Betty Schoen had a 37-year career working for three different administrations within the Department of Economic Security (DES) and the Arizona State agency. She began her career with the Family Assistance Administration (FAA) as a temporary employee in September of 1986 and was hired as a permanent employee at the end of January 1987. Betty served as an eligibility interviewer for the FAA and became an overpayment writer several years later.

In 1995, Betty took a job as a JOBS case manager, a role she held for three years, and then accepted a position with the JOBS Administration as a Policy Specialist. Betty enjoyed each position she was hired for and learned a great deal about serving people with low incomes and multiple needs, as well as about creating policies and programs under the JOBS Administration.

In 1999, Betty accepted a position as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor and began a job that led to her favorite role: a Vocational Rehabilitation Transition Counselor, working with youth and young adults who have disabilities and helping them find their “right fit” vocationally. Betty is a self-proclaimed “resource junkie” who has always loved seeking out resources that help people with many different needs. For many years during her tenure as a Transition Specialist with the Rehabilitation Services Administration, Betty created a “Resource Roundup” document that listed the many events and services she became aware of. Outreach was a special joy to Betty, and she loved providing information to help families improve their lives through employment, community resources, training, medical services, or better housing.

During Betty’s 24 years with the Rehabilitation Services Administration, she achieved her Master’s Degree in Special Education and Rehabilitation, graduating in May of 2006 with a 4.0 GPA. She passed the certification test from the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification, which she has maintained for almost 20 years.

Betty retired from the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) and the DES on November 30, 2023, but did not remain retired long. She became a contract employee for RSA and continued to support the Transition Team, contributing her knowledge and expertise in working with high school students who have disabilities. It has been her joy to help her former team by creating many documents to provide guidance to teammates and to the schools that RSA serves statewide.

During her tenure with the Rehabilitation Services Administration, Betty was introduced to the Arizona Youth Leadership Forum (AZYLF) in 2014, its year of inception. She served as a volunteer, helping to prepare materials for the delegates and giving a presentation on Vocational Rehabilitation Services. Betty has a special place in her heart for AZYLF and Diverse Ability Incorporated, which continue to serve youth and young adults who have disabilities. It is for this reason that Betty humbly serves on the Board of Diverse Ability Incorporated.