Section 4: State Project Feature

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.

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.

Nebraska AgrAbility Staff

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

BACK: Focus on Vocational Rehabilitation Services

NEXT: Resources

In This Issue
Section 1: Feature Story—AgrAbility Staff Work with VR to Assist Nebraska Rancher Section 2: Focus on Vocational Rehabilitation Services	Section 3: State Project Feature—Nebraska Section 4: Resources