06 November 2009

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.

Have a great weekend!

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 ]

ONE–STOP TOOLKIT TABLE OF CONTENTS

Resource of the Week Highlight for Disability Program Navigators

Good morning Navigators,

So much to share this week, which is great coming off of a very successful month in October of really raising awareness and educating employers and the business community, as well as educational institutions and the community as a whole on supporting youth and adults with disabilities in employment opportunities.  If you have not yet shared your activities, please send them to lgleneck@ndi-inc.org to have included in the 2009 National Disability Employment Awareness Month and Disability Mentoring Day chart.

Have you been checking it out…..
That is, DPNavigator’s “What’s New [ http://dpnavigator.net/pages/whatsnew.html ] and Training [ http://dpnavigator.net/pages/training.html ] pages!!!!!!  If you had, you would learn how to access things like the new Workforce3One Disability and Employment page, learn about upcoming training opportunities for Navigators, and access recent archived trainings like the New Navigator Orientation and Training two-part series and the 30-second trainings…..  These archived trainings include links to view the webinar, as well as links to download “and use” resources and materials, so check it out.

Under “Resources of Interest,” you will find….
A little bit of something for everyone including a new employment video on the Americans with Disabilities Act from the U.S. Department of Justice, where job seekers can find short term training opportunities, a very useful guide on disability awareness recently updated by VSA.arts, and some great resources that One-Stop Career Centers can make available to their Spanish speaking customers.

New:  Real Economic Impact
The NDI Technical Assistance (NDI TA) team is a joint collaboration between NDI Consulting, Inc. (a for profit women owned small business) and the National Disability Institute (NDI), a not-for-profit national research and development organization with the mission to promote income preservation and asset development for persons with disabilities.  Through its affiliation with NDI, the NDI TA team has tried to help connect Navigators to asset building information and resources for people with disabilities.  Beginning with this issue of the One-Stop Toolkit Resources of the Week, we have added a new section, Real Economic Impact, that will share information and resources on a weekly basis on asset building strategies that can help secure better financial futures for Americans with disabilities.  Be sure to check it out.

Under “Publications of the Week,” be sure to check out…
A new publication by Jana Copeland, Rocky Mountain Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center (DBTAC) titled Impact of Disability in the Workplace: An Assessment of Employer Attitudes Toward People with Disabilities and the Americans with Disabilities Act.  This piece was developed for individuals with disabilities who are wondering if work is "worth the effort."  Using the words of 21 participants from Region 8 and California, the booklets details some of the reasons why work is a key element in the lives of individuals with disabilities!  This is a great resource for Navigators to share with One-Stop Career Center staff and community partners to offer as a resource to people with disabilities.

As always, check out the Table of Contents!

Happy Friday!

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

Maryland Governor's Workforce Investment Board Submits Universal Design Resolution
September 2009
[ http://www.dol.gov/odep/documents/ResolutionUniversalDesign.doc ]

Recovery and Reemployment Research Conference Presentations Now Available
U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration
[ http://reemploymentworks.workforce3one.org/page/research_conference ]

On September 15th and 16th, the Employment and Training Administration sponsored the Recovery and Reemployment Research Conference in Washington, D.C.  The majority of the plenary and workshop conference presentations are now available on the Reemployment Works Community of Practice.

Access the URL to view the recorded version and to access the presentation slides and transcript.

UPCOMING EVENTS OF INTEREST

ARCHIVED WEBINAR:  Reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998: Listening Session for Disability Stakeholders
U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration
[ http://www.workforce3one.org/view/5000926034463890808/info ]

On October 1, 2009, Jane Oates, Assistant Secretary for the Employment and Training Administration; and Kathy Martinez, Assistant Secretary for the Office of Disability Employment Policy held a "listening session" focused on the reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998, and its impact on programs and services for people with disabilities.

ARCHIVED VIDEO:  Panel Discussion on People with Disabilities in the Performing and Visual Arts
U.S. Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy
Originally run on October 22, 2009
[ http://www.dol.gov/dol/media/webcast/main.htm#20091022-arts ]

U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Hilda Solis hosts this panel discussion on employment in the visual and performing arts. Panelists include Kathleen Martinez, Assistant Secretary, Office of Disability Employment Policy; Fred Beam, Founder and Executive Director, Invisible Hands, Inc. (IHI); and Robert David Hall, Advocate and Actor, "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation".

U.S. Department of Justice Americans with Disabilities Act Employment Video

On November, 2nd, the U.S. Department of Justice announced the release of a new video targeted at educating employers about the employment provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act.  The video, “Ten Employment Myths:  Information about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), uses a question-and-answer format to express common misconceptions, fears and false assumptions that many employers have about employees with disabilities.  The video refutes these unfounded myths, explains the ADA in common sense terms and highlights the advantages of hiring qualified persons with disabilities.

HOW TO REQUEST VIDEO

Short-Term Training Finder Tool
U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration
[ http://www.acinet.org/shorttermtraining ]

On October 23rd, the Employment and Training Administration released an interactive on-line “Short-Term Training Finder Tool.”  This tool is designed to find training programs leading to a certificate, diploma or award that can be completed in less than two years.  Users are currently able to search about 70,000 training programs across the country by entering an occupation, school, or program.  Results can be viewed at the state or zip code level.

The tool is available through America’s Career Information Network.

VSA arts' Disability Awareness Guide:  Access and Opportunities: A Guide to Disability Awareness
U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration
[ http://www.vsarts.org/x523.xml ]

The VSA arts' Disability Awareness Guide was prepared by VSA arts as an informational tool for those who want to gain additional knowledge about disability and tips for social etiquette and positive interactions. When the first edition of the guide was printed in 1992, it instantly became VSA arts’ most frequently requested publication. Artists, educators and others found it to be a valuable resource in beginning their understanding of people with disabilities.

This revised edition contains updated information on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as well as recent information about people with specific disabilities. The new edition also includes a chapter on the history of the disability movement to give readers a more complete understanding of the issues surrounding the disability community.

The guide should be viewed as a starting point for readers to increase their basic knowledge, initiate discussion, and clarify myths and facts about people with disabilities. It is a tool that will start readers on their way to a better understanding of disability issues and the disability community as a whole.

VSA arts is an international nonprofit organization founded 35 years ago by Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith to create a society where people with disabilities learn through, participate in, and enjoy the arts.

CareerOneStop Spanish Language Brochures
[ www.CareerOneStop.org/OutreachTraining ]

Visit CareerOneStop’s Outreach and Training section to find six new Spanish-language brochures describing CareerOneStop and partner products.

• Pienseen Su Futuro (Think About Your Future)
  This simple tri-fold brochure provides an introduction to CareerOneStop’s key resources and content areas (.pdf , color).
• Guia De Recursos Electronicos (Electronic Tools)
  Finding the Right Tool – this chart identifies the U. S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration Web sites that are most helpful for key user groups (PDF, color).
• Guia De Recursos Electronicos Centrada en Los Militares (Military Electronic Tools)
  Finding the Right Tool: this chart identifies Web sites most helpful to veterans and transitioning military personnel (PDF, color).
• Informacion Para Miembros Del Servicio en Transicion a Puestos Civiles (Military Transition Brochure)
  This tri-fold brochure describes the Key to Career Success Web site, a portal for military members transitioning to civilian occupations (PDF, color).
• Iniciativa Para Modelos de Aptitudes de Las Industrias (Competency Model)
  Learn about the Industry Competency Model initiative in this brochure. (PDF, color).
• Red De Informacion Laboral(O*NET) (O*NET Desk Guide)
  This flyer walks you through O*NET OnLine, which enables viewers to find information in the O*NET database. O*NET offers information about the skills, knowledge, and abilities needed for different occupations (PDF, color).
• Also, browse Other U.S. Department of Labor Resources to find related materials.

Through its affiliation with the National Disability Institute (NDI), the One-Stop Toolkit Resources of the Week has added a new section to its weekly publication that will share information and resources on asset building strategies that can help secure better financial futures for Americans with disabilities.

The National Disability Institute [ http://www.ndi-inc.org/ ] is a national research and development organization with the mission to promote income preservation and asset development for persons with disabilities.  In the coming months, NDI will be unveiling a revamped website combining its work and activities into the “Real Economic Impact.”  The mission of the Real Economic Impact is to secure better financial futures for Americans with disabilities. Enduring poverty and chronic underemployment for persons with disabilities mandates new strategies for building economic empowerment options for 20 million families who have at least one member with a disability. According to the 2005 Census data, 22 million people between the ages of 18 and 64have a disability.  The 2007 IRS Benchmark Study found that 51 percent of taxpayers with disabilities earn less than $20,000 and that 1.3 million working persons with disabilities are not filing and missing out on available credits. Between 30 to 50 percent of persons with disabilities are either unbanked or under banked. 

NDI, in collaboration with federal, state, and local government, Mayor’s offices, community partnerships, financial institutions, and the business community is creating a new roadmap out of poverty for persons with disabilities.  Through public education, training, and technical assistance activities, NDI is advancing improved economic freedom for Americans with disabilities.

We hope you enjoy the expansion of resources and information that can help you as you build the capacity of the workforce investment system to provide more effective and meaningful employment opportunities for job seekers with disabilities.

NDI enters the age of Social Networking
[ http://realeconomicimpact.wordpress.com/ ]

Through “twittering,” “blogging,” “facebooking” and “texting,” NDI is using social networking methods to get the word out on how Americans with disabilities can secure better financial futures.  Check it out.

Get REAL (Reliable Experts, Answers and Lessons )

Real people, real challenges.  From individuals with disabilities to parents and family members to teachers and support coordinators to rehabilitation counselors… the search for reliable financial information can be daunting. Where do you start? Who can you trust?  After all, when it comes to work and income production, fears of loss of eligibility for public benefits, tax credits and deductions, savings and trusts, Ticket to Work, asset, budget and credit debt management, individual development accounts, income opportunities, and self-employment, real, expert answers and lessons are invaluable — and essential to your financial planning and realizing your dreams for financial freedom.

Here at Real Economic Impact, we believe in giving you real, reliable advice when it comes to your economic concerns. Which is why we’ve identified the leading money, legal, and financial experts from around the country and united them together at Get REAL (Reliable Experts, Answers & Lessons).

Our Get REAL blog series begins in December and we’re welcoming your questions now. Simply e-mail us at
GetREAL@RealEconomicImpact.org with yours today.

Practice Money Skills
[ http://www.practicalmoneyskills.com/ ]

Educators, parents, and students can access free educational resources including personal finance articles, games, lesson plans, and more to help develop smart financial habits. .

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Mental Health Services
[ http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/ ]

The Office of Mental Health Services internet site is intended to serve veterans, their family members, mental health clinicians, Veterans Affairs staff, affiliated mental health associations and the community.

Registered Apprenticeship Community of Practice (CoP) on Worforce3 One
[ http://21stcenturyapprenticeship.workforce3one.org/ ]

Since its launch in March 2009, the Registered Apprenticeship Community of Practice (CoP) on Worforce3 One has provided a robust and interactive space for Registered Apprenticeship stakeholders to learn from one another, share successful approaches and models, and improve and advance their Registered Apprenticeship efforts and activities.  Now, the Employment and Training Administration’s (ETA) Office of Apprenticeship (OA) is pleased to announce exciting new changes to the CoP.  In October, OA launched a revamped version of the CoP that includes a dramatic new design, improved functionality and navigation, enhanced opportunities for interaction, and fresh and timely content.

The redesigned Community now offers the following new features:

• E-lert capability to provide members with daily updates about new CoP content;
• A live chat feature that allows members to discuss ideas, challenges, and solutions with their colleagues and with experts across the country…anytime, on-demand;
• New resources related to “hot topics” such as green jobs and Recovery Act activities;
• Reorganized menus and quick searches to help members find more targeted resources, faster, and in a multitude of ways;
• Targeted Community space for stakeholder groups such as apprentices and program sponsors;
• Enhanced industry-specific tools and resources in sectors such as aerospace, geospatial technology, and healthcare; and
• A wide array of fresh content, including videos, tutorials, marketing and outreach materials, and promising practices.

U.S. Census Bureau New 2010 Website Launched
[ http://2010.census.gov/2010census/index.php ]

The U.S. Census Bureau has released its new 2010CENSUS.GOV web site. The site features an animated marquee that symbolizes the Census Bureau's place at the intersection of the American experience. By clicking on images representative of the population, visitors can view video vignettes that ease fears about the census and encourage participation in the once-a-decade population count. The marquee will evolve over time, bringing the diverse voices of America to the site.

PUBLICATIONS OF THE WEEK

Impact of Disability in the Workplace: An Assessment of Employer Attitudes Toward People with Disabilities and the Americans with Disabilities Act
Rocky Mountain ADA Center Jana Copeland (Doctoral dissertation, Capella University, 2007)
[ http://adainformation.org/ResearchPublications.aspx ]

The Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center (DBTAC): Rocky Mountain Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Center has a new publication available.   As professionals committed to economic self-sufficiency for people with disabilities, this piece is useful for workforce center professionals.  Oftentimes, consumers apply for benefits without realizing the economic hardships associated with reliance on government entitlement programs.  DBTAC researchers developed this piece for individuals with disabilities who are wondering if work is "worth the effort."  Using the words of 21 participants from Region 8 and California, the booklets details some of the reasons why work is a key element in the lives of individuals with disabilities!  Help get this vital information into the hands of people with disabilities.

The booklet is available on the DBTAC website in text and PDF format.  Please download additional copies and create a link to it from your website for consumers, workforce professionals and other service providers to access.  If you would like more print copies please contact the Center at 1-(800)-949-4232 (Voice, TTY – in CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY) or (719) 444-0268719-444-0268. You can also request additional copies via email at jcopeland@mtc-inc.com.  Enjoy the publication and please share any feedback!"

Lifelines: Linking to Federal Benefits for People Exiting Corrections Blueprint for Action
Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
 [ http://www.bazelon.org/issues/criminalization/publications/Lifelines/Lifelines.htm ] 

A new publication from the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law offers state and local officials and corrections administrators a blueprint for linking inmates of jails and prisons who have psychiatric disabilities to federal benefits promptly upon their release back into the community.

In its new analysis, Lifelines: Linking to Federal Benefits for People Exiting Corrections, the Bazelon Center walks users through steps for aligning the complex rules of federal benefit programs to state and local policies in order to create a system of services and support for released inmates. A plan for action at the facility level lists steps that administrators can take within existing rules to address re-entry issues for inmates with psychiatric disabilities. Entitlements such as Medicaid, Veterans benefits and Social Security disability payments are critical to enable eligible ex-offenders to access mental health care, housing and other services they need for successful re-entry. Yet without assistance, released inmates face months of delay before receiving these benefits, resulting in a rate of re-arrest more than twice that of ex-inmates generally.

Lifelines  is published in three sections for user convenience:

• Volume 1: The Case for Benefit Assistance as Part of Re-Entry Programming (14 pages) includes data on need and cost-benefit analyses from existing initiatives.
• Volume 2: What State and Local Governments and Correctional Facilities Can Do, the heart of the blueprint (48 pages), lists policy changes and implementation steps to ensure access to benefits.
• Volume 3: Appendix (34 pages), explains the federal rules on benefit programs, discusses ways for corrections and mental health systems to collaborate in sharing health information and offers an extensive list of links to model policies and other resources.

The Bazelon Center has produced various publications on access to benefits for inmates exiting correction facilities, from a model law, to a plain-language booklet, to a PowerPoint and training manual for corrections staff.  For a list and details of how to obtain them, visit [ http://www.bazelon.org/publications/criminal/index.html ] .

The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, [ http://www.bazelon.org ] is the leading national legal-advocacy organization representing people with mental disabilities. It promotes laws and policies that can enable people with psychiatric or developmental disabilities to exercise their life choices and access the resources they need to participate fully in their communities.