Law, Health Policy & Disability Center
University of Iowa College of Law
http://disability.law.uiowa.edu/dpn/
and
The Burton Blatt Institute
Syracuse University
http://bbi.syr.edu
One–Stop Toolkit
Resources of the Week Technical Assistance Project E–Mail listserv
27 April 2007
Good morning everyone,
Due to travel, there will not be a weekly resource disseminated on Friday, May 4th.
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 ]
[The full announcement is located under the section heading "For Your Information/Action."]
Check out the impressive work that your fellow Navigators are doing to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities in their communities! In Massachusetts, two Navigators took the lead in coordinating a ‘CANWORK Resource Fair’ to help people with disabilities connect to employment opportunities, as well as to show employers what qualified individuals with disabilities can bring to the workforce. In Maryland, two Navigators were selected to receive the Maryland Workforce Development Association's Above the Bar award for their outstanding work in promoting collaboration and contributing to the success of their county’s workforce services and One-Stop system. In addition, The Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) has launched a series of briefs profiling Disability Program Navigators, featuring interviews with two Wisconsin Navigators who provide descriptions of their programs and discuss transportation issues in their areas. Learn more about what other Navigators are doing across the country and build on these ideas to improve employment for people with disabilities in your own communities.
DATES: The grant application package must be received by 5:00 p.m. EST, May 14, 2007.
SUMMARY: DOL-VETS announces a grant competition under 38 U.S.C. Section 2021, as added by Section 5 of Public Law 107-95, the Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001 (HVCAA). Section 2021 requires the Secretary of Labor to conduct, directly or through grant or contract, such programs as the Secretary determines appropriate to expedite the reintegration of homeless veterans into the labor force.
Both Urban and Non-Urban areas serving homeless veterans will be considered for funding under this HVRP solicitation. Urban areas are those that serve a high concentration of homeless veterans in the metropolitan areas of the 75 U.S. cities largest in population and the metropolitan area of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and are listed in Appendix G. Non-Urban areas are those areas that serve homeless veterans that are not listed on Appendix G. Applicants must indicate whether they are applying for an Urban or Non-Urban grant award on their grant application.
HVRP grants are intended to address two objectives: (1) To provide services to assist in reintegrating homeless veterans into meaningful employment within the labor force, and (2) to stimulate the development of effective service delivery systems that will address the complex problems facing homeless veterans. Successful applicants will design programs that assist eligible veterans by providing job placement services, job training, counseling, supportive services, and other assistance to expedite the reintegration of homeless veterans into the labor force. Successful programs will also be designed to be flexible in addressing the universal as well as the local or regional problems that have had a negative impact on homeless veterans reentering the workforce.
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS: Applications for funds will be accepted from State and local Workforce Investment Boards, local public agencies, for-profit/commercial entities, and non-profit organizations, including faith-based and community organizations. Applicants must have a familiarity with the area and population to be served and the ability to administer an effective and timely program.
Access the URL to read the full announcement including application and submission information.
(You can also enter the URL: www.abc6.com. On the top menu bar click on the link to ‘Feature Video.’ Once on this page, scroll down to the bottom and click on the link to ‘Feature Video Archives,’ and then search for the link to ‘Job Fair’ (Thursday, April 12th)
This video features the work of two Disability Program Navigators with the state of Massachusetts Disability Program Navigator Initiative. Lesli Gazzerro, who covers the Bristol area, and Liza Tobojka, who covers the Greater New Bedford area, worked collaboratively to put on the CanWork Resource Fair, which represented a job fair for people with disabilities. The goal of the Job Fair was not only to get people with disabilities connected to employment opportunities but also to show employers what they can bring to the workforce. DPNs nationwide are offering similar events in their area as one way to connect people with disabilities to the workforce development system and to connect employers to information and resources on how job seekers with disabilities are part of an untapped labor pool.
Margaret Mulligan and Leigh Jones, who job share the role of Frederick County's Disability Program Navigator, have been selected to receive the Maryland Workforce Development Association's Above the Bar award for their outstanding work in Frederick County. According to the nomination, Margaret and Leigh are exceptional employees who embrace the concept of collaboration. They contribute to the success of Frederick County's Workforce Services and One-Stop system through numerous endeavors that include:
Margaret and Leigh deserve recognition for their strong support of the One-Stop system, for their positive, cheerful, can do spirit and performing these tasks as only one part of their job responsibilities as Way Station employees.
The Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) has launched a series of briefs profiling Disability Program Navigators. This series augments a host of other resources for DPNs posted at http://www.ctaa.org/ntrc/dpn/home.asp [ Get free Adobe Reader ] [ Get free Word Viewer ] [ Get Microsoft Office C.D., free trial, S / H applies ]. The briefs feature interviews with DPNs describing their programs. Randi Johnson, West Central Workforce Development Area, Eau Claire, Wisconsin is profiled at http://www.ctaa.org/ntrc/DPN/DPN_Randi_Johnson.pdf [ Get free Adobe Reader ]. Karen Engel, Fox Valley Workforce Development Board, Neenah, Wisconsin is profiled at http://www.ctaa.org/ntrc/DPN/DPN_Profile_Engel.pdf [ Get free Adobe Reader ].
Just released! This website will take you to fact sheets with Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Income (OASDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and earnings and employment data arranged by state and region. There is one fact sheet (2 pages in PDF) for each state, District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands.
The Office of Disability Employment Policy has issued a new "Circle of Champions" brochure, which includes examples of effective disability employment practices among companies that have been recipients of the Secretary of Labor's New Freedom Initiative Award.
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| Moderator: | Alex Kielty, Supervisor, Office of Workforce Investment/Division of Adult Services |
The U.S. Department of Labor has taken great steps to ensure that all of their workforce programs are physically and programmatically accessible to individuals with disabilities. The Disability Program Navigator (DPN) Initiative, funded by the U.S. Department of Labor and the Social Security Administration (SSA), was designed to facilitate cross-agency collaboration, leverage resources, and provide comprehensive and integrated approaches to service delivery within the Workforce System. Colorado is involved in a SSA National Youth Demonstration Project entitled "Colorado Youth WINS," which builds on the success of the DPN and other initiatives for youth and young adults, including those with significant disabilities. This national youth demonstration project is workforce-based and focuses on service delivery through the One-Stop Career Center system. In this demonstration, the intervention based at the workforce center uses an " Independence (I) Team" consisting of a Disability Program Navigator, a Benefits Planner, and a Career Counselor as the core group working with youth with disabilities, in conjunction with the workforce system partners. There have been many successful outcomes at a variety of levels-for the youth customers, the employer customers, the staff at the workforce center, and the workforce investment system.
This Webinar consists of four parts:
This Webinar will be interactive, with open dialogue between participants and presenters. Case studies and testimonials from workforce system personnel, youth, and family members will be highlighted in this presentation.
Registration for this Webinar is limited and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Please click the link below to login to Workforce3 One and register today! To register, access the following URL:
[ http://www.workforce3one.org/public/skillbuilding/webinar_info.cfm?id=181 ]
[ Get free Flash Player ]
[ Get free 15-day Trial of Breeze ]
Note, you must be logged in to sign-up for a Webinar. You can sign up by accessing the website and scrolling to the link at the bottom of the page that reads: Don't have a login? Register now!
If you are deaf, hard-of-hearing, or have speech disabilities and captioning would facilitate your participation in this Webinar, you can register for captioning service through the Federal Relay Conference Captioning. Please note the Federal Relay Service requires at least 48 hours notice (2 working days) to guarantee coverage. For more information, visit http://www.workforce3one.org/support/webinars.cfm#q5
Cheryl Bates-Harris with the Training and Advocacy Support Center (TASC) will present the Web cast "Dispelling Myths and Fears about Accessing Employment: Understand How to Use Work Incentives to Choose Work!" Despite initiatives and laws to assist people with disabilities in finding employment, it is sometimes difficult to convince people with disabilities to attempt work even though it may improve the quality of their life. This presentation will provide a broad overview of SSA work rules and will identify the most common myths that continue to plague beneficiaries of social security. In their efforts to return to work. Learn how to overcome barriers so you can train others on work rules which support the value of full community integration, employment and self sufficiency for all.
Cheryl Bates-Harris is a Senior Disability Advocacy Specialist for the Training and Advocacy Support Center (TASC) of NAPAS where she has over 20 years experience and expertise working with people with disabilities. Cheryl has an in-depth knowledge of cross disability issues and continues to focus on employment issues of people with disabilities, including Vocational Rehabilitation, Social Security Return to Work, TANF, and other work programs that impact people with disabilities, including DOL One Stops. Has developed a complete knowledge and understanding of Social Security programs and work incentives beginning with the Social Security Alternate Participant Program for which she was responsible for the development of the SSA Protection and Advocacy Dispute Resolution Project, and later the development of the Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS).
In addition she has lead responsibilities for technical assistance and training to the Client Assistance Programs (CAP) nationwide. Since the passage of Ticket to Work and Work Incentive Improvement Act she has conducted national training on TWWIIA and Vocational Rehabilitation Services and is considered a leading expert on the intersection issues of the Ticket to Work with state vocational rehab services. She was an invited participant in the TW & WI AP 2003 EN Summit and was appointed in September 2004, by President Bush, to the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Advisory Panel. Cheryl currently co-chairs the CCD Work Incentives Implementation task force and CCD Employment and Training task force and is an active member of the CCD Social Security Task Force. She continues to conduct numerous training programs and provides ongoing training and technical assistance to the P&A/CAP network on employment issues that impact people with disabilities.
To link to this Web cast and download accompanying materials visit:
http://www.ilru.org/html/training/webcasts/calendar.html
For instructions on how to access a Web cast visit:
http://www.ilru.org/html/training/webcasts/instructions.html
Please visit this site ahead of time to test and ensure your computer is configured and updated to participate in the Web cast.
For technical assistance, please check out our FAQs (frequently asked questions) at:
http://www.ilru.org/html/training/webcasts/FAQ.html or contact a Web cast team member at webcast@ilru.org or 713.520.0232 (v/tty).
This Web cast is supported through the DBTAC - Southwest ADA Center, a project of ILRU. Southwest ADA Center (http://www.SouthwestADA.org) is one of ten Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers (DBTACs) funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) to provide training, technical assistance and materials dissemination on the ADA and other disability-related laws. NIDRR is part of the U.S. Department of Education.
The Mental Health Services Locator provides comprehensive information about mental health services and resources in every state.
Many transportation options now exist beyond the requirements of the ADA, and a wide range of federal initiatives, including legislation, grant opportunities, and other programs have been established to supplement these options and increase mobility for people with disabilities. This guide is designed to help transportation providers, metropolitan planning officials, disability service providers and individuals with disabilities explore the federal programs and services available to them.
Building Mobility Partnerships for People with Disabilities: Opportunities for Federal Funding offers supplementary information gathered by Easter Seals Project ACTION about additional programs that specifically target and provide for increased mobility for people with disabilities and older Americans.
Youth have many options to choose from when making a career decision. Focusing on a specific industry, such as those related to science, technology, engineering or math, helps to narrow a search. This resource from the Department of Labor’s Career OneStop Outreach and Training Materials includes steps to help youth start exploring careers:
Each year, approximately 5.5 million Americans are disabled by serious mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, manic-depressive illness, and severe depressive disorders. Through its Community Support Programs, CMHS provides funding to states and community groups to improve the effectiveness of mental health systems of care for adults with serious mental illnesses. CMHS Community Support Programs foster integrated systems of community services and rehabilitation, identify the best and most cost-efficient ways to help people who have serious mental illnesses, and help states and communities put consumer-driven methods into practice.
Thousands of organizations nationwide are partnering with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to make a difference in their communities. The IRS approach to meeting individual taxpayers' needs for tax education and assistance is through a network of partnerships with national and local organizations, and businesses. The IRS approach to educating individual taxpayers is to join with other organizations, combining resources for greater impact in the community. Organizations of all types -- corporate, faith-based, non-profit, educational, financial, public service, and government -- join in these community-based coalitions to educate taxpayers and provide hands-on assistance to help them comply with their tax responsibilities.
Organizations that serve the following populations can click on the link to learn how you can become more involved with the IRS.
This online Disabilities Dictionary from Brookes Publishing allows users to search more than 3,500 disability-related terms. Users can enter a word to search for its definition or enter a word or phrase that is part of a definition to search for related terms. For example, if a user enters the word “oxygen,” the dictionary will display definitions for all of the terms that have the word “oxygen” in their definitions.
This document is the second in a series of Customized Employment portfolios. It expands on the topics presented in the first in the series, Practical Solutions for Employment Success with Customized Employment (http://www.dol.gov/odep/categories/workforce/CustomizedEmployment/practical/index.htm) and provides ideas on how to use these strategies with job seekers for their own Customized Employment success. This portfolio provides an overview of the following topics: