Monthly Archives: June 2012

Employment First! TN DIDD 2012 releases two reports

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Employment First 2012 report covers January 1, 2012 – March 30, 2012: People aged 22-61 supported by DIDD

2012 Draft Supplemental Employment Report: People who are 62 and older; and people who are 21 and younger supported by DIDD.

During the data collection process, Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD) asks two key questions:

1) Who worked during the reporting period? (January 1, 2012 – March 30, 2012)
2) Who is not working but wants to work or explore work?

This report is a compilation of data. However, that data represents the stories and experiences of the people DIDD supports. In East Tennessee, an 81-year-old gentleman is working. On the other side of the age spectrum, a 9-year-old girl in West Tennessee is already thinking about what she wants to do when she is old enough to work. Both of these people exemplify the power of employment – you’re never too old to work and never too young to start contemplating the answer to that question . . . what do I want to do when I grow up?

New Certification Gives Employment Professionals National Credibility

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APSE, a national organization dedicated to integrated employment and career advancement for people with disabilities, recently developed the first national certification program for employment support professionals. Entrants who pass the first Certified Employment Support Professional (CESP) examination this summer will have a uniform designation recognized in every state.

“Right now, anyone can call themselves a job developer,” says Dr. Laura Owens, Executive Director of APSE. “This certification is an essential step to ‘professionalizing’ our field.”  APSE spent over two years developing the certification, working with focus groups to create an exacting and comprehensive test.

All courses in the College of Employment Services (CES) online curriculum were created with the APSE guidelines and certification in mind. CES courses provide an excellent foundation for people planning on becoming certified.

“Obviously, APSE cannot provide training,” Dr. Owens adds. “CES can provide the foundational knowledge necessary to passing the certification.”

For more information on certification, please visit: http://www.apse.org/certification

Download PDF test prep booklet here. Download a PDF application to take the test.

Posted on June 26, 2012 by Jenise

Hope for saving Benefits to Work programs?

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From: Olson, Kathryn [mailto:Kathryn.Olson@mail.house.gov]
Sent: Tuesday, July 10, 2012 2:37 PM
Subject: WIPA and PABSS

Thank you for your email message in support of reauthorization of the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) program, funded through the Social Security Administration.

I wanted to let you know that Congressman Xavier Becerra, the Ranking Democratic Member on the Subcommittee on Social Security of the House Committee on Ways and Means, has introduced H.R. 6061, a bill to permanently authorize both the WIPA and the PABSS (Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security) programs, which support employment by Social Security and SSI disability beneficiaries.

We have received many calls and letters about the value of WIPA and PABBS and the importance of ensuring their continuation.  As Ranking Member, Congressman Becerra understands the difference they make in the lives of Americans with disabilities, and is eager to see the legislation move forward.

You may read Congressman Becerra’s introductory remarks in the Congressional Record, and can track the progress of the bill and find out who has cosponsored it on this website, searching by bill number H.R. 6061.

Congressional authorization for WIPA and PABSS has expired.  One way to ensure their continuation is to pass H.R. 6061 or a similar bill.  However, legislation can only be voted on if the leadership of the House of Representatives schedules it for action.  You may wish to contact your own Representative in Congress to share your views about WIPA and PABSS.

Thank you again for your support for people with disabilities.

 

Sincerely,

Kathryn Olson

Democratic Staff Director, Subcommittee on Social Security, Committee on Ways and Means U.S. House of Representatives, B-316 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 202-225-4021

________________________________________________________________

Rep. Bacerra plans to introduce a PABSS WIPA reauthorization bill tomorrow. They are looking for letters of support. Please e-mail support letters to Kathryn Olson at kathryn.olson@mail.house.gov by Thursday 6/28/12 if possible.

Please share with any other individuals or organizations that can write a support letter.

Thanks.

Eric Buehlmann, Deputy Executive Director for Public Policy, National Disability Rights Network

If you feel that the information and support these programs provide is helpful in getting Tennesseans with disabilities to consider employment and explore financial independence, please support this effort.

Lynnette Henderson, concerned citizen

Supporting New Career Paths for People with IDD

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Impact: Feature Issue on Supporting New Career Paths for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities [pdf]

In the U.S. we are in the midst of a national conversation about jobs. That conversation includes discussion of employment for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their changing role in the American workforce. This new Impact issue from the Institute on Community Integration explores some of the innovative thinking and resources that are providing expanded employment options for people with disabilities today, and offers success stories of some of the individuals taking new career paths.

Employment First Policy now law in 2 states!!

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Two states have signed employment first policy into law this week.

Delaware Employment First Act

All persons with disabilities, including veterans with service-connected disabilities, have a right to the opportunity for competitive employment. To promote the realization of this right, this bill creates the Employment First Act. The Act requires that state agencies that provide services and support to persons with disabilities shall consider, as their first option, competitive employment in an integrated setting for persons with disabilities. The Act does not require an employer to give preference to hiring persons with disabilities.
The Act requires all state agencies to follow this policy for employment by coordinating and collaborating efforts among agencies. In addition, agencies may share data and information whenever possible across systems in order to track progress.

Ohio‘s Law

Among other things…

  1. Requires that an IEP for anyone 14 to 22 include…”appropriate measurable post-secondary goals based on age-appropriate transition assessments related to employment in a competitive environment in which workers are integrated regardless of disability;”
  2. “Sec. 5123.022. It is hereby declared to be the policy of this
    state that employment services for individuals with developmental
    disabilities be directed at placement whenever possible of each
    individual in a position in the community in which the individual
    is integrated with the employer’s other workers who are not
    developmentally disabled. The departments of developmental
    disabilities, education, job and family services, and mental
    health; the rehabilitation services commission; and each other
    state agency that provides employment services to individuals with
    developmental disabilities shall implement this policy and ensure
    that it is followed whenever employment services are provided to
    individuals with developmental disabilities.
    The department of developmental disabilities shall coordinate
    the actions taken by state agencies to comply with the state’s
    policy. Agencies shall collaborate within their divisions and with
    each other to ensure that state programs, policies, procedures,
    and funding support competitive and integrated employment of
    individuals with developmental disabilities. State agencies shall
    share information with the department, and the department shall
    track progress toward full implementation of the policy. The
    department, in coordination with any task force established by the
    governor, shall compile data and annually submit to the governor a
    report on implementation of the policy.The department and state agencies may adopt rules to
    implement the policy.
    The policy articulated in this section is intended to promote the right of each individual with a developmental disability to informed choice; however, nothing in this section requires any employer to give preference in hiring to an individual because the individual has a disability.

EARN Webinar this Thursday!!

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  1. EARN Webinar: Strategies for Increasing Self-Identification for Candidates and Employees with Disabilities

Date: June 28, 2012 – 2:00-3:00pm ET

http://askearn.org/webinar_registration_2012-06-28.cfm

This webinar will present strategies for creating environments where applicants and employees are comfortable with disclosing their disabilities thereby allowing organizations to represent more accurately both the composition of their workforce and their efforts toward diversity and inclusion. Specifically, participants will learn about:

  1. Inclusive workforce practices that lead to disability disclosure and self-identification,
  2. Ways to transform an existing corporate culture into one that welcomes and supports candidates and employees with disabilities, and
  3. How these strategies increase employee engagement, productivity, and overall positive outcomes.

Labor Force Data for People with Disabilities 2011 Released

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http://www.bls.gov/news.release/disabl.nr0.htm

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has released its report on the demographic and labor force data for people with disabilities in 2011. The BLS found that in 2011, 17.8% of people with disabilities were employed, compared to 63.6% of people without disabilities. Over the year, the unemployment rate for people with disabilities was 15%, while the rate for people without disabilities was 8.7%.

Car Ownership Program in Memphis

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From Disability.gov (@Disabilitygov)  6/5/12 3:01 PM
Search for a car ownership program in your state – helps eligible low income workers get a used or new car bit.ly/M9mwjM

Banner

What is a car ownership program?
Car ownership programs provide opportunities for low wage workers and others who meet their program requirements to get a used, or in some cases new, vehicle.

How do car ownership programs help me acquire a vehicle?
There are three primary types of car ownership programs. Some programs acquire used vehicles and distribute them to low income families; some make loans (many with special terms and or discounted rates) available to help individuals with credit challenges purchase a vehicle; others help individuals save for a vehicle through matched savings programs.

Am I eligible to receive assistance from a car ownership program?
Each program may have differing eligibility requirements. Please contact the programs in your area to find out if you are eligible to participate in their program.

Where are the programs located?
Programs are located across the country, with higher concentrations in the midwest, eastern, and southern states. To find the programs in your area, go to “Find a Program” and enter your zip code.

In TN: Advance Memphis
769 Vance Avenue
Memphis, TN. 38126   US

» View Map  » More Info     Telephone:901-543-8525

 

Applicants for Vista position needed

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Do you have an interest in and experience with helping people with intellectual and developmental disabilities? Are you good at seeing gifts and strengths in others? Do you like to talk with groups and individuals about jobs and employment?

Consider this position:I'm Ready To Serve in AmeriCorps VISTA!

VISTA Project: The VISTA worker will work within the community to develop and secure relationships with local businesses in order to create opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to secure meaningful employment. Another goal of the project is to create opportunities for micro-enterprise for these individuals and their families.

To find out more about this position, please contact Sheila Moore.

Sheila Moore
Chief Executive Officer
The Arc Davidson County
111 North Wilson Blvd.
Nashville, TN  37205
(615) 321-5699, ext. 16
(615) 322-9184, fax
smoore@arcdc.org

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