Helmig excited to be part of the State Rehabilitation Council

By Neal A. Johnson, UD Editor
Posted 12/18/24

LINN— Claire Helmig, 22, of Linn, is poised to begin a three-year term on the State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) following Gov. Mike Parson’s recent appointment. She is understandably …

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Helmig excited to be part of the State Rehabilitation Council

Posted

LINN— Claire Helmig, 22, of Linn, is poised to begin a three-year term on the State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) following Gov. Mike Parson’s recent appointment. She is understandably excited about the opportunity to provide an insider’s perspective on the challenges individuals with disabilities face every day.

“I always want to talk about my disability so people understand,” said Helmig, who was born with auditory processing disorder (ADP), a condition that affects how the brain processes sounds, making it difficult to understand what’s being said. She was diagnosed in the sixth grade with the rare condition, which only afflicts 3-4% of the population.

It’s important to note that Helmig does not suffer from hearing loss or impairment; it’s the interpretation of what she hears that sometimes gets scrambled. She has undergone years of speech therapy and has a unique perspective on the State Rehabilitation Council.

Helmig hadn’t considered serving on a state board, but that changed after she testified before the Senate Budget Committee on Oct. 2 about her involvement with the Independent Living Resource Center (ILRC) since 2018.

“I found out about ILRC during high school when Jenny Cowert (my independent living specialist) came to my school,” Helmig told senators. “She talked about driving and the rules of the road and supported me with my teachers and my Individualized Education Plan (IEP). She helped me set my goals.”

Helmig achieved her goal of acquiring her driver’s permit and license. ILRC helped Claire study for the permit test, and then she worked with Becky Kleffner of Central Missouri Driver’s Training, to learn how to drive. “I give Becky props,” Stephanie said.

Securing a driver’s license was a huge accomplishment and provided even more opportunities for growth. “It opens up a whole world for individuals when they can drive for employment,” Stephanie noted. “When you live in a rural area like this, you need to be able to drive. Now, she’s not so limited. Claire drives to Jefferson City and wherever she needs to go. It increased her independence.”

Stephanie added that driving opens the door for disabled individuals who need to get to work or who just want to get around without having to rely on limited options. “Around here, there’s not much as far as transportation goes,” she said. “Transportation is huge to get access to any kind of services, and Claire can advocate for that on the council.”

Claire is still working on living independently, meal-planning, cooking for herself, and learning how to budget and pay bills.

Claire’s mother, Stephanie, is a support coordinator who has always ensured her daughter has access to resources and opportunities.

During Claire’s junior year, she was advised that taking the ACT was unnecessary, but Stephanie insisted because she wanted her daughter to have collegiate options through the A+ Program, which funds two-year college tuition and books for up to five years after graduation from high school.

“The counselor, Shannon Wolfe, called me and told me Claire earned A plus,” Stephanie said. “That was a huge celebration.”

Claire graduated from Linn High School in May 2021, and she’ll have an opportunity to utilize the funding through next year. “The nice thing is you don’t have to use the funding all at once,” Stephanie noted.

In the summer between her junior and senior years, Claire utilized the Summer Work Experience Program (SWEP) to begin working at Schnuck’s grocery store in Jefferson City as part of Vocational Rehab.

“That was my first job as an adult,” Claire said.

“Claire really advocated for herself,” Stephanie added. “The store has a floral department, and she wanted to work there. They told her no because they normally didn’t have students working in that department.”

However, Claire persisted, and before long, she worked and answered the phone in the floral department.

Following that work experience, Claire began receiving formal support through an employment agency after graduation.

Claire participated in the Missouri Youth Leadership as a junior in 2020. She also participates annually in the Real Voices Real Choices (RVRC) conference and is active with Osage County Special Services, Healing Horses, and the Special Olympics. She ran track during middle and high school and still participates in track and basketball with the Special Olympics through Jeff City Parks & Recreation.

By August 2021, Claire was working as a florist assistant at River City Florist.   

“I told Claire that if she were going to college, she would need to be ready by August, so she should have a job by then as well,” Stephanie said. “That’s kind of how I put it to her.”

While employed by the florist, Claire also began working as a Level I medication aide assistant at Harbor Place in Linn and previously served as a dietary aide for General Baptist Nursing Home.

“We know Gina (Huckstep), and she needed help,” Stephanie said of the Harbor Place administrator. “It morphed into a better opportunity, closer to home.”

Claire told legislators during her testimony that her job is to prepare drinks and coffee, restock the snack shelf, pass out plates to residents, wipe down tables, vacuum, and remove trash from rooms.

Huckstep said she and the residents are proud of Helmig’s appointment. “I’m sure she’ll do a great job and make sure the people in Jefferson City understand what it’s like to live with a disability,” she added.

The State Rehabilitation Council was first authorized by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and amended in 1998. Section 105 of the Act requires the state vocational rehabilitation agency to establish a council, which was initially formed on June 1, 1993. Council members are appointed by the governor and serve no more than two consecutive three-year terms. As required by the Act, the council is represented by the Statewide Independent Living Council, Parent Training and Information Center, Client Assistance Program, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, Community Rehabilitation Program Service Providers, Business, industry, and labor, Disability advocacy groups, Current or former applicants/recipients of vocational rehabilitation services, Office of Special Education (the state agency responsible for the Individuals with Disabilities Act), and the State Workforce Development Board.

The SRC is responsible for reviewing, analyzing, and advising Missouri Vocational Rehabilitation regarding its performance on such issues as eligibility, services provided to consumers, and any other functions affecting people with disabilities.

Independent Living Resource Center Executive Director and Missouri Centers for Independent Living (MOCIL) VP Susan Roemer, of Harrisburg, also named to the SRC, helped Claire get everything prepared and encouraged her to apply for the council seat.

“Susan has been wonderful,” Stephanie said. “She helped Claire understand some questions on the application and made sure we had it turned in.”

“It was a bit late,” Claire added, saying she didn’t expect to be selected. “I thought they probably didn’t want to pick someone who kind of sent it in a bit late.”

Stephanie explained the application did not have a deadline. Still, Roemer, a certified workforce development professional who previously served as director of professional services for MORE Group, called nonetheless to ask if she had everything submitted. It turned out she and Claire needed to add the latter’s resume and other documents, and completed it two weeks ahead of the appointment announcement.

“We thought if we didn’t get it this year, maybe the next time would work out,” Stephanie said.

Claire noted there was no communication with Gov. Parson before the announcement.

“She thought she’d get a letter or an email or something, but we have received nothing yet,” Stephanie added.

Claire will attend her first SRC meeting in January or February, and her role will be to provide insight while representing people with disabilities. The employment she’s maintained is a testament to the fact that people with disabilities are capable employees in certain situations. Claire credits the supports she received as assisting her with gaining competitive employment.

However, she is uncertain whether she will be asked questions by fellow SRC members, the public during meetings, or online. Stephanie has a theory, though. “I think she’s kind of going to be their token individual who’s received supports, because everybody else appointed by the governor has a degree and are professionals,” she said. “Claire’s lived the experience of receiving the supports herself, so she’ll be the voice of somebody who’s actually received that.”

Stephanie believes Claire will thrive on the SRC. “She gets along with everybody; I think that’s a big part of it,” Stephanie said. “She has a very pleasing nature, is adventurous, and wants to try new things.”

Claire lives at home with her mom, and dad, Stephanie and Andy, and has a brother, Braden.