StaffUp ASAP – Accelerated Training for VR Professionals

Beth Gaertner is the Director of Education at the Stout Vocational Rehabilitation Institute (SVRI). In that role, she leads education and training efforts within SVRI. These efforts include continuing professional education training, agency consulting, and technical assistance services. Previously, Beth worked as an Outreach Specialist for SVRI and in the unit that determines eligibility for the State of Wisconsin Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) program. Prior to SVRI, Beth spent three years with the Community Support Network in Madison, Wisconsin, where she served as a Supportive Employment Specialist, Volunteer Coordinator, and Case Manager. Beth attended the University of Wisconsin-Stout in the M.S. Rehabilitation Counseling program and the University of Wisconsin – Madison for a bachelor’s degree in psychology. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and exploring new places.

Shayna serves as the Outreach Manager and Trainer at the Stout Vocational Rehabilitation Institute (SVRI), where she leads outreach strategies, designs program curricula, and facilitates the StaffUp ASAP accelerated vocational rehabilitation training program—an initiative supported by the Disability Innovation Fund (DIF) grant. Before joining SVRI, Shayna held several roles with the South Dakota Division of Rehabilitation Services, including vocational rehabilitation counselor, manager for deaf services, and training specialist. She earned both her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling from South Dakota State University and is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor.

Eric is an Outreach and Training Program Manager for the Stout Vocational Rehabilitation Institute. With over two decades of experience across public, private, and nonprofit sectors in Vocational Rehabilitation and Healthcare, Eric has led strategic initiatives in social wellbeing, vocational rehabilitation, and public outreach. Prior to his current role, he served as the Social Wellbeing Coordinator at Intermountain Health and held senior leadership positions at the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation. He holds a master’s in counseling psychology from Lewis & Clark College and a master’s in public health from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Eric is passionate about education, promoting cross-sector partnerships and advancing public programs through training, policy and program development.