Section 3: State Project Feature – Comprehensive,
Person-Centered Service Delivery Characterizes Nebraska AgrAbility
Nebraska AgrAbility is a cooperative program of the University of Nebraska
Cooperative Extension and Easter Seals Nebraska that responds to the functional,
financial and emotional needs of Nebraska's farmers and ranchers with disabilities
and their family members. Since 1995, Nebraska AgrAbility has been assisting
the state's farmers and ranchers with disabilities to continue to work safely,
profitably and efficiently, despite the challenges of permanent disabilities.
Nebraska AgrAbility's work is based on the service philosophy that all Nebraska
AgrAbility customers should have complete and accurate information about the
full array of support that have been created to help them achieve functional
and economic independence. Nebraska AgrAbility's services include:
Assessment - initial needs assessment and work site evaluation.
Information and Referral - how to access other systems for vocational
evaluation, and assistance in securing alternative employment or home modifications.
Financial Services - technical assistance with Social Security disability
benefit programs, work incentive assistance, Medicare and Medicaid eligibility
or farm business analysis.
Assistive Technology Services - information about rehabilitation technology,
funding coordination, and equipment and equipment modifications.
Support Services - case management and services coordination, advocacy
with state and federal agencies and peer support connections with other producers
who have similar circumstances.
Nebraska AgrAbility has been recognized regionally and nationally for using
Social Security disability benefit and work incentive programs for farmers and
ranchers with disabilities. The recent Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement
Act of 1999 is a major federal initiative that should offer new opportunities
to Nebraska's farmers and ranchers with disabilities. Nebraska AgrAbility is
refining the service delivery methodology to make this new federal program available
in a way that is sensitive to the functional, economic and cultural realities
of Nebraska crop and livestock production.
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Repair and maintenance of machinery has always
been important to Roger Harms. He wanted to be able to utilize tools and
devices after the loss of a hand as a result of a farm injury. Nebraska
AgrAbility staff helped Roger analyze which of the Assistive Devices of
Texas tools he would most frequently use. Roger received VR funding that
covered part of the cost of the tools.
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Nebraska AgrAbility Staff
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Rebecca Koehler has served Nebraska AgrAbility as Project Director
since its beginning in 1995. Koehler's role with the project has included
direct service delivery for AgrAbility customers and overall project coordination.
Through Koehler's leadership, the Nebraska AgrAbility team has achieved
recognition for expertise in maximizing Social Security Disability and
Work Incentive Programs for farmers and ranchers with disabilities. Koehler,
her husband, Larry, and Larry's family operate a corn, soybean and beef
operation in south central Nebraska.
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| Cindy Hinrichs serves as Nebraska AgrAbility's Rural Rehabilitation
Specialist. Hinrichs works intensively with Nebraska's farmers, ranchers
and their family members to meet their individual needs. Hinrichs worked
as a case manager in Nebraska's behavioral health system for 9 years before
joining the Nebraska AgrAbility team. In her spare time, she raises and
sells Quarter horses, farms and runs a grain bin and building construction
business with her husband, Scott. |
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| Renee Fitzke, Program Support Manager, has been with Nebraska AgrAbility
since 1998. Fitzke coordinates the day-to-day operation of the AgrAbility
office, providing information and referral, managing service delivery and
quality assurance information, developing and maintaining database systems,
coordinating educational events like Husker Harvest Days and the annual
Spring Workshop, writing the newsletter, and leading the Nebraska AgrAbility
Peer Network Steering Committee. She also teaches English at Central Community
College in Grand Island. |
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Dr. Roger Selley currently serves as AgrAbility's Project Director
for the University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension. Selley is Extension
Farm Management Specialist for the University of Nebraska South Central
Research & Extension Center and has provided farm financial consultation
for Nebraska AgrAbility since December of 1997.
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| Rod Peterson is new to the Nebraska AgrAbility project. Rod is
serving as a Rural Rehabilitation Specialist. His background is in education
and agriculture. He and his wife, Susan, have recently moved to the Doniphan
area. Susan is a Clinical Nurse Executive at Grand Island Veterans Home.
They have three adult daughters and four grandchildren. Rod's hobbies are
fishing, golfing and playing with the grandkids. |
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