Graduate Rehabilitation Counseling Association

GRCA Recognizes and Appreciates Dedicated Efforts

counseling such as: Co-author Services Administration Long Term Training for Masters Rehabilitation Counselors. $750,000, 2010 2015, funded and Primary Investigator/Grant Manager for Rehabilitation Services Administration Long Term Training for Masters Rehabilitation Counselors. Grant Award $750,000, 2008 2013. Dr. Blankenship has received the COHSHS Deans Student First Award in December 2009 and the University of Texas Pan American Faculty Research Grant Award funded research, January, 2007, 2006, and 2004. The Graduate Rehabilitation and Counseling Association (GRCA) would like to Thank Dr. Blankenship for her dedication to UTPA, GRCA and department of rehabilitation and counseling. Thank you Dr. Blankenship, GRCA E-Board.

Dr. Charlene J. Blankenship, Rh.D

Is a professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Counseling at the University of Texas-Pan American where she serves as the Master Program Coordinator. She received a Masters degree in Rehabilitation Administration and Services, and a Doctorate in Rehabilitation from the Rehabilitation Institute at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. She is a certified rehabilitation counselor and a role model for students in the rehabilitation counseling department. Dr. Blankenship is the advisor for the Graduate Rehabilitation Counseling Association (GRCA) providing her expertise in order to assist the rehabilitation department, GRCA members and surrounding community. Dr. Blankenship has conducted a vast number of professional peer reviewed publications, state local presentations, and professional community service. Dr. Blankenship is a respected, loved and admired professor by all the students in the program. Dr. Blankenship has worked on multiple grants to assist the department of rehabilitation

Noel A. Ysasi, M.S.is currently a Ph. D student in the Rehabilitation Counseling Department at the University of Texas Pan-American. GRCA would

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Graduate Rehabilitation Counseling Association like to recognize Noel Ysasi for his remarkable accomplishments and contributions. Ysasi graduated from UTPA in 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a second Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, followed by a Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling in 2007. Mr. Noel Ysasi has been a part of the rehabilitation family lecturing in the psychology and rehabilitation departments. He has served as the manager of UTPAs Veterans Service Center and was responsible for accomplishing a variety of outstanding services for the university that included the following: the implementation for UTPA veteran services center with (Veterans Counselor, Veterans Advisor, lounge, computer lab, priority registration for all veterans and dependents, 20% discount at university store and specific dining locations, trainings for human resources on how to effectively assist veterans in higher education, conferences for the university regarding the establishment of veteran friendly institutions, established veteran student organization and honor society, established university as Military Friendly/Veteran Friendly by Military Jobs, established Veterans Advisory Council and facilitated the creation of the Veterans Memorial at UTPA.. He was proud to receive the Bill Parsons Life Time Achievement Award from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs in 2012. Recently, Ysasi spoke at the 18th annual Texas Rehab Action Network (TRAN) conference and presented his topic on Assisting Veterans during the Vocational Rehabilitation Process. GRCA would like to recognize Mr. Noel Ysasi for an exemplary dedication to GRCA and the Department of rehabilitation and Counseling. place September 11-13th, 2013 in Corpus Christi. GRCA members volunteered their time to assist the TRANs speakers and had the opportunity to network with various DARS employees/staff. We were also proud to have the following three UTPA staff members from the Rehabilitation Department speak at the conference. Irmo Marini, PhD Topic: Beyond Status 26: The Undocumented Role Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors Really Play (Ethics) Noel A. Ysasi, M.S. Topic: Assisting Veterans during the VR Process Sandra Hansmann - Associate Professor UTPA Topic: Counselor Ethics in a Wired World (Ethics) ***A Special Congratulations to Irasema Silva . She was the 2013 recipient of the Texas RehabAction Network (TRAN) Scholarship. Congratulations!

2013 18th Annual Texas Rehab Action Network (TRAN) conference, September 1113, 2013.
GRCA would like to thank Irasema Silva, Alexandria Palacios, Amanda Trevino, Lisa Gutierrez, Stephanie Gonzalez, Estella Alaniz, Ruth Medina, and Alondra Gonzalez for representing GRCA/UTPA at the TRAN conference that took 2|Page

Graduate Rehabilitation Counseling Association

Upcoming Events!
UTPA Disability Services in collaboration with Texas Department of Rehabilitative Services will be hosting its annual Disability Awareness Days (DADS) on October 2nd & 3rd, 2013 from 9:00 2:00pm. GRCA will be volunteering at the event as well as donating items. For the members who are volunteering please stop by at your assigned time. We cordially invite all GRCA members to attend and to encourage friends and family. We will have speakers and vendors from the RGV such as DARS, Tropical Center, Hope Family Center, VEIL, DHR, STC, Palmer Drug Abuse, RGV Council, etc. An estimated of 20 agencies will be attending each day. We will have games and activities for the students as well as speakers. All activities will take place at the Student Union, Ballroom and Quad. It is a great opportunity for rehab students to be aware of what agencies are out there to assist individuals with disabilities as well as for potential practicum/internship sites.

Serenity in the Sand at South Padre Island, Sept. 28, 2013

On September 28, 2013 our GRCA members; Stephanie Gonzalez, Lorie Zamarripa, Ruth Medina, and Lisa Gutierrez attended the Serenity in the Sand event at South Padre Island. Conference held open narcotic anonymous meetings open to the public in which speakers shared their stories and motivation to continue remaining abstinent from the use of drug and alcohol. This conference was not only beneficial to narcotic anonymous members but GRCA members received a better understanding of a person with and addiction disease, the barriers they encounter due to the criminal justice system and their personal experiences with society. Thank you for attending and representing GRCA. UTPA Food Handling Workshop!!! GRCA would like to thank our members; Ruth Medina, Lori Zamarripa, Alexandra Palacios, and Oscar Garza for attending the Food Handling workshop last Thursday on September 26, 2013. If you couldnt make it last week you are more than welcome to attend on any of the following dates to get your certification at the Student Union Theatre from 12-1 pm. We encourage all members to attends and receive their food handling and safety certificate. Upcoming Food Handling Workshops Date: October 8th, 10th, & 29th Time: 12:00 1:00PM Location: Student Union Theater

PLEASE CONTACT OR LOOK FOR TASHA FOR YOUR SHIFT (956-605-3413) THANK YOU Volunteer Times: 9:00 am Ruth Medina 10:00 am Oscar J. Garza, Maribel Araiza 11:00 am Lauren Matthews 12:00 pm Iris Z, Jennifer Trejo 1:00 pm Yvonne Hopkins, Jacklyn Chavez

The GRCA Baked Goods Fundraiser will take place on Thursday October 3rd from 11:45-1:15pm/Chapel Lawn. For those members donating items and volunteering at the sale please contact Irasema to drop off. Remember we are only selling baked goods so if you selected another item please try to change it for the event. We appreciate all items being donated by all members. Thank you for your dedications to GRCA! Stop by and visit us at the Bake Sale 3|Page

Graduate Rehabilitation Counseling Association

Again, please drop off food items by 11:45am. Call Irasema at 960-4023. Thank you!! 1. Lorie Zamarripa (2) 24 Packs of water 2. Veronica Vera Cupcakes 3. Judith Wilson Snickerdoddles 4. Jeniffer Trejo Gummy bears and chamoy 5. Iris Zarazua Candy Apples 6. Stephanie Gonzalez Cupcakes 7. JoAnne Vasquez Cupcakes 8. Elisa Gutierrez Cookies 9. Alondra Gonzalez Brownies 10. Jennifer Mora 11. Annilu Cano 12. Daniela Barrios Also, if you are volunteering at the fundraising table please arrive 5minutes early, Thank you!! Time of Fundraiser is from 12:00 - 1:15pm 1. Lisa Gutierrez 2. Veronica Vera 3. Alondra Gonzalez 4. Irasema HESTEC starts next week on October 7th, 9th, 11th, followed by HESTEC Community Day from 4-9 pm. Stop by for the food, games, entertainment and more! October 15, 2013 - Gourmet popcorn will be distributed to members to fundraise. October 29, 2013- Gourmet popcorn fundraiser money due*

master students, we do welcome any other graduate/undergraduate student wanting to get involved.

Meetings for the Fall 2013

Day: Tuesday Time: 7:30pm Location: HSHW Room 1.404 Tuesday, October1, 2013 Tuesday, October15, 2013 Tuesday, October 29, 2013 Tuesday, November 12, 2013 Tuesday, November 26, 2013 Tuesday, December 1, 2013 (Tentative)

Contact us with any questions/ concerns at : Email:GRCA_UTPA2013@ymail.com or call (956) 206-6554 Like us on Facebook GR CA!!! Or at the UTPA bronc link http://utpa.collegiatelink.net/

For special accommodations or for more information please contact grca_utpa2013@ymail.com or call Lorie Zamarripa at (956) 206-6554 We look forward on seeing you during our next meeting!!

GRCA would like welcome new members. This is our second semester as active organization with the purpose of serving as an advocacy group in the support of disability rights at UTPA and the community at large. Our meetings are every other Tuesday at 7:30pm in the HSHW Room 1.404. Refreshments will be available!!! We encourage you to stop by and find out the many wonderful events we have planned for this semester! Although we are an association comprised of primarily Health Sciences and Human Services

Thank you, Graduate Rehabilitation Counseling Association (GRCA)

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