Training in Employment and Arthritis Management (TEAM)

The MARRTC is a team of arthritis health professionals that focus on conducting arthritis research and disseminating information about arthritis. MARRTC professionals include vocational counselors, psychologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, nurses, rheumatologists, health educators, and social workers working together towards common missions.

One mission of MARRTC is to educate professionals regarding the special issues that individuals face when they have arthritis.

That's what "Training in Employment and Arthritis Management" -- TEAM -- is all about. TEAM was developed specifically to educate vocational rehabilitation counselors (VRC) about the long-term employment needs of persons with arthritis.

By completing the TEAM program, you will learn about the medical and employment issues that people with arthritis face as they continue to work or want to re-enter the workforce Most persons with arthritis want to work, have good working histories, and see themselves as "workers." With your help, persons with arthritis can meet their immediate and long-term employment goals.

TEAM program was designed to increase knowledge regarding the unique needs of persons with arthritis in the workplace and to offer vocational counselors strategies and resources to meet the individual's employment goal.

TEAM is in part sponsored by ARCTIC (Arthritis Rehabilitation Center: Training in Careers), a MARRTC research project designed for persons with arthritis who are eligible for vocational rehabilitation services through the Missouri Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (MO-DVR). ARCTIC:

• Collaborates with MO-DVR counselors to help people with arthritis achieve their employment goal
• Includes people with any form of arthritis
• Uses a team management approach, involving arthritis professionals (rheumatologist, psychologist, physical therapist, occupational therapist, and vocational counselor)
• Provides services at no cost to MO-DVR or clients with arthritis
• Involves being randomized to one of two groups
• All participants receive a free rheumatological evaluation
• MO-DVR counselors can refer arthritis clients to ARCTIC by calling 1-877-863-4766 (Toll free).

The MARRTC is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to affording equal employment opportunities for all individuals in all employment matters. The MARRTC does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, or the presence of a disability. This document was developed under grant H133B990022 from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) in the U.S. Department of Education. However, these contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal government.