June 18, 2003

Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation Program Director Hired

Sharon Olsen, Director of Employment & Training is pleased to announce that Mrs. Teresa Sarabia-Grantham has been selected as the Program Director for the Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation Program.

Teresa was born and raised in Juneau and worked most recently with CCTHITA/E&T/TANF grant U.S. Dept. of Labor, S.E. Alaska Native Workforce Preparation Initiative (SEANWPI) Program as the Pre-Vocational Instructor. Teresa traveled throughout southeast working with Tribal entities to implement program objectives in distance education/vocational skills. She has also worked as a Workforce Development Specialist with the TANF Program as well as Project Assistant to SEANWPI. Teresa was the Coordinator of the Indian Education Program, Salem/Keizer School District in Salem, Oregon. She wrote and administered their five-year grant. She has thoroughly enjoyed working for the past 8 years with entities that serve Native people. Teresa has a strong background in case management work helping Tribal Members to become self sufficient. Teresa worked for the State of Alaska for 15+ years with a solid background in the Human Resources Field.

Teresa is the daughter of the late Edward Sarabia Sr. of Hoonah and Helen Sarabia of Douglas, AK. Having parents who were raised in rural communities and herself being raised here in Juneau, she is keenly aware of the issues that face our people. She looks forward in working as a team with the TVR staff who have brought CCTHITA/E&T to a new level nationally.

Please join me in welcoming Teresa Sarabia-Grantham to the Tlingit Haida Central Council management team. She is a great addition to our hardworking team of people dedicated to serving our people.

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For Information Contact:
Sharon Olsen, Employment & Training Director
Toll Free: (800) 344-1432 | Local: 463-7140