14 Mar Creating Bridges, Not Barriers

CITC’s Disability Employment Services offer creative solutions when it comes to helping people reach their potential

In Alaska, “work” doesn’t always look like sitting a desk. “Earning a living” doesn’t always involve commuting to an office.

For some people in CITC’s service area, making ends meet might mean dipnetting to catch a season’s worth of fish to feed a family. Or it may look like chopping firewood to get through the winter.

CITC’s Disability Employment Services (DES) program recognizes that sometimes helping a person reach their full potential requires thinking outside the box.

What “Subsistence” Means to You

Formerly known as Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation, DES assists people experiencing a disability or substance use addictions with obtaining or maintaining employment. For some people, this means pursuing education to qualify for a position or getting specialized, assistive equipment that helps them do their job.

But for others, it means pursuing subsistence activities.

“Subsistence, in this case, looks like anything that maintains a person’s livelihood,” explained Brandy Williams, a DES case manager in CITC’s Financial Assistance department. “If getting food from the wilderness is their main source of getting food, that would be considered subsistence.”

Because the DES service area extends beyond Anchorage, ranging from Homer all the way up to Willow, individuals who seek assistance at CITC may come from places that are less accessible, or communities where subsistence is the primary way to make a living. DES can help people experiencing disability purchase a fishing or hunting license, buy equipment like dipnets, or get access to other supports that allow them to maintain their subsistence lifestyle.

Testing for a Path Forward

More commonly, though, DES receives requests for things like assistance with transportation; work-related items, like interview clothes or tools; and assistive technology.

The support the program provides falls under one of four categories: education, employment, self-employment, and subsistence. While some program participants come to DES knowing exactly what they need, others want guidance for which path to pursue.

That’s where Brandy comes in. She administers assessments that help people identify the types of jobs that would be best for them. Once a person has a better idea of the path they want to pursue, Brandy helps them create an individualized plan of employment.

“They get excited,” she said. “A lot of [program participants], they’re so focused on having a job, being financially stable, that they’ll take anything. Then, a lot of times, it falls through because they don’t like it.”

By using assessments to identify a job path that actually appeals to a person and makes them feel fulfilled, DES sees more success with individuals working toward their goals.

Built-in Flexibility

Even when a person working with DES chooses an individualized plan of employment that’s not subsistence-related, case managers are used to coming up with creative solutions for people’s specific needs.

For instance, if someone chooses to pursue education but can’t drive themselves to classes, DES can provide bus passes—or even assist with purchasing a bicycle, if that works best for a person’s situation.

Unlike similar programs, like General Assistance or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, DES assistance can be very flexible. There are some things DES can’t provide, like food and rent. But Brandy and her colleagues work closely with other CITC programs and external partners to ensure people’s needs can be met so they can focus on pursuing their long-term goals.

DES staff also make referrals to the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, which can supplement the support CITC provides. Through a partnership with Aurora Benefits Counseling, they can even help individuals who receive Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income but still wish to work.

“That’s one of the big services we provide,” Brandy explained. “If we can’t assist someone directly with their needs, referrals are one of the things we offer. We want to make sure that we point them in the right direction.”

CITC’s DES program serves Alaska Native/American Indian people experiencing a disability or substance use addiction. To see if you are eligible for DES, email elg@citci.org or call (907) 793-3300. Learn more at citci.org/assistance.