Sarah Storck and David Stoner - Disability and Employment

On this episode, Jen talks with Sarah Storck, a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor and Work Incentives Practioner, and David Stoner, a writer and an individual with Cerebral Palsy who has utilized the services discussed. They talk about the process of working with vocational rehabilitation, support during employment and mechanisms to help ensure that you can keep your benefits even while earning an income.

Sarah is the founder and CEO of Next Step Success, LLC, an organization whose main purpose is to help underserved populations, specifically individuals with disabilities, achieve employment and financial success through a variety of services. At Next Step Success, LLC, Sarah works one on one with clients as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor and Work Incentives Practitioner.

Prior to starting Next Step Success, LLC, Sarah worked as an Employment Specialist (job coach) for seven years and a Work Incentives Practitioner for four years through private and non-profit employment services organizations as well as for state vocational rehabilitation agencies. She has extensive experience in providing case management, guidance and counseling, job readiness skills, Social Security benefits planning and financial education. She currently provides employment and benefits counseling services through the Social Security Administration's Ticket to Work Program and State Vocational Rehabilitation agencies.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in both Criminal Justice and Psychology and a Master of Science degree in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling.

Sarah is a Certified Work Incentives Practitioner through Cornell University and a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor through the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC). Sarah is the current President of the Virginia chapter of the National Rehabilitation Association and is an active member of NABWIS, the National Association for Benefits and Work Incentive Specialists.

David Stoner received his bachelor's degree in Journalism and Digital Communications from the University of South Florida in 2018. His love for media came hand in hand with his love for story-telling and his belief that the best stories come from the world we live in.

David was born with cerebral palsy and has used a wheelchair along with other adaptive technology to make sure he remains active and lives life to its fullest. His fiancée, Shelby, who also has CP, is his biggest supporter. Together, they are a very driven team and are looking forward to tying the knot in May of 2022.

Hailing from the Tampa Bay Area, David has a strong passion for its beautiful surroundings, beaches, and especially for the many college and professional sports teams. David's writing interests include sports journalism, mainly about Tampa Bay sporting teams, however he has written a number of articles on various topics and remains focused on sharing his experiences in the world as a disabled person. His passion for life is equalled by the love he has for his family.