Presenting the 2017 GREAT conference “by the pictures.”  This is only a sampling of the great events that did occur those magical days of learning, renewal, and celebration.   Thanks for making history together and if you were not able to make it this year, for taking the time and interest in reviewing this short presentation made for those who stayed behind to keep our operations going!

Presentations about current trends in opioid use and how the Veteran’s Administration collaborates with DVRS to serve eligible veterans.

Christinia Smith and Samantha Johnson kick off the GREAT awards ceremony bright and early Thursday morning. 

Vickie Winters takes a moment to acknowledge the loss of our fellow teammates among the participating SERNRA states. 

SERNRA President Cheryl Revels and Billy Ross represent those lost from the NC team as the directors look on.

Recipients of the Personal Achievement Award & Professional Achievement Award

Joy Tribble of the NCATP Grant Advisory Council calls up the 2017 NCATP Award Recipients

NCATP Director Tammy Koger helps acknowledge Frank Harden as this year’s Professional/Advocate/Volunteer award recipient

Not shown is Carl Reagan, who was recognized as All Star for Leadership- Western Region

Director Myers introduces Deputy Secretary Susan Perry-Manning who generously gave of her time and shared an encouraging testimony and her heartfelt appreciation for the Rehab TEAM.

Thursday sessions continue—this one featuring the work of WorkSource East and West.  Jackie Tetterton Jasmin Okiror, Sascha Prebor, and Ruth Smith presented for this one. 

In all, there were 34 sessions within the categories of Living, Growing, Working, and Innovating with CRC credits offered to those attending the full sessions.

Closing key note speaker Kristen Monaco from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics provided orientation to the information her agency provides and demonstrated the benefits of using the information.

President Hall shared from the depths of her heart during her closing remarks, then passed the gavel on to President Elect Alma Taylor.

And thanks to Lynn Hodges, Donna Storie and team of eager helpers, there were plenty of door prizes and opportunities to win!

Good Morning VR Team with a Dream,
 
In light that our 2017 GREAT/NCRA/NCATP conference is being held this week, it is most appropriate to feature our exploration of what I consider an inseparably vital relationship to the well-being of the national rehabilitation program and the NC  VR program, its network of partners and we the ministers of the mission.  Following this review we should conclude that the National Rehabilitation Association and NCRA are both incredibly important resources and modalities to meet the needs.  These grass roots organizations will only produce dividends based on what we invest through our individual and corporate engagement and support. 
 
We will explore the record, mainly through our revered REACH publications, to present to you a reasonably concise overview of 62 years of consistent activity of the NCRA.   There may be future presentations where items that were missed during this round will be highlighted.  We certainly have plans to share additional photos and other proud moments, hopefully of more recent years so that the faithful can reflect upon and savor the ground we’ve gained all while investing in each other through building our relationships and celebrating our victories.  These victories worth celebrating can be clients’ lives changed or personally gaining a new perspective on best practices or approaches that are needed for equipping clients for today’s global economy or independent living successes.
 
From the January-February Issue of 1968—the message and mission remains the same—we as a state and national program/system with partners such as training universities, rehabilitation centers, treatment centers, community rehabilitation programs, school systems, and other partners can optimize our impact through active engagement and supporting the grand mission we are part of.  Coming together to train and focus on new trends and areas we need to address together is an essential component of that process.   Engagement helps us all to capture the passion of our profession instead of standing as observers on the sidelines of our careers---and lives.  If you wish to engage your profession fully and become a member of North Carolina’s chapter of the National Rehabilitation Association—follow the link:  https://www.nationalrehab.org/

This was published at a time when membership fees were as follows, which, when adjusted for inflation, is likely in line with today’s membership costs:

The earliest record we have in the REACH publications pertaining to North Carolina’s support of the National Rehabilitation Association (which began in 1925) is found in the November-December 1953 issue, which is only the third issue published.    North Carolina’s chapter had not yet been formed as you will see below, it was formed October-November of 1955.   Highlighted in the topics discussed then are often very relevant to us now.  Note the topic in the blue brackets—how inciteful and a testimony to the fact that this is something that will always be an area where we can improve, since the partners are always changing.   It is a reminder that we must remain at the table of discussion and planning with our partners to achieve the full benefit of the “greater sum” from its partner “parts.”
 
Another point of observation is that NC DVRS’s early leaders attended the NRA conference where they became acutely aware that North Carolina was in great need of rehabilitation centers and NC DVRS had an important role over time in helping establish orthopedic clinics and regional rehabilitation centers, such as the one established in Fayetteville.

Not long after attending the NRA meeting, our then Director Charles Warren began to demonstrate strong leadership and became elected as NATIONAL president of the National Rehabilitation Association.  This was a very proud moment for the Division as indicated in the Nov-Dec 1954 REACH:

The excitement apparently spread with in NC DVRS and shortly thereafter it gave birth to the establishment of the North Carolina chapter of NRA --NCRA—North Carolina Rehabilitation Association – Established October 1955 as per Nov-Dec 1955 REACH:

As indicated in the article above, Charles L. (C.L.) Haney stepped up to become NCRA’s first President and later first Executive Director.   To help you get to know this fine leader, am including some biographical information from the Mar-Apr 1955  REACH issue:

From this Mar-April 1969 REACH, we see that he C.L. Haney was serving as NCRA Executive Director, which was a position separate from NCRA President:

In March of 1967, NCRA was experiencing one of its moments of strength when NC Governor Dan K. Moore became a member of NCRA in appreciation for his support for rehabilitation movement and for movement toward addressing architectural barriers within the state.  This was celebrated in the March-April 1967 REACH issue below:
 

NCRA Executive Director C.L. Haney had a special address in the  July-August 1968 REACH – NOTE THE NCRA MEMBERSHIP OF THAT ERA—924 Members--- that is something we can address together!     

NCRA membership remains an important demonstration of commitment to engage and make VR services and career experience better.   From the Jan-February 1957 REACH:

For this portion of this issue’s exploration of NCRA’s past, we fast forward to the 1971 NCRA conference where you see examples of learning, renewal, inspiration, exposure to larger and changing concepts (reframing), and fellow ministers of the mission re-igniting their collaborative relationships. 
 
From 1971 NCRA Conference Nov-Dec 1971 REACH:

NOTE: Recognition of Harold Thoms -- no doubt affiliated with a key partner then and now --Thoms Rehabilitation Hospital (now CarePartners Health Services)

Note the NRA has subdivisions/interest groups comprised of specialty areas where individuals with similar interests can participate in collectively beneficial activities.  One active example is RPEN, which is the Rehabilitation Program Evaluation Network.   Our own Dr. Jeff Stevens, NC DVRS Chief of Planning and Evaluation,  presently serves as the RPEN representative to the NRA board. 
The NRA subdivision/interest group related to counselor concerns had an NCRA Chapter called NCRCA (NC Rehabilitation Counselor Association).   Here were some of its activities from the final issue of REACH Nov-Dec 1972:

NOTE: Perry Crabtree ended his career in Staff Development Section (now PDT) in the mid-90’s.    Ray Hartley ended his career with DVRS in the early 90’s.
 
Fast forwarding to the late 1970’s and early 80’s, we are including some photos that very few have seen until now.   We are including them as there are several of our readership who may remember these individuals who have since retired.   I hope you enjoy them as much as I did:

Some things have changed little—for the good—squeezing in roomies to save and having a good productive time and enjoying the moment!

Team,

I hope you have enjoyed this exploration of NRA/NCRA and its proud heritage and highlights of important points in its development and some fun reminiscent sharing of some photos of those who did support the mission during their tenure and have retired, passing the mantel on to those of us who elected to join the team.   Will you help carry and strengthen NRA/NCRA to the levels of strength and support they and the Division needs to be superlatives in rehabilitation for those who rely on us?   A sincere thanks for your consideration, partnership, and yes—friendship-- as we move forward in our mission!
 
Warm regards,
 
Phil

Good Morning Fellow VR Ministers of Hope!
 
Thought we would take a moment this morning and explore some VR history that ties to the GREAT/NCRA /NCATP conference, since it is just around the corner.   Annually at the conference typically during the award service is a special event—typically two students attending university programs will receive academic scholarships funded by a scholarship fund named in the honor of a much-endeared former area director T. L. McClellan.   The internet, as useful as it is, was not very helpful in helping us explore his history.  Thankfully, REACH publications and information of long time but recently retired scholarship coordinator Georgia Gulledge helped with friends fill in some of the undocumented history gaps.

We do know that Mr. McClellan began his long career with VR in 1947 following his service during World War II which is summarized in a REACH article from the September-October 1956 edition included below in its entirety:

We also know that later in his career and until his untimely death October, 1968, he served as an Area (Regional) Director for a relatively short period (1966-1968):

As given in an explanation within one of the REACH issues, having six area directors was a method of succession planning during a period when the Division was rapidly expanded.  Standing in the middle was Charles A. Guy who was my Assistant Regional Director of the South Central Region under Larry W. Holland when I began and was my supervisor for six months upon Larry’s retirement around 1995.  It was shortly thereafter when the Division consolidated North Central and South Central regions to become the Central region.   I also was able to work with C.A. McDaniel in a different capacity over the years when he became a driving evaluator/trainer.
Until his untimely death October 13, 1968, T.L. McClellan spent his entire career in the service of the rehabilitation profession and was involved in establishing and supporting the North Carolina Rehabilitation Association across the state.  Mr. McClellan was president-elect of NCRA in 1968; unfortunately, he passed away before assuming Presidency of the association.  He was honored in the next REACH article with top billings.

Finally, in a tribute of honor, members of the rehabilitation profession made contributions toward and established a scholarship fund.   You can see evidence of this effort below in a flyer similar to the VR version of “Coffee News” but with allusions to “Smoking News” which was very common among many of the staff during that time.   Hard to imagine, but it was the practice of many to smoke within their VR offices—this continued until about 1999. 

Transitioning to the topic of GREAT/NCRA/NCATP conferences, I have a scan of the 1974 conference program (the oldest one I have access to) and found it interesting in a few ways:

• The 1974 NCRA annual conference was held in Wilmington at the same hotel as this year’s event—interesting coincidence!
• The theme is consumer involvement “Listen to the Consumer” – listen and partner with the consumer, which was an emphasis of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which required such partnership to be evidenced through signed Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plans (today’s Individualized Plan for Employment).  Also, based on the program, the attendees were focusing on understanding the recent regulations of the era—similar to the point where we are with the WIOA changes, which represent a much more substantial shift in business—I would boldly surmise that we as a team are adapting to more substantial regulatory changes in a shorter period of time than has ever been undertaken—you are to be commended for your perseverance!
• If you look through the program, it looks like there was extensive cooperation and coordination by a lot of teammates who each had a role in the event—a true pulling together as an effective team!
• They had a Governor’s representative in attendance (Philip Kirk, who later became DHHS Secretary and father of Angela Kirk who was a counselor with us for several years).  Additionally, they included in their conference activities the CSAVR executive director.  In recent years, NCRA conferences have also been able to have RSA Commissioners and representatives present and expect that will continue in future years.
  

Well team, I hope this article helped you understand more about T.L. McClellan, a great VR Counselor and Leader who made a tremendous impact within his era.   I hope documenting this better will help us to appropriately memorialize the person for which the scholarship was set up in his honor in 1968.
For fun, I do hope to work in some photos in the next issue from NCRA conferences from a long gone era and one not too distant if I have such materials available—open to receiving any key photos (with year and name info if possible).
 
Please remain mindful that every day spent doing your important work presents an opportunity to contribute toward either positively impacting consumers’ lives forever, or presents an opportunity for you to help strengthen our service delivery programs function with improved quality, impact, efficiency, and optimized customer service.  As we observe from our predecesors, we can achieve tremendous things together and have a fulfilling, fun, and enjoyable time doing it together as a team focusing on that objective of seeing just how excellently impactful we can be!
 
With warm regards,
Phil