OVR News
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From left: Rose Ichiuo, VR counselor; Arlene Yamagata, VR case services manager; Jim Rayphand, VR director; Manny Iguel, Department of Labor job placement officer; Annie Marciano, VR counseling clerk; and Sherraine Flores, VR counselor aide.
REPRESENTATIVES from the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, otherwise known as OVR, met with Department of Labor’s Job Placement Officer Manny Iguel, to discuss opportunities for people with disabilities to be included in employer work plans for hiring more U.S. citizen workers.
Iguel asked for the meeting and explained that he would be asking employers to include OVR as a resource for finding potential employees in working toward meeting the requirement for no less than 30% U.S. citizen workforce for any given company. Among other things, he wanted to be sure that OVR would be amenable to meeting with employers and to working with them to make suitable placements. He added further that he believes some employers are still hesitant to hire people with disabilities due to uncertainties about how their disabilities might affect work performance, but added, “It doesn’t change the fact that they still need to show good faith effort to meet the 30% minimum hires of U.S. citizens. I’ll be telling them to come knock on OVR’s doors whenever they have openings.” He hopes “OVR can assist in helping them to understand how our people with disabilities can be successful employees.”
OVR’s Case Services Manager Arlene Yamagata explained that OVR has in theory expanded its customer base to include employers: “Because without our employers there would be no jobs for us to place our primary consumers of people with disabilities into. We need to work with employers as well to educate and assist them in the process of job placement for our clients, if we want to them succeed.”
OVR receives federal grant funds to provide vocational rehabilitation services to assist eligible individuals with disabilities to prepare for, secure, retain, advance in, or regain competitive integrated employment within their strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice. Services include, but are not limited to: assessment for determining eligibility and vocational rehabilitation needs, vocational rehabilitation counseling and guidance, information and referral, physical and mental diagnosis and restoration services, vocational and other training services, job search/placement assistance/job retention services, supported employment services, post-employment services, rehabilitation/assistive technology, school-to-work transition services, etc. Services are individualized and provided in the context of an approved Individualized Plan for Employment or IPE. OVR consumers may be required to financially participate in their rehabilitation program.
Yamagata will serve as point of contact for employers wishing to explore options for hiring individuals with disabilities through OVR. She added, “From experience, we’ve seen job announcements published where employers have no intention of actually hiring anyone other than to renew their current staff. For the sake of time, we hope to identify those employers who are serious about hiring and not just going through the motions to satisfy a logistical requirement.”
OVR Director Jim Rayphand adds that “OVR will do everything within its capacity to assist employers and employees forge successful working relationships. Ultimately, we will do everything possible and, of course, allowable to make sure that our clients are qualified to do the jobs they want to do. It should be said as well that the consumers themselves have to buy into the process and commit themselves to achieving their respective employment goals. By definition, employment means work and employers want people who will do the work they need for their companies, so our clients need to put in work, if they want to work.”
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Northern Marianas Technical Institute Chief Executive Officer Jodina Attao, second right, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Director James Rayphand, left, with NMTEch marketing and outreach coordinator Benjamin Babauta, second left, OVR's Arlene Yamagishi and Sam Santos after the signing of a memorandum of understanding at the NMTech campus in Lower Base on Monday, March 13, 2021.
THE Northern Marianas Technical Institute on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation to provide job opportunities to individuals with developmental disabilities.
The signatories were NMTech Chief Executive Officer Jodina Attao and OVR Director James Rayphand. Joining them in the signing ceremony were OVR staffers Arlene Yamagishi and Sam Santos.
Noting that March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, Attao said working with the OVR will allow a smooth, hassle-free transition for OVR consumers who want to take classes at NMTech.
Many people with disabilities are interested in trade classes such as automotive technology and culinary arts, Attao said, adding that two OVR consumers are currently taking classes at NMTech.
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THE authorizing federal law for the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation requires that we set aside at least 15% of our basic support/supported employment federal funds to provide "pre-employment transition services" to "students with Disabilities who are eligible or potentially eligible for VR services." As such, we are looking for creative ideas and/or proven ways to deliver pre-employment services accordingly. We welcome proposals from qualified vendors/contractors to provide Pre-Employment Transition Services for high school students with disabilities. Required activities must include one or all of the following:
1) Job exploration counseling
Job exploration counseling may be provided in a classroom or community setting and include information regarding in-demand industry sectors and occupations, as well as non-traditional employment, labor market composition, administration of vocational interest inventories, and identification of career pathways of interest to the students. Job exploration counseling provided on an individual basis might be provided in school or the community and include discussion of the student's vocational interest inventory results, in-demand occupations, career pathways, and local labor market information that applies to those particular interests.
2) Work-based learning experiences
Work-based learning experiences in a group setting may include coordinating a school-based program of job training and informational interviews to research employers, work-site tours to learn about necessary job skills, job shadowing, or mentoring opportunities in the community. Work-based learning experiences on an individual basis could include work experiences to explore the student's area of interest through paid and unpaid internships, apprenticeships (not including pre-apprenticeships and Registered Apprenticeships), short-term employment, fellowships, or on-the-job training located in the community. These services are those that would be most beneficial to an individual in the early stages of employment exploration during the transition process from school to post-school activities, including employment. Should a student need more individualized services (e.g., job coaching, orientation, mobility training, travel expenses, uniforms or assistive technology), he or she would need to apply and be determined eligible for vocational rehabilitation services and develop and have an approved individualized plan for employment. These additional services must be charged TO VR expenditure separate from the funds reserved for providing pre-employment transition services.
3) Counseling on postsecondary education options
Counseling on opportunities for enrollment in comprehensive transition or postsecondary educational programs at institutions of higher education in a group setting may include information on course offerings, career options, the types of academic and occupational training needed to succeed in the workplace, and postsecondary opportunities associated with career fields or pathways. This information may also be provided on an individual basis and may include advising students and parents or representatives on academic curricula, college application, and admissions processes, completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, and resources that may be used to support individual student success in education and training, which could include disability support services.
4) Workplace readiness training
Workplace readiness training may include programming to develop social skills and independent living, such as communication and interpersonal skills, financial literacy, orientation and mobility skills, job-seeking skills, understanding employer expectations for punctuality and performance, as well as other “soft” skills necessary for employment. These services may include instruction, as well as opportunities to acquire and apply knowledge. These services may be provided in a generalized manner in a classroom setting or be tailored to an individual's needs in a training program provided in an educational or community setting.
5) Instruction in self-advocacy
Instruction in self-advocacy in a group setting may include generalized classroom lessons in which students learn about their rights, and responsibilities, and how to request accommodations or services and supports needed during the transition from secondary to postsecondary education and employment. During these lessons, students may share their thoughts, concerns, and needs, in order to prepare them for peer mentoring opportunities with individuals working in their area(s) of interest. Further individual opportunities may be arranged for students to conduct informational interviews or mentor educational staff such as principals, nurses, teachers, or office staff; or they may mentor individuals employed by or volunteering for employers, boards, associations, or organizations in integrated community settings. Students may also participate in youth leadership activities offered in educational or community settings.
For more detailed information about Pre-ETS, interested vendors are welcome to schedule a meeting with and/or email Jim Rayphand at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Sam Santos at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more or may pick up a description of services at the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation located on Delgado Drive, Navy Hill or call the office at (670) 322-6537/38.
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FY 2023
(Ending September 2023)
| Tinian Schedules | Rota Schedules |
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January 23-24 |
January 23-24 |
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February 14-15 |
February 22-23 |
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March 14-15 |
March 28-29 |
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April 19-20 |
April 25-26 |
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May 17-18 |
May 23-24 |
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June 13-14 |
June 21-22 |
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July 19-20 |
July 25-26 |
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August 16-17 |
August 22-23 |
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September 20-21 |
September 12-13 |
Notes:
The venues will be announced later.
Assigned OVR Counselors for Tinian and Rota are Ms. Jane M. Tudela and Ms. Rose Ann B. Ichiuo, respectively.
Schedules may change due to weather, funding, etc.
For any questions, please contact OVR at (670) 322-6537/38/39 or send an email to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Program updates are posted on this website.
Please follow CNMI OVR on Facebook and TikTok.
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Through its Work Based Learning Experience Program, Train Smart wants local companies to take a chance on students with disabilities so they can contribute to society.
“My specialty is working with adults with disabilities. I used to be the transition coordinator for special education and it’s sad that teachers and parents try so hard to educate and train these students and yet come graduation there’s not much for them to do and so they stay home and regress,” said Train Smart founder Josephine Mesta.
She said she’s always been an advocate for people with disabilities, especially students when she worked for the Public School System.
“So when I decided to retire, I made it one of my priorities, training individuals in general who need a little boost to get their feet in the door.”
Mesta served as guest speaker during the Saipan Chamber of Commerce monthly meeting last June 3 at Kensington Hotel.
Train Smart founder Josephine Mesta was one of the guest speakers of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce during its monthly meeting last June 4 at the Kensington Hotel. (Mark Rabago)
“What I need from the Chamber is for companies to open their doors so I can show students the different jobs they may be able to strive for after graduation, by visiting their place of employment and having our students experience what it takes to work. So far, I have five [companies] who have agreed to provide the opportunities for these youths,” she said.
An ordinary high school student may already have a hard time getting work after they graduate, what more for students with disabilities, according to Mesta.
“It’s much more for students who have challenges or disabilities. It’s harder for them so we want to start them earlier and maybe we’ll have some win-win by the time they graduate high school.”
Mesta said actual workplace experience is invaluable in transitioning students with disabilities to become productive members of society by finding their way in the workplace.
“Workplace experiences provide students with disabilities the knowledge and skills that help them connect what they learn in school onto the worksite. It’s easy for us to say, ‘okay, this is how you can clear this table’ and we can talk about it at school, but until they see the table being cleared, then it registers and sticks. If you have experience with working with people with disabilities, that’s pretty much what we have to do,” she said.
And the carrot at the end of the stick for businesses is they can have the Work Investment Agency or Office of Vocational Rehabilitation pay the student with disabilities that they will welcome onboard to train.
She just wants an assurance from businesses though that they genuinely attempt to train students with disabilities and not just take advantage of the free ride afforded to them via WIA and OVR. Finding work for students with disabilities becomes doubly important if you think about the alternative.
“One of the things that I saw after I left PSS is that my students who we worked so hard to train and then deploy when their parents died, it’s hard on the siblings to take care of them.”
As a former Human Resources director at Hyatt Regency Saipan, Mesta said she personally knows of success stories of students with disabilities that thrived after being hired and one even worked for a company for 17 years.
“Guess what, they come to work every day and are never late. As a matter of fact, we have issues when they have to go on vacation as they don’t want to. So, we have to force the issue and tell them they have to go on vacation,” she said.
For more information on Train Smart and their slew of programs like the Work Based Learning Experience Program, call Mesta at (670) 287-9033 or email her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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This is to announce that the CNMI Office of the Governor - Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) is conducting business and employer engagements, outreach, education and awareness as well as residential visits to existing consumers and/or interested applicants regarding the programs and services offered by OVR throughout the islands of Saipan, Tinian and Rota.
As mandated by OVR's granter agency, the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), the Executive Director and other delegated employees are responsible to conduct these services on all three islands of Saipan, Rota and Tinian in order to develop innovative plans and activities that build relationships with employers, community groups, faith-based organizations, non-profits , and governmental agencies, private and public sectors and seek reasonable accommodations into employer communications to maximize consumer employment opportunities, job search and job placement for people with disabilities . The OVR vehicles may be seen at the above aforementioned entities throughout this time and until further notice.
This public notice serves to address the previous reports on the OVR vehicles and employees being seen at different establishments to Office of the Public Auditor (OPA). During these visitations, OVR has been placing consumers to jobs and trainings to help achieve their vocational and employment goals. We are proud of all the partnerships we have made with a diverse community of employers and we look forward to continuing to do more for people with disabilities.
If anyone has any additional inquiries, questions, comments, or concerns, please contact our office at (670) 322-6537/38/39 or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Thank you.
Sincerely,
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This is to announce that the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) will be rescinding a previous public noticed dated March 8, 2021 regarding the temporary stop of attendance for external meetings. The public notice stated that "due to the upcoming submissions of the Internal Controls (IC) and the Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment (CSNA) Reports that are mandated by OVR 's grantor agency, the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), the OVR staff has prioritized these matters in order to maintain compliance, as well as address the large increase of consumer cases in the office."
OVR is proud to report the near completion of these required reports much earlier than expected. Therefore, OVR will be able to resume attending external meetings with our Disability Network Partners (DNP) and all other external meetings, presentations and other affairs that require and/or request OVR's attendance and presence.
For any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to contact our office at (670) 322-6537/8/9 or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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OVR helps 175 get jobs or pursue higher education - Saipan Tribune
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Disabilities network partners - Marianas Variety
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