2025 InterHab Live Courses: From Needs to Readiness- Applying Maslow’s Hierarchy to the Vocational Rehabilitation Process
July 11 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am
From Needs to Readiness- Applying Maslow’s Hierarchy to the Vocational Rehabilitation Process
July 11, 2025 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
About the Course:
During this 45-minute presentation, Sandra Griffiths and Tasha Markovich will discuss some of the best practices that Johnson County Developmental Supports implements during the discovery process to determine if needs are being met and to determine additional supports needed.
About the Presenters:
Tasha Markovich has over 20 years of experience in the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) field, serving in a wide range of roles across Kansas. Her career began in residential services, where she worked with numerous respected organizations, including OCCK in Concordia, the Smith Agency in Emporia, Hartford Inc. in Hartford, Cottonwood Inc. in Lawrence, Life Centers of Kansas in Overland Park, and Johnson County Developmental Supports (JCDS) in Lenexa.
In addition to her professional experience, Tasha is also a dedicated guardian and payee for her uncle, who has Down syndrome, further deepening her personal connection to the I/DD community.
In 2018, Tasha transitioned to the employment services side of the field through the End-Dependence Kansas (EDK) Program. When the program was dissolved during the COVID-19 pandemic, she continued her work by joining the Supported Employment team. Since 2021, she has served as an Employment Specialist and Job Developer within Vocational Rehabilitation, helping individuals with disabilities find meaningful, sustainable employment.
In early 2024, Tasha completed an 18-week ACRE (Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators) Professional Level course in Employment Services, with a specialized emphasis in Customized Employment, further solidifying her commitment to advancing inclusive employment opportunities.
Tasha has been a Mandt instructor with JCDS since 2021. She currently teaches Introduction to Deaf and Non-Verbal communication during new employee orientation and is an instructor for Sound of Silence: ASL Vocabulary.
Sandra Griffiths is a dedicated advocate and professional with over a decade of experience in the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) field. Her career has been defined by a passion for inclusion, person-centered support, and empowering individuals to achieve greater independence.
Sandra began her journey in 2014, supporting students in the Blue Valley School District in Overland Park, Kansas. There, she played a vital role in fostering inclusive educational environments and promoting meaningful student engagement.
In 2018, Sandra joined Johnson County Developmental Supports (JCDS) as an Employment Specialist, contributing to the End Dependence Kansas initiative—a statewide effort aimed at helping 2,000 Kansans with IDD secure competitive employment. Although the program concluded in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sandra continued her advocacy as a Case Manager with COF Training Services in Ottawa, Kansas, where she delivered person-centered planning and coordinated comprehensive support services.
Sandra later returned to JCDS in her current role as an Employment Specialist on the Vocational Rehabilitation team, where she continues to connect individuals with meaningful work opportunities that align with their strengths and aspirations.
Beyond her primary role, Sandra is a certified MANDT instructor and teaches Individual Rights during new hire orientations. She is also a Personal Outcomes Measures interviewer with The Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL), further demonstrating her commitment to upholding the rights and dignity of those she serves.