persons in Supported Employment 1993-1999 RI Steering Committee for Supported Employment 1991-2003 RI Placement Coalition, President, 1991-1993 and 1998 |
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Volunteer experience |
1994-present RI Governor's Commission on Disabilities, Commissioner 2004-Present Employment Committee, Chair 2004-2005 1994-1999 Legislative Committee, Vice-Chair-1997, Chair-1998 &1999 |
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Publications |
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