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BOARD/COMMISSION:  State Rehabilitation Council - General

Address

Dept. Of Employment And Economic Development
180 E 5th Street, Suite 1200
St. Paul, MN
55101

Web Site

Supporting Entity/Enabling Legislation Supported by Department of Employment and Economic Development

ENABLING LEGISLATION
M.S. 268A.02; and Federal Rehabilitation Act
Enabled: 07-10-2015
Revisor of Statutes Link

Chair and Contact
CONTACT
Karla Eckhoff
(651) 356-5467
CHAIR
James Ross
(651) 380-7351
TITLE
NAME
EMAIL
PHONE
PRIMARY
SRC Coordinator
Karla Eckhoff
karla.f.eckhoff@state.mn.us
(651) 356-5467
Yes
TITLE
NAME
EMAIL
PHONE
PRIMARY
Chair
James Ross
therossgroup20@gmail.com
(651) 380-7351
Yes
Co-Chair
James Houston
jcnh612@gmail.com
(651) 509-4422
No
Membership

A majority of members must be persons with a disability, including at least:

  • one (1) representative of the Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC);
  • one (1) representative of a parent training and information center (PACER);
  • one (1) representative of the client assistance program (CAP);
  • one (1) VRS counselor (non-voting member);
  • one (1) representative of community rehabilitation service providers (CRP);
  • one (1) representative of the directors of the American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Projects in Minnesota;
  • one (1) representative of the State Workforce Investment Board (GWDB);
  • one (1) representative of Special Education from the Department of Children, Families and Learning;
  • four (4) representatives of business, industry and labor;
  • three (3) representatives of disability advocacy groups; and
  • three (3) current or former applicants for or recipients of vocational rehabilitation services.

The director of the designated State VR unit shall be an ex officio member of the council. Council members are appointed for three-year terms and no member may serve more than two consecutive terms.

Member Info

COMPENSATION

  • Per Diem: $55.00
  • Other Compensation: Expenses

MEMBERSHIP DETAILS

  • Requires Older Member - no
  • Requires Senate Approval - no
  • Members file campaign finance and disclosure - no
Entity Powers and Duties, Activity Summary
The council is responsible for advising state government on the performance of Minnesota's Vocational Rehabilitation programs. The council advises and assists in preparation of the state plan for Vocational Rehabilitation Services; reviews and analyzes the effectiveness of, and consumer satisfaction with, vocational rehabilitation services; conducts needs assessments; reports to the governor and the U.S. Department of Education on the status of vocational rehabilitation programs; coordinates activities with other state councils with interest in the issues pertaining to disability and employment; and holds hearings and forums necessary to carry out the council's duties.

ACTIVITY SUMMARY

The State Rehabilitation Council works jointly with the MN Vocational Rehabilitation Program to develop goals and priorities, assess customer satisfaction, conduct needs assessments, and seek citizen input through public forums.
Meeting Information
Meetings typically last: 3 hours
Meeting Frequency: Meetings are currently held virtually from 9:00 am-noon the fourth Thursday of every month, except for July, with a combined November-December meeting held the first week of December. Other exceptions are determined by the council.

Meetings are held at:
Posted in the State Register and on DEED website.


Fiscal Information
Annual Staff Hours: 1404.00
Total Appropriations:
Appropriations Description:
Fiscal Year Expenses: $28,000.00

Expenses Description:

Open Positions (1)
POSITION SEAT AUTHORITY 21-DAY MIN GUARANTEE #SEATS ACTION
Current or Former Recipient of VR Services Current or Former Vocational Rehabilitation Services Rep # 1 Governor 3/11/2025 1 APPLY
NAME POSITION APPLICATION DATE
Shelly Weaver American Indian Vocational Rehab Project Rep 2/7/2025
Ty Barth Business Industry and Labor Rep 11/26/2024
Ben Coady Business Industry and Labor Rep 2/7/2025
James Houston Business Industry and Labor Rep 2/7/2025
Zac Little Business Industry and Labor Rep 10/31/2024
Jacob Sparrow Business Industry and Labor Rep 11/27/2024
Anisa Ali Disability Advocacy Groups Rep 9/20/2024
Jennifer Beilke Disability Advocacy Groups Rep 6/26/2024
Kelly Degenhardt Disability Advocacy Groups Rep 7/25/2024
Sue Fager Rehabilitation Member 11/20/2024
Michael Windsperger Rehabilitation Member 2/7/2025
Jill Belland Current or Former Recipient of VR Services 11/1/2024
Kyri Simon Current or Former Recipient of VR Services 2/20/2025
Ms Linda Soderstrom Current or Former Recipient of VR Services 2/18/2025
Jacob Sparrow Current or Former Recipient of VR Services 11/27/2024
Ms Terri Wick Current or Former Recipient of VR Services 11/19/2024
Ms. Linda Wolford Current or Former Recipient of VR Services 2/19/2025
No pending appointments found.
POSITION/SEAT
APPOINTING AUTHORITY
MEMBER NAME
STATUS
TERM END
ACTION
Direct Appointments
Director Of Rehabilitation Services
Governor
Dee Torgerson
Filled
07/10/2028
Current Members (20)
POSITION/SEAT
APPOINTING AUTHORITY
MEMBER NAME
STATUS
TERM END
American Indian Vocational Rehab Project Rep
American Indian Vocational Rehab Project Rep #1
Governor
Shelly Weaver
Filled
01/03/2028
American Indian Vocational Rehab Project Rep #2
Governor
Ms. Connie Berg
Filled
01/04/2027
Business Industry and Labor Rep
Business Industry and Labor Rep #1
Governor
Ben Coady
Filled
01/03/2028
Business Industry and Labor Rep #2
Governor
James Houston
Filled
01/03/2028
Business Industry and Labor Rep #3
Governor
Ty Barth
Filled
01/03/2028
Business Industry and Labor Rep #4
Governor
James Ross
Filled
01/05/2026
Client Assistance Project Rep
Client Assistance Project Rep
Governor
Anne Robertson
Filled
01/05/2026
Community Rehabilitation Program Provider Rep
Community Rehabilitation Program Provider Rep
Governor
Ms. Jenna Askevold
Filled
01/05/2026
Current or Former Recipient of VR Services
Current or Former Vocational Rehabilitation Services Rep # 1
Governor
Trevor Turner
Posted
01/05/2026
Current or Former Vocational Rehabilitation Services Rep # 2
Governor
Nick Holzthum
Filled
01/04/2027
Current or Former Vocational Rehabilitation Services Rep # 3
Governor
Jill Belland
Filled
01/03/2028
Current or Former Vocational Rehabilitation Services Rep # 4
Governor
Katie Legrid
Filled
01/05/2026
Disability Advocacy Groups Rep
Disability Advocacy Group Rep #1
Governor
Crystal Hellekson
Filled
01/05/2026
Disability Advocacy Group Rep #2
Governor
Anisa Ali
Filled
01/03/2028
Disability Advocacy Group Rep #3
Governor
Daren Howard
Filled
01/04/2027
Governor's Workforce Development Representative
Governor's Workforce Development Representative
Governor
Kyle Van Acker
Filled
01/05/2026
Mn Dept Of Education Rep
MN Dept Of Education Rep
Governor
Thomas Delaney
Filled
01/05/2026
Parent Training And Info Center Member
Parent Training And Info Center Member
Governor
Sue Fager
Filled
01/04/2027
Rehabilitation Member
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Member
Governor
Michael Windsperger
Filled
01/03/2028
Statewide Independent Living Council Rep
Statewide Independent Living Council Rep
Governor
Deborah Gleason
Filled
01/05/2026
ALL BOARDS/COMMISSIONS

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