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Tag: Dale Rogers Training Center

Congresswoman Stephanie Bice tours AbilityOne® Program at Tinker Air Force Base

Posted on by Dale Rogers Training Center

Congresswoman Stephanie Bice (OK-05) spent part of her August recess learning how people with disabilities serve as a critical component for the federal government and the United States military.

Rep. Bice recently toured Vanwey Dining Facility, operated by Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC), at Tinker Air Force Base. DRTC has held the food service contract through SourceAmerica®, an AbilityOne® Program, for 30-years, preparing meals for military and civilian personnel around-the-clock. In addition, DRTC holds custodial contracts at TAFB, cleaning 188 buildings on base in support of the mission at Tinker.

NewView Oklahoma, a National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and AbilityOne® associated agency, participated in Rep. Bice’s visit as well. NewView Oklahoma provides employment for individuals who are blind or living with low vision. The agency employs 120 full-time employees through AbilityOne® contracts, and 186 employees organization-wide. Those employees serve in various capacities through service contracts at military installations across the country, including Tinker Air Force Base. NewView also offers employment through their Oklahoma City manufacturing plant where they manufacture a diverse range of products including wooden airplane chalks, DLA hoses, hydraulic hoses, high pressure hoses, sanitation products, survival kits, first aid kits, and more.

AbilityOne® Program employees from both DRTC and NewView Oklahoma spoke with Congresswoman Bice about the importance of the employment program in their lives. Rep. Bice also learned more about the AbilityOne® Program from DRTC Executive Director/CEO Deborah Copeland, M.Ed., and NewView Oklahoma President & CEO Lauren Branch and how people with disabilities have gained meaningful employment through contracts via SourceAmerica® and NIB.

DRTC employs approximately 200 people at Tinker Air Force Base, among its three contracts on base.

“Through employment, our staff have been able to support their families, advance their careers, and develop their skills,” said Deborah Copeland. Executive Director and CEO of DRTC. “The AbilityOne® Program continues to prove its worth, generating $2.66 to the federal government for every one-dollar spent on the program.” (Mathematica Socioeconomic Impact Evaluation Report)

The unemployment rate for Americans living with vision-related disabilities is 67%; that equates to more than 48,000 Oklahomans eligible but not participating in the workforce. “The AbilityOne® program is a vital federal program that protects and encourages the employment of individuals living with disabilities. Without it, many of our neighbors would remain unemployed,” said Lauren Branch, President and CEO of NewView Oklahoma. 

DRTC recognized Col. Abigail Ruscetta, Commander, 72nd Air Base Wing, Tinker Air Force Base, Congresswoman Bice, and Senator Markwayne Mullin (whose staff attended the event) with a commemorative acrylic manufactured at the agency’s headquarters located at 2501 N. Utah Ave. in Oklahoma City.

Man smiling in front of kitchen smiling wearing DRTC shirt.
Rep. Bice smiling listening to DRTC employees speak in kitchen area.
Man smiling in dining hall wearing DRTC collared shirt.
DRTC CEO Deborah Copeland handing award to Rep. Stephanie Bice.
Rep. Bice smiling listening to DRTC employees speak.

DRTC Academy

Posted on by Dale Rogers Training Center

First Class of DRTC Academy Recognized 

With the anticipated phase-out of subminimum wages on the horizon, DRTC (Dale Rogers Training Center) recently highlighted the accomplishments of its first class to complete the new DRTC Academy. The agency recognized 28 job seekers currently employed at DRTC, a nonprofit agency that leads a more disability-inclusive workplace and community, during a ceremony on December 13.

“The DRTC Academy is designed as an educational outreach for people with disabilities and their families to support their transition to competitive employment,” said DRTC Executive Director Deborah Copeland, M.Ed. 

A United Way of Central Oklahoma donor-directed grant established The DRTC Academy, which is being considered as a model in neighboring states. Participants advance through each self-paced module, which include navigating the challenges of employment, self-advocacy, and more. A Competitive Integrated Employment Case Manager provides individualized instruction and group support. 

In addition to becoming better prepared for community employment, participants completing the pilot program courses received a stipend for their dedication to re-imagining their future in employment.  

Two women standing in front of DRTC branded backdrop smiling at camera, one woman holding certificate and coin.
Two women standing in front of DRTC branded backdrop smiling at camera, one woman holding certificate and coin.
Man and woman standing in front of DRTC branded backdrop smiling at camera, man is holding certificate and coin.
Two women standing in front of DRTC branded backdrop smiling at camera, one woman holding certificate and coin.
Two women standing in front of DRTC branded backdrop smiling at camera, one woman holding certificate and coin.
Two women standing in front of DRTC branded backdrop smiling at camera, one woman holding certificate and coin.
Two women standing in front of DRTC branded backdrop smiling at camera, one woman holding certificate and coin.
Two women standing in front of DRTC branded backdrop smiling at camera, one woman holding certificate and coin.
Two women standing in front of DRTC branded backdrop smiling at camera, one woman holding certificate and coin.
Man and woman standing in front of DRTC branded backdrop smiling at camera, man is holding certificate.
Man and woman standing in front of DRTC branded backdrop smiling at camera, man is holding certificate.
Man and woman standing in front of DRTC branded backdrop smiling at camera, man is holding certificate and coin.
Two women standing in front of DRTC branded backdrop smiling at camera, one woman holding certificate and coin.
Two women standing in front of DRTC branded backdrop smiling at camera, one woman holding certificate.
Two women standing in front of DRTC branded backdrop smiling at camera, one woman holding certificate.
Two women standing in front of DRTC branded backdrop smiling at camera, one woman holding certificate.
Two women standing in front of DRTC branded backdrop smiling at camera, one woman holding certificate and coin.
Man and woman standing in front of DRTC branded backdrop smiling at camera, man is holding certificate.
Two women standing in front of DRTC branded backdrop smiling at camera, one woman holding certificate and coin.
Man and woman standing in front of DRTC branded backdrop smiling at camera, man is holding certificate and coin.
Two women standing in front of DRTC branded backdrop smiling at camera, one woman holding certificate and coin.
Man and woman standing in front of DRTC branded backdrop smiling at camera, man is holding certificate and coin.
Two women standing in front of DRTC branded backdrop smiling at camera, one woman holding certificate and coin.
Man and woman standing in front of DRTC branded backdrop smiling at camera, man is holding certificate and coin.
Large group photo in front of DRTC backdrop.
Rows of certificates laid out on a table.

Providing Essential Workers During the Pandemic and Beyond

Posted on by Dale Rogers Training Center

Frontline workers at DRTC (also known as Dale Rogers Training Center) have been extremely busy since the pandemic, picking up the now familiar title essential worker along the way.

DRTC holds federal contracts providing custodial at Tinker Air Force Base, the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center at FAA, US Marshals and several federal buildings in downtown Oklahoma City. Chances are, if you’ve passed through these areas, DRTC played a role in its upkeep—all 7.1 million square feet! In addition, DRTC provides food service through another federal contract at Tinker Air Force Base, serving a wide variety of meals to military personnel 24/7/365.

Total, DRTC employs approximately 300 at these federal contract locations. As part of these contracts through SourceAmerica®, 75% of those employees have a disability. They provide mission-support to help keep vital government and military functions running smoothly. Through innovative internal programs, DRTC provides tailored on-the-job training, job advancement and employment opportunities.

Spearheading many of these changes is DRTC Executive Director Deborah Copeland, M.Ed. Since officially stepping into her role at the beginning of 2020, Copeland has navigated the agency through the pandemic, pivoting services and programs, but never losing sight of the agency’s mission of supporting people with disabilities through employment opportunities. Additionally, Copeland has become a leading voice in disability-inclusive workplaces as it relates to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

Founded in 1953, DRTC is making plans for a 70th Anniversary celebration in 2023 that will honor disability-inclusive employers. If your business needs assistance with hiring and diversifying your talent pool, we have the right applicants for your needs. DRTC’s Employment Services Program helps transition qualified applicants into new jobs throughout the metro at no additional cost to employers. We’re also a great resource for accommodations and accessibility! Learn more at DRTC.org.

DRTC (Dale Rogers Training Center), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency, promotes a more disability-inclusive workplace and community. With multiple locations in Oklahoma, DRTC trains, serves, or employs approximately 1,000 people with disabilities per year. Visit us online: DRTC.org.

Fresh Look, Same Purpose

Posted on by Dale Rogers Training Center

Leading the Community Toward a More Disability-inclusive Workforce

DRTC logo with three blue swooshes extending up and to the left, with three dots at the end. Ability at work

DRTC is excited to announce a refreshed brand identity to reflect the innovative and forward-thinking nature of our organization. Through careful analysis of our organization’s values and a comprehensive assessment of community awareness and perceptions, we created a fresh new look that includes a logo, color scheme and tagline. While our mission, programs and services remain the same, the updated DRTC brand identity more clearly illustrates who we are today and heralds the future of our organization.

The refreshed DRTC logo reflects a more modern look and conveys our core message of leading the community toward a more disability-inclusive workforce. The logo evokes feelings of forward movement, innovation, energy and excitement. The three blue forward arcs represent the foresighted and progressive nature of DRTC’s entrepreneurial business model and employment opportunities. As the arcs unite together, the logo also reflects DRTC’s important mission of inclusivity, while the blue discs symbolize the people whom DRTC serves.

The tagline “Ability At Work” conveys the concept that DRTC is creating a workforce that is accessible and inclusive of people of all abilities. The blue color scheme of the logo communicates trust, loyalty, reliability and integrity, while the red tagline is energetic and powerful.

DRTC (Dale Rogers Training Center), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency, is Oklahoma’s leading community vocational training and employment center for people with disabilities in Oklahoma. With multiple locations in Oklahoma, DRTC trains or employs approximately 1,000 people with disabilities per year. The private agency promotes diversity and inclusion of persons with disabilities within our Oklahoma workforce and communities. Visit us online: DRTC.org.

DRTC introduces Chief of Contract Services

Posted on by Dale Rogers Training Center

Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC), an entrepreneurial nonprofit agency that promotes independence through employment for people with disabilities, announces the hiring of its new Chief of Contract Services.

Kevin Sonntag headshot
Kevin Sonntag

Kevin Sonntag joins the agency to provide leadership for DRTC’s federal contracts at multiple locations including Tinker Air Force Base, Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center at FAA, US Marshals and federal buildings downtown. Sonntag will also continue to build on DRTC’s long-standing relationship with SourceAmerica®, a national nonprofit that helps link the federal government to private sector organizations as they seek to procure services through AbilityOne®.

“Kevin brings a very dynamic combination of experience and expertise to the agency and our federal contracts,” said DRTC Executive Director Deborah Copeland, M.Ed.

Sonntag most recently served as Director of Population Health & Analytics at NorthCare where he supported the agency’s transition to value-based care through improving data-driven leadership capabilities and leading population health and analytics projects. He is also a Licensed Professional Counselor in Oklahoma and has led a team of therapists at Sunbeam Family Services as Director of Counseling. Sonntag received his BBA in Management-Human Resources from Texas A&M University and completed his MA in Counseling at Denver Seminary.

Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency, is Oklahoma’s leading community vocational training and employment center for people with disabilities in Oklahoma. With multiple locations in Oklahoma, DRTC trains, serves and employs approximately 1,000 people with disabilities per year. Visit us online: DRTC.org.

Turn it up: DD Audio and DRTC providing PPE

Posted on by Dale Rogers Training Center

A unique partnership between a local nonprofit and worldwide manufacturer of high-quality mobile audio equipment is putting much-needed personal protective equipment (PPE) in the hands of first responders in the metro.

Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC), a nonprofit that provides training and jobs for people with disabilities, and Digital Designs Audio (DD Audio) are teaming up to produce face shields in response to COVID-19. The face shields are being manufactured for health care providers at the Oklahoma City-County Health Department (OCCHD).

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DRTC is using DD Audio’s source files to cut the materials needed and then assembles them to specifications. While the agency’s Vocational Rehabilitation programs have been temporarily closed since March 26, 2020, staff on the main campus are producing 300-500 face shields daily.

“We learned that DRTC has the equipment necessary and can do manufacturing as well,” said Shawn Wright, with DD Audio. “This project helps both entities with their missions as well as helping the community at large.”

“DRTC has partnered with DD Audio since 2012 assisting with their packaging and kitting needs,” said DRTC Sales/Business Manager Mark Claunch. “This opportunity helps address a critical need in the community while maintaining our relationship with DD Audio during the pandemic.”

Send inquiries for completed face shields to sales@ddaudio.com; source files are available at http://ddaud.io/face-shield-files. 

Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency, is Oklahoma’s leading community vocational training and employment center for people with disabilities in Oklahoma. With multiple locations in Oklahoma, DRTC trains or employs approximately 1,000 people with disabilities per year. Visit us online: DRTC.org.

DD Audio is an Oklahoma based manufacturer of high-quality mobile audio products. For more information visit https://ddaudio.com.

Educational opportunity

Posted on by Dale Rogers Training Center

Eager job seekers listen intently, take notes and soak up information hoping it will help them in their next employment opportunity.

It’s a break from the typical job hunt through Dale Rogers Training Center’s (DRTC) Employment Services Program, which helps people with disabilities find, train for, and keep jobs in the community. Today, a group of University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) students is putting on a presentation to educate them about what to do and not to do when seeking a job and working.

DRTC Employment Services Program participants and UCO students.
DRTC Employment Services Program participants and UCO students.

Elyse Barnett, Abby Graham and Jordan Michela, all seniors at UCO, developed the presentation as part of their Corporate Training and Consulting class, led by Dr. Christy Vincent. Working in tandem with Linda Sechrist, DRTC Employment Services Manager, the students conducted a training needs assessment and developed their topics and activities based off this feedback.

“The presentation was well planned, and the materials and handouts were appropriate for individuals in attendance,” said Linda. “The activities were not only instructional but also fun.”

Presentation praise

LaQuoya, seated left, enjoys the presentation by UCO students on job readiness.
LaQuoya, seated left, enjoys the presentation by UCO students on job readiness.

LaQuoya, who has done housekeeping work for 10 years, enjoyed the presentation, particularly the sections on being respectful and body language.

“I like to work,” LaQuoya said. “I want to do an office job.”

The topics covered also served as a refresher for some participants, like Evan, looking to find their next work opportunity.

Employment Services Program participants learn about job skills and readiness.
Evan participates in the UCO students’ presentation.

“I’m always on time,” Evan beamed. “I hope to work in the medical field.”

Employment Services Program participants learned about several topics, including the importance of making a good first impression, professionalism, and communicating with colleagues, customers and bosses.

“We hope you’re successful in that first day and beyond,” Jordan told program participants during her portion of the presentation.

“I felt like I had a personal investment in it,” said Elyse, whose sister has Prader-Willi syndrome.

“I think we had a passion for it,” Abby said of their collaboration.

More training to be done

For Abby, Elyse and Jordan, this is the culmination of months of preparation. However, their work doesn’t end here. Their full presentation will be used by DRTC’s Employment Services Program as part of its vocational preparation class and could even be used for the agency’s Transition School-to-Work Program which helps provide job training to high school juniors and seniors with disabilities.

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DRTC/UCO partnership

This isn’t the first time Dale Rogers Training Center has teamed up with students from the University of Central Oklahoma. Students with UCO’s Speech and Hearing clinic have provided therapy sessions, with guidance of a speech pathologist, every semester for people in DRTC’s various on-campus programs since 1999 on a weekly basis.

Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC) is the oldest and largest community vocational training and employment center for people with disabilities in Oklahoma. With multiple locations in Oklahoma, DRTC trains or employs more than 1,100 people with disabilities per year. Visit us online: DRTC.org.

Dancing into Fall

Posted on by Dale Rogers Training Center

Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC) had an unforgettable time at our annual Fall Festival, thanks to the West OKC Rotary Club.

Rotarians came out to cook and serve food, play music and setup crafts for individuals at DRTC’s main campus at 2501 N. Utah Ave.

“DRTC enjoys our long-standing partnership with the Rotary Club,” said DRTC Executive Director Connie Thrash, M.Ed. “Our folks enjoy taking a break from work just like everyone else and the Rotarians put on a great event every year.”

Lindsey and Quoshon were awesome servers!
Having fun at the Fall Festival.
Group photo with OK County Commissioner Brian Maughan.
Chicken dance!

Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC) is the oldest and largest community vocational training and employment center for people with disabilities in Oklahoma. With multiple locations in Oklahoma, DRTC trains or employs more than 1,100 people with disabilities per year. Visit us online: DRTC.org.

Dancing into Fall

Posted on by Dale Rogers Training Center

Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC) had an unforgettable time at our annual Fall Festival, thanks to the West OKC Rotary Club.

Rotarians came out to cook and serve food, play music and setup crafts for individuals at DRTC’s main campus at 2501 N. Utah Ave.

“DRTC enjoys our long-standing partnership with the Rotary Club,” said DRTC Executive Director Connie Thrash, M.Ed. “Our folks enjoy taking a break from work just like everyone else and the Rotarians put on a great event every year.”

Lindsey and Quoshon were awesome servers!
Having fun at the Fall Festival.
Group photo with OK County Commissioner Brian Maughan.
Chicken dance!

Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC) is the oldest and largest community vocational training and employment center for people with disabilities in Oklahoma. With multiple locations in Oklahoma, DRTC trains or employs more than 1,100 people with disabilities per year. Visit us online: DRTC.org.

Volunteering for fun!

Posted on by Dale Rogers Training Center

Dale Rogers Training Center’s (DRTC) Camp Tumbleweed is winding down, but not without some more fun courtesy of Bishop McGuinness High School’s Social Justice course. Students took a tour of DRTC, learning about our history and what we do at the agency, and then volunteered at Camp T.

BMHS seniors and Camp T campers had a great time playing games!  Thank you for volunteering!

Learn more about exciting volunteer opportunities at DRTC.

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Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC) is the oldest and largest community vocational training and employment center for people with disabilities in Oklahoma. With multiple locations in Oklahoma, DRTC trains or employs more than 1,100 people with disabilities per year. Visit us online: DRTC.org.

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Dale Rogers Training Center, Inc.

2501 N. Utah Ave.
Oklahoma City, OK 73107

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Phone: 405-946-4489
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