AIVRTTAC+TVR Institute

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American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Training and Technical Assistance Center (AIVRTTAC)

The AIVRTTAC + TVR hub and support component icon consists of 6 components in hexagons: training and technical assistance hub, capacity building hub, knowledge translation hub, evaluation hub, I T and U T T A support component, and traditional cultural guidance and support component.

AIVRTTAC is a partnership between the Northern Arizona University – Institute for Human Development and the Northwest Indian College – Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation Institute. The overarching goal of AIVRTTAC is to improve the capacity of AIVRS projects to provide culturally appropriate vocational rehabilitation services to all eligible tribal participants.

The following table highlights the AIVRTTAC hubs and support components:

Four Hubs

Provides training and technical assistance on the following topic areas to AIVRS projects:

  • Applicable laws and regulations
  • Promising practices for providing services
  • Delivery of VR services
  • Assistive technology
  • Professional development practices
  • Financial and grant management practices
  • Project performance evaluation
  • Other topics upon request and need
  • Offers a hybrid of 13 quarter-long courses in American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation topics through NWIC.
  • Provides training on the fiscal/financial management toolkit previously developed by the TVR Institute in order to build foundational skills for AIVRS staff and others working in the field.
  • Will develop a pathway for AIVRS project staff to obtain ongoing training (both credit- and non-credit-bearing) that will lead to improved knowledge and skills as well as potential degrees (bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral) in relevant fields.

Bridges research to practice in a manner that promotes the use of evidence-based emerging and promising practices across all aspects of AIVRTTAC. Materials, content, and delivery of all levels of technical assistance will incorporate best practices.

Assesses and monitors AIVRTTAC’s progress toward achieving performance outcomes. Measures training and technical assistance effectiveness.

Two Support Components

Guides and leads all dissemination and universal training and technical assistance (including verifying accessibility) through:

  • AIVRTTAC website
  • Webinars
  • Social media
  • Print materials
  • Weekly updates
  • National Clearinghouse of Rehabilitation Training materials

Ensures that all AIVRTTAC materials and activities are culturally responsive through:

  • Providing culturally responsive teaching
  • Researching needs assessments, including examining and developing culturally based promising VR practices
  • Assisting AIVRTTAC participants in adapting standard VR practices to the cultural and social needs of AIVRS projects
  • Using the AIVRTTAC holistic AIVRS project model
  • Developing opportunities to bridge understanding between cultures

Operating on tribal lands in 26 states, the purpose of the American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services (AIVRS) Projects is to help tribal members with disabilities prepare for and obtain gainful employment. To assist AIVRS Projects in achieving that goal, in October 2015 the Northern Arizona University’s Institute for Human Development was awarded a five-year grant and entered into a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Rehabilitation Services Administration. Its purpose was to develop the American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Training and Technical Assistance Center (AIVRTTAC) in order to provide education, guidance, and technical assistance (TA) to AIVRS Projects. This grant has enabled AIVRTTAC to develop and provide three types of training and TA to 93 AIVRS Projects across the nation.

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