Vocational Rehabilitation and Corrections, 2010 Monograph

The 35th Institute of Rehabilitation Issues (IRI) issued a Monograph in 2010, entitled "Vocational Rehabilitation and Corrections: Achieving Successful Employment Outcomes for Persons with Disabilities and Criminal History." This Monograph is intended to raise awareness of the service issues and potential for sucsess, motivate collaborative program development,and provide successful models and strategies that states can use to develop partnerships and programs for ex-offenders with disabilities. and programs. This Report focuses on employment as being critical for the successful re-entry of ex-offenders with disabilities into their communities.

Help Wanted: Projections of Jobs and Education Requirements Through 2018

Education Requirements through 2018 Center for Education and the Workforce June 2010 http://cew.georgetown.edu/jobs2018/ A new, highly detailed forecast shows that as the economy struggles to recover, and jobs slowly return, there will be a growing disconnect between the types of jobs employers need to fill and numbers of Americans who have the education and training to fill those jobs. The report, by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, forecasts that by 2018, 63 percent of all jobs will require at least some postsecondary education. Employers will need 22 million new workers with postsecondary degrees – and the report shows that we will fall short by three million workers without a dramatic change in course. This translates into a deficit of 300,000 college graduates every year between now and 2018. The Center’s study helps Americans connect the dots between employment opportunity and specific education and training choices. The report projects job creation and education requirements through most of the next decade, showing job growth by industry and occupation nationally, and with state-by-state forecasts. The report also provides a state-by-state analysis on jobs and education requirements. The District of Columbia, North Dakota, Minnesota, Massachusetts, and Colorado will lead the nation in the share of total jobs requiring postsecondary education. Texas, California, Nevada, Mississippi, and Arizona will lead the nation in the share of total jobs for high school dropouts.

GAO Forum, "Actions that Could Increase Work Participation for Adults with Disabilities," July 2010

GAO convened a Forum on March 16, 2010, to explore policy options and actions that could be implemented to help adults with disabilities participate in the workforce. Several challenges were identified, including the need for: 1) a more coordinated system of services and benefits; 2) additional information on benefits and work incentives; 3) additional employer incentives to hire persons with disabilities; 4) targeted information to employers to make the business case to hire persons with disabilities; and 5) a coordinated Federal policy to promote the employment of persons with disabilities. The Report and Highlights can be downloaded at: http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-812SP Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10812sphigh.pdf

National Resource Directory for Wounded Warriors, Returning Service Members,Veterans

The US Departments of Defense, Labor and Veterans Affairs are pleased to introduce the re-designed and enhanced National Resource Directory (NRD) website: www.NationalResourceDirectory.gov. Created for wounded warriors, transitioning Service Members, Veterans, and their families and caregivers, the new NRD has proved to be a useful tool for service providers who support the military and Veteran communities. The NRD provides access to thousands of services and resources at the national, state and local levels to support recovery, rehabilitation and community reintegration. We are proud to assure our users they can trust the content on the NRD as resources are reviewed regularly by a content management team that includes several Veterans and subject matter experts. A few features of the new website include a faster, more robust search engine; a Bookmark & Share capability to spread the word on Facebook, Twitter etc; and an "In the News" feature that provides links to news and updates about Wounded Warrior and Veterans issues. Also included is an expanded Homeless Assistance section where users can find information on programs and benefits designed to help homeless Veterans live as independently as possible.

Low-Skilled Workers' Access to Quality Green Jobs

The Urban Institute issued an Information Brief, "Low-Skilled Workers' Access to Quality Green Jobs," Karin Martinson, Alexander Stanczyk, and Lauren Eyster, in May 2010. This Brief discusses strategies for improving access to green jobs among persons with low-skill levels, with a focus on jobs that can help improve workers' economic self-sufficiency and enable them to better support their families. Several strategies show promise in making training possible for low-skilled individuals, whether in green jobs or not: curricuar reform at community collegs and other training providers; strong partnerships between employers and training providers; career paths; financial assistance to assit low-wage workers afford school and meet their expenses; and recruitment efforts and supprot services for non-traditional workers.

Asset Development 30-Second Training Series

Asset Development 30-Second Training Series http://www.dpnavigator.net/pages/AssetDev30sec.html A 30-Second Training is a quick fun Power Point slide show that is electronically sent out to One-Stop and Partner staff and can be completed in a very short amount of time hence, 30-Seconds Trainings. They provide disability and employment information usually with a resource link for those that are interested in furthering their knowledge and expertise. ? 30-Second Trainings are designed to be fast, informative and entertaining to capture the attention of busy One-Stop staff, partners and/or employers in a 30-Second PowerPoint Show. ? 30-Second Trainings can be used to either introduce topics and information for the first time, or to reinforce information that has already been presented in a formal presentation. While it can be used as a stand-alone training, it is best used to augment other training. ? 30-Second Training topics cover a wide-range of disability and employment issues in a way that is easy to process and that leads the end-user to a reputable internet resource where they can find additional information on the topic. The Asset Development series was designed to help Disability Program Navigators (DPNs) and other workforce professionals to increase awareness of the many available Asset Development strategies and resources that exist to promote and support increased self-sufficiency and financial stability among individuals with low-incomes, including individuals with disabilities.

Educating Employers About Hiring/Retaining Persons with Disabilities

As part of ongoing technical assistance to for the Disability Program Navigator Initiative, NDI Consulting Inc. hosted a recent webinar, Employer 30-Second Training Series and Resource Guide. This webinar provided an overview of the newly developed Employer 30-Second Training Series which includes eighteen 30-Second Trainings in the following four categories: 1) Compliance Benefits 2) ADA Basics 3) Recruitment and Hiring Strategies, and 4) Employment Basics. What is a 30-Second Training 30-Second Trainings are short, easy and fun and are designed to increase knowledge of disability and employment related issues. They should only take about 30 seconds to review and include national, reputable resources for follow up information. The resources—Employer 30 Second Training Series and Resource Guide—were developed to be used by those with an employer focus and were designed to educate employers, hiring managers and supervisors about proven strategies and easy-to-use resources that can assist in retaining and accommodating existing employees who experience the onset of a disability. These tools will also provide valuable information and sources of support to employers in hiring qualified employees who experience a disability, including strategies and resources that can assist in effectively accommodating all employees in achieving their maximum potential and productivity level.

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Made Easy

There is a new Web site, www.eitc.irs.gov, which centralizes all the information on the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). On this site, you can: download forms, brocures, and other support materials; visit Marketing Express to customize EITC products; learn about EITC compliance programs; learn about the latest rules and tax law changes, find helpful tips and tools; learn about eligibility; etc. The EITC Assistant, which helps persons know if they qualify for the EITC, is available in English and Spanish

Mental Health Day-May 2010

Mental Health America (MHA) is continuing its tradition of celebrating "May is Mental Health Month," which began in 1949. This year’s theme, "Live Your Life Well," challenges us to promote health and wellness in homes, communities, and schools. Every day, Americans are affected by the myriad challenges, stresses, and demands on their lives. There are effective tools that are readily available and free to help persons cope better and improve their well-being. Live Your Life Well is a national public education campaign to help people better cope with stress and enhance their well-being. Stress can take a huge toll on a person's health, mood, productivity and relationships. There are tools that can help counterbalance these effects. This Web-site provides resources to build resiliency and well-being:http://www.liveyourlifewell.org/ Access the following Web site to find links to fact sheets and information on mental health: http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/mentalhealthmonth Activities and Tools for the Public Workforce System http://www.dpnavigator.net/pages/mentalhealth_30.html The Disability Program Navigator (DPN) initiative has created a series of five 30-second trainings to disseminate via email to One-Stop Career Center and Partner Agency staff. The first Resource listed on the page is a Microsoft Word document which contains instructions on how any workforce professional can customize these “30 Second Trainings” to meet their needs. Employer Resources Check out the tools/resources (from the Partnership for Workplace Mental Health) to assist employers wiht menatl hekath issues in the work place. http://www.workplacementalhealth.org/employer_resources/index.aspx

April, 2010-National Financial Literacy Month

Did you know that April 2010 was National Financial Literacy Month? http://www.realeconomicimpact.org/News.aspx?id=148 In a proclamation released by the White House on April 2nd, President Obama declared April National Financial Literacy Month. According to the proclamation: " In recent years, our Nation's financial system has grown increasingly complex. This has left too many Americans behind, unable to build a secure financial future for themselves and their families. For many, financial literacy can mean economic prosperity and protection against fraud and predatory banking practices. During National Financial Literacy Month, we recommit to teaching ourselves and our children about the basics of financial education." Open the documents to find several resources to promtoe financial literacy.

Green Jobs Employment Opportunities-Resources

The Employment and Training Administration (DOL/ETA) has a Green Jobs Initiative (http://www.doleta.gov/brg/GreenJobs/) to foster a greener economy and a green-educated workforce. ETA is positioned to provide labor market intelligence and work with core-constituencies of labor, industry, and education to identify relevant Green Jobs skills and develop competency models leading to meaningful career ladders. This spotlight focuses on the green economy and shares some information and resources for workforce professionals to help get connected. The attached document includes general resources on green jobs, including green jobs for veterans and persons with challenges to employment.

Equal Access: Universal Design of Instruction

DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology) serves to increase the participation of individuals with disabilities in challenging academic programs and careers, including STEM education and careers. It is funded by the National Science Foundation to promote persons with disabilties becoming trained for STEM career opportunitues. The home Web page is: http://www.washington.edu/doit/ Its Web site has many videos, information on universal design, acessible distance learning, and learning strategies.

Partnerships with Job Corps

Job Corps is a free education and training program that helps young people learn a career, earn a high school diploma or GED, and find and keep a good job. For eligible youth at least 16 years of age, Job Corps provides the all-around skills needed to succeed in a career and in life. The Job Corps is a very important partner for the workforce system to promote employment opportunities of youth with disabilities. In this spotlight, we share information about the Job Corps program along with links to resources you can access for more information. The spotlight begins with a brief overview of the Job Corps Program. The Job Corps (http://jobcorps.doleta.gov/), a program of the U.S. Department of Labor, was established in 1964 under the Economic Opportunity Act, but it is currently authorized under the Workforce Investment Act. Job Corps receives an annual appropriation of about $1.5 billion with approximately 62,000 youth trained annually through this program. The Job Corps provides eligible youth with academic, career technical and social skills needed to become employable and independent and to help place them in employment, the military or continuing education. There are currently 123 Centers in 50 states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

National Network of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Centers

The ADA National Network is a network of 10 regional ADA Centers thta provide expertise for up-to-date information, referrals, resources, and training on the Americans with Disabilites Act (ADA) to business, government entities, and persons with disabilities. http://www.adata.org/network.org

Green Collar Jobs for People wiht Barriers to Employment

This Report was funded by the City of Berkeley's Office of Energy and Sustainable Development. This Report by Raquel Pinderhughes, PhD,includes a model for an effective green collar jobs training and placement program. The target popoulation was 18-35 year old men and women with barriers to employment, including persons who do not have a high school diploma, have been out of the labor market for a long time, were formally incarcerated, and/or have limited market skills and experience.

Disability Program Navigator Training on Electronic-Tools (E-Tools)

This Webinar is designed to provide training to One-Stop Career Center staff on the various electronic tools supported by ETA's Office of Workforce Investment. Attendees will benefit from an overview of products and tools using the O*Net System and CareerOneStop.org. Information about the following products were highlighted; 1) Career Exploration Assessments; 2) Navigating the O*Net Database; 3)Military Crosswalk; 4) Skills Search; 5) Re-Employment Portal; 6) Employer Locator; and 7) Job Banks and Labor Market Information.

Earn Learn

Earning and Learning: Options under the Workforce Investment Act,: Ronnie Kauder and Neil Ridley, CLASP, September 18, 2009

Employer Resources - DPN FAQ's - U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration National Technical Assistance Project

How do I begin to build relationships with community service providers and sustain these relationships?How do I represent and educate employers on the ADA, reasonable accommodations, and hiring/retaining individuals with disabilities?

Disability Employment 101 - U.S. Department of Education

This guide is a comprehensive analysis of hiring employees with disabilities that includes information about how to: Find qualified workers with disabilities, Put disability and employment research into practice, and How to model what other businesses have done to successfully integrate individuals with disabilities into the workforce. It also includes checklists and various other resources to aid employers as they prepare to employ people with disabilities.