Culturally Appropriate Research in American Indian Employment (CARE)

We CARE About Employment

Although researchers have extensively studied state-based vocational rehabilitation (VR) programs, there is little empirical data available on VR programs in Indian Country. In order to address this knowledge gap, the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) awarded a three-year grant to the Institute for Human Development in order to conduct a community-based participatory research project focusing specifically American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services (AIVRS) projects.

The resulting program, the Culturally Appropriate Research in American Indian Employment (CARE) project, utilizes a community-based participatory research model to ensure that members of the communities being studied (including Advisory Council members, AIVRS directors, AIVRS counselors, and AIVRS service recipients) are involved in the project design and data collection. The overall goal of the project is to determine the practices and policies used by AIVRS Program personnel, particularly those that are culturally appropriate, and identify the associated characteristics of each. Many AIVRS sites already know what works and what doesn’t. We want to support their programs and work together to demonstrate that this knowledge is rooted in evidence-based practices.

The CARE Project is inviting AIVRS directors, AIVRS counselors, and AIVRS service recipients to participate in a virtual focus group and virtual one-on-one interview. We are still actively recruiting for this project. If you or anyone you know works for an AIVRS project, please contact our team at CareProjectIHD@gmail.com and we will explain the process. Participants will receive a $50 gift card as a thank-you after the focus group and interview.

Advisory Committee:

• Lanor Curole
• Jana Finkbonner
• Celeste Hunt
• Paula Seanez
• Timothy Yeahquo