Karen Heath, MS, MSVR, BASW, B.A. Foreign Languages

ACADEMIC PREPARATION:

M.S. in Vocational Rehabilitation, University of Wisconsin-Stout, May 1993
Concentration: Rehabilitation Facility Administration
Thesis: Rehabilitation Outreach Programs for Rural Alaskan Communities
Advisor: Dr. Fredrick Menz
B.A. in Social Work, University of Alaska-Fairbanks, May 1986
Minor: Spanish
Cum Laude
B.A. in Foreign Languages, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, September 1986
Minor: Psychology
Cum Laude
Academic Year in Spain. Seville, Spain, January to May 1983

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Research Professional – January 2006 to present
University of Alaska Center for Human Development

• Trained participants in Partners in Policymaking Project
• Conducted Research on Crime Victims with Disabilities in Alaska for Disability Justice Initiative funded by the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority
• Conducting evaluation, including developing and analyzing web-based surveys, and collecting and analyzing education and focus group data for College Access Program for Rural Alaska Grant and Alaska’s Real Choice Grant
• Developing and analyzing Attitudinal Barriers Survey for research portion of Comprehensive Employment Opportunity Grant
• Researching and developing screening tool for crime victims with disabilities for victim advocacy agencies under the Disability Justice Initiative
• Assisting in the development of survey for FASD research

Freelance Writer – 1997 to present

• Wrote successful grant application for U.S. Department of Education Community Parent Resource Center
• Wrote for Epicenter Press, Alaska Parenting, and Ruralite

Substitute Teacher – 1999 to 2006

Anchorage School District

• Taught K-12 Special and Regular Education

Research and Planning Consultant – January 1993 to May 1995

Independent Contractor for:
Human Services Incorporated
Washington County (Minnesota) Government Center: Community Services Division

• Researched and prepared American with Disabilities Act compliance report
• Created schema for database used by mental health case managers for developing individual community support plans.
• Prepared vocational program for Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) accreditation
• Facilitated the combining of services of two social service agencies
• Researched and facilitated the development of self directed work teams

Research Assistant – September 1990 to December 1992
Stout Research and Training Center
University of Wisconsin-Stout

• Assisted Dr. Fredrick Menz
• Collected and analyzed survey data
• Reviewed literature on various topics
• Input survey data into statistical program

Graduate Assistant – September 1990 to May 1991
Stout Vocational Rehabilitation Institute
University of Wisconsin-Stout

• Assisted the Executive Director with administrative duties including:
  • Preparing for a CARF review
  • Writing and publishing an in-house newsletter
  • Writing mini-grants

Vocational Evaluator/ Work Adjustor - October 1988 to June 1990
Fairbanks Resource Agency

• Responsible for assessing skills and vocational interests of adults with disabilities through formal and informal testing, and situational assessments. Also responsible for developing community contacts, evaluation sites, preparing evaluation reports, and coordinating services with the Alaska Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.

Employment Specialist – February 1986 to October 1988
Fairbanks Resource Agency

EVALUATION/TECHNICAL REPORTS

Ward, Karen, Heath, Karen, Lamar, Roxann. “Alaska’s Real Choice Systems Change Project: Final Evaluation Report.” Prepared for Division of Senior and Disability Services Department of Health and Social Services, 2006.

Heath, Karen, Ward, Karen, Williams, Jason. “Justice Initiative Strategy 6.2 Report: Crime Victims with Disabilities.” Prepared for Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, 2006.

Heath, Karen. “Action Plan for Complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act.” Prepared for Human Services Incorporated, 1995.

Heath, Karen L. “Rehabilitation Outreach Programs for Rural Alaskan Communities.” University of Wisconsin-Stout Database, 1993.