Live Work Achieve

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Tuesday, March 3, 2015

[Mspe] MSPE Live.WORK.Achieve Listserv - March 2015

Live.WORK.Achieve

A Listserv for the Mississippi Partnerships for Employment

for Youth and Young Adults with Developmental Disabilities

Including Intellectual Disabilities Project

March 2015

Inside this edition:

1) Disability Employment Partnerships Awareness Day at the Capitol – Mar. 17, Jackson

2) Mississippi Disability Employment Bill – HB 836

3) National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

4) Department of Labor Rolls Out Vision for Transforming Workforce System

5) White House Provides Resource Guide for Hiring People with Disabilities

6) White House Publishes Fact Sheet on Opportunities for People with Disabilities in 2016 Budget

7) Future Planning: It’s Possible and Necessary

8) New Resources Available about ABLE Accounts for People with Disabilities

__________________________________________________________________

1) Disability Employment Partnerships Awareness Day at the Capitol – Mar. 17, Jackson

It’s time for improved employment outcomes for young Mississippians with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They should have the opportunity for competitive, meaningful employment and productive lives in their home communities. The Mississippi Partnerships for Employment Project (MSPE) wants to ensure that competitive employment in integrated setting is always the first priority option considered in providing employment services. Join MSPE for Disability Employment Partnerships Awareness Day at the Capitol on Tues., Mar. 17, from 6 a.m. until noon. For more information, email Dr. Jerry R. Alliston at jerry.alliston@usm.edu.

2) Mississippi Disability Employment Bill – House Bill 836

House Bill 836, the Mississippi Disability Employment Bill, would require state agencies that provide services and supports to people with disabilities to consider competitive employment in an integrated setting as their first option. The bill passed the House on Feb. 11, and was transmitted to the Senate where it was referred to the Public Health and Welfare Committee. For more information about the bill, visit http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2015/pdf/history/HB/HB0836.xml.

3) National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

March is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, and this year, The Arc is calling on advocates across the country to join them in Revealing the Faces of Intellectual and Developmental Disability. The Arc is encouraging everyone to raise awareness about people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) by personalizing narrative. Visit The Arc’s website to see how you can celebrate and promote DD Awareness Month: http://www.thearc.org/what-we-do/resources/toolkits/dd-awareness?srctid=1&erid=6508465&trid=2c429c84-a63c-4acf-8ef2-87c7a84ca91e.

4) Department of Labor Rolls Out Vision for Transforming Workforce System

In a recent guidance letter, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) laid out its vision for revitalizing and transforming the nation’s workforce system as part of the implementation of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Congress passed this bill with an overwhelming bipartisan majority, and President Obama signed the bill into law in July of last year. DOL’s vision lays out “three critical hallmarks of excellence” for WIOA implementation, which include the need for both business and workers to drive workforce solutions, for American Job Centers to provide excellent customer services to jobseekers and employers alike, and for the workforce system to support strong regional economies where businesses thrive and people want to live and work. To view the guidance letter, visit http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=7353.

5) White House Provides Resource Guide for Hiring People with Disabilities

The White House recently released, Recruiting, Hiring, Retaining and Promoting People with Disabilities, a resource guide available for employers to assist with hiring people with disabilities. This guide is a product of the Curb Cuts to the Middle Class Initiative, which includes participation by agencies across the federal government. The guide is divided into four sections. The first section highlights best practices for recruiting people with disabilities, as well as a description of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations during the interview process. The second section focuses on respecting, promoting, and retaining employees with disabilities. The third section offers guidance to providing reasonable accommodations. The final section is an overview of key information employers should know regarding the legal frameworks of the ADA and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. For a copy of the guide, visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/employing_people_with_disabilities_toolkit_february_3_2015_v4.pdf.

For more information about the Curb Cuts Initiative, visit http://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/interagency/curb_cuts.cfm.

6) White House Publishes Fact Sheet on Opportunities for People with Disabilities in 2016 Budget

The White House has released a fact sheet entitled, Middle Class Economics: Expanding Opportunities for People with Disabilities. The fact sheet discusses the ways in which the 2016 budget can ensure that Americans with disabilities have opportunities for economic prosperity. It focuses on encouraging innovation , strengthening job training, increasing support for the education of children with disabilities and providing improved housing, healthcare and independent living. For a copy of the fact sheet, visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/budget/fy2016/assets/fact_sheets/expanding-opportunities-for-people-with-disabilities.pdf.

7) Future Planning: It’s Possible and Necessary

Future planning is important for all families. Yet, thinking about the future can be challenging and emotional. Last year, The Arc launched the Center for Future Planning to encourage and support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families as they plan for the future. Having a plan is important, especially after the parent or caregiver can no longer provide support. The Arc’s Center for Future Planning has launched a new website. Visit the site for the tools needed to begin planning for the future: https://futureplanning.thearc.org/.

8) New Resources Available About ABLE Accounts for People with Disabilities

Thanks to advocates and champions in Congress, The Stephen Beck, Jr., Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act was signed into law on December 19, 2014, after many years of advocacy and bipartisan work in both the House and Senate. The Arc has released two fact sheets about the new law—a summary and a more in-depth look at the law—to educate the disability community about how this law will work. These are the first of several materials that will be produced by The Arc as federal regulations are released and accounts are set up in states. The law allows eligible individuals with disabilities the ability to establish “ABLE accounts” for qualified beneficiaries that resemble the qualified tuition programs, often called “529 accounts,” that have been established under that section of the tax code since 1996. The new ABLE accounts will allow more individual choice and control over spending on qualified disability expenses and limited investment decisions, while protecting eligibility for Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income and other important federal benefits for people with disabilities. To view the two-page summary fact sheet, go to http://www.thearc.org/document.doc?id=5008&erid=6508465. The more in-depth information is available at http://www.thearc.org/document.doc?id=5009&erid=6508465.

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Friday, February 13, 2015

[Mspe] MSPE Live.WORK.Achieve Listserv - February 2015

Live.WORK.Achieve

A Listserv for the Mississippi Partnerships for Employment

for Youth and Young Adults with Developmental Disabilities

Including Intellectual Disabilities Project

February 2015

Inside this edition:

1) Honor an Outstanding Community Volunteer with a GIVE Award – Deadline Feb. 16

2) Parenting to Employment MSPTI Webinar – Feb. 17

3) Save the Date! Disability Employment Awareness Day at the Capitol – Mar. 17, Jackson

4) Mississippi Disability Employment Bill – HB 836

5) Best Practices in Self Advocacy Skill Building

__________________________________________________________________

1) Honor an Outstanding Community Volunteer with a GIVE Award – Deadline Feb. 16

Nominate a volunteer from your community for a prestigious Governor's Initiative for Volunteer Excellence (GIVE) Award. Every year, Volunteer Mississippi, in partnership with the Office of the Governor, honors the accomplishments of Mississippians who have given exemplary volunteer service to their communities. GIVE Award recipients are presented with a beautiful award while their inspiring stories are shared at an event held especially for them in our capital city on April 13. The deadline for nominations is no later than 5 p.m. on Feb. 16. Sponsorship opportunities and advance tickets available. To nominate an outstanding volunteer, complete a form at this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1xqmD6V5u_2r0yXW7CCBlkfv3S2UnET--MN3SguG2N6w/viewform.

2) Parenting to Employment MSPTI Webinar – Feb. 17

Learn how parents can “parent” to employment through real-world specific activities that promote independence and pre-employment skills. Parents and youth and young adults can attend this helpful webinar on Tues., Feb. 17 at 12 p.m. Dr. Jerry R. Alliston will discuss activities that may be done in the home and community. In addition, some young leaders with disabilities will share their stories on the path toward employment . . . what worked and did not work for them. To register online, visit https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/4452731086213097217. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

3) Save the Date! Disability Employment Partnerships Awareness Day at the Capitol – Mar. 17, Jackson

It’s time for improved employment outcomes for young Mississippians with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They should have the opportunity for competitive, meaningful employment and productive lives in their home communities. The Mississippi Partnerships for Employment Project (MSPE) wants to ensure that competitive employment in integrated setting is always the first priority option considered in providing employment services. Join MSPE for Disability Employment Partnerships Awareness Day at the Capitol on Tues., Mar. 17 from 8 a.m. until noon. For more information, email Dr. Jerry Alliston at jerry.alliston@usm.edu.

4) Mississippi Disability Employment Bill – House Bill 836

House Bill 836 would require state agencies that provide services and supports to persons with disabilities to consider competitive employment in an integrated setting as their first option. The bill passed the House on February 11 and was transmitted to the Senate. For more information about the bill, visit http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2015/html/HB/0800-0899/HB0836CS.htm or http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2015/pdf/history/HB/HB0836.xml.

5) Best Practices in Self Advocacy Skill Building

Looking for resources on self-advocacy? Come and see the Center for Parent Information and Resources’ (CPIR) new resource page. It's designed to connect Parent Centers with tools to help youth with disabilities build their self-advocacy skills. For more information, visit http://www.parentcenterhub.org/repository/priority-selfadvocacy/.

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MSPE Live.WORK.Acheive mailing list

Thursday, January 8, 2015

[Mspe] MSPE Live.WORK.Achieve Listserv - January 2015

Live.WORK.Achieve

A Listserv for the Mississippi Partnerships for Employment

for Youth and Young Adults with Developmental Disabilities

Including Intellectual Disabilities Project

January 2015

Inside this edition:

1) Parenting to Employment Webinar – Jan. 20, Noon and 6:30 p.m.

2) EmployAbility Job Fair – Mar. 4, Jackson

3) PLEDGE ON to the ADA

4) Think College Webinars – Jan. 27

5) Tuesdays with Liz: Disability Policy for All

__________________________________________________________________

1) Parenting to Employment Webinar – Jan. 20, Noon and 6:30 p.m.

This webinar is scheduled to be held twice on Tuesday, January 20, first at noon and again at 6:30 p.m.. Targeting parents and youth or young adults with disabilities, the webinar will focus on how parents can “parent” to employment. The presenter is Dr. Jerry R. Alliston, coordinator for Community Inclusion and Volunteers Services at the Institute for Disability Studies at The University of Southern Mississippi. Specific activities that promote independence and pre-employment skills will be shared. In addition, some young leaders with disabilities will share their stories on the path toward employment describing what worked and did not work for them. For more information, visit the MSPTI website at www.mspti.org or call 1.800.721.7255.

2) EmployAbility Job Fair – Mar. 4, Jackson

The second annual EmployAbility Job Fair is scheduled for Wed., Mar. 4, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. in the Forestry Building at the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum at 1150 Lakeland Drive in Jackson. This job fair promotes the hiring of Mississippians with disabilities. Employers can sign up to participate in the job fair. For more information, visit http://www.jobfairs.ms.gov/Pages/EventDetails.aspx?eid=6ee8a4f5-6575-42dd-bbaa-00d1fe08e58a&ts=1420574380074&return=calendar.

3) PLEDGE ON to the ADA

Celebrate the progress of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the 25^th anniversary of the ADA on July 26, 2015, with the ADA National Network and its 10 regional ADA Centers located throughout the Unites States. Become a part of the nationwide celebration and recommitment to the ADA. Sign the ADA Pledge to commit for another 25 years. There’s information and a tool kit for participation as well as an online pledge page. Visit http://www.adaanniversary.org/home.

4) Think College Webinars – Jan. 27, 2 p.m. Central

Using Technology to Support College Students with Intellectual Disabilities is the upcoming 2015 Think College webinar scheduled for Tues., Jan. 27 at 2 p.m. Central Time. Respected technology experts Lori Clooney of Think College and Phyllis Brodsky of the University of Arizona will share the benefits of using emerging technologies and educational trends in secondary and postsecondary education by providing examples of Web 2.0 tools and specific apps on mobile devices to enhance learning in postsecondary education programs for people with ID/DD. Success stories about student and programmatic use of these technologies will also be highlighted. The cost for the webinar is $45, with registrants having access to the live webinar as well as a recording to listen to later. For more information or to register visit http://www.eventbrite.com/o/think-college-6524126425?utm_source=webinar+series+2014-15+jan-2015&utm_campaign=webinar+series+2014%2F15&utm_medium=email.

5) Tuesdays with Liz: Disability Policy for All

The Association of University Centers for Disabilities (AUCD) has for many years provided a weekly update on what’s going on with Congress. This every Monday update is called “In Briefs.” Beginning this year, these updates are going to be more accessible, more fun and easier to understand. Brief video spots called, “Tuesdays with Liz: Disability Policy for All,” will feature AUCD policy staffer, Liz Weintraub discussing current policy issues. The first edition of the new year focuses on the 114^th Congress: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsGRmB22Eos. For more information, view the introductory video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odkGOw18B50&list=PLEHWL7i0kECV8GSORs56oK7SP7GXHorOB&index=6.

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[Mspe] MSPE Live.WORK.Achieve Listserv - January 2015

Live.WORK.Achieve

A Listserv for the Mississippi Partnerships for Employment

for Youth and Young Adults with Developmental Disabilities

Including Intellectual Disabilities Project

January 2015

Inside this edition:

1) Parenting to Employment Webinar – Jan. 20, Noon and 6:30 p.m.

2) EmployAbility Job Fair – Mar. 4, Jackson

3) PLEDGE ON to the ADA

4) Think College Webinars – Jan. 27

5) Tuesdays with Liz: Disability Policy for All

__________________________________________________________________

1) Parenting to Employment Webinar – Jan. 20, Noon and 6:30 p.m.

2) EmployAbility Job Fair – Mar. 4, Jackson

3) PLEDGE ON to the ADA

4) Think College Webinars – Jan. 27, 2 p.m. Central

5) Tuesdays with Liz: Disability Policy for All

From: Alma Ellis
Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2014 3:08 PM
To: mspe@usm.edu
Subject: MSPE Live.WORK.Achieve Listserv - December 2014

Live.WORK.Achieve

A Listserv for the Mississippi Partnerships for Employment

for Youth and Young Adults with Developmental Disabilities

Including Intellectual Disabilities Project

December 2014

Inside this edition:

1) Transition to College for Students with Mental Health Needs

2) Fast Fact Sheets Provide Transition Info

3) Guiding Your Success Tool

4) Parenting to Employment Webinar – Jan. 20, Noon or 6:30 p.m.

5) About the Article To Siri, With Love

__________________________________________________________________

1) Transition to College for Students with Mental Health Needs

The transition to campus life can be a major challenge for students with mental health needs. They must adjust to living independently, take on new academic work and also manage their health and wellness. Despite the fact that most colleges and universities have some supports in place, an unacceptably large proportion of students with mental health needs still end up leaving college. In the Focus newsletter, the CAFÉ TA Center takes a look at a two efforts to help students who are transitioning to college for the first time as well as those seeking to return to school after a health-related absence. While each of these approaches takes a different path, both hold promise for helping students with mental health needs to succeed in higher education and enjoy the same benefits as their typical peers. To read the article, “New Models for Transition to Higher Education for Students with Mental Health Needs,” in Focus 38, visit http://cafetacenter.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/focus38.pdf.

2) Fast Fact Sheets Provide Transition Info

Check out the facts on transition. The Council for Exceptional Children Division on Career Development has produced a series of Fast Fact Sheets on a variety of topics related to transition, including community experiences, parental involvement, goal setting and paid work. Currently, the Fact Sheets focus on evidence-based predictors of post-school success for youth with disabilities, transition planning and assessment, transition specialist competencies and recommendations for research in secondary transition. To view a list and download copies of the Fast Facts, visit http://community.cec.sped.org/dcdt/publications/fast-facts.

3) Guiding Your Success Tool

The National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability (NCWD) for Youth recently published the Guiding Your Success Tool. The guide is designed to help youth and young adults think about and plan for the future. It follows the five key areas for transition identified in Guideposts for Success. To download or print a copy of the Guiding Your Success Tool, visit http://www.ncwd-youth.info/guiding-your-success. To download the Guideposts for Success, visit http://www.ncwd-youth.info/guideposts.

4) Parenting to Employment Webinar – Jan. 20, Noon or 6:30 p.m.

5) About the Article To Siri, With Love

This New York Times article about Gus, a 13-year old boy with autism, explains how he has become best friends with Siri, Apple’s “intelligent personal assistant” on his iPhone. Siri answers lots of Gus’ questions. To read the article, visit http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/19/fashion/how-apples-siri-became-one-autistic-boys-bff.html?_r=3

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Thursday, December 18, 2014

[Mspe] MSPE Live.WORK.Achieve Listserv - December 2014

Live.WORK.Achieve

A Listserv for the Mississippi Partnerships for Employment

for Youth and Young Adults with Developmental Disabilities

Including Intellectual Disabilities Project

December 2014

Inside this edition:

1) Transition to College for Students with Mental Health Needs

2) Fast Fact Sheets Provide Transition Info

3) Guiding Your Success Tool

4) Parenting to Employment Webinar – Jan. 20, Noon or 6:30 p.m.

5) About the Article To Siri, With Love

__________________________________________________________________

1) Transition to College for Students with Mental Health Needs

2) Fast Fact Sheets Provide Transition Info

3) Guiding Your Success Tool

4) Parenting to Employment Webinar – Jan. 20, Noon or 6:30 p.m.

5) About the Article To Siri, With Love

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Live.WORK.Achieve~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

***********************************

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TO SUBSCRIBE

If this mailing was forwarded to you and you are not already subscribed to the Live.WORK.Achieve listserv, here’s how you can become a subscriber:

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Please visit the IDS Calendar of Events at http://www.usm.edu/ids/calevents/.

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MSPE Live.WORK.Acheive mailing list

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

[Mspe] MSPE Live.WORK.Achieve Listserv - Special Edition - Call for Mississippi disAbility MegaConference Presentations

Live.WORK.Achieve

A Listserv for the Mississippi Partnerships for Employment

for Youth and Young Adults with Developmental Disabilities

Including Intellectual Disabilities Project

Special Edition – November 4, 2014

Call for Mississippi disAbility MegaConference Presentations Is Now Open

Take part in the 2015 Mississippi disAbility MegaConference by submitting a presentation proposal to one of the most diverse gatherings in the state. This year’s conference is scheduled for June 18-19, 2015, at the Mariott-Downtown Jackson, located at 200 East Amite Street.

The Mississippi disAbility MegaConference is soliciting presentations on all topics important to people with disabilities and their families. This year’s conference has a particular focus on celebrating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Information for and about veterans is also welcome. Proposals are encouraged from presenters with disabilities and their families. For a copy of the Call for Presentations application, visit http://www.msmegaconference.org/. Please submit your proposal to Polly Tribble at ptribble@drms.ms or fax it to 601.968.0665. Presenters must be available to present on June 18 or 19, 2015. The Program Committee reserves the right to schedule your one-hour presentation at any time on those two conference days. Proposals must be submitted by email or fax.

Important Deadlines

· Final Submission: Friday, January 16, 2015

· Notification of Selection: Friday, February 6, 2015

· Submission of Presenters’ CEU Forms: Friday, February 27, 2015

· Assistive Visual Tool Submission: Monday, March 30, 2015

· Registration Deadline for Presenters: Tuesday, April 7, 2015

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Please visit the IDS Calendar of Events at http://www.usm.edu/ids/calevents/.

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