Welcome to CPRF


Employment Services Team










Janis Krohe, Ph.D.
Employment Services Vice President
Dr. Janis Krohe became vice president of employment services in 1998 after serving in numerous management roles during her more than 20 year’s of CPRF employment. Dr. Krohe oversees day-to-day operations of the division which encompasses vocational assessment, training and career placement departments. She began her career at CPRF as a rehabilitation engineer after receiving a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Wichita State University, Wichita, Kan. She is a certified Assistive Technology Practitioner and 20-year member of the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA). She also holds a master’s degree in business administration and a doctorate in Industrial Engineering (Human Factors/Ergonomics), both from Wichita State University. Dr. Krohe has managed many research and demonstration projects. Many of her early projects were components of the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) on Workplace Accommodations, which was co-sponsored by CPRF and the College of Engineering at Wichita State University. She also has been Project Director for the U.S. Department of Education Rehabilitation Services Administration Projects With Industry grant and the Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration Disability Information Technology Initiative grant. She currently serves as the Association of Rehabilitation Programs in Computer Technology (ARPCT) Executive Committee president.

Education & Training
- Bachelor of Science in Engineering/Biomedical, Wichita State University, Wichita, Kan.
- Master of Business Administration, Wichita State University, Wichita, Kan.
- Master of Science in Industrial Engineering-Human Factors/Ergonomics, Wichita State University, Wichita, Kan.
- Doctor of Philosophy in Industrial Engineering-Human Factors/Ergonomics, Wichita State University, Wichita, Kan. Dissertation: “The Effect of Self-Efficacy, Learning Style, and Training Method on the Acquisition of Computer Skills by People with Special Needs”


Vocational Assessment Department

Sydney Fisher
Vocational Assessment Department Director
Sydney Fisher joined the Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation of Kansas, Inc., in April 2001, bringing with her 12 years experience with Kansas Social Rehabilitation Services' Kanwork and Economic Assistance programs. While transitioning into the department's director position in November 2003, Fisher hired an assessment specialist who has made possible the offering of many departmental services to Spanish speaking customers.

Education & Training
- Bachelor of Arts in Social Work, Wichita State University, Wichita, Kan.
- Licensed Bachelor of Social Work
- Continuing Education Courses include: Management Boot Camp; supervision training; immigration issues serving mental health populations; relationship education for youth, people with disabilities and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families; successful interventions in working with oppositional defiant youth; as well as implications of the aging workforce and customer service

The School of Adaptive Computer Training

Mary Carter
Program Director
Mary Carter became program director of the School of Adaptive Computer Training in 2004 after first serving as director of the Atlanta school. Carter is a professional educator specializing in curriculum development and implementation. Her previous experience includes public education in communications, private sector corporate training of proprietary software, and training specialist for Social Rehabilitation Services, Wichita, Kan.

Education & Training
- Bachelor of Arts in Education, Magna Cum Laude, Sterling College, Sterling, Kan.
- Graduate program, Wichita State University, Wichita, Kan., including Computer Applications In Pubic Administration, Kansas Writing Project and Career Education
- Certificate of Training and Development; University of Oklahoma, Norman, Okla.
- Microsoft Certification Program, Butler Community College, Andover, Kan.
- Certification in Networking Essentials, Microsoft Certified Professional 2000, Microsoft Office Specialist 2000
Wichita SACT
Michael Taylor
Lead Computer Instructor
After graduating from the SACT in June 2001, Michael Taylor became an instructor at the school. During the next 20 classes, Taylor’s skills and teaching competency led him to become Wichita’s lead instructor. In August of 2005, he accepted a seat on the Business Advisory Council becoming voice for the SACT graduate.

Education & Training
- CPRF School of Adaptive Computer Training, Wichita, Kan.
- Microsoft Office Specialist in Office 2000
- Microsoft Certified Master 2003 – expert Word, expert Excel, Access, PowerPoint and Outlook
- Certified CompTIA A+ Professional
- Certified CompTIA Network+ Professional
Aaron McAnarney
Computer Instructor
Aaron McAnarney joined the School of Adaptive Computer Training team in November 2005 after graduating from the school with several certifications. Prior to that, McAnarney was employed by Dillon’s as a Manager for five-and-a-half years.

Education & Training
- CPRF School of Adaptive Computer Training, Wichita, Kan.
- Microsoft Office Specialist in Office 2000 and 2003
- Microsoft Certified Master – expert Word, expert Excel, Access, PowerPoint and Outlook

Michelle Sykes
Test Administrator
After graduating from the School of Adaptive Computer Training, Michelle Sykes joined the Employment Services team in September 2005. Since then, she has applied her various skills in support of the school as a test administrator and by providing an array of administrative support functions. Sykes also support the CPRF Vocational Assessment Department.

Education & Training
- CPRF School of Adaptive Computer Training, Wichita, Kan.
- Pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Business, Kaplan University
- Microsoft Office Specialist in Office 2000 and 2003 - certified in Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint and Outlook
Atlanta SACT
Rosemary Beach
Director
Rosemary Beach joined the Atlanta SACT in June 2002, bolstering the team with her 13 years of professional experience in education, career development and vocational training. Beach’s background as a member of management teams for non-profit organizations, private sector business, city and local governments as well as state agencies, led to her appointment as the school’s director in 2004.

Education and Training
- Bachelor of Science in Business Management, National Louis University, Mclean, Va.
- MIT graduate program, specializing in computer programming, AIU, Atlanta
- Certified Microsoft Office Specialist Master 2000, Expert Word, Excel and Access
- Certified Microsoft Office Specialist 2000, Outlook, and PowerPoint
- Certified Microsoft Office Specialist 2003, Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint
Rachel Moscoso
Lead Computer Instructor
After finishing her undergraduate degree in Pennsylvania, Rachel Moscoso came across the SACT during an online job search and became interested in honing her computer skills to make herself more competitive. After relocating to Atlanta and graduating the SACT in October 2002, Moscoso stayed on with the school as a volunteer instructor until she was offered a fulltime position in March 2003. Moscoso’s natural teaching skills quickly earned her the lead instructor’s position.

Education and Training
- Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts/Special Education, West Chester University, West Chester, Penn.
- Pursing a Master's degree in Special Education at the University of Georgia, Atlanta
- Microsoft Office Specialist in Office 2000 and 2003 - certified in Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint and Outlook

Kenneth Payne
Career Placement Coordinator
Ken Payne joined the Atlanta SACT staff in February 2007. He helps SACT graduates find employment and teaches them job readiness skills like networking, interviewing and creating resumes. Prior to joining the SACT staff, Payne worked in the staffing industry and in human resources. Payne was responsible for hiring and training employees during this time.

Education and Training
- Bachelor of Science in Management and Marketing, Knoxville College, Knoxville, Tenn.
- Training includes several business development courses
Placement Department

Alicia A. Smith
Wichita Job Placement Director
Alicia A. Smith joined the CPRF team in May 2007. She teaches students about job readiness and helps SACT graduates find the career that is right for them. Smith worked for two years at Newman University, Wichita, Kan., where she spent one year assisting ADA students and one year as Advantage Saturday director. Advantage Saturday is a program that gives adult students the opportunity to earn their associate’s degree by taking classes only on Saturday. Smith also worked for five years at Friends University, Wichita, Kan., where she served as College of Adult and Professional Studies Student Services adviser.
Diana McLeod
Wichita Job Placement Specialist
When Diana McLeod joined the CPRF team in March 2001, she brought with her more than 20 years of staffing experience working with employers toward the successful placement of people seeking employment. As the Public Relations vice president for a national staffing agency, Diana was the primary liaison between employers and employees, often traveling between the agency’s four offices in Wichita, Denver, Houston and San Francisco. New business development was also one of her key roles within the agency. Other business experience includes managing an employment staffing agency, and founding a successful office products/Hallmark retail chain. Today she continues to be active in The Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce and participates in various networking groups. As a career placement specialist, she works with employers to identify employer needs and their expectations of employees, while coaching job seekers on interview techniques, workplace expectations, and more.
Education & Training
Bachelor in Business Administration, Wichita State University, Wichita, Kan.
Kansas Benefits Counselors Network
Margaret Knoff
Kansas Benefits Counselors Network Director
Although Margaret Knoff began as a benefits specialist in October 2001, this was not her first experience with CPRF. As a teenager, she volunteered at the Jaycee Cerebral Palsy Ranch in Augusta, Kan., and later became a personal care attendant at what was then known as Urban Residential - a residential facility for people who worked at Center Industries Corporation - and then for residents of the Timbers apartments after it opened in 1979. Before joining the CPRF team, Knoff had established herself as a professional in the community mental health field and was last employed at Via Christi Regional Medical Center's Good Shepard campus. In July 2002, Knoff was promoted to her current position.

Education & Training:
- Bachelor of Science in Administration of Justice, Wichita State University, Wichita, Kan.
- Master of Science in Marriage & Family/Family Development & Education, Friends University, Wichita, Kan.
- Strengths Model Training and Advanced Community Mental Health Services Training, University of Kansas School of Social Work, Lawrence, Kan.
- Benefits Planning, Assistance & Outreach – Benefits Specialist Training and Certification, University of Missouri, Columbia