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
13 July 2007
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.
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 announcements (Training and Employment Notice, Webinar Archive) are located under the section headings “For Your Information/Action” and “Upcoming Events of Interest."]
As the Training and Employment Notice (TEN) from the U.S. Department of Labor reports “Transportation continues to top the list of support services necessary to assist people who are transit disadvantaged (e.g., people who are low-income, disabled, and/or elderly) to become employed. A 2005 study by the Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) looked at One-Stop Career Center services and found that nearly half of their customers were transportation disadvantaged. A 2005 survey of Disability Program Navigators (DPNs), located in One-Stop Career Centers, identified transportation as the most significant barrier to employment. Transportation is a frequently cited barrier to both employment and access to the One-Stop Career Centers’ services for customers who fall into one of the groups above. Approximately 80 percent of One-Stop Career Centers recently surveyed by CTAA provide some form of transportation assistance to their customers. While most provide information on available transportation services, some One- Stop Career Centers provide more direct services, such as tokens or vouchers to ride transit, gas allowance for car trips, funding for bus or van services, in addition to other support.”
This TEN announces two recently released policies from the Interagency Council on Access and Mobility and identifies how the workforce investment system can link to a newly devised coordinated human services transportation planning process. These coordination policies were promulgated to: (1) promote the participation of federally-assisted grantees in a locally-coordinated human services transportation planning process which would reduce transportation duplication, increase service efficiency, and expand access for populations that face major transportation challenges; and (2) coordinate resources to maximize accessibility and availability of transportation services by encouraging vehicles and rides to be shared with other federally-assisted programs, customers, or other members of the riding public. The TEN includes information on how local areas can establish and/or become involved in the human service transportation coordinated planning process. Section 10 of the TEN provides an extensive list of Internet-based resources for transportation coordination.
On June 14th, the Employment and Training Administration, DOL, hosted a webinar on Transportation Connections to the Workplace: Keys to Self-Sufficiency. Recognizing the importance of transportation in serving their customers, several of the WIBs, One-Stop Career Centers, and Disability Program Navigators have developed and implemented effective solutions to connect their customers to the workplace. This Webinar highlighted these successful strategies and demonstrated: (1) how the workforce investment system can leverage diverse federal funds to support local transportation to employment and training activities; (2) transportation options currently available to serve the targeted service groups; (3) models the workforce investment system and service providers can replicate; and (4) how the workforce investment system can work with community partners to facilitate access to transportation resources, to connect its customers to training and jobs.
Both of these resources will be helpful to Disability Program Navigators who are trying to address the transportation needs in your community. Find out how you and/or other appropriate members within your community can become involved in the coordinated human services transportation planning process. Learn about the successful strategies other communities are implementing to address identified transportation barriers. Access the One-Stop Toolkit Library and see what resources are available on Transportation Activities at: http://www.onestoptoolkit.org//library/libraryCategory.cfm?classnumber=24.0. Note, to gain access, you have to be a DPN grantee and have a user ID and password (contact E–mail laura-farah@uiowa.edu if you need this information).
[The following is excerpted from the article and more information on the website is included under “Websites of Interest.”]
Hundreds of employers, workers and advocates from government and business witnessed the launch of the state's innovative new 'Connect-Ability' initiative – aimed at opening employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The initiative debuted at the second annual Employment Summit, held at the Connecticut Convention Center. One of the first initiatives of its kind in the nation, Connect-Ability focuses on ability, not disability. The initiative will connect employers and able employees who have disabilities through a statewide education and media campaign, comprehensive online resources at http://www.Connect-Ability.com, and a host of community-based initiatives.
"Connecticut's economic vitality is fueled by outstanding employers and a workforce that is second to none," Governor M. Jodi Rell said. "More and more, our employers are recognizing that the individual qualities of workers, regardless of whether they have a disability, are key to a successful business. Helping everyone to 'see the ability' in current or prospective employees is the theme of the Connect-Ability initiative. The overall goal is to strengthen Connecticut's business and jobs climate even further by bringing employers together with highly motivated, highly skilled workers who will not let anything get in the way of their success." State Social Services Commissioner Michael P. Starkowski, whose agency is administering the Connect-Ability initiative, said Connecticut has exemplary, homegrown role models for success in the workplace. "The public awareness campaign shows real Connecticut people and real Connecticut businesses, ranging from a self-employed trucker to a senior systems administrator at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy," Commissioner Starkowski said. "These individuals are raising the bar of achievement and shaping the way we all should see the abilities of our Connecticut residents."
Research conducted by the University of Connecticut and participants at last year's Employment Summit provided insights to help shape the Connect-Ability initiative. This year's Summit is an opportunity for stakeholders to review the progress made and provide additional input. "Connect-Ability began as a federal grant, but its success depends on the how well we can work together in a public/private partnership," said Brenda Moore, director of the Department of Social Services' Bureau of Rehabilitation Services. "We're eager to share our progress and hope everyone will agree that our name - Connect-Ability - goes to the heart of the program's purpose: to facilitate connections between employers and able employees and focus on the ability, not the disability." The communications campaign centers on Connecticut people and employers who have not let a disability prevent job success. Stories of a stroke survivor working as a laboratory biologist, a trucker who drives without the use of his legs, an auto tech with a different way of learning, among others, are told through videos, television, radio and print messages, which will be unveiled at the Employment Summit.
Connect-Ability is funded by a $5.1 million Medicaid Infrastructure Grant awarded to Connecticut by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The state Department of Social Services has been administering the Medicaid Infrastructure Grant program since 2001 but, until now, has focused mainly on helping working people with disabilities with access to health care and personal care assistance. The new grant results from a year-long public planning effort that will guide the agency in tackling employment issues from a much broader perspective. The plan encompasses both state and community-level initiatives, and seeks to increase the employment rate and earnings of Connecticut citizens with disabilities. Besides employers, effort will focus on young adults moving from school to post-secondary education or employment, raising the career potential of people with disabilities who are already working, and helping people overcome barriers to get started in the job market.
Connect-Ability is an initiative connecting Connecticut employers with the state's talent pool of people with disabilities. Connect-Ability will open minds by helping employers see the ability, not the disability. The initiative will bring together more resources than ever to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Addressing the fundamental barriers to employment, it is one of the first initiatives of its kind in the nation and a model for other states planning similar efforts.
Transportation continues to top the list of support services necessary to assist people who are transit disadvantaged (e.g., people who are low-income, disabled, and/or elderly) to become employed. A 2005 study by the Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) looked at One-Stop Career Center services and found that nearly half of their customers were transportation disadvantaged. A 2005 survey of Disability Program Navigators (DPNs), located in One-Stop Career Centers, identified transportation as the most significant barrier to employment. Transportation is a frequently cited barrier to both employment and access to the One-Stop Career Centers’ services for customers who fall into one of the groups above.
Approximately 80 percent of One-Stop Career Centers recently surveyed by CTAA provide some form of transportation assistance to their customers. While most provide information on available transportation services, some One- Stop Career Centers provide more direct services, such as tokens or vouchers to ride transit, gas allowance for car trips, funding for bus or van services, in addition to other support.
The purpose of the ETA Training and Employment Notice (TEN 36-06) is to announce two recently released policies from the Interagency Council on Access and Mobility and identify how the workforce investment system can link to a newly devised coordinated human services transportation planning process. These coordination policies were promulgated to: (1) promote the participation of federally-assisted grantees in a locally-coordinated human services transportation planning process which would reduce transportation duplication, increase service efficiency, and expand access for populations that face major transportation challenges; and (2) coordinate resources to maximize accessibility and availability of transportation services by encouraging vehicles and rides to be shared with other federally-assisted programs, customers, or other members of the riding public.
The TEN includes information on how local areas can establish and/or become involved in the human service transportation coordinated planning process. It highlights the new law, SAFETEA-LU, which address the needs of individuals with disabilities among other populations. Section 10 of the TEN provides an extensive list of Internet-based resources for transportation coordination.
Questions on this TEN can be directed to Mary Ann Donovan at (202) 693-3936 and Randee Chafkin at (202) 693-2723.
The National Council on Disability (NCD) extends an open invitation to participate in its Chicago quarterly meeting. The meeting will take place at the Crowne Plaza Chicago Metro at 733 West Madison on Tuesday, July 24, 2007, from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.; Wednesday, July 25 from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.; and Thursday, July 26 from 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. These events are free of charge and open to the public. There will be time in the agenda each day for public comment and your input is appreciated. You can also provide us with your written comments by E-mail, fax, or mail. The meeting facility is fully accessible.
NCD is an independent federal agency and is composed of 15 members appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. NCD provides advice to the President, Congress, and executive branch agencies to promote policies, programs, practices, and procedures that:
To carry out its purposes, NCD believes it is vital that it hears from disability communities around the country on what works and what does not for people with disabilities. NCD is delighted to have the opportunity to visit Chicago and learn first hand about the experiences of people with disabilities from Illinois and the surrounding states. Do not miss this opportunity to meet NCD board members and staff and offer your comments during the public comment sessions.
For more information, please contact NCD's Director of Communications Mark S. Quigley at E–mail mquigley@ncd.gov or by telephone at 202-272-2004 (V), 202-272-2074 (TTY).
The U.S. Department of Labor's WIRED Initiative is promoting talent development strategies through the integration of regional economic development, the workforce, and education to drive economic transformation in regions across the country. The WIRED Initiative also promotes improved employment opportunities and career advancement for workers. A critical component in meeting the demands of the 21st century workforce is to provide employers with the pipelines for a qualified labor pool. People with disabilities, mature workers, and other "targeted" populations may be experiencing challenges getting to available employment opportunities. Providing transportation services to the One-Stop Career Centers' customers for training activities and employment is a challenge. Transportation is also a key component of regional economic development.
Recognizing the importance of transportation in serving their customers, several of the WIBs, One-Stop Career Centers, and Disability Program Navigators have developed and implemented effective solutions to connect their customers to the workplace. This Webinar highlighted these successful strategies and demonstrated:
This fact sheet addresses common questions related to employment-related discrimination on the basis of disability.
Connect-Ability began in late 2005 with a federal grant to the State of Connecticut to identify and remove barriers to employment faced by people with disabilities. This five-year, multimillion dollar systems change grant involved a detailed look at the State's employment and disability services infrastructure in order to identify problem areas and implement lasting solutions. Connect-Ability has two primary customers:
The program does not directly provide services to match individuals with specific jobs. Instead, our efforts are targeted at removing the barriers which keep our primary customers from finding one another. These barriers include, but are not limited to, low expectations, the transition from school to work, inadequate transportation, and the actual process of recruitment, hiring, and retention. Connect-Ability facilitates connections between employers and able employees and focus on the ability, not the disability. Both employers and people with disabilities can learn more about how the program via this new website launched on June 27 th. The site organizes and centralizes information and resources in an accessible, universally user-friendly format, making it easy to use with screen readers, voice activation and other assistive technology. The site features professionally-filmed vignettes featuring six Connecticut workers and how they are thriving in the careers of their choice.
People with disabilities thinking about job and career options can visit the new online Career Center to find a vast array of information about skill assessment, gaining experience, the job search, interviewing, benefits and getting help on the job. The site will help employers expand their search for workers and make it easy to integrate people with disabilities into their workforce.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has developed a new web page on its website called Resources for Returning Veterans and Their Families that provides valuable information on prevention, treatment, and recovery support for mental health and substance use disorders. Publications, fact sheets, and links to relevant agencies are provided along with information on SAMHSA-funded programs, agency activities, and training and technical assistance opportunities. Additionally, SAMHSA convened a meeting on May 10 with the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense and veteran’s service organizations to better understand the needs and to identify ways local community-based substance abuse and mental health service organizations can be prepared to assist veterans and their families.
[The following is excerpted from the GAO Report highlights.]
Since the Workforce Investment Act’s (WIA) enactment in 1998, GAO has issued numerous reports that included recommendations regarding many aspects of WIA, including performance measures and accountability, funding formulas and spending, one-stop centers, and training, as well as services provided to specific populations, such as dislocated workers, youth, and employers. Collectively, these studies employed an array of data collection techniques, including surveys to state and local workforce officials and private sector employers; site visits; interviews with local, state, and Labor officials; and analysis of Labor data and documents. This testimony draws upon the results of these reports, issued between 2000 and 2007, as well as GAO’s ongoing work on one-stop infrastructure, and discusses issues raised and recommendations made. Specifically, the testimony addresses (1) progress made by federal, state, and local officials in implementing key provisions of WIA; and (2) challenges that remain in implementing an integrated employment and training system.
Seven years after implementing the workforce investment system under WIA, the system’s infrastructure continues to evolve. Nationwide, the number of comprehensive one-stop centers has decreased somewhat, but not uniformly across states. States generally reported increased availability of services for some of the mandatory programs at comprehensive one-stop centers. However, despite WIA’s requirement that all mandatory partners provide services through the one-stop system, some states have maintained a completely separate system for delivering services for Wagner-Peyser-funded Employment Services. Adults and dislocated workers receive a wide range of services through the one-stop system. Local areas used about 40 percent of their WIA funds in 2003 to provide training services to an estimated 416,000 participants, but the vast majority of job seekers receive services other than training. States and local areas have generally focused their youth services on in-school youth and have found it difficult to recruit and retain out-of-school youth. Most medium and large employers are aware of and use the system and are quite satisfied with its services, but they generally use one-stop centers to fill their needs for low-skilled workers.
Despite the successes state and local officials have had since WIA’s implementation, some aspects of the law and other factors have hampered their efforts. Funding issues continue to stymie the system. WIA’s formulas that are used to allocate funds to states do not reflect current program design and have caused wide fluctuations in funding levels from year to year that do not reflect actual layoff activity. In addition, Labor’s focus on expenditures without including obligations overestimates the amount of funds available to provide services at the local level. Moreover, little is known about what the system is achieving because only a small minority of participants are captured in the performance measures, and Labor has not conducted an impact study to assess the effectiveness of the one-stop system, as required under WIA. Labor has taken some steps to improve guidance and communication, but does not involve key stakeholders in the development of some major initiatives and provides too little time for states and local areas to implement them. GAO is suggesting that Congress consider taking steps to improve the stability of the funding and enhance the data available on people who use the system. In addition, in GAO’s past work, it recommended that Labor use obligations when estimating states’ available funds, that it comply with the requirements of WIA and conduct an impact evaluation, and that it consider alternative approaches in implementing new initiatives that involve ongoing consultation with key stakeholders. Labor has taken little action on these recommendations.
[Taken from the Abstract.]
As a collaborator with the Cornell Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Disability Demographics and Statistics, Mathematica Policy Research, Inc. has been working on a project that identifies the strengths and limitations in existing disability data collection in both content and data collection methodology. The intended outcomes of this project include expanding and synthesizing knowledge of best practices and the extent existing data use those practices, informing the development of data enhancement options, and contributing to a more informed use of existing data.
In an effort to provide the public with an up-to-date and easily accessible source of research on the methodological issues associated with surveying persons with disabilities, MPR has prepared a Source Guide of material related to this topic. The Source Guide contains 150 abstracts, summaries, and references, followed by a Subject Index, which cross references the sources from the Reference List under various subjects. The Source Guide is viewed as a “living document,” and will be periodically updated.