News Update:
Portland/Vancouver DCC Manager Celebrates 10 Years of Service!
Glenn Bishop, M.S. CRC celebrated his 10 year anniversary at DCC on March 1, 2010! Glenn has been the manager of Community-Based Assessment & Job Placement & Retention Services in the Portland Metro and Vancouver areas for the last six years. Prior to that Glenn worked under the direction of the Director of DCC, Heidi Dirkse-Graw. Glenn also currently teaches a graduate level course to vocational rehabilitation students on Job Placement & Training. Congratulations, Glenn! You are an invaluable member of the DCC team!

DCC Expansion Continues in Seattle:
In July 2009 DCC expanded its services to Seattle, Washington and its suburbs. Three employees: Jesse Martin, Kayla Beckman and Megan Mattas have built many partnerships with local business where they strive to facilitate quality career and vocational rehabilitation services. Now, at the beginning of March 2010, DCC is has expanded their office space to a small suite located in the same building as their previous smaller office. The address of DCC Seattle Branch is: 4500 Ninth Avenue NE, Suite 300, Seattle, WA 98105.

 DCC Hires a Manager in Seattle
On March 15th, Shari Sinnett-Kelly, joins the DCC Executive Team as the Seattle DCC Manager. Shari brings over 25 years of experience providing services to individuals with disabilities and has most recently worked for four years as a Director of Supported Employment. She has proven expertise in:

• Job Development / Placement
• Skills Assessment / Job Analysis
• Program Development / Management
• Community Relations / Marketing
• CARF
• Staff Management and Training
• Contract Negotiation/Management
• Disability Advocacy
• Working Knowledge of the ADA
• Regulatory Compliance

Shari’s role as a manager in Seattle is to work as part of the DCC Executive Leadership and guide the company in providing excellent customer service to all of our stakeholders; also she will lead and provide consultation to the DCC Seattle team of employment consultants and help shape the future of the company through forging new opportunities to fulfill our mission. Shari will also be a working manager and will use her expertise to work directly with a small caseload of clients.  Welcome Shari! (shari@dirksecc.com)

DCC Expands Services to Clients who are Deaf or HH
Since early 2009, Morgan Oliveira-Rincon, M.S. CRC, has headed up services at Dirkse Counseling & Consulting, Inc. for our customers who are deaf or hard of hearing. Morgan has worked in tandem with Susan Ayres, B.A. of DCC to provide opportunities for our Deaf customers to learn about different work environments and jobs and to advocate and promote hiring and accommodation for this group of consumers.

In 2010, Morgan is duplicating some of her and Susan’s creative work, i.e. Job Club for Persons who are Deaf, in our Seattle office. Morgan will assist the Seattle Manager and the Director, Heidi Dirkse-Graw, to expand specialized services for the Deaf and HH for clients in Seattle. A new consultant/intern, Neda Javidtash has been brought on board  in early March and will be looking to Morgan for guidance to excellent service. Welcome Neda and thank you Morgan and Susan!