Welcome to WRA.  My name is Dennis Carriere, honored to be your 2008 WRA President. I’ve also been president in 2002 and 1991.  I have been in the rehabilitation field for many years, employed as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation at the Rhinelander office for 33+ years.

Your WRA was actively involved with the successful 2008 Rehabilitation & Transition Conference. In an attempt to go green, a limited number of presenter handouts were distributed at the conference.  A list of sessions and handouts are available at www.rfw.org www.rfw.org. for the 2008 Rehab. and Transition Conference.

Congratulations to the WRA/RFW 2008 Leadership award winners! The Rehabilitation Leadership Award went to Tom Lutzow, Phd., MCFI Vice President of Employment Services. The Government Leadership Award went to Sinikka Santala, DHFS Administrator, and the Legislative Leadership award went to Senator Dave Hansen from the Wisconsin State Senate.

Congratulations to the students awarded WRA scholarships, Jeanette Schermann and Courtney Hilgendorf, and to the WRCEA scholarship winner, Rachel Swotloski. Two students were also recognized for their leadership with the UW-Stout Rehabilitation Club, Katrina Pearson and Jamie Denn.

WRA is also involved with the planning of the WRA Legislative Affairs Day along with the Youth Leadership Forum on June 24th 2008. Mark your calendars as well for the next
RFW/WRA Transition conference at the American Club in Kohler on April 1-3, 2009

WRA is your organization, and together we can do great things in 2008.