About Vocational Consulting Services, Inc.

Karen S. Black, MEd, CRC, CCM, CDMS Owner

Karen S. Black, Owner. Karen Black is the owner of Vocational Consulting Services, Inc in Bozeman, MT. She has developed her career in vocational consulting since 1989. her credentials include both a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree from Montana State University in Bozeman, as well as the National certifications of Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, Certified Case Manager, and Certified Disability Management Specialist.

Karen has been president of Vocational Consulting Services, Inc. since January of 1998. Her experience includes providing vocational rehabilitation for worker's compensation insurance provider's; serving as an expert witness for personal injury, divorce, social security, wrongful discharge, Americans with Disabilities Act, and worker's compensation cases. Also, assisting individuals with career and vocational counseling and guidance; and teaching seminars and workshops on specific vocational issues including repetitive motion injuries, occupational stress-related claims, and worker's compensation/disability management strategies.

Laurel Schlegelmilch. Laurel earned her Master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Wisconsin-Stout in 2007. She currently holds a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor designation and has been employed with Vocational Consulting Services, Inc. since 2006. She also is a professional sign language interpreter. Laurel's proficiency lies in labor market research, job analyses, and client rapport.

Mission. Vocational Consulting Services, Inc.'s mission is to promote and facilitate personal, social and economic independence of disabled individuals by identifying the best vocational option for the individual.

Philosophy. VCS, Inc. believes that the individual with a disability is the client, regardless of the referral source. As long as access to that individual is allowed, every effort will be made to establish rapport with all parties concerned and evaluate all pertinent information available to acknowledge the individual as the primary focus. Further, VCS, Inc. believes that establishing work activities commensurate with the indvidual's abilities and taking into account interests, education, and background are the best and most healthy steps for recovery of an individual's self-esteem. However, if an individual is not able to participate in work activities, assisting that person to acknowledge and accept that fact is just as worthy an endeavor.