21 February 2007

Good morning everyone,

Initially, the LHPDC was not going to disseminate a weekly resource due to travel. However, there is quite a bit of information to share that we did not want to hold off until next week, so enjoy your early edition of great news and resources.

Below please find the web site and publication of the week, as well as other resources that we hope will be useful as you work on systems change activities to help improve employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.

To subscribe and / or view past resources of the week archives, access: www.onestoptoolkit.org and click on the link to "Resources of the Week" on the right hand side of the home page.

To view an indexed list of the resources of the week by subject matter, visit the L.P.H.D.C. web site at http://disability.law.uiowa.edu/lhpdc/resources/wig/default.asp. It currently includes 20 categories, covering over 300 annotated references. Each category opens to a new window with each Resource of the Week which covered material in that area.

Have a good day and weekend!

Laura Farah
Program Associate
Law, Health Policy & Disability Center
University of Iowa College of Law
P: 617–489–0086
F: 617–489–1374
[ E–mail Lgleneck@mail.law.uiowa.edu ]
[ E–mail LFarah8@aol.com ]
[ http://www.onestoptoolkit.org ]

---

ONE–STOP TOOLKIT TABLE OF CONTENTS

---

Resource of the Week Highlight for Disability Program Navigators

Abstract, Disability Benefits 101 (D.B. 101): Benefits Planning Calculators

http://www.disabilitybenefits101.org/planning/(k1nnonzdyvqdbr3uaquv0xuy)/index.aspx

[The full announcement is located under the section heading “Resources of Interest.”]

Navigators develop strong linkages with their regional Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Programs (WIPA, formerly B.P.A.O.). They also help train One–Stop staff on the importance of referring customers who receive S.S.I. / S.S.D.I. to Benefits Specialists for accurate information about work incentives and returning to work. However, many Navigators also report that there are many customers who come into the One–Stops who need information about their benefits and work incentives immediately in order to make a decision regarding employment. Disability Benefits 101 (D.B. 101): helps workers, job seekers, students and service providers understand the connections between work and benefits. In addition to the Benefits–to–Work Calculator and the Job–to–Job Calculator, a new calculator called School and Work is now available for youth with disabilities. The Benefits to Work Calculator will show individuals who are on disability benefits how their benefits might change if they took a job. For those who are leaving a job (or have left one recently), and expect to start the next one within a year, the Job to Job Calculator can show them what might happen to their income and health coverage during the gap. Provide this tool as an option for customers who are receiving S.S.I. / S.S.D.I. to begin to think about how their benefits and health insurance may be affected by work.

[ Table of Contents ]

---

FOR YOUR INFORMATION / ACTION

N.I.D.R.R. Announces New Grant Opportunities in Emergency Management and Disability
Disability Rehabilitation Research Projects Emergency Evacuation and Individuals with Disabilities 84.133A–5

[ http://www.ed.gov/programs/nidrr/applicant.html#a5 ]
[ Get trial version of Office Professional Edition 2003 ] (free but shipping and handling fees apply)
[ Get free Word Viewer ]
[ Get free Adobe Reader ]

DATES: Applications are due on or before Monday, April 16, 2007.

SUMMARY: The Secretary invites applications for a new award for fiscal year (F.Y.) 2007 under the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects program for Emergency Evacuation and Individuals with Disabilities (C.F.D.A. Number — 84.133A–5). The purpose of the D.R.R.P. program is to plan and conduct research, demonstration projects, training, and related activities to develop methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technology that maximize the full inclusion and integration into society, employment, independent living, family support, and economic and social self–sufficiency of individuals with disabilities, especially individuals with the most severe disabilities, and to improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.

PRE–APPLICATION MEETING: A pre–application meeting will be held between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 7, 2007 by teleconference. Interested parties are invited to participate in a pre–application meeting to discuss the funding priority and to receive information and technical assistance. You must contact Donna Nangle at either 202–245–7462 or Donna.Nangle@ed.gov by Friday, March 2, 2007 in order to participate in this meeting. N.I.D.R.R. staff also will be available to provide information and technical assistance via individual phone consultations from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on March 7, 2007. Requests for individual consultations during this one hour window must be made in advance to Donna Nangle.

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS: States; public or private agencies, including for–profit agencies; public or private organizations, including for–profit organizations; institutions of higher education (IHEs); and Indian tribes and tribal organizations.

ESTIMATED AVAILABLE FUNDS: $450,000. Applications that propose a budget exceeding $450,000 for a single budget period of 12 months will be rejected. Estimated number of awards is 1 with a project period up to 36 months.

Access the U.R.L. to download the full application packet.

[ Table of Contents ]

Call for Nominations for the 2007 New Freedom Initiative Awards
U.S. Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy

[ http://www.dol.gov/odep/regs/fedreg/notices/2007002280.htm ]
[ Get free Adobe Reader ]

U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao invites nominations for the 2007 Secretary of Labor’s New Freedom Initiative Awards. This marks the sixth year that Secretary Chao will be presenting awards to businesses, non–profit organizations and individuals who have demonstrated exemplary and innovative efforts in enhancing employment opportunities for workers with disabilities.

Access the U.R.L. to learn the eligibility criteria, the nomination process and the administrative procedures for the New Freedom Initiative Award, and to solicit the Secretary of Labor’s New Freedom Initiative Award nominations. You can also access a list of FAQs on the N.F.I. for 2007 at: http://www.dol.gov/odep/newfreedom/NFI07.htm.

[ Table of Contents ]

Creating New Opportunities for Collaboration: A Shared Vision for Youth
Creating a Collaborative Approach to Prepare Youth for Success in a Global, Demand–Driven Economy

http://www.doleta.gov/ryf/

A Partnership between the U.S. Departments of Labor, Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Justice, Education, Transportation; the U.S. Social Security Administration; and the Corporation for National and Community Service

In 2004, the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration developed a new strategic vision to serve at–risk youth in response to the 2003 White House Taskforce Report on Disadvantaged Youth. The White House Report recommended a need to increase collaboration among youth serving federal agencies to better coordinate how Federal programs serve the neediest youth.

The Shared Youth Vision Federal Collaborative Partnership was formed and composed of several federal agencies to improve outcomes for the neediest youth. The White House Report identified the neediest youth as dropouts, foster youth, juvenile offenders, children of incarcerated parents, and migrant youth. The Partnership expanded this definition to include American Indian and Alaska Native youth along with youth with disabilities. These youth are an important part of the new workforce “supply pipeline” needed by businesses to fill job vacancies in the knowledge economy.

Over the past three years, the Shared Youth Vision Federal Collaborative Partnership has worked with states to support teams at both the state and local level to meet the needs of the nation’s most vulnerable youth. Other activities undertaken by the partnership include sponsoring a series of forums in 2004 and 2006, selecting 16 states to serve as catalyst in the implementation of their shared youth vision, conducting a pilot project to demonstrate the effectiveness of state–level partnerships and programmatic outcomes, and developing an overall technical assistance plan to infuse the collaborative vision throughout the country.

[ Skip table | Table of Contents ]

Advanced Technical Assistance Forum Participating States

Alabama
Name: Tim Alford Organization: Office of Workforce Development Address: P.O. Box 5690 City, State, Zip Code: Montgomery, AL 36130 Phone: (334) 353–1490 E–mail: tim.alford@adeca.alabama.gov
Name: Liz Cochran Organization: Office of Workforce Development Address: P.O. Box 5690 City, State, Zip Code: Montgomery, AL 36130 Phone: (334) 242–5380 E–mail: liz.cochran@adeca.alabama.gov
Arizona
Name: Janet Garcia Title: Director, Division for Children Organization: Governor’s Office of Children, Youth, and Families Address: 1700 West Washington St, Suite 101 City, State, Zip Code: Phoenix, AZ 85007 Phone: (602) 542–1227 Fax: (602) 542–4644 E–mail: jgarcia@az.gov
Name: Lauren Kielsmeier Title: Director, Division for Community and Youth Development Organization: Office of Governor Janet Napolitano Address: 1700 West Washington St, Suite 101 City, State, Zip Code: Phoenix, AZ 85007 Phone: (602) 542–3495 Fax: (602) 542–3423 E–mail: lkielsmeier@az.gov
Arkansas
Name: Charles W. Waddell Title: A.W.I.B. Youth Coordinator Organization: Arkansas Workforce Investment Board Address: P.O. Box 2981 City, State, Zip Code: Little Rock, AR 72203 Phone: (501) 371–1016 Fax: (501) 371–1030 E–mail: charles.waddell@arkansas.gov
Delaware
Name: Valerie Woodruff Title: Secretary of Education Organization: Delaware Department of Education Address: 401 Federal St., Suite 2 City, State, Zip Code: Dover, DE 19901–3639 Phone: (302) 735–4000 Fax: (302) 739–4654 E–mail: vwoodruff@doe.k12.de.us
Name: Mark Chamberlin Organization: Delaware Department of Education Address: 401 Federal St., Suite 2 City, State, Zip Code: Dover, DE 19901–3639 Phone: (302) 735–4242 Fax: (302) 739–2388 E–mail: mchamberlin@doe.k12.de.us
Florida
Name: Freida Sheffield Organization: Workforce Florida, Inc Address: 2849 Longleaf Road City, State, Zip Code: Panama City, FL 32405 Phone: (850) 215–0812 Fax: (850) 747–5197 E–mail: fsheffield@workforceflorida.com
Iowa
Name: Diane Oak Goode Title: State Coordinator, Iowa Workforce Development Organization: Employers’ Council of Iowa Address: 1000 E. Grand Avenue City, State, Zip Code: Des Moines, IA 50319 Phone: (515) 242–0056 Fax: (515) 281–8195 E–mail: Diane.Goode@iwd.iowa.gov
Kansas
Name: Michael Huffman Title: Youth Services Coordinator Organization: Workforce Dev. Division Kansas Department of Commerce Address: 1000 S.W. Jackson, Suite 100 City, State, Zip Code: Topeka, KS 66612 Phone: (785) 296–1865 E–mail: mhuffman@kansascommerce.com
Massachusetts
Name: Sam Martin Title: W.I.A. Youth State Lead Organization: Commonwealth Corporation Address: 529 Main Street, Suite 110 City, State, Zip Code: Boston, MA 02129 Phone: (617) 727–8158 E–mail: smartin@commcorp.org
Michigan
Name: Virginia Abdo Title: Policy Specialist, Field Services Division Organization: D.L.E.G. / Bureau of Workforce Programs Address: 201 N. Washington Square, 5th Floor City, State, Zip Code: Lansing, MI 48913 Phone: (517) 373–4472 Fax: (517) 335–5945 E–mail: abdov@michigan.gov
Minnesota
Name: Kay Tracy Title: Director, Office of Youth Development, Organization: Workforce Development Division Department of Employment and Economic Development Address Line 1: First National Bank Building Address Line 2: 332 Minnesota Street, Suite E–200 City, State, Zip Code: St. Paul, MN 55101–1351 Phone: (651) 296–6064 E–mail: kay.tracy@state.mn.us
Name: Lynn Douma Title: Sr. Project Specialist Organization: Workforce Development Division / Youth Development MN Department of Employment and Economic Development Address Line 1: First National Bank Building, Suite E–200 Address Line 2: 332 Minnesota Street, Suite E–200 City, State, Zip Code: St. Paul, MN 55101–1351 Phone: (651) 296–2767 Fax: (651) 297–4689 E–mail: Lynn.Douma@state.mn.us
Mississippi
Name: Christi Thrasher Organization: Mississippi Department of Employment Security Address Line 1, City, State, Zip Code: 1235 Echelon Parkway, Jackson, MS 39213 Address Line 2, City, State, Zip Code: P.O. Box 1699, Jackson, MS 39125–1699 Phone: (601) 321–6364 Fax: (601) 364–9174 E–mail: cthrasher@mdes.ms.gov
Name: Patty Horton, C.R.C. Title: Supported Employment / Transition Program Coordinator Project Director M.Y.T.I. Organization: MS Department of Rehabilitation Address: P.O. Box 1698 City, State, Zip Code: Jackson, MS 39215 Phone: (601) 853–1698 Fax: (601) 853–5325 E–mail: phorton@mdrs.state.ms.us
New Hampshire
Name: Cindy Naiditch Title: V.P., Operations Organization: Workforce Opportunity Council Address: 64 Old Suncook Road City, State, Zip Code: Concord, NH 03301 Phone: (603) 229–3312 E–mail: cnaiditch@nhworkforce.org
Name: Jackie Heuser Title: Sr. Workforce Development Director Organization: Workforce Opportunity Council Address: 64 Old Suncook Road City, State, Zip Code: Concord, NH 03301 Phone: (603) 229–3312 Fax: (603) 228–8557 E–mail: jheuser@nhworkforce.org
Ohio
Name: Beth Winegar Title: Assistant Deputy Director, Organization: Ohio Department of Family Svcs. Office of Workforce Development Address: 4020 East 5th Avenue City, State, Zip Code: Columbus, OH 43210 Phone: (614) 466–9746 E–mail: winege@odjfs.state.oh.us
Oklahoma
Name: Tami Decker Title: State Workforce Administrator Organization: Oklahoma Employment Security Commission Address: 2401 North Lincoln Blvd City, State, Zip Code: Oklahoma City, OK 73152 Phone: (405) 962–7595 E–mail: tdecker@oesc.state.ok.us
Rhode Island
Name: Adelita Orefice Title: Director of Workforce Development Organization: Department of Labor & Training Address: 1511 Pontiac Avenue, Bldg. 72, 2nd floor City, State, Zip Code: Cranston, RI 02920 Phone: (401) 462–8000 E–mail: aorefice@dlt.state.ri.us
Name: Sandra Powell Title: Asst. Director of Workforce Dev. Organization: Department of Labor & Training Address: 1511 Pontiac Avenue, Bldg. 72, 2nd floor City, State, Zip Code: Cranston, RI 02920 Phone: (401) 462–8000 E–mail: spowell@dlt.state.ri.us
Utah
Name: Jane Broadhead Title: State Youth Program Specialist, Organization: Operations Support Div. Utah Department of Workforce Services Address: 140 East 200 South City, State, Zip Code: Salt Lake City, UT 84111 Phone: (801) 526–9752 E–mail: jbroadh@utah.gov

Access the following U.R.L. to click on each state to view the PowerPoint that describes activities the State is doing around the Youth Vision. [ http://www.doleta.gov/ryf/Resources/ParticipatingStateTeams.cfm ].
[ Get trial version of Office Professional Edition 2003 ] (free but shipping and handling fees apply)

[ Table of Contents ]

UPCOMING EVENT OF INTEREST

Workforce Innovations 2007: Beyond Boundaries
Kansas City Convention Center
Kansas City, MO
July 17 – 19, 2007

[ http://www.workforceinnovations.org/ ]
[ Get free Adobe Reader ]
[ Get trial version of Office Professional Edition 2003 ] (free but shipping and handling fees apply)
[ Get free Word Viewer ]

Join more than 3000 of your colleagues from across the country in attending Workforce Innovations 2007, July 17 – 19, 2007 at the Kansas City (MO) Convention Center. Workforce Innovations, the premier annual conference for local, state, and national workforce, business, economic development, and education leaders, provides an important opportunity to share common experiences and challenges in building a highly skilled and adaptable workforce.

Workforce Innovations is co–sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration and the American Society for Training & Development. This year’s conference theme, Beyond Boundaries, will explore ways in which regional partners can collaborate and innovate to break down boundaries — be they historical, geographical, political, or financial — to create a competitive workforce advantage.

Whether you’re involved in Regional Economic Competitiveness, Workforce System Transformation, or Life–long Talent Development, you will come away energized and equipped with the tools and strategies you need to succeed. The Plenary Sessions, Town Halls, and Learning Labs — plus the Conference’s dynamic exhibit area — will engage you throughout. Workforce Innovations promises to be a true catalyst for innovative thinking and creativity!

Conference features already in the works include sessions targeted on going “beyond the boundaries” in youth development and with apprenticeship programs; a Business Day on July 18 packed with information and speakers of special interest for employers and human resource professionals; a focus on rural economies, and on talent development partnerships with community colleges and universities; discussions of current legislative, policy and regulatory issues, and much more.

And you’re going to love Kansas City. The city is a model of economic transformation, with new restaurants, museums, and cultural attractions. Visit the conference web site regularly for exciting conference updates and for more about what’s happening in Kansas City.

Online registration is now open! Register early at www.WorkforceInnovations.org and take advantage of the early bird discount rate.

[ Table of Contents ]

RESOURCES OF INTEREST

United We Ride Launches a New Community Education Campaign: One Vision One Call

[ http://www.unitedweride.gov/1_1207_ENG_HTML.htm ]
[ Get trial version of Office Professional Edition 2003 ] (free but shipping and handling fees apply)
[ Get free Word Viewer ]
[ Get free Adobe Reader ]

ONE VISION: ONE CALL is a new campaign that is targeted to simplify access in every community across America. Regardless of who you are, where you are going, what type of ride you need, who is providing the ride, or who is paying for the ride — consumers should only have to call ONE number. ONE VISION: ONE CALL includes a brochure, PowerPoint presentation, and talking points that can be used across the country to help educate consumers, providers, and policy makers.

The campaign was developed in coordination between the Federal Inter–agency Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility and the National Consortium on Human Service Transportation

[ Table of Contents ]

Full Article, Disability Benefits 101 (D.B. 101): Benefits Planning Calculators

http://www.disabilitybenefits101.org/planning/(k1nnonzdyvqdbr3uaquv0xuy)/index.aspx

Disability Benefits 101 (D.B. 101) helps workers, job seekers, students and service providers understand the connections between work and benefits. In addition to the Benefits–to–Work Calculator and the Job–to–Job Calculator, a new calculator called School and Work is now available for youth with disabilities.

[ Table of Contents ]

WEBSITE OF THE WEEK

Ideas that Work

http://www.osepideasthatwork.org/index.asp

Department of Education website designed to provide easy access to information from research to practice initiatives funded by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) that address the provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and No Child Left Behind.

[ Table of Contents ]

PUBLICATION OF THE WEEK

United We Ride: Progress Report: Implementation of Executive Order 13330
Human Service Transportation Coordination – 2005 – 2007

[ http://www.unitedweride.gov/UWRProgress_report2005-20072_2_07.doc ]
[ Get trial version of Office Professional Edition 2003 ] (free but shipping and handling fees apply)
[ Get free Word Viewer ]

[The following is excerpted from the Executive Summary.]

Personal mobility often can be taken for granted. For many people, it means starting the car or walking to the subway. However, an increasing number of Americans are unable to get to work, run errands, or access medical care simply because they do not have reliable transportation. The number of older adults in America — 30 million in 2000 — is expected to double by 2030. Almost 54 million Americans have disabilities. Many of them belong to the population of “transportation–disadvantaged” individuals who cannot operate vehicles because of medical conditions or limitations. Other transportation–disadvantaged people are unable to afford their own automobile, or live in areas without public transportation.

In recognition of the fundamental importance of human service transportation and the continuing need to enhance coordination, President Bush issued an Executive Order on Human Service Transportation (#13330) in February 2004. It directs eleven Federal departments and agencies to work together to ensure that transportation services are seamless, comprehensive and accessible.

The Executive Order established the Federal Inter–agency Transportation Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (C.C.A.M.), and tasked it to simplify access to transportation for people with disabilities, people with lower incomes, and older adults. The C.C.A.M. includes Secretaries from the Departments of Transportation (D.O.T.), Health and Human Services (H.H.S.), Labor (D.O.L.), Education, Interior (D.O.I.), Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Agriculture (U.S.D.A.), Veterans Affairs (V.A.); and the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (S.S.A.), the Attorney General; and the Chairperson of the National Council on Disability (N.C.D.). The Executive Order requires that C.C.A.M. members work together to provide the most appropriate, cost effective services within existing resources, and reduce duplication to free up funds for more service.

The C.C.A.M. launched United We Ride (U.W.R.), a national initiative to implement the Executive Order and the Action Plan established by the C.C.A.M.. The C.C.A.M. then submitted a detailed Report to the President in 2005. The report outlined collective and individual department actions to decrease duplication, enhance efficiencies, and simplify access for consumers.

Since the inception of U.W.R., 40 States now have United We Ride State Coordinated Transportation Plans; and thousands of transportation providers, human service agencies, and consumers have participated in identifying local needs and strategies. Through U.W.R. implementation grants, partners are focused on sharing vehicles, rides, and data in an effort to streamline access for consumers at the local levels. This report details the collective actions taken since the submission of the 2005 Report to the President.

[ Table of Contents ]