NDI Technical Assistance Team
NDI Consulting, Inc.
http://www.dpnavigator.net
and
The Burton Blatt Institute
Syracuse University
http://bbi.syr.edu
One–Stop Toolkit Resources of the Week Technical Assistance Project E–Mail listserv
11 July 2008
Good morning everyone,
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.
Have a good day and weekend!
Laura Gleneck
Project Coordinator
NDI Technical Assistance Team
P: 617–489–0086
F: 617–489–1374
[ E–mail lgleneck@ndi-inc.org ]
[ http://www.onestoptoolkit.org ]
Hello again Navigators,
Some of you may be a little bit curious as some things may have seemed to change a little, while at the same time being somewhat the same. As many of you know, the national technical assistance provider contracted by the national DPN Program Office to work with the Disability Program Navigator Initiative (and previously the Work Incentive Grantees) was the Law, Health Policy and Disability Center (LHPDC) of the University of Iowa College of Law. Earlier this year, the national DPN Program Office issued a new solicitation to serve as the DPN technical assistance provider; however, it was limited to only small businesses.
Those of us who made up the LHPDC core TA team really loved our connection with this project and the relationships we have built over the years and wanted to continue this great work. Like you, we believe in this initiative and the impact that it can make and has made. So our core team formed a small business, NDI Consulting, Inc., so that we could respond to the proposal and we were fortunate to have been awarded the new contract on July 1st. Below is a little information about this small business and our team, i.e., the NDI Technical Assistance (TA) Team.
NDI Consulting, Inc. is a newly established women–owned small business dedicated to advancing the employment and economic self–sufficiency of individuals across the full spectrum of disabilities nationwide. Although newly established, NDI Consulting principals have nationally recognized reputations for material development and dissemination, training and technical assistance activities that have set the highest standard for quality and satisfaction across diverse target audiences including government at all levels: the employer and business community, community and faith–based organizations, and person with disabilities and their families.
NDI Consulting was also created to support the National Disability Institute, Inc. (NDI). The Articles of Incorporation mandates that 25 percent of its profits be returned to NDI, which is a national not for profit corporation that is singularly focused on creating a better economic future for individuals with disabilities and their families. This relationship will provide an important revenue stream to help design public and private partnerships to advance the importance of work, income production, savings, and asset building for people with disabilities. NDI is a nationally recognized research and development corporation with a mission to promote employment and asset development for persons with disabilities.
NDI Consulting staff in combination with NDI Inc (forming the “NDI team”) includes individuals with the majority having multiple years of experience implementing the DPN Initiative. The six principal staff have a working knowledge and mastery level of expertise in matters related to the Department of Labor, the workforce investment system and other disability specific systems, mandated and non mandated partners, and programs and resources that provide employment–related services and supports to individuals with disabilities at a community level. The core team—Michael Morris, Laura Gleneck, Miranda Kennedy, Danielle Diamond, Sharon Brent and Elizabeth Jennings—have led the DPN technical assistance activities and offer a level of experience that is unmatched in its subject matter expertise related to the design and implementation of the DPN Initiative. This leadership team has improved the performance of the workforce investment system structures, enhanced collaboration among multiple systems, and expanded opportunities for persons with disabilities to enter or rejoin the workforce in diverse business sectors.
The movement of the six principal staff from the LHPDC to NDI Consulting and NDI to form the NDI team is to maximize and accelerate the process of systems change through multiple methods of knowledge translation activities that can be responsive to the evolving needs of the national DPN Program Office, DPN grantees, the workforce investment and other public support systems. The NDI team offers continuity in the core expertise that developed and refined creative learning tools and strategies, which include the Resources of the Week, Internet Scavenger Hunt, DPN Checklists, DPN Frequently Asked Questions, DPN Case Scenarios and DPN Jeopardy.
Mr. Morris will provide the overall project direction as he has done for the previous technical assistance project. He is an attorney and nationally recognized expert on disability–specific and generic policy related to employment and advancement of self–sufficiency for individuals with disabilities. Ms. Gleneck, working closely with Mr. Morris, will coordinate the project as she has done for the previous technical assistance project. Ms. Gleneck was involved in the original research conducted for the Presidential Task Force on Employment of Adults with Disabilities to review the fifty state plans plus the District of Columbia under the mandated Workforce Investment Act from a disability policy framework. For the past six years, Ms. Gleneck has served as the lead staff member on information, resource development/dissemination, and technical assistance, training, and evaluation activities for the WIG and DPN projects.
Ms. Miranda Kennedy and Ms. Danielle Diamond, who will serve as the Training and Technical Assistance Associates/Task Leaders, have both served as DPNs. They will continue to lead the technical assistance and training activities for the Round II and III DPN projects. They have direct experience with the DPN Initiative and detailed knowledge of the state and national workforce investment system. In their work with the national technical assistance team for the DPN Initiative they bring a wealth of knowledge from working with the workforce investment system to build the capacity to provide effective and meaningful participation to job seekers with disabilities. Ms. Kennedy and Ms. Diamond both have an understanding of and experience with developing and implementing Integrated Resource Teams, moving through the Phases of DPN Implementation Maturity, and establishing Interagency Action Committees.
The NDI team will include two national subject matter experts—Sharon Brent (SSA’s Work Incentives & Other Programs that Can Impact the Employment of People with Disabilities) and Elizabeth Jennings (Ticket to Work Program and Asset Development),
Along with many exciting training and technical assistance activities, the NDI TA team will be creating a new DPN website—www.DPnavigator.net—that will include archived information from the LHPDC website plus new resources and functionality. It is in the process of being developed and we will keep you updated.
The following provides contact information for the NDI TA Team:
We feel very fortunate and look forward to once again having the opportunity to provide technical assistance and training to such a wonderful program and group of Navigators!
NDI Technical Assistance Team
DATES: Comments must be received by July 22, 2008.
The National Council on Disability (NCD) is gathering public input for a study of emerging issues and trends affecting the lives of people with disabilities to use in NCD’s next annual progress report to the President and Congress, “National Disability Policy: A Progress Report” (required by Section 401(b) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended). This input will help in achieving policies that guarantee equal opportunity for all individuals with disabilities, and aid them in achieving economic self–sufficiency, independent living, and inclusion and integration into all aspects of society. Comments should be sent to NCD by July 22, 2008.
Access the URL to learn more about how you can participate and submit comments.
DATES: Workshop proposals must be submitted online by August 11th
The goal of the 9th Annual National Youth Development Symposium is to provide best practices and program guidance to workforce development professionals who serve youth, and leadership growth opportunities for the youth they serve.
Please consider sharing your expertise and experience in providing high quality and effective workforce preparation services to youth!
In preparation for the implementation of the New Ticket to Work Program regulations on July 21, 2008, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will be conducting several national training sessions throughout the month of July to review changes to the program. Interested parties are being asked to save these training dates and participate in the appropriate teleconferences or webinars.
Access the URL for detailed information on the training topic, dates and how to participate.
Are you and other leaders in your community interested in building more effective partnerships to meet community transportation needs? If so, then apply as team to participate in the Community Transportation Association’s Institute for Transportation Coordination.
The Institute for Transportation Coordination is an intensive, three–day training and planning forum created to enhance the capacity of communities to provide cost–effective and customer–focused transportation services by coordinating funding, information, services, and equipment. Participants have the opportunity to learn about coordination models, explore promising local coordination practices, discuss effective community outreach and partnership–building strategies, and increase their knowledge about technical tools and other operational issues. Attention is also given to leveraging federal dollars and maximizing relationships with local agencies that receive funding through federal programs.
Participants apply as part of a 4–to–6–member team formed from a local, regional, or statewide community; final team selections are made through a competitive process. The core members of each team, whose participation is paid for by the Community Transportation Association, are representatives from the community’s transit, workforce, and disability service organizations, as well as a member from a senior service organization, medical transportation provider, or local elected government. Other members may be added at the team’s own expense. Upon their return home from the Institute, teams are encouraged to expand their membership to include other stakeholders from their community.
The Institute is held annually in Washington, D.C. It is sponsored by the Association’s Joblinks Employment Transportation Initiative and the National Resource Center for Human Service Transportation Coordination through a cooperative agreement with the Federal Transit Administration.
Access the website to learn more about the 2008 institute.
The U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (ETA), has implemented an Initiative called Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED). WIRED is a framework to transform the workforce system and regional economies by stressing the critical role of talent development, integrating economic and workforce development activities, and leveraging public and private resources to drive economic transformation in regional economies across the United States. The Disabilities Unit, Division of Adult Services, Office of Workforce Investment, ETA has developed a template for integrating the "disability perspective" into the WIRED framework. This template is not only applicable to people with disabilities, but also to the other "targeted" populations (Youth, Older Workers, Ex–Offender, TANF, ESL, Indian and Native Americans, Migrant and Seasonal Farm Workers populations).
The Bureau of Justice Statistics reports 1 in 15 adults will be imprisoned during their lifetime. Historically, up to two–thirds of these inmates returned to prison. Recognizing the impact of employment on successful reentry, a National Offender Workforce Development Partnership has created points of contact in each state to assist in development and support of local partnerships for offender workforce development. A systems approach has resulted in assessment, apprenticeship, and training programs in prison that are linked to occupations with projected job growth. Partnerships with apprenticeship, workforce investment systems, and employers have provided career opportunities for ex–offenders, as well as a qualified, trained workforce to meet the needs of the 21st century workforce.
The recording, presentation slides and handouts of the event, as well as a transcript of the proceedings, are now available on the Workforce3 One Webspace:
Please note that you must be logged into Workforce3 One in order to access the Webinar resources.
State Mental Health Agencies provide a wide range of supports to consumers including rehabilitation services, vocational and pre vocational training, and supported and competitive employment supports. This Data Note explores how states vary in number of individuals served in Community Mental Health Programs, i.e., all services not provided in an inpatient setting, who are employed as well as the percentage of individuals served in Community Mental Health Programs who are employed. “Employed” is defined as competitively employed (full or part–time) at the last assessment available during the reporting year.
The wide range in number and percentage of individuals employed is not necessarily indicative of success or failure when comparing a state to one or many states. Factors such as the percentage of persons served in Community Mental Health Programs for which employment status is known can affect the final numbers and percentages reported. These variations suggest a need for further research to help policymakers understand the factors responsible for such wide variation and to help determine successful strategies for gaining employment outcomes for persons served in Community Mental Health Programs.
In this video, the U.S. Business Leadership Network (USBLN) weaves comments from progressive employers and “business case” assertions to produce a convincing and upbeat statement of the important contribution that people with disabilities can make to America’s workforce.
According to TBI Recovery Center (2006), "TBI is any injury to the brain caused by trauma to the head. If there is trauma to the brain, but the skull is not broken, the TBI is known as a closed head injury. This could occur, for example, if a person in an automobile accident hits his head on the steering wheel, but does not have a skull fracture. If an object such as a bullet penetrates the skull and injures the brain, the TBI is known as a penetrating head injury." The article highlights the different types of TBI, signs and symptoms, whether it is covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and accommodation strategies.
Social Security has redesigned its homepage to make it more welcoming and user–friendly. The new page is cleaner, easier to navigate and makes better use of graphics. While the look of the homepage has changed, the web addresses have not. Favorite sites that you and other frequent users have bookmarked will not change.
The transition to adulthood can be difficult for young adults who suffer from a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. When these individuals are unsuccessful, the result can be economic hardship, social isolation, and in some cases suicide, all of which can pose substantial costs to society.
Due to concerns about young adults with serious mental illness transitioning into adulthood, GAO was asked to provide information on
To do this work, GAO analyzed data based on national surveys, including the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS–R), and administrative data from the Social Security Administration (SSA). GAO also reviewed published research; interviewed federal, state, and local officials, as well as mental health providers, experts, and advocacy groups; and conducted site visits in Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Mississippi —four states that focus on this population.
GAO estimates that at least 2.4 million young adults aged 18 through 26—or 6.5 percent of the non–institutionalized young adults in that age range— had a serious mental illness in 2006, and they had lower levels of education on average than other young adults. The actual number is likely to be higher than 2.4 million because homeless, institutionalized, and incarcerated persons were not included in this estimate—groups with potentially high rates of mental illness. Among those with serious mental illness, nearly 90 percent had more than one mental disorder, and they had significantly lower rates of high school graduation and postsecondary education. GAO also found that about 186,000 young adults received SSA disability benefits in 2006 because of a mental illness that prevented them from engaging in substantial, gainful activity.
Young adults with serious mental illness can have difficulty finding services that aid in the transition to adulthood, according to researchers, public officials, and mental health advocates. Because available mental health, employment, and housing services are not always suited for young adults with mental illness, these individuals may not opt to receive these services. They also can find it difficult to qualify for adult programs that provide or pay for mental health services, disrupting the continuity of their treatment. Finally, navigating multiple discrete programs that address varied needs can be particularly challenging for them and their families.
The four states GAO visited help young adults with serious mental illness transition into adulthood by offering programs that provide multidimensional services intended to be age and developmentally appropriate. These programs integrate mental health treatment with employment and other supports. To deliver these services, states use various strategies. They coordinate across multiple state agencies, leverage federal and state funding sources, and involve young adults and their families in developing policies and aligning supports.
The needs of young adults with serious mental illness have also received attention from the federal government, and agencies have been providing some support to states through demonstrations, technical assistance, and research. Federal agencies have also established bodies to coordinate programs to serve those with mental health needs, youth with disabilities, and youth in transition, which may help improve service delivery for young adults with serious mental illness, as well.
Of note, the Disability Program Navigator Initiative is cited as one of the selected programs states can use to target or provide comprehensive services for these youth.
In carrying its mission during quarterly meetings, the National Council on Disability (NCD) believes it is vital to hear from communities around the country on what works and what does not for people with disabilities. NCD held its first 2008 quarterly public hearing/meeting in New Orleans from January 28 to the 30th. Among the agenda items for discussion were emergency preparedness issues and the disability community. This document represents a monograph outlining key issues raised and discussions from invited subject matter experts in the field of disability and emergency management and public comment.
This monograph represents the proceedings of the NCD January 2008 quarterly meeting. It is part of a one–year research project on disability issues and disasters that NCD is conducting. The information in this monograph is being released at this time for use by people with disabilities, first responders, policy makers and communities who are actively involved in using lessons learned to improve their emergency preparedness efforts.
Customized employment is a flexible blend of strategies, services and supports designed to increase employment options for career seekers with complex needs. Learn more about these innovations based on the experiences of the grants funded by the Office of Disability Employment Policy, U.S. Department of Labor, as they implemented customized employment and partnered with the public and private workforce development system.
On June 26th and 27th, the White House Office of Faith–Based
and Community Initiatives hosted the National Faith–Based and Community Initiatives Conference, which covered various topics of outreach and social services relating to Faith–Based and
Community Organizations (FBCOs). The audience heard from speakers such as President George W. Bush, Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, Attorney General Michael Mukasey, and various other honorable
guests. If you would like to see the video of the President’s speech (written and audio only versions are available also), please visit this webpage:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/06/20080626-20.html
Attendees of the conference received the booklet titled “The President’s Faith–Based and Community Initiative in 50 States.” For a quick fact sheet on the Faith–Based and Community Initiative, see here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/06/20080626-3.html
During speech at the conference, Secretary Chao made reference to the Department of Labor Center for Faith–Based and Community Initiatives’ final report: Renewing Communities, Restoring Hope, and Transforming Lives. This report tells the story of how the Faith–Based and Community Initiative at the U.S. Department of Labor has made a real difference in the lives of more than 150,000 jobseekers, workers, families, vulnerable youth, and communities. As part of DOL’s mission to foster a prepared, competitive, safe, and secure workforce, the Center for Faith–Based and Community Initiatives works with DOL agencies to tap into the unique abilities of faith–based and community organizations in order to help more individuals overcome barriers to employment, find jobs, and stay employed. These collaborative efforts have produced innovative public–private partnerships that decrease unemployment and recidivism among ex–prisoners, increase access to publicly funded employment resources in low–income communities, help homeless veterans find housing and jobs, withdraw and prevent children from entering exploitive child labor around the world, increase workplace safety outreach to Spanish–speaking workers, and much more. Renewing Communities, Restoring Hope, and Transforming Lives covers three main topics: Creating Access to New Opportunities Through Public–Private Partnerships, Faith–Based and Community Organizations: Utilizing Strengths and Building Capacity, and Transforming Lives Through Government Partnerships with Faith–Based and Community Organizations.
An online version of the report is available on CFBCI’s main page: http://www.dol.gov/cfbci. Or you can access the file directly from here: http://www.dol.gov/cfbci/renewing.pdf [ Get free Adobe Reader ].