CAS Professional Development
The Communication Access Services (CAS) program offers a variety of professional development opportunities for signed language interpreters in the State. The CAS interpreter mentors offer training for school district interpreters, workshops for working and student interpreters, and short online webinars.
We are pleased to announce we are coming up on our third year of providing our The Practical Interpreter Training Series (PITS) workshops which consist of short (2 hours or less), free webinars each month providing interpreters with an easy skill they can incorporate into their work immediately. Below are links to the next webinars in our PITS series:
Save the Dates:
Interpreting Vocational Rehabilitation: Service Provision
Saturday, February 4, 2023, from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm PST
This workshop will provide participants with an overview of the work done by the Nevada Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation. This overview will cover VR-specific terminology, processes, and expectations with a focus on the service provision phase. By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to define the purpose of VR and the clients that it serves; understand the sequence of services provided by VR; define and explain VR terminology, processes, and expectations for the service provision phase; and apply the knowledge learned about the service provision phase while practicing with a mock VR scenario.
Be the CEO of Your Own Business: Best Business Practices for Freelance Interpreters
February 21, 2023, from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm PST
This workshop will cover the basics of establishing and operating a freelance interpreting business.
What is the difference between being an employee and a freelancer? How do you establish your small business? What do you need to know to negotiate a contract? How do you collect payment?
What are the benefits of having your own small business?
• Freedom to create your own schedule
• Save more for retirement
• Tax advantages
• Be your own boss
• Pride in ownership
To register for this workshop: https://tinyurl.com/nvcasregister
CAS Mentorship
The CAS interpreter mentoring program takes a holistic approach to mentoring while focusing on developing self-analysis skills. There is so much more to interpreting than just interpreting skills. The holistic approach allows for a broader understanding of the real-life complexities that impact the interpreting process and product. Developing self-analysis skills gives interpreters the flexibility and self-determination to guide their own professional learning needs for the rest of their career.
Participants should expect to spend 2 to 3 hours per week on mentoring activities including regular meetings with their mentor.
Time spent in the program will depend on the needs of each individual with a maximum of 2-years. Priority is given to interpreters who reside in underserved areas of the state and applications may be placed on the waitlist.
Participation in the program is free and available to interpreters who live in and/or primarily work as an interpreter in Nevada.
HOW TO APPLY
- Complete the form at: https://forms.office.com/g/kg1W9pi0Ws
- You will receive a follow up email with instructions to create and submit the video portion of the application.
Please contact us with any questions!
Meet the Mentors
Kalen Beck, CI and CT
Kalen Beck, CI and CT, brings more than 30 years of interpreting, teaching, and mentoring expertise to the profession. With a degree in Interpreter Education, she has been passionate about educating and mentoring interpreters across the nation. Currently, as an Interpreter Mentor for the State of Nevada, Kalen is excited to share her enthusiasm for interpreting with other interpreters throughout the State.
Kim Johnson, NIC
Kim Johnson, MA, NIC, has been interpreting for 12 years in post-secondary and community settings and holds a master’s degree in Communication Studies. She also has experience teaching interpreting at California State University, Northridge. She currently works for the State of Nevada as a Sign Language Interpreter and Mentor. Kim is passionate about creating opportunities for interpreters to grow so they can provide quality interpreting services that the Deaf community deserves.
Jeff Jaech, CI and CT
Jeff Jaech, MA, CI, CT, is a CAS interpreter/mentor. He has been interpreting professionally since 1986 in a wide variety of settings. He has also been an interpreter educator since 1997, teaching numerous workshops and in ITPs throughout the country. He holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Columbia University Teachers College. He worked for the Gallaudet University Regional Center as the coordinator of a federal interpreter training grant project. Since then, he has coordinated accommodations for Deaf/hard of hearing students, faculty, and staff at Columbia University Teachers College and the University of Oregon.
Megan Johnson, NIC, EIPA 5.0
Megan Johnson, NIC, EIPA 5.0, has been interpreting for 15+ years. As a nomad at heart, she has lived and worked in five states and Washington, D.C. She has had the opportunity to interpret all over the US and the world. After many years as a freelance interpreter, she turned to higher education where she interpreted and coordinated services for students with sensory disabilities. Megan is currently working for the State of Nevada as a Sign Language Interpreter Mentor. Her life’s work is to leave the world a little bit better than she found it and is thrilled to be working with the Deaf and interpreting communities in Nevada.