N.D.I. Technical Assistance Team
N.D.I. 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
March 5, 2010
Good morning everyone!
Below please find the website(s) and publication(s) 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.
Laura Gleneck
Project Coordinator
NDI Technical Assistance Team
Phone: 781-899-0139
Fax: 781-642-0895
[ E–mail lgleneck@ndi-inc.org ]
[ http://www.dpnavigator.net ]
Good morning Navigators,
The highlight this week is all about Universal Access and the role that Disability Program Navigators - yes you - have had in making it a reality in the One-Stop Career Center system. As the most recent DPN Promising Practice Information Brief - which is hot off the presses - aptly states: “With the addition of Disability Program Navigators (DPNs) in One-Stop Career Centers across the nation, universal access moved into the spotlight.”
So, what is Universal Access and why is it - and should it be - important to the public workforce system. First, it is one of the seven key principles of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998, which is the legislation that created the One-Stop Career Center system. According to this latest Information Brief, with the passage of WIA came a powerful message that the training and employment needs of varied job seekers and employers would be met within a single, universal One-Stop Career Center system. Employment resources and services would be available to job seekers of all ages with diverse racial, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds, and a wide range of education and work experiences. Programs and activities would be integrated and universally accessible to all incoming job seekers, including job seekers with disabilities and/or other challenges to employment.
As one of the key principles of WIA, universal access offered the promise of a welcoming, integrated, and user-friendly system. Job seekers would be able to independently tap into all available employment services, resulting in fewer requests for specialized assistance and more efficient use of staff resources. Under WIA and the Americans with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodations would be provided upon request; however, One-Stop Career Centers would streamline services so that a wide-ranging population of job seekers, including job seekers with disabilities, would have direct access to their resources, programs and activities.
Although WIA’s mandate of universal access should have opened the doors to job seekers with disabilities, achieving it in One-Stop Career Centers has been challenging. Under WIA, states and local regions have flexibility in the design of their One-Stop Career Centers, and as a result, universal access has been interpreted differently. While being able to get in the door and access resources is the first step to ensuring equal opportunity, building the capacity to serve and accommodate a diverse population of job seekers is integral to achieving true universal access.
Read the full Brief to learn how DPNs—yes you - throughout the country are helping to expand universal access in One-Stop Career Centers for a more diverse population of job seekers..Promising Practices…Achieving a more welcoming, integrated and accessible One-Stop Career Center system
DPN Promising Practice Series Information Brief
United States Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration
[ http://disability.workforce3one.org/view/2001006051343874707/info ]
Did you know that since 2003, DPNs—like you--have developed and implemented a plethora of effective promising practices that expand the capacity of the One-Stop Career Center system to serve customers with disabilities (and other multiple employment challenges) and promote effective and more meaningful employment of people with disabilities. A series of videos and information briefs has been developed to disseminate promising practices to expand the capacity of the One-Stop Career Center system to serve customers with disabilities and promote positive employment outcomes of people with disabilities.
Across the nation, Navigators are creating valuable support strategies for job seekers with disabilities, both within and outside of the workforce investment system. The Promising Practices series provides insight into these strategies, as well as methods to foster more successful partnerships and to assist more people with disabilities achieve positive employment outcomes. To learn more, access: [ http://disability.workforce3one.org/page/tag/promising_practices ]
The Resources of Interest Section highlights the new DPN Promising Practice information brief, along with some additional resources to help workforce professionals open ALLdoors to the One-Stop Career Center system. So, check it out!
The Information Brief, as well as the other DPN Promising Practice videos and briefs, are great resources for you to share and use in trainings, workshops, meetings to illustrate promising practices used to help build the capacity of the workforce system to serve ALL customers. They can play a key role in “achieving a more welcoming, integrated and accessible One-Stop Career Center system.
Happy Friday!
FUNDING OPPORTUNITITY: Mental Health Transformation Grants
Department of Health and Human Services
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Mental Health Transformation Grants - Short Title: (WIRP)
(Initial Announcement)
Request for Applications (RFA) Number: SM-10-010
Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 93.243
[ http://samhsa.gov/Grants/2010/SM-10-010.aspx ]
DATES: Applications are due by April 30, 2010.
OTHER IMPORTANT NOTICES:
SUMMARY: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2010 Mental Health Transformation Grants (MHTG). The purpose of this program is to foster adoption and implementation of permanent transformative changes in how public mental health services are organized, managed and delivered so that they are consumer-driven, recovery-oriented and supported through evidence-based and best practices. Funding will support States and local governments to create and/or expand treatment capacity within five of SAMHSA’s Strategic Initiatives related to prevention and wellness, trauma-informed care, military families, housing and homelessness, jobs and the economy.
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS: State and local governments and federally recognized American Indian/Alaska Native Tribes and tribal organizations.
AWARD INFORMATION
Access the URL to read the full announcement including application and submission information.
Contracting Strategies That Facilitate Serving The Youth Most In Need
Training and Employment Guidance Letter Number 13-09
United States Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration
February 16, 2010
[ http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=2854 ]
The purpose of this Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL), which was sent by Assistant Secretary Jane Oates to State Workforce Agencies and Liaisons, is to provide guidance to states, workforce investment boards, and Workforce Investment Act (WIA) youth service providers on contracting strategies that facilitate service providers to serve the youth most in need, while still achieving performance goals.
This TEGL follows a February 2008 General Accountability Office (GAO) report that reviewed 39 local programs and found that contracts between local workforce investment boards (WIBs) and youth service providers often require providers to meet performance goals within time frames that are too short to reasonably achieve successful outcomes with youth most in need. While the hardest-to-serve youth require additional time to attain positive outcomes as measured by WIA Youth common and statutory measures, GAO findings revealed that WIBs often procure one-year contracts, which has the potential of discouraging programs from working with youth that may be unlikely to achieve positive outcomes. The GAO report recommended that “ETA work with states and WIBs to provide youth program operators with information and guidance needed to develop and implement contracts that facilitate local programs to serve the neediest youth while still achieving performance goals.”
In November and December 2008, ETA held a series of focus groups with WIBs, local youth
service providers, and state youth staff to discuss the challenges local programs face in developing contracts that promote service to the neediest youth. Access the URL to read the full report and outcomes of these focus groups
United States Department of Labor announces results of 'Tools for America’s Job Seekers Challenge' - Other Job and Career Tools
Employment and Training Administration News Release
February 4, 2010
[ http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20100146.htm ]
In this news release, the United States. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration shared the results of its Tools for America's Job Seekers Challenge. The top rated sites have been identified in each of six categories - general job boards, niche tools, career tools, career exploration tools, Web 2.0 and "other" - are now available at [ http://www.careeronestop.org/jobseekertools ]
Over the course of the next few weeks, the One-Stop Toolkit Resources of the Week will highlight these categories in more detail beginning with this issue.
Other Job and Career Tools
[ http://www.careeronestop.org/JobSeekerTools/OtherTools.aspx ]
Other job matching and career advancement tools are tools that do not fit in any of the prior categories. Such tools include interview preparation tools, labor market information, training grants, ESL
online tools, and other items.
The tool descriptions below were provided by the tool vendors. Descriptions do not reflect the opinions of the Department of Labor or any of its grantees or contractors. These tools were recommended by the public and the Department of Labor does not formally endorse any online job tool.
The following includes the “most recommended” tools out of this list.
Alison.com - [ http://www.alison.com ]
ALISON is a leading provider of Free Online Interactive Skills Training for the United States Workforce. It provides high-quality, engaging, interactive multimedia courseware for certification and standards-based learning to learners across every state in the nation. All courses on ALISON are free for individual learners, and teachers and tutors enjoy free access to manage groups of learners via the open Learning Management System made available for the majority of course.Career Directors International - [ http://www.careerdirectors.com/ ]
CDI members are career professionals from all walks of life and experience, which include: professional resume writers, job developers, recruiters, career coaches, career counselors, assessment specialists, HR professionals, and more. Many are in private practice, local job centers, or University career centers near you.Department of Education- Training Grants - [ http://www.ed.gov/programs/landing.jhtml ]
Training programs authorized and funded by Congress. These programs provide financial aid for eligible applicants for elementary, secondary, and college education; for the education of individuals with disabilities and of those who are illiterate, disadvantaged, or gifted; and for the education of immigrants, American Indians, and people with limited English proficiency."Human Capital Institute - [ http://www.hci.org ]
HCI.org is a Fabulous website for those interested in the Talent Management arena and offers a "think tank" of free webcasts and alternative educational programs and certifications that one can upgrade their own HR skill sets in the Talent Acquisition, Management and Leadership competencies.Monster Evolutions – [ http://hiring.monster.com/hr/hr-best-practices/recruiting-hiring-advice/strategic-workforce-planning/monster-evolutions.aspx ]
Outplacement services for Employers and Employees with one goal: getting former workers rehired into prosperous new positions or new careers. Can include scalable online and offline services, including coaching and counseling that provide the kind of personalized attention many displaced workers need.Monster Real-Time Labor Intelligence - [ http://hiring.monster.com/hr/hr-best practices/market-intelligence.aspx ]
Detailed and up-to-date, Monster's RLI reports offer unparalleled data and analysis on job markets. With comprehensive data at the intersection of geography, industry, and occupations, RLI can spot the trends that impact educational and workforce changes.Monster's Keep America Working Tour - [ http://resources.monster.com/job-fairs/?wt.srch=1&wt.mc_n=olmsrchsk ]
A redefined career fair providing Job Seekers with the information and experience needed to directly and successfully interact with the Employers who are hiring in their local markets. Live presentations teach Job Seekers how to stand out in today's crowded job market. Tip cards provide advice and help from resume writing to what to wear to an interview.SkillUP - [ http://skillup.metrixlearning.com ]
Metrix Learning is a powerful, Web-based, cost-effective service designed for the One Stop system that provides job seekers with unlimited access to over 5,000 courses to upgrade their skills and learn new skills. The Metrix Learning solution integrates online course delivery with skill assessments, setting job goals using O*NET, customized and managed learning plans, and connecting to local job opportunities.Step 9: Apply for a Job Using Shortcuts - [ http://fastest-jobs-search.com/2009/10/step-9-apply-for-a-job-using-shortcuts/ ]
Job hunting involves repetitive tasks. Streamline your job hunt by easily creating a set of 3-key shortcuts that will make often-performed tasks execute in an eyeblink.WaggleForce - [ http://www.waggleforce.com ]
A nationwide network of local career clubs designed to get America back to work.
Webinar: Increasing Employment Network Participation
Ticket to Work Training
Social Security Administration
March 10, 2010 from 3 to 4:30pm Eastern Standard Time.
[ http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/edi/register/cessi_3-10-2010.cfm ]
The Social Security Administration (SSA), CESSI, the Ticket to Work Program Manager for Recruitment and Outreach (PMRO), and MAXIMUS, the Ticket to Work Operations Support Manager, collectively invite you to participate in a Ticket to Work Training webinar focused on increasing participation by Employment Networks (ENs). The webinar will provide a general overview and update on the Ticket program, the operations and technical supports available to ENs, & the Federal government hiring initiative.
The learning objectives for this webinar include:
Presenters:
Moderator:
Kelly Kenealy, Ticket to Work Program Assistant, CESSI
REGISTRATION
To participate in this webinar, please register at:
[ http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/edi/register/cessi_3-10-2010.cfm ]
If you have problems registering for this webinar, please call 607-254-6376, or e-mail Val Malzer at vbm5@cornell.edu.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For more information on the Ticket program you may visit [ www.cessi.net/ttw ], [ www.choosework.net ], [ www.yourtickettowork.com ] or [ www.ssa.gov/work ].
Ticket to Work is a voluntary employment program for people with disabilities administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). The Ticket program offers disability beneficiaries age 18 through 64 expanded opportunities to obtain the services and supports that they need to work and to achieve their employment goals. SSA does this by paying approved providers of services, referred to as “Employment Networks” or “ENs”, for assisting beneficiaries to reach designated Milestones and Outcomes associated with achieving self-supporting employment. An EN can be any agency or organization that provides or is equipped to provide employment- related services and supports to individuals who have disabilities. For more information regarding the Ticket to Work program, please visit CESSI’s Frequently Asked Questions web page: [ http://www.cessi.net/ttw/faqs/index.asp ]
Ticket to Work March Work Incentive Seminar Events
Social Security Administration
[ www.cessi.net/wise ].
March Work Incentive Seminar Events (WISE): Helping Beneficiaries Make Informed Choices About Work
Free Work Incentive Seminar Events (WISE) will be held during the month of February to learn about the Ticket to Work Program or other Social Security Work Incentives. WISE are community events held by local organizations for beneficiaries to learn more about available work incentives through accessible, informal, learning opportunities.
Attend a WISE to connect with local training and employment resources, explore opportunities to increase income, and network with other job seekers and employers. Local Work Incentive Planning and Assistance (WIPA) projects will be hosting 28 WISE Events in 18 states in February. Following is a list of the locations and dates of those upcoming events.
For more information or to sign up for a WISE Event in your area, access [ www.cessi.net/wise ] or call 781-899-0139 (voice or TTY). If there is not currently an event scheduled in your area, please check the web site often as events are added frequently.
**Coming Soon** – WISE Webinars. Beginning with our launch event on March 24 at 3pm EST, CESSI is pleased to announce that we will be hosting a national WISE Webinar or Teleconference Event each month. Watch your email for more details and registration information.
March 2010 WISE schedule:
Ticket to Work is a voluntary employment program for people with disabilities administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). The Ticket program offers people receiving Social Security disability benefits age 18 through 64 expanded opportunities to obtain the services and supports that they need to work and to achieve their employment goals. SSA does this by paying approved providers of services, referred to as “Employment Networks” or “ENs”, for assisting beneficiaries to reach designated Milestones and Outcomes associated with achieving self-supporting employment. An EN can be any agency or organization that provides or is equipped to provide employment- related services and supports to individuals who have disabilities. For more information regarding the Ticket to Work program, please visit CESSI’s Frequently Asked Questions web page: [ http://www.cessi.net/ttw/faqs/index.asp ]
Universal Access and the Workforce Investment System
Under Title I of WIA, the workforce investment system provides the framework for delivery of workforce investment activities at the state and local levels to individuals who need those services. In this legislation, Congress and the United States. Department of Labor have made it clear that persons with disabilities are among the people who are suppose to benefit from this restructuring. WIA incorporates seven key principles, one focusing on universal access:
The National Disability Program Navigator (DPN) Program Office has completed another information brief in its DPN Promising Practice Series focusing on universal access and the workforce investment system. Since 2003, the DPNs have developed and implemented a plethora of effective promising practices that expand the capacity of the One-Stop Career Center system to serve customers with disabilities (and other multiple employment challenges) and promote effective and more meaningful employment of people with disabilities. A series of videos and information briefs has been developed to disseminate promising practices to expand the capacity of the One-Stop Career Center system to serve customers with disabilities and promote positive employment outcomes of people with disabilities.
Disability Program Navigators across the nation create valuable support strategies for job seekers with disabilities, both within and outside of the workforce investment system. The Promising Practices series provides insight into these strategies, as well as methods to foster more successful partnerships and to assist more people with disabilities achieve positive employment outcomes. To learn more, access: [ http://disability.workforce3one.org/page/tag/promising_practices ]
The Resources of Interest Section highlights the new DPN Promising Practice information brief, along with some additional resources to help workforce professionals open ALLdoors to the One-Stop Career Center system.
Promising Practices…Achieving a more welcoming, integrated and accessible One-Stop Career Center system
DPN Promising Practice Series Information Brief
United States Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration
[ http://disability.workforce3one.org/view/2001006051343874707/info ]
As one of the key principles of WIA, universal access offered the promise of a welcoming, integrated, and user-friendly system. Job seekers would be able to independently tap into all available employment services, resulting in fewer requests for specialized assistance and more efficient use of staff resources. Under WIA and the Americans with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodations would be provided upon request; however, One-Stop Career Centers would streamline services so that a wide-ranging population of job seekers, including job seekers with disabilities, would have direct access to their resources, programs and activities. With the addition of Disability Program Navigators (DPNs) in One-Stop Career Centers across the nation, universal access moved into the spotlight.
Read the full Brief to learn how DPNs throughout the country are helping to expand universal access in One-Stop Career Centers for a more diverse population of job seekers..
Toolkit: One-Stop Access for All
Cornell University, ILR School, Employment and Disability Institute
[ http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/edi/p-onestop.cfm ]
Universal Access-NY is a complete online planning toolkit, where a One-Stop Delivery System can continuously assess its practices, and develop work plans to improve physical and programmatic accessibility for all One-Stop customers. This web site was designed for use in a collaborative manner, bringing together One-Stop personnel, agency partners, business leaders and customers with disabilities.
Toward Universal Access in the Workforce Development System
National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (NCWD/Youth)
August 2005
[ http://www.ncwd-youth.info/toward-universal-action ]
This paper explores the core concepts of “universal service,” which has a very distinct meaning inside the employment and training arena, and that of “universal design” in the context of disability public policy. In addition, this paper urges the adoption of a comprehensive definition of universal access that would apply across all titles of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) to all programs and services in the One-Stop system and incorporate elements of universal access, universal service, architectural accessibility, programmatic accessibility, and universal design, as defined in the disability policy arena.Universal Design for the Workforce Development System Toolkit
National Center on Workforce and Disability
[ http://www.onestops.info/website.php?page=ud_index ]
Universal Design for the Workforce Development System is a collection of tools, online training modules and best practice findings from the field, all of which are deigned to promote a workforce development system that is both responsive to local needs and realities, and able to meet the needs of its diverse businesses and career seeker customers. Taken together, these tools form a comprehensive system evaluation and change curriculum which users can customize to best meet their state and local needs.The Universal Design systems change process is intended to be broadly and robustly collaborative, and these tools provide system leaders and change facilitators everything they need to engage in a process of lasting and meaningful systemic development.
The Red Book serves as a general reference source about the employment-related provisions of Social Security Disability Insurance and the Supplemental Security Income Programs for educators, advocates, rehabilitation professionals, and counselors who serve people with disabilities.
What’s New in 2010
[This information has been excerpted directly from the website.]
Access the URL to link to full versions of the 2010 Redbook in English and Spanish.
America Saves
[ http://www.americasaves.org/ ]
America Saves is a nationwide campaign in which a broad coalition of nonprofit, corporate, and government groups helps individuals and families save and build wealth. Through information, advice, and encouragement, we assist those who wish to pay down debt, build an emergency fund, save for a home, save for an education, or save for retirement.
Saver Resources
[ http://www.americasaves.org/resources/ ]
America Saves provides a host of resources you can use to get started saving.Savings Strategies
[ http://www.americasaves.org/strategies/ ]
Building wealth starts when you set a goal and make a plan to reach that goal. Whatever goal you choose – whether it’s buying a car, buying a house, or getting out from under your debts – learn about proven savings strategies and get simple tips on the best ways to save.
The Department of Defense (DoD) has received a comprehensive system update of its National Resource Directory (NRD) website to provide users with easier access. This website compiles federal, state, local and non-profit resources for Wounded Warriors, Veterans, family members and caregivers in a single, searchable site. The site's new "bookmark and share" feature allows visitors to alert others to the resources they find most helpful through social bookmarking, Facebook, Twitter and other social networking tools. Visitors can also subscribe to Really Simple Syndication (RSS) or e-mail updates about new information that has been added to the site. The
NRD is a collaborative effort among the Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs (VA) and Labor (DOL).
[The following is excerpted from the Abstract.]
Many students with disabilities receive some form of disability benefit from the Social Security Administration. There is a common misconception among individuals with disabilities, their families and the disability services provider community
that saving for post secondary education is not permitted under the Social Security disability benefit program rules. In fact, for individuals receiving disability benefits authorized under title II of the Social Security Act, there are no restrictions placed upon asset accumulation or the amount of resources a beneficiary may have. The title II disability programs include Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Childhood Disability benefits (CDB) and Disabled Widow(er)s Benefits (DWB). Many other students receive benefits from the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. Currently, SSI program rules require that eligible individuals have no more than $2,000 of countable resources with a $3,000 limit for two SSI recipients who form an eligible couple. While this limit is stringent, there are numerous resource exclusions which do not count in any way against the student when SSI eligibility determinations are made. Several of these resource exclusions are specifically designed to permit SSI recipients to save for post secondary education or training which prepares them for paid employment.
This paper summarizes these provisions and provides information on additional resources individuals with disabilities may access to help cover the costs of education or vocational training after high school. The provisions covered include: Plans for Achieving Self-Support or PASS, Educational Savings Accounts or 529 Plans, Coverdell Accounts, Educational Assistance received under Title IV of the Higher Education Act such as PELL and Supplemental Educational Opportunities grants and federal work-study Individual Development Accounts (IDA), and assistance from State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies and One-Stop Career Centers.