About Us
An overview of the Rehabilitation Council of Texas, its mission, values, leadership, and members.
Overview
The Rehabilitation Council of Texas (Council) advises the state’s designated Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Program on policy, scope, and effectiveness of services. The Council is federally mandated by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by WIOA.
The Council helps ensure that Texans with disabilities have access to effective VR services that result in competitive and integrated employment, greater independence, and community participation. Bylaws that are designed to support this goal govern the Council.
The Texas governor appoints Council members for three-year terms to represent a diverse range of individuals with disabilities and community perspectives. They are charged with being the voice of VR service recipients.
The Council participates in National Coalition of State Rehabilitation Councils to promote a nationally consistent vision for VR priorities, goals, and outcomes.
Mission
To advise and partner with the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) and Texas Workforce Solutions-Vocational Rehabilitation Services (TWS-VRS) to ensure Texans with disabilities have access to an effective service delivery system leading to employment
Values
- The worth and dignity of each individual
- The right to choice, which is realized by access to full information
- Work opportunities, which open doors to individual independence and participation in community life
- Person-centered goals, service plans, and delivery systems leading to individual success
- Shared roles and responsibilities to improve customer satisfaction with the rehabilitation process and outcomes
- Collaboration and partnership with federal, state, and private agencies for system improvement
Members
Peggy Schmidt, Chair
of Lucas is the Associate Director of the Community Rehabilitation Provider at the University of North Texas’ Workplace Inclusion and Sustainable Employment. She a member of the Association of People Supporting Employment First and is a youth and family volunteer for Christ the Servant Lutheran Church. Schmidt received a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and Criminal Justice from South Dakota State University.
Jordan Smelley, Vice Chair
of Burleson is a former mental health peer specialist with co-occurring intellectual and developmental differences with the Association of Persons Affected by Addiction. He is a member of the National Association of Peer Supporters, National Alliance on Mental Illness, and the Phi Theta Kappa International College Honor Society. Additionally, Smelley is a volleyball referee with the Special Olympics of Texas and a graduate of Burleson High School. Jordan is also the recipient of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Texas Chapter 2023 Empowerment Award for Excellence in Promotion of Self-Advocacy.
Emily Heise, Membership and Education Committee Chair
of Pflugerville is an Educational Program Specialist at the Texas Education Agency. She is a member of Texas Association of the Deaf. Robinson received a Bachelor of Arts in Communications Sciences and Disorders and a Master of Science in Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing from Texas Woman’s University.
Norine Gill, Policy, Procedure and Personnel Development Committee Co-Chair
of Taylor Lake Village is the founder and executive director of Imagine Enterprises, which guides individuals with disabilities in benefits planning, employment services, and consumer directed services. She is a member of the Association of Business and Professional Women and the Association of People Supporting Employment First. Gill received a Bachelor of Science in Social Work and a Master of Science in Social Work from The University of Texas at Austin.
Michele Norris, Policy, Procedure and Personnel Development Committee Co-Chair
of La Porte is a Regional Blind Services Specialist at Texas Workforce Solutions. Previously, she served as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor. Dobbins received a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Saint Vincent College and a Master of Science in Clinical Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling from Texas Tech University.
Tammy Ames
of Austin is the Director of the Vocational Rehabilitation Division at the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). She is dedicated to supporting Texans with disabilities in achieving their career and independent living goals. She oversees the Division’s diverse portfolio of programs including the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Program, the Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center, the Office of Blind Services (including the Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who Are Blind (OIB) program), the Business Enterprises of Texas Program (BET) and the Purchasing from People with Disabilities (PPD) Program. With over 20 years of experience in the vocational rehabilitation field, Tammy’s career has evolved from a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor to leadership roles in Utah and Texas, including a previous role as the VR Division’s Deputy Division Director of Field Services Delivery at TWC. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Science from Utah Valley State University and a Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling from Utah State University. A graduate of the Texas Governor’s Executive Development Program, Tammy is passionate about empowering individuals with disabilities to realize their potential through meaningful careers.
Christopher “Mark” Baird
of San Angelo is a Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisor for the Texas Workforce Commission. He previously served as a Unit Support Coordinator and Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the Texas Workforce Commission and the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services and as a Community Supervision Officer for Concho Valley Community Supervision and Corrections Department. He is a member of the Concho Valley Workforce Development Board. Baird received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Texas Tech University and a Master in Rehabilitation Counseling from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.
Jeanie Beaman
of Comfort is a senior staff advocate for Disability Rights Texas. She has been a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor for 32 years. She is a board member of the National Rehabilitation Association and a member of the Texas Rehabilitation Association. Beaman received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from St. Catherine University, a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling from St. Cloud State University, and a certificate in Forensic Rehabilitation Counseling from The George Washington University.
Glenda Born
of Austin is a retired Assistive Technology Specialist for the Texas Workforce Commission. During her 40-year career, she served as Director and Qualified Mental Retardation Professional at Marbridge Foundation Intermediate Care Facility for developmentally challenged women, a Rehabilitation Teacher and Team Coordinator for the Texas Commission for the Blind and a Work Adjustment Specialist for the Travis Association for the Blind. Additionally, she holds a professional counselor’s license. Born received a Bachelor of Science and Master’s in Education from Stephen F. Austin State University.
Leslie Cantu
of Poteet is the vice president of Toyotetsu Texas, Inc. (TTTX). She is the board chair of Workforce Solutions Alamo, president of the Texas Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education – Alamo Chapter, and a member of the Texas Workforce Commission Adult Education and Literacy Advisory Committee, Board of Trustees for the CAST Schools, Highlands High School PTech Advisory Board, and Poteet High School PTech Advisory Board. Cantu received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Texas A&M University.
Michelle Harper
of San Marcos is the president and CEO of United Way of Hays & Caldwell Counties. She serves as vice chair of the San Marcos Academy Bear Network, board secretary for the Master’s School of San Marcos Foundation, board member for the First United Methodist Church of San Marcos Foundation, and a volunteer assistant tennis and basketball coach for San Marcos Academy. Harper received a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication and Public Relations from Southwest Texas State University, as well as a teacher certificate from Texas State University.
Melva Henderson
of Dallas is the founder and CEO of Living Beyond Limits nonprofit organization and has over 10 years of professional experience working within the blind and visually impaired community. She is a vision life coach, helping others create a roadmap to successfully live a life beyond limits while providing events that bring awareness to an underserved community. Henderson received a Bachelor of Social Work from Texas Woman’s University and a Master of Social Work from East Texas A&M University. Additionally, she received a certificate in business management from George Mason University.
Elizabeth “Elle” Holtzman
of Beaumont is an ice slinger at Stormie’s SnoCones and T-Shirts. She serves on the leadership team for the Southeast Texas Self-Advocates, part of The Arc of Greater Beaumont. Holtzman received an associate degree in general studies from Lamar Institute of Technology.
Kiffany Jefferson
of Rowlett is a transition specialist with Mesquite ISD. She is a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Sharing Life, Creative Kids Learning Center, and the Thompson Rehabilitation Center. Additionally, she is a board member and president of an Abundance of Love Enterprises, LLC. Jefferson received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Special Education from Southern University and A&M College and a Master of Arts in Special Education from The University of Texas Permian Basin.
Erica Kress
of Aubrey is an Independent Disability Consultant with over a decade experience in elementary public education. She also shares her disability journey with the public and is a passionate advocate for the blind community. Kress received a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts from UT Arlington.
Shannon Rosson
of Bedford is the PACT Project director for Partners Resource Network. She is a member of the Community Resource Coordination Groups for Dallas, Ellis, Kaufman, and Tarrant counties. Rosson is also a former member of the Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District Council of Parent Teacher Associations. Additionally, she is a member of the Trinity High School Softball Booster Club and a former Coach for the Special Olympics of Texas. Rosson received a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from The University of Texas (UT) at Austin.
Marla Williams
of Forth Worth is the founder and director of Strategic Employment Solutions, LLC. and has since worked as an employment specialist holding a contract with the State of Texas through the Texas Workforce Commission. She previously worked for the Eagle Mountain–Saginaw independent school district, where she served as a special education classroom teacher for four years and later as a Transition Specialist for 10 years. Williams received a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from The University of Texas at Arlington.