The Implementation of Model One-Stop Projects
In
following up on the Oregon Employment Initiative Consortium’s recommendation,
four staff from the Disability Employment Policy Unit (DEPU) visited six
One-Stops to promote the Department of Labor Work Incentive Grant Pilot
Projects. The purpose of our visit was to congratulate the One-Stops for their
Proposal and to award funding. Photographs were taken at each site with the
partners that were present.
Roger
Cone explained the statement of work and reporting requirements. We introduced
our Training Specialist, Angel Hale, and invited them to contact Angel when
they have training needs. We discussed upcoming Windmills training occurring in
various parts of the state. We also shared information on resources that are
available in our library. Joyce Phelps explained the “Best Practices”
Conference taking place in September and addressed the One Stops presentations
at this event. The conference will be in partnership with Oregon Employment
Training Association (OETA).
Gary
Dominick, DEPU Project Manager, discussed and answered questions about Social
Security Administration’s “Ticket To Work” Program. Our unit provided resources
for each One-Stop that included Ticket To Work Information Packets, Frequently
Asked Questions information sheet and a video explaining the Ticket to Work
program; FlexAbility Employer Kits,
and a “Working With People With Disabilities” booklet.
A
total of ten projects were awarded for Innovative Solutions or Access
Technology categories in Albany, Eugene, Roseburg, Medford, Klamath Falls,
Brookings and Clackamas. The following is a brief description of the proposals
from each region:
Albany/Linn Benton Community
College - Region 4
(Access Technologies Award $13,829.00)
·
This
project will add hardware and software to its four One-Stop Centers to increase
accessibility for individuals with disabilities. Technology enhancements will
include MS natural keyboards, track balls, large screen monitors, screen read
software & text reader and adjustable workstations. The regions One-Stop
will develop an employment-related list serve to provide individuals with
disabilities information on employment and training issues.
·
Also
the regions’ One-Stops will add three ITFS receive stations to its centers in
Lebanon, Albany and Corvallis allowing employment and training curriculum to be
broadcast to and between these cities. Since this is interactive technology,
participants can interact between all sites.
·
Partners of this project
include:
Oregon Employment Department, Community Services Consortium, and the local
office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services.
Eugene/ The Workforce
Network - Region 5
(Innovative Solutions Award $60,000.00)
·
This
project will develop a model program in which a Peer Mentor project will be
implemented, applied, monitored and evaluated. This program will be expanded to
other One-Stops and affiliated sites throughout Lane County as needed. The
primary goal is to train peer mentors. These positions will provide mentor
training to integrate peer mentor services into the employment process.
·
Partners of this project
include:
Lane Workforce Partnership, Oregon Commission for the Blind, Oregon Employment
Department, IAM Cares, DHS, Community Human Services, the local office of Vocational
Rehabilitation Services, Lane County Council of Governments, Senior and
Disabled Services, and University of Oregon.
Roseburg/Douglas County Work
Links - Region 6
(Innovation Solutions Award $78,000.00)
·
This
project will help people with disabilities receive the support necessary to
successfully remain in the workforce. Assistive aids and other workplace
supports will help ensure those already employed to remain employed, as our
economy and workforce needs change. The goal of this project is to develop
focused training for employers to help them systemically provide assistance to
workers with disabilities during business transitions and change. Through the
One-Stop system, businesses will be given the necessary tools to make systemic
changes in their work environment thus ensuring workers with disabilities
remain productive and viable employees.
·
Partners of this project
include:
Umpqua Training and Employment, Inc (UTE), Wildlife Safari, Winston Dillard
School District, and the local office of Vocational Rehabilitation.
Klamath Falls/Klamath-Lake
Employment Training Institute/The Work Connection
- Region 11
(Innovative Solutions Award $6750.00)
·
This
project will design and develop a thirty-second television advertisement that
is interesting and informative. It will feature customers with disabilities
accessing resources through the use of state of the art, adaptive equipment and
software in The Work Connection Career Centers in Klamath and Lake Counties.
They will also operate a structured television advertising campaign that runs,
in rotation, two thirty-second commercial spots. This will bring the message
that One-Stop centers are user-friendly, technologically innovative, and
provide a service-focused resource for people with disabilities.
Klamath Falls/Klamath Lake
Employment Training Institute/The Work Connection - Region 11
(Innovative Solutions Award $5240.00)
·
The
partners will collaborate with Goodwill Technologies and SPOKES Unlimited,
Inc., to develop and present quarterly workshops that are accessible, and
highly informative for a wide range of employers. The workshops will be
promoted through The Work Connection employer database. The curriculum will
focus on Disability Awareness, Employer Incentives and Benefits, and Celebrating
Diversity.
Klamath Falls/Klamath Lake
Employment Training Institute/The Work Connection - Region 11
(Access Technologies Award $20,000.00)
·
This
project will focus on enhancing technology and make on-site improvements that
will allow the One-Stop Career Center to become a more user-friendly,
service-focused resource for customers with disabilities. Technology
improvements include: Multi-sensory Solution iCommunicator Education and
Communication System, ergonomic keyboards, headphones with boom microphones,
Braille keyboard labels with large print, sound cards, voice recognition
software, speech software, scanning & reading software, ZoomText 7.10,
Touchscreen Monitor and Talking Typing Tutor.
·
Partners involved with these
three projects include: The Work Connection, Goodwill Technologies, Spokes Unlimited, Inc and
the local office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services.
Medford/The Job Council - Region
8
(Innovative Solutions Award $50,000.00)
·
This
project will provide a Project Coordinator to research workforce services for
people with disabilities and disseminate information to people with
disabilities, employers and One-Stop staff; partner with Oregon Commission for
the Blind (OCB) to facilitate training with staff & employers; identify
community organizations and resources that offer expertise in providing
workforce services to people with disabilities; and work with the Business
Advisory Council to help facilitate outreach and market to target populations.
·
Partners involved in this
project: Southern
Oregon Goodwill Industries, Inc., The Job Council, Department of Human
Services, the local office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Rogue
Community College, Oregon Employment Department, Oregon Commission of the
Blind, Disability Advocacy Social Independent Living (DASIL).
Brookings/Hanscam Center One
Stop - Region 7
(Innovative Solutions Award $22,085.00)
·
Hanscam
Center, in partnership with North Curry Children & Families’ Center,
Newmark Center and South Coast Works, will offer adaptive computer technology
and one-on-one customer assistance on employment related material. Line staff
will receive regular training to serve people with disabilities and an employer
focused community outreach program will developed.
·
Partners involved in this
project: Oregon
Commission of the Blind, Southwestern Oregon Community College, the local
office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Oregon Employment Department, and
South Coast Works.
Brookings/Hanscams Center
One Stop - Region 7
(Innovative Solutions Award $40,000.00)
·
This
is a “Peer Mentoring” project to provide a point person to address special
needs of people with disabilities. This One-Stop will provide services to the
customer before and after job placement. This includes: a Peer Mentor to assist
the customer in understanding their disability, help the customer prepare for
work, and work with the customer and employer for a smooth transition into the
workplace.
·
Partners involved in this
project: South
Coast Independent Living Services, (SCILS), South Coast Business Employment
Corporation (SCBEC), the local offices of Vocational Rehabilitation Services in
Coos & Curry County, Oregon Employment Department, Cardinal Services,
Southwestern Oregon Community College (SWOCC), Seniors & Persons with
Disabilities, Minds Clubhouse/Curry County Human Services, Providence
Rehabilitation medical Center, and Access Unlimited.
Employment Training Business
Services (ETBS) Clackamas County - Region 15
(Innovative Solutions award $25,000.00)
·
This
project will develop closed-captioned video versions of ETBS Job-Search
Seminars. The focus will be to serve customers with deafness and hardness-of hearing. The
videos will be produced in English and Spanish. ETBS will collaborate with the
local Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Community Action Agency and
Disabled Employment program and Job-Development.com to develop a work plan on
the production of videotapes.
·
Partners involved with this
project are:
ETBS, the local office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Community Action Agency
and Disabled Employment Program and Job-Development.Com.
CONTACT PERSON FOR
MORE INFO:
Gary Dominick
OREGON DHS
500 Summer St. NE E25
Salem, OR
97301-1098
(503) 947-5141
Gary.L.Dominick@state.or.us