Podcasts about Vocational rehabilitation

Welcome to another episode of the AFB Possibilities Podcast. To mark Vocational Rehabilitation awareness week, which spans June 9th - 13th, AFB's Tony Stephens sat down for an engaging conversation with Dr. Randy Pierce of Future Insight and Russell Martello from Visions to discuss the benefits around holistic approaches to rehabilitation.  Tony, Randy, and Russell met through the annual Vision Serve Alliance Conference this past April, where they spearheaded a track on holistic rehabilitation for people who are blind or low vision. At the end of the conference, they were committed to carrying on the conversations from the conference. So, Tony was excited they were able to join him to not only share their passion for this innovative approach to fostering independence, but we also get a sense of the rich history each guest has, which has helped form their own success in the field of blindness and low vision. Russel serves as the Chief Development Officer for Visions, which is one of New York's leading rehabilitation centers for people who are blind or have low vision. Randy serves as President & CEO of Future Insight, one of the leading rehabilitation centers in New Hampshire. Blinded in his early 20s, Randy is also an avid extreme outdoor enthusiast. You can learn more about his own adventures across the globe in his published memoir, See You at the Summit: My blind journey from the depths of loss to the heights of achievement. AFB Possibilities is a podcast from the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB. Check out the podcast page for past episodes and transcripts HERE. Be sure to like and subscribe to catch future episodes, and consider making a gift today to help support this podcast and our broader work to create a world of endless possibilities for people who are blind or have low vision. This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Listen to learn more about how SC Vocational Rehabilitation works with individuals and businesses to create a win-win scenario.

Leah teams up with VA attorney Rebecca Deming of ProVet Legal to unpack a complex but crucial topic: working while rated 100% disabled by the VA. They clearly differentiate between 100% scheduler disability, which allows full-time work with no income restrictions, and TDIU (Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability), which comes with more nuanced rules around employment and income. Rebecca provides expert insight into what constitutes substantially gainful employment, sheltered work environments, and the risks of losing benefits if circumstances change. They also touch on supportive resources like Vocational Rehabilitation for veterans seeking new careers. 

The Hamilton County 5 1 3 Relief Bus is a mobile medical and social service bus, providing health screenings and application assistance to connect to social services and economic relief. The bus is equipped with the technology that allows this assistance to occur on site. The bus travels to local Read More Shared by United Resource Connection May 5, 2025

The Hamilton County Youth Employment Program provides year-round opportunities for employment, career exploration, professional development and credentialing for Hamilton County youth ages 14 through 21. The program helps young people in Hamilton County find work, explore careers and remove barriers to create a clear path to more education or a Read More Shared by United Resource Connection April 16, 2025

Today, Dr. Stephanie is joined by Dan to talk with Dr. Naseef about the impact of passive or engaged fathers on children, especially their autistic children. Dr. Naseef discusses the psyche of a man and how to engage fathers for a positive impact on their marriage, family system, and the autistic child.About our Guest:Robert Naseef, Ph.D., has a distinct voice as a psychologist and father of an autistic adult son. He has spoken nationwide and trained professionals internationally in treating autism and other developmental disorders and supporting families. He has a special interest in the psychology of men and fatherhood.Along with Stephen Shore, Ed.D., Dr. Naseef served as a lead consultant to the Arc of Philadelphia and SAP's “Autism at Work” program, which involved collaboration with the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation to develop the curriculum, “Preparing Neurodiverse Youth for the Workplace.”Dr. Naseef's 2013 book, Autism in the Family: Caring and Coping Together (Brookes Publishing), integrates advances in research and treatment with clinical experience to help families navigate the emotional landscape and the practical roadmap through the lifespan. Special Children, Challenged Parents: The Struggles and Rewards of Parenting a Child with a Disability (1996), his first book, received international recognition. He has appeared on radio and television. He is the co-editor with Cindy N. Ariel of Voices from the Spectrum: Parents, Grandparents, Siblings, People with Autism, and Professionals Share Their Wisdom (2006).In 2008, Robert Naseef was honored by Variety, the Children's Charity, for his outstanding contributions to the autism community. On World Autism Awareness Day, April 2, 2017, Dr. Naseef gave a TEDx talk entitled “How autism teaches us about being human,” which you can see on YouTube. Dr. Naseef is also a member of the Panel of Professional Advisors of the Autism Society of America. He also serves on the Leadership Council of the AJ Drexel Autism Institute.

The Hamilton County Department of Job & Family Services has an online portal that allows individuals and families to apply for services completely online. The portal allows applicants to sign electronically when submitting their application for services. The Hamilton County Department of Job and Family Services offers a number of Read More Shared by United Resource Connection March 16, 2025

Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library Cards are available to all Ohio residents. You can get a library card by completing an online application or by stopping by your local branch. With a library card, individuals have FREE access to a vast collection of books, magazines, audiobooks, and movies, as Read More Shared by United Resource Connection March 12, 2025

Today Dr. Stephanie is joined by her husband Dan (Just the Guys Host) to discuss the difference involved and engaged dads make on their family system but most importantly the outcome for their autistic child. Dr. Naseef is a speaker at the 2025 Converge Autism Summit.Robert Naseef, Ph.D. has a distinct voice as a psychologist and father of an adult son with autism. He has spoken around the country and trained professionals internationally in treating autism and other developmental disorders and supporting families. He has a special interest in the psychology of men and fatherhood.Along with Stephen Shore, Ed.D., Dr. Naseef served as a lead consultant to the Arc of Philadelphia and SAP's “Autism at Work” program which involved collaboration with the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation to develop the curriculum, “Preparing Neurodiverse Youth for the Workplace.”Dr. Naseef's 2013 book, Autism in the Family: Caring and Coping Together (Brookes Publishing) integrates advances in research and treatment with clinical experience to help families navigate the emotional landscape and the practical roadmap through the lifespan. Special Children, Challenged Parents: The Struggles and Rewards of Parenting a Child with a Disability (1996), his first book, received international recognition. He has appeared on radio and television. He is the co-editor with Cindy N. Ariel of Voices from the Spectrum: Parents, Grandparents, Siblings, People with Autism, and Professionals Share Their Wisdom (2006).In 2008, Robert Naseef was honored by Variety, the Children's Charity for his outstanding contributions to the autism community. On World Autism Awareness Day, April 2, 2017, Dr. Naseef gave a TEDx talk entitled “How autism teaches us about being human” which you can see on YouTube. Dr. Naseef is also a member of the Panel of Professional Advisors of the Autism Society of America. He also serves on the Leadership Council of the AJ Drexel Autism Institute.

Tuesday Topics will continue our discussion of employment. As often happens, we are unable to handle everything we plan for when we get into our Tuesday Topic. on our last program there was lots to learn and lots to think about and lots that's worth hearing. I encourage many of you who did not listen to go get our podcast. Represented on our show was ACB'S Employment Committee and our Government Employees affiliate. We covered what both employment groups are doing but what we were not able to do is get to the really current element of our discussion. A lot is happening with the Federal government! How will it affect people with disabilities? What should ACB do about it? We are told that people with disabilities will not be seriously affected. Many do not believe this! We will explore what is going on. We will consider the future of employment for people with disabilities. In addition to looking at Federal employment, we will consider employment at the state and local level. Has that been altered by the new rule concerning title Ii of the Americans with Disabilities Act that went into effect last April? I think there is still more to be said about how we can work with Vocational Rehabilitation. We will have some new members of the employment committee who were not a part of our first show and Patrick Sheehan will be back to represent Government Employees!

Whether you're just starting a new OT business, or considering developing a new product, technology, or moving in the direction of retirement, I think you'll find a lot of value in this episode. I am excited to be talking to my friend and colleague, Ruth Duggan.  In this episode, we talk about a lot of parallels between the process of starting a business or a product and the familiar assessment and intervention process we use as OTs.  We share about our experiences in the early days of starting our businesses and how we've developed new offers and products. Ruth gives us a peek into how she is preparing for that next phase of her business where she's less active in it, and how she is leaving a legacy by transferring her knowledge through the development of an app and related training. You are invited to connect with Ruth at: ruth@cornerstoneot.ca Cornerstone Occupational Therapy Consultants Cornerstone OT Consulting for Therapists Transitions Vocational Assessment App  Transferable Skills Analysis Online Education ______________________________________ We are still looking for participants for our research on the Cognitive Behavioural and Sensory Job Demands Analysis digital assessment tool. Learn more here: CoBS-JDA ______________________________________ OT Business Owners Need Community  The  ACTivate Vitality program is opening up in March, 2025 for our next cohort. It is a thriving community of OT business owners who support each other, collaborate, co-conspire, co-regulate, and help you not be alone in private practice. Together we build core skills from acceptance and commitment therapy to be more grounded and mindful in our practices, in our work, in our lives, aligning our actions in all domains with our values. We create community so that we can move forward in blazing some trails and doing the things that really matter, building more flow and satisfaction in our lives. Book a Clarity Call with Carlyn to explore this possibility. ______________________________________  To see how Jane can help you reclaim your evenings and weekends, book your personalized demo today. Or if  you're ready to get started, you can use the code VITALITY at the time of signup for a one-month grace period applied to your new account. 

There is some disagreement about the exact percentage of people who are blind who are unemployed and apparently unable to find work. What is clear is that well over half of those supposedly seeking jobs are not finding them. ACB has set up an employment committee to work on these issues and we will be exploring with some of its members what they have been up to since we last talked with them. We have also invited Patrick Sheehan of the Government Employment affiliate. Without holding anyone responsible for taking actions on all of the issues that are out there, we will consider some questions that we have not asked before. How well is Vocational Rehabilitation doing? Can we make it better? How? How much is artificial intelligence affecting the unemployment rate? Are many people who are blind being denied interviews because they are triaged out of the picture because of lack of experience or their disability or not having a driver's license. What should we do if this is happening? The new administration has taken actions concerning some Federal employees. Do we need to be concerned? If so, why and what should we do about any concern we may have? You probably have questions about employment as well and certainly have experiences you have had job hunting. We will invite you to talk about what happened and we will offer suggestions about what might make things better!

The Library offers free printing services at all of the Hamilton County locations.  You may print 20 pages per day for free.  Additional pages can be printed at a cost of $0.15 per page in black and white and $0.25 per page in color. You do not need a library card to use Read More Shared by United Resource Connection January 22, 2025

Creative News Enjoy this lunchtime chat with Josh and Shaunna, clients at Creative Enterprises. Hear about campus activities, friendships and their personal take on earning and saving. Understand what "work" means to each individual and learn the value of supported work environments- first hand. Much of this conversation was centered around working adults with disabilities. […]

Funding is available to obtain in-person tutors for school students and adult learners. There are grant opportunities separately available for students and adult learners through Learning Aid Ohio, and Adult Literacy Ohio, respectively. Once approved, one can browse available tutors in your area with the expertise needed, and schedule interviews Read More Shared by United Resource Connection January 2, 2025

Creative News Steven Rim’s Letter to Legislation on behalf of Creative Enterprises. Hear from Steven Rim, community member. This short podcast explains the importance of supported work environments for working Adults with disabilities and options beyond Vocational Rehabilitation. Georgia House Bill 1125 puts our supported work programs in jeopardy. Please take a moment to understand why […]

Creative News Nicoles's story, a client at Creative Enterprises. Hear from Karen, Nicoles Mother, and how this 14C certificate impacts their family, firsthand. This short podcast explains the importance of supported work environments for working Adults with disabilities and options beyond Vocational Rehabilitation. Georgia House Bill 1125 puts our supported work programs in jeopardy. Please take […]

Send us a textJoin us for an inspiring episode of the Living the Dream podcast with Curveball as we sit down with author Ken Kunken. Discover Ken's remarkable journey from a life-changing football injury to becoming a groundbreaking quadriplegic attorney and motivational speaker. Learn about his book, "I Dream of Things that Never Were," and how he overcame adversity with determination and high expectations. Don't miss Ken's insights on perseverance and achieving dreams against all odds!www.kenkunken.comWant to be a guest on Living the Dream with Curveball? Send Curtis Jackson a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1628631536976x919760049303001600

Grant funding is helping the push for economic equality in Iowa. Iowa Blueprint for Change is a federally funded program that Iowa is using to help workers who are disabled find Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE). Brandy McOmber, Deputy Division Administrator for Iowa's Vocational Rehabilitation, and Ashley Banes, Project Director at Iowa Blueprint for Change, join the Mission: Employable podcast to discuss how CIE helps Iowans who are disabled find equal benefits and wages, and how the grant is affecting change in the state.

Join us for the latest episode of the Manager Minute podcast, where host Carol Pankow sits down with the incredible Serina Gilbert, Cheryl Carver, and Peter Pike from Colorado's Pathways to Partnership DIF Grant! In this episode, they dive into their groundbreaking Pathways to Partnership project, a collaborative initiative designed to enhance outcomes for children and youth with disabilities. Discover how they're embedding VR counselors in schools, launching the innovative “Map My Transition” app, and partnering with Centers for Independent Living to create a brighter future. Tune in as the team shares valuable insights, learning experiences they've faced, and what's on the horizon for the grant's second year. Don't miss this inspiring conversation about transforming lives through partnership and innovation! Listen Here   Full Transcript:   {Music} Serina: To support the families that are surrounding these young adults with disabilities, as well, to help them gain the skills to be able to help those students move into competitive, integrated employment.   Peter: The centers for Independent Living are required to deliver core services in one core service is supporting young adults transitioning into high school.   Cheryl: We will actually incorporate those components of the six core skill sets and the age ranges, along with all of those local partners into map my transition.   Serina: Gosh, there's so many things we're doing.   Intro Voice: Manager Minute brought to you by the VRTAC for Quality Management, Conversations powered by VR, one manager at a time, one minute at a time. Here is your host Carol Pankow.   Carol: Well, welcome to the manager minute. Joining me in the studio today are the Tri-Force from Colorado, Serina Gilbert, Cheryl Carver, and Peter Pike, Co-project, directors for Colorado Partnerships for Partnership DIF Grant. So how are things going for you, Serina?   Serina: I'm doing fantastic. I like that word Tri-Force. It feels really, really fancy. It's October here and it's like almost 80 degrees, so I'm happy.   Carol:  Ahh, good for you. You know what? In fact, I had to use a little ChatGPT because I said, well, how could I describe a fearsome threesome? And they gave me all these different things. And I went, I'm going to go Tri-Force. I really liked it.   Serina: So don't tell people your AI secrets. You came up with that all on your own. you did it.   Carol: I know, I know, how about you, Cheryl? You are old hat at this. I got to talk to you a couple years ago, which was super fun. So Cheryl's like the podcast queen now. She's on this twice.   Cheryl: I'm with Serina, though. I liked that word too. I thought it was empowering. I think this is awesome. We're going to have to use that again. Things are going well. Always busy though, you know, and the DIF grant has added to that, but in an awesome way in terms of growing, expanding and learning. So we're excited to be here today.   Carol: Awesome. And Peter, welcome to the podcast. I'm so excited you are on. How are you doing?   Peter: Well, I got to tell you, I'm a little nervous. This is my first time joining a podcast, so I'm not sure how it's going to go, but I appreciate the opportunity. And I'm coming off of two big meetings today, one with the Centers for Independent Living, where we get to get caught up on priority topics, and of course, our Disability Innovation team meeting. We meet on a regular basis. So the timing is great.   Carol: Good. Well, you're all bringing the energy. So that's great. So I just want to do a little quick refresher for our listeners so they understand what the earth we're talking about. So I have been doing different series on the Disability Innovation Fund grants. And this particular grant has to do with the Pathways to Partnership grant that was funded by RSA, and it supports projects aimed at fostering deeper collaboration between agencies. Turning these collaborations into true partnerships, and the projects aim to enhance service delivery by piloting cohesive models that better manage resources, while coordinating efforts to improve outcomes for children and youth with disabilities and their support systems, ultimately facilitating smoother transitions. And Colorado is wrapping up the first year of the grants. So let's dive in and see how things are progressing. All right. So let's get into it Serina, I'm going to kick off with you first. Could you just start by telling our listeners a little bit about yourself and how you got involved in VR?   Serina: Sure. So you already know my name is Serina Gilbert, and I'm currently a program manager under our youth services team with the Division of Voc Rehab here in Colorado. I actually got involved with VR because I was a recipient of VR services way back when, when I was in college, and while I was receiving services, I kind of flipped the script around, I was like, well, what do you do? This looks fun. Like, I want to learn this. So I got my master's and a few years later, here I am. So I've always enjoyed working with youth. That's always been my passion and I'm super excited to even be in this role.   Carol: Awesome. So, Peter, what's your journey to get to VR? Tell us a little bit about you.   Peter: Well, that's a great question. My name is Peter Pike and I work for what's called the Colorado Office of Independent Living Services, which is part of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. And I got to tell you, for a couple decades, I actually worked outside of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation as a vendor and as like a community partner on different grants. And a few years back, Colorado established this Office of Independent Living Services, dedicated to working with nonprofits called the Centers for Independent Living. That's how I got involved with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, and I'm also a person with a Non-visible disability. And so this fits very nicely in terms of my philosophy and being part of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.   Carol: I love that because you bring a whole other perspective. Having come from that vendor field. So you've got some things going on that can contribute greatly to the agency and this project for sure. And Cheryl, last but not least, you know, it's been two years, but let's tell our listeners again a little bit about you and your journey into VR.   Cheryl: Well, mine is not as direct as Peter's or Serina. Again, my name is Cheryl Carver. I am the second program manager we have here in the state of Colorado under Voc Rehab for our youth services and transition programming. So Serina and I work very closely together. I kind of fell into this by accident, but I have always been in healthcare related fields. I've worked for the independent living centers. I've also worked in assisted living and I worked as a vendor as well with DVR in the mental health sector. After that, I really lucked out and was able to apply for a position. That was 24 years ago and I joined the youth services team 20 years ago, so it's been an indirect path, but once I found my niche, I have loved growing in this position with youth services at the administrative level.   Carol: I love it, you know, no matter which way, if you come in a direct way or lots of people, it's kind of a long and winding road to get into VR. Whatever way you get here, we love the energy you all are bringing, and we think it's great because people are bringing all kinds of different perspectives to the work now. I was super excited about your project when I was reading through RSA's website and looking at the little synopsis, and I'm like, oh, I got to grab the Colorado people first. You're the first in my group on this particular topic, and I understand that your project has multiple components. Can you give our listeners a little overview of the project and what you aim to accomplish? And I think, Serina, you were going to kind of give us the big picture to start out with.   Serina: Yes, it's a very big picture. So I'm sorry. We dreamed really big when we saw this grant posting last spring. We saw a lot of opportunity in our state to maybe help build some capacity and some connectedness throughout the state. So one piece of it is we started out by deciding to build what we're calling interdisciplinary teams. And what that is, is traditionally in Colorado, we don't usually have DVR counselors housed specifically in the school districts. We do have counselors that liaison with the district, but they are not like actually full time there. So we actually just did some hiring, and we'll have a couple of counselors starting in the next few weeks that will be housed directly in the local school districts and embedded with the school transition teams to make sure that services are able to be delivered to the students with disabilities within those districts. Another super exciting part that coincides with that is that there'll be services provided by the Centers for Independent Living, which Peter will talk a little bit more about as well, to make sure that there's a dedicated service provider to be able to help support those teams. And one really big, huge thing that we're really excited about is what's going to be called Map My Transition. And we jokingly call this the You are Here Website. So it's going to be a website and iOS app and an Android app designed for students, their families, educators and service providers and other community agencies within the state of Colorado. And the way that it'll work is we'll start from the student perspective, as the student will create an account on the site, they'll be asked a few questions about where they reside and what their long and short term goals are, and then they'll be presented with customized resources and videos that are specific to what their needs are, and specifically, how to get connected with the agencies that can support them. The super exciting part about that is that that also allows kind of that turnover resistant piece of things, because The educators and the service providers can also see that same list of community providers that are specific to their geographic region. So if somebody leaves a position, the next person can come into that position and get connected on this website and instantly know who their community partners are within their geographic area to connect with.   Carol: I love that app idea though.   Serina: I'm so excited about it.   Carol: Well, you know, when you talk about kids like students, man, they're not. Don't email them. They're not out looking on the internet.   serina: No.   Carol: like their phone is their life. Like they need everything to be direct connect that way. That's how they're going to, you're very smart to go that route.   Serina: Yeah. So we're super excited. Also gosh, there's so many things we're doing also to support the students. We are partnering with our family led organizations to support the families that are surrounding these young adults with disabilities, as well, to help them gain the skills to be able to help those students move into competitive, integrated employment. But then that's not all, I feel like a game show host.   Carol: Do tell more.   Serina: I know, I know. I'll have Cheryl talk a little bit about our interagency transition building as well, because that Map My Transition is also going to support that aspect of what we're doing here in Colorado.   Carol: I think that's cue to you, Cheryl.   Cheryl: I was just going to say, is that my cue? so five years ago, Colorado began an initiative through the National Assistance Center on Transition Coalition, and we began looking around the state to identify where our own gaps and weaknesses were as it pertains to interagency coordination teams. What we discovered were several of the components that Serina has mentioned that we hope to build into Map My Transition. Things like we were having trouble sustaining interagency transition teams, and that was due in large part because of turnover and staff. When interagency transition teams were coming together locally, they placed those responsibilities with an individual instead of their position. And as a result of that, once that person left, there was nobody to continue on with the work. And these interagency transition teams just eventually dissolved. Additionally, they really didn't have any goals that kept them together and gave them a reason for continuing to come together. So we wanted to help the local partners rediscover their interagency transition teams, identify tools that would help bring them together and give them an actual purpose. As a result of that work, what we created was a workbook for all partners that come to the table locally in these interagency transition team efforts, every partner at that table is required to identify within six core skill set areas that we've put together an age range, what services they actually provide. That way, when education is working on developing an IEP, an Individualized Education Program, or other entities sitting around the table like the division of Voc Rehab, developing their individualized plans for employment, we can look and see what areas does this student need to grow in, depending upon their age and their skill gap. With that, then we can pick and choose and strategically work together towards the same goals with that student. So we actually have coordinated student outcomes. We are not duplicating services. The challenge we faced was that the workbook, because we didn't have any backing to help us complete this, is overwhelming and it's difficult to use. And as a result of that, again, this is where Map My Transition comes in. We will actually incorporate those components of the six core skill sets and the age ranges, along with all of those local partners into Map My Transition so it will be easier for all users, whether it is the youth themselves or a family member, or any one of the number of entities that sit around an interagency transition table to be able to go in and see, we know what the students ultimate goals are, and these are the areas we are working on. So let's take a look at and consider what are the choices for the service providers. So I am also extremely excited about Map My Transition, because I think it is going to be fabulous in terms of what we are envisioning to create, as well as to help interagency transition teams accomplish that coordinated student outcome.   Carol: I think that is going to be super replicable across the country, like the work you guys are putting into that, because I know that's one of the things with the DIF grant, they're hoping that some of the things you all create are going to help other states out there. And that particular piece, I think that's fascinating. I think that sounds really cool.   Cheryl: I agree. So with that, we'll take it to the next level, if you will, and continue to enhance, we hope at least. What else would do you want me to kick it back to you, Serina, for apprenticeships or family member training?   Serina: I forgot about our apprenticeship piece because we're just doing so many things. We shot for the moon, right?   Carol: Yes, yes you did. There's like, 20 moving parts on this thing. I'm like, wow.   Serina: Cheryl is correct. One other aspect was to make sure that we're connecting young adults with apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship opportunities. So we are partnering with our apprenticeship representatives here in Colorado within the Department of Labor and Employment, called Apprenticeship Colorado, and they will be helping the counselors and the interagency teams learn about how to connect with employers for apprenticeships and actually be developing apprenticeships in the areas that we're serving. And then they're also going to create training for us to put on Map My Transition for future reference, but also train our staff on it. I did talk a little bit about the family led organizations in the training, but what we didn't talk a lot about was the Centers for Independent Living Partnerships, and I'd love for Peter to be able to cover that a little bit for us.   Carol: Peter, I know you're passionate about those CILs for sure.   Peter: Yeah, I always love the opportunity to talk about the Centers for Independent Living. And maybe a starting point is to just briefly talk about what is the Center for Independent Living, right? These are nonprofit organizations that actually exist in every state of the Union. And so in Colorado, we have nine centers for independent living that are focused on helping people with disabilities of all ages, any disability type, living as independently as they can. And I want to be clear, that doesn't mean they are residential facilities. These non-profits are not residential facilities. They are non-profits that we have contracts with to support people living independently in the community, and they are a key partner. One of the great things about this grant is there was a requirement that Centers for Independent Living be part of this grant. And so with that, it really accentuates some of the strengths that they have. There are two things that come to mind. Number one is the Centers for Independent Living provide peer support services. What that means is that these organizations have over 50% people with disabilities from the board of directors, all the way down to their entry level staff. And that is key because an emphasis of this program is peer support services. So in their work for this grant, that's what they're going to be doing, is working with young adults in high school, transitioning out of high school to Address and navigate some of the adult issues that come up, whether that be employment, post-secondary education and otherwise. So that's an important strength. The second strength that I believe the Centers for Independent Living offer is that this service system you don't age out of just because you turn 18 doesn't mean, oh no, now there's another program I need to join. As I said earlier, Centers for Independent Living serve all ages of all disability types. So that provides a key continuity of services as folks transition out of high school into what's next. So in addition to that, the Centers for Independent Living will have contracts with the centers for Independent Living, serving on the interagency teams and some of the expectations in terms of the services they're going to be providing are things like benefits, planning services, things like financial literacy. They'll be focused on supporting and educating people on accessing what are called ABLE accounts. Able stands for achieving a Better Life Experience, but it's an opportunity for these young adults to actually increase their assets and resources. In addition to that, they will also be serving as vendors for the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. And so those are key elements that they'll play in working alongside the interagency transition teams with the school districts, with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. So it is a great opportunity for those organizations to really illustrate their strengths and the difference they make in the lives of people with disabilities.   Carol: I love that you are leveraging the Centers for Independent Living, because I think sometimes people I don't know, they're there, but you sort of forget about them as being a resource for more than maybe folks are thinking about. Oh, somebody needs a ramp to get into their house. Let's call the CILs, you know, type of thing. But they have a lot more going for them. And they're strategically positioned throughout your state and in every state. You know, they're all throughout all the geographic areas. So they're excellent partner to leverage. When you're looking at an endeavor like this I think that's smart.   Peter: You know Carol, it also fills one more gap. Like the Centers for Independent Living are required to deliver core services, and one core service is supporting young adults transitioning into high school. So with this particular project, they're actually working with youth in the schools. That's not necessarily part of their core services. So it really complements the opportunity to start the work earlier and support it ongoing even when they're out of high school.   Carol: Yeah, I really like that, Peter, I think that is so great. So I know you guys are you know, you're at the end of year one and you made it. You made it through year one. What kind of learning experiences. And I love it because I'm not going to say what sort of challenges did you have? What learning experiences have you had so far? Cheryl, I think I'm kicking that to you.   Cheryl: You are. So while this is a multi-pronged approach that we are taking, if you will, with several different outcomes for each one, we have encountered challenges that we have had to overcome or lessons we have had to learn along the entire way, starting from the very beginning with communication. Even between this Tri-Force. And I don't think it's a terrible thing to mention. That was one of the things that the grant reviewers brought up how, as three managers, are you going to do this job together? And we were like, we can manage this, we can handle this. We did. We had to learn how to communicate well together. We had to understand one another's styles and figure out what worked best for each of us in order to come together, agree upon things and respect when somebody didn't, and hear them out, even if that was not the direction we were going to go in. Inclusion has been another one. While we put above everything equity and diversity and inclusion. Just because we are the division of Voc Rehab, it's still easy to overlook or forget to give certain audiences the opportunity to have a say in things, especially something this large. And when you're moving forward and you've got deadlines and timelines, having to take a step back and say, wait a minute, did we check with everyone is really, really hard. So fortunately, again, because there's three of us, we always have that one that raises their hand and says, wait a minute, did we do that? So it's good to have that piece there. When we're working with our planning and advisory team or other partners around the table, we are also learning all about marketing and how to go about getting the marketing. We need to message things correctly and deliver that message out there to the communities about things as simple as trainings that we hope to offer to family members in partnership with our parental consortium here in Colorado. We are maintaining, I think maintaining is a good word, maintaining a huge, massive budget and having to be willing to be flexible within that budget. We are given certain parameters to operate within, and we have to go about getting changes approved periodically. But every time we turn around, there's been another new need or a new requirement or oh, wait a minute, we calculated that wrong. So we've got to go back and recalculate it. It has absolutely been, I think, a learning process for all of us. Another area that we have worked very diligently in is just as a state government, where we have had to learn different processes and procedures. Things have taken longer than we expected, having to write reports in certain manners or fill out certain forms. That in and of itself has been a hurdle that we have had to overcome together in regards to learning things.   Carol: You guys are not unique. I mean, I do ask this question of everybody when I'm talking about the DIF grants, just because the learning opportunities you've had this first year, it is really common because there are so many systems and practices and processes within each state. Everybody's got their own little nuances and things. And when it isn't your everyday job to navigate those and you now are co-directing, you know, this Tri-Force and this lovely DIF grant, and you're getting exposed to all these other processes that you didn't know about. It is quite a learning curve just to get through all of that. And once you get it figured out, then you fundamentally go, okay, you know, year two gets easier. It's like, all right, now we figured out all the pieces of the process and it gets better as you go along. So that is common. Everybody, I don't think I've talked to anybody across the country that hasn't had that as well. So I think you guys stated that really nicely. Now I know you all when I got to visit with you a little earlier, you had mentioned that you had this really important realization about your service model and that maybe it doesn't work like you thought it was going to work. When you are conceptualizing something and then you're going to put it into practice. So I don't know. Peter, can you talk a little bit more about that?   Peter: Yes, thanks. I'd be happy to. So as we've been talking, we talk about establishing three pilot sites or three interagency teams. And so we went through a process with our planning and advisory team, came up with a matrix, and we were able to identify three sites. And so we have this vision in this model about how those sites are going to be implemented and moving forward, including the Centers for Independent Living. And so one of the communities where we are working to establish a pilot site is in northwestern Colorado. And the school district that's involved is based out of a rural community, but it's also a mountainous resort community. And so what that means is the cost of living in that particular area actually is pretty high. And there's been articles on it within the city and across the state talking about challenges, just filling some government positions in that community. And so as we were having conversations with that interagency team, particularly the Center for Independent Living, that serves not just that community, but a five county area, they talked about the challenges. If we're going to have a contract with and bringing on a staff because the wage and the affordability for someone to live in the community that they're serving don't align very well. And so we've had to sort of pause and talk with our local partners about, man, what does this need to look like in order to meet the needs of the students and families in that school district, and at the same time, navigate some of these real issues around the cost of living. And so we're taking some extra steps in working with the Center for Independent Living and the school district to identify maybe where do we need to bring in new partners or other partners, or what are alternative ways to deliver the services that are necessary to meet the needs of the youth and families, right? Just because you're living in a resort area doesn't mean everybody is of the same economic class. And so our aim with this project is to make sure we're serving underrepresented communities. And sometimes socioeconomic status is kind of an important factor in that way. And so we have to take more time and understand how best to meet the needs of that community and how it might look different than the other two communities where we're continuing to move forward with all the parts.   Carol: That's a really excellent observation. I know VR has been facing this ever since the pandemic, kind of across the country, especially as people moved, you know, we had like floods of people moving to Florida, people moved into Idaho and different communities. And I know the directors have said, boy, it's impacted the program in different ways because now you have whole communities where they've had this big population move in and all the prices have gone up. And so it's tough even to get counselors and different staff working in these different regions and even to get vendors in those regions because the cost of living is so expensive. So you've got people there who've been there for many years, but yet new people are coming in and you've just got this kind of mire of crazy economic conditions that make it really difficult to navigate all of that for the consumers that are in those areas. So that is a really good realization you had. Now, I know we're on year two like you're three days into year two. You guys, what are your plans for year two? Miss Serina.   Serina: Sound like I'm in trouble.   Carol: Oh, no.   Serina: No, no. We have a lot like we talked about it a little bit earlier where we're hiring the school based rehabilitation counselors. We're well into that. And making sure that they have the training and support that they need to get started with everything. We're super excited because we're in the early stages of planning their kickoff meetings, where we'll be on site with each of the teams and help them, A, get on the same page and like kind of level set everything like so everyone has all the same information. And then one of the bigger pieces is that they all walk away with a tangible plan for how they're going to initially start collaborating and coordinating services with one another. So we're super excited about that. Another thing that I'm really personally excited about, because I'm kind of a marketing and social media dork in a way, is we're going to be coming up with some branding and a way to refer to this grant that resonates with the people that we're serving with students, families, educators, and, you know, the service providers that are working with us. Saying DIF grant, unfortunately, doesn't mean much to the average person. And there's a lot of DIF grants now. I believe they just funded the fifth or sixth round of them. So.   Carol: Oh yeah, and there's like 28 of those or something.   Serina: Yeah.   Carol: so there's a bunch   Serina: There's a lot. So we're super, super excited to get some branding and social media going and things like that to get people excited about what we're doing. Um, what else are we doing? Team what am I missing? Those are some really big things that we're doing.   Carol: Do you have anything cool that you're doing with the branding? Like can you share if there's something little or is it all top secret right now.   Serina: No, we just, thanks to our grant manager, Lauren Riley, and our program assistant, Amy Smith, they found us a marketing agency, and we're going to be meeting with them in the next couple of weeks so that they can talk through kind of what our needs are and things like that, and then they're going to have some focus groups with stakeholders to get their input and see what resonates. So I'm super excited.   Carol: Very cool. Very cool.   Peter: You know, Serina, thanks, sort of opened up an opportunity to talk about family and youth engagement. And one of the opportunities we have with this project is we actually can pay honorariums to young adults and families to participate, particularly on the planning and advisory team. And so we definitely want to hear the voice of the people we're serving and bring them to the table so that as we bring this to life, we have their input from the beginning.   Carol: Yeah, I love that, that's great, you guys, the energy of the three of you, it is super funny. I can feel it like our listeners can't see it. But coming off the zoom screen. Like it is so fun. I think you three complement each other very nicely. Now, I know for our listeners, you know, sometimes people want to reach out to you. I know you're in your initial stages, but sometimes folks just have questions or they're super interested, like Map My Transition, they're gonna be like, when's that going to be ready? Because we want to borrow it like we want all of that. Do you have an email or something you can share with our folks on a way to contact you?   Cheryl: We'd like to direct those questions to our actual grant manager, who is Lauren Riley, and her email address is l a u r e n dot R i l e y at state dot co dot US.   Carol: Excellent. Now that's helpful because otherwise the stuff goes kind of all over. And I do end up hearing back from the different folks we've had podcasts with. They're like, oh, we had some people reach out. So I'm hoping folks will do that. Are you three going to be at the CSVAR conference?   Cheryl: Not the upcoming one.   Carol: Possibly in the spring?   Cheryl: Maybe.   Carol: Yeah, because then people can track you down there as well.   Peter: I'd like to. Next time you talk to Kristen, say, hey, Kristen. Sending Peter to the CSVAR conference?   Carol: I'll put in a plug for you, Peter. That's awesome. Well, you three have been an absolute delight and I really appreciate your time. And I'm hoping I get to check in with you down the road to see how things are going. And I wish you the very best with this project. Have a great day.   Cheryl: Thank you, Carol.   Serina: Thanks so much, Carol.   Outro Voice: Conversations powered by VR, one manager at a time, one minute at a time, brought to you by the VR TAC for Quality Management. Catch all of our podcast episodes by subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks for listening!

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 helped change the landscape for employees with disabilities across the country. As Iowa Workforce Development continues to celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) it's important to show employers how they can make improvements to their businesses and become more accessible to Iowans with disabilities. Ashlee Cummings, Disability Workforce Manager with Iowa's Vocational Rehabilitation division, joins the Mission: Employable podcast sharing how her team is making on-site visits to employers and organizations across the state in order to help them make changes to their building or hiring practices in order to become a welcoming place for employees with disabilities. The biggest standout to this effort is that it comes at no cost to the employer.

In this episode of the Tactile Traveler we'll highlight how your state's Vocational Rehabilitation agency can change your life, share essential advice on respecting Native American cultures when visiting Indian Country, and offer practical tips for using drinking fountains. Plus, we explore the incredible impact your vote can have, along with inspiring stories of resilience and empowerment. Join us on this journey of exploration and empowerment for both blind and sighted listeners!

The Cincinnati Recreation Commission is hosting a FREE pediatric CPR class Saturday October 12th from 9 AM to 2 PM at the Clifton Recreation Center, located at 320 McAlpin Avenue. The class is great for children 12 and older who are going to be babysitting younger kids, as well as adults Read More Shared by United Resource Connection September 26, 2024

The Cincinnati Computer Cooperative, located at 49 Novner Drive, is a non profit organization that provides low cost home computers to those in need. Low-income individuals and families, students from Kindergarten to Postgraduate, and individuals over the age of 55 are eligible to buy from the Cooperative. Both desktop and Read More Shared by United Resource Connection September 13, 2024

Medication Assisted Recovery and outpatient services for women with Opiod Addiction are available at My Sisters Garden, located in Deer Park. They accept Medicaid and offer medication assisted treatment, as well as case management and individual, group, and family therapy. New clients can schedule by calling 513 686-7809. Service application Read More Shared by United Resource Connection September 10, 2024

It is Tuesday Topics' plan to see if members of the employment committee want to join us! In fact I can now confirm that at least one member of that committee will be with us! There was a lot of debate in early resolutions committee meetings this year about a proposal put together by the Employment Committee. A resolution was passed and Tuesday Topics will be asking the committee what it says and how it may affect how ACB opera'tes in the employment area! In addition to their input, we want to explore some elements of employment. The level of joblessness is lower than it has ever been. Less than four percent of our working age population is "unemployed". Yet data demonstrates that at least forty percent of people who are blind do not have jobs. We have looked at some of the reasons and we will do that again! However, we want to explore what we think ought to be done about unemployment for people who are blind! Whether you are working or not, you have ideas! Call us and tell us what we need to do! Vocational Rehabilitation thinks they know what to do! Organizations for the blind and perhaps even organizations of the blind think they know! But we are asking you! Why do you think folks aren't working? What do you think should be done about it? How much is unemployment of people who are blind our fault as blind people? How much of a role does prejudice and discrimination play? How will artificial intelligence affect our chances of work?

If you or somebody you know has a disability and would like to work, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors can help them explore options. The State of Ohio provides at no charge vocational rehabilitation counselors to individuals with disabilities. One can apply online for these services or by calling 1 800 282-4536 to Read More Shared by United Resource Connection August 23, 2024

Alan McClain was appointed as Arkansas's 24th Insurance Commissioner by former Governor Asa Hutchinson in April 2020, and continues to serve as Commissioner under Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders.  Prior to his appointment, McClain served for five years as Commissioner of Arkansas Rehabilitation Services (ARS)—a sister agency of the Arkansas Insurance Department (AID) under the state Department of Commerce.Commissioner McClain began his career in state government in 1992 at AID, spending eight years in its Public Employee Claims Division. Prior to joining AID, he served as a Claims Manager for self-insured workers' compensation plans at the Little Rock offices of Sedgwick James Insurance.McClain served thirteen years with the Arkansas Workers' Compensation Commission (AWCC), where he spent almost nine years as its Chief Executive Officer.  While at the AWCC, he also served as the regulator for companies and groups seeking to self-insure workers' compensation risks. In 2013 McClain left the AWCC to join the Workers' Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he worked alongside numerous state workers' compensation agencies as they utilized the work of WCRI in making data-driven policy decisions.McClain served as President of the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation between 2019-20, as well as President of the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards & Commissions (IAIABC) in 2011, where he was named Co-Chair of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)/IAIABC Joint Working Group. During his time as Commissioner of Arkansas Rehabilitation Services, Governor Hutchinson also appointed McClain to serve on the Arkansas Workforce Development Board, and the Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities.In addition to membership on a number of other NAIC task forces and working groups, McClain currently serves as Chair of the NAIC Property and Casualty (C) Committee, as well as Chair of the Workers' Compensation Task Force, a subgroup of the Property and Casualty (C) Committee. He also serves on the Financial Standards and Accreditation (F) Committee, which reviews insurance department ability to analyze company solvency.McClain is a native Arkansan. He holds an undergraduate degree from Hendrix College in Conway, as well as a Master of Public Administration from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Focusing exclusively on risk management and insurance professional development, the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance provides a practical advantage at every career stage, positioning our participants and their clients for confidence and success.

Individuals who have had their driver's license or Ohio professional license suspended due to lack of child support payments, can have these licenses reinstated if they make payment arrangements this August. Payment arrangements must be made with the Child Support Division of the Hamilton County Department of Job & Family Read More Shared by United Resource Connection August 1, 2024

Summary Join us in welcoming Alana Abernethy to the Harder Not Smarter Podcast. Alana is a former Naval Officer, Owner of Evergreen Women's Holistic Care, Co-Auther of the Black Veteran Entrepreneur, and Journalist through her company Evergreen Media. Today, we'll be discussing her transition out of the military and some of the challenges she faced on the mental health front. Alana also shares her experience with the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) program and how it helped her reach her goal of opening up her own holistic care practice. She'll dive into her journey into entrepreneurship and how she developed her passion for holistic health, where she now focuses on personalized care to help women feel safe and secure in their bodies. The theme of this episode is self-care--and the importance of taking the time to prioritize ourselves amongst the hustle and pressures of everyday life. Vibe: Feel Good Show Links Get 1-month of FREE access to the ⁠Vet Collective Community⁠ by using discount code: NLT1UQTI Join us here: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.collective.vet⁠⁠⁠ Sign up for our Weekly Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.collective.vet⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on LinkedIn: ⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/harder-not-smarter/⁠ Episodes also available on Spotify, Apple, and Amazon Music. https://linktr.ee/harder_not_smarter Alana's Links https://linktr.ee/alanaabernethy Chapters 00:00 Transitioning Out of the Military 05:10 The Importance of Taking Time for Yourself 07:50 Embracing Entrepreneurship 12:55 The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Program 34:26 Personalized Care in Holistic Health 37:29 The Importance of Health 43:46 Authenticity and Balance 47:14 Surrounding Yourself with Positive Energy 50:55 Creating a Safe Place Within 57:47 Taking Ownership and Building a Business Sound Bites "It was hard. Let me just say it was it was hard, but more so the emotional side and the mental side of things." "Take some time for yourself. Make sure that you're equipped because the Navy will do everything they can to keep working you." "Life is different on the other side. And it takes a different mindset. It takes a different approach." "I need this to be individualized to me." "Health nutrition, fitness is one of the things, it's like cheaping out on tires and brakes." Sound Bites "It was hard. Let me just say it was it was hard, but more so the emotional side and the mental side of things." "Take some time for yourself. Make sure that you're equipped because the Navy will do everything they can to keep working you." "Life is different on the other side. And it takes a different mindset. It takes a different approach." "I need this to be individualized to me." "Guys will swing up and down." "Health nutrition, fitness is one of the things, it's like cheaping out on tires and brakes." Takeaways The transition out of the military can be challenging, both mentally and emotionally. It is important to take the time to reflect on your goals and feelings during this process. Entrepreneurship offers the freedom and flexibility that many veterans desire. It allows individuals to pursue their passions and create their own path. Holistic health focuses on addressing both the mind and body for overall wellness. It is important to prioritize self-care and understand the foundations of health, such as sleep, nutrition, and stress management. Seeking support from professionals, such as holistic health practitioners, can provide guidance and personalized care to help individuals achieve their wellness goals. Personalized care is crucial in holistic health, taking into account factors such as gender, hormonal issues, and genetic predispositions. Health is everything, and it is important to prioritize self-care and well-being. Society should shift its focus from money and titles to freedom and health.

Devion James, C and E Farm's top mechanic trained for his job through vocational rehabilitation The post Cool Beans and Vocational Rehabilitation appeared first on VR Workforce Studio.

In this episode, we sit down with Lisa Benson, an Army veteran who transformed personal and professional adversity into a story of triumph. After enlisting in 2000 to overcome financial hardship and pay for college, Lisa navigated the challenges of deployment, returning home to pursue a career as a massage therapist dedicated to helping fellow veterans. With a Bachelor's in Management and a Master's in Public Administration, Lisa then sought to impact the VA, but found a more fulfilling path as an entrepreneur, founding DeBella DeBall Designs to support veteran-owned businesses. Join me as we explore Lisa's journey through PTSD, the therapeutic world of roller derby, and the invaluable veteran programs like Team RWB, The Pink Berets, and the VA's Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program. This episode is a testament to resilience, the power of community, and the enduring Veteran spirit. Connect with Lisa: Website: www.debelladeball.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-benson-12dbdb  IG: https://www.instagram.com/debelladeballdesigns/  Other Resources: Team RWB: https://teamrwb.org/  The Pink Berets: https://thepinkberets.org/  Video on VR&E: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dj_786kQm2s  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/militarybottomline/support

Adrian Clark discusses her career success in advanced manufacturing and Dante Allen shares his vision for vocational rehabilitation. The post The Razor-Sharp Edge of Vocational Rehabilitation appeared first on VR Workforce Studio.

When Gabrielle “Gabby” Kozinsi rolls into the room, her spirit is as unstoppable as her drive for advocacy. Join us as Ms. Wheelchair Ohio 2024 shares about her refusal to be confined by cerebral palsy or social barriers. Her mission? To enlighten children on the importance of embracing people with disabilities, a lesson she shares from her firsthand experiences. To learn more, visit the Ms. Wheelchair Ohio website, Gabby's Facebook page, or email Gabby.With support from Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD), Gabby has worked in the community and hopes to eventually work with children. Her involvement in the Special Olympics as a cheerleader symbolizes her dedication to challenging stereotypes and building a community where individuals with disabilities are celebrated for their abilities.  Transcripts and MP3 files are available at ood.ohio.gov/podcast.Do you have a disability? Do you want a job? OOD can help! Visit OODWorks.com or call 800-282-4536 to get started.Connect with OOD on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OhioOODTwitter: https://twitter.com/OhioOOD/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ohioood/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ood/YouTube: https://youtube.com/@OhioOODSign up for our newsletter and other email updates at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/OHOOD/subscribers/qualify.Have a disability? Want to work? Visit OODWorks.com!

Yvette Clausen wasn't supposed to be here.  Sentenced to life in prison following a crime she committed at the age of 17, Clausen was granted parole following an Iowa Supreme Court case that overturned sentencing minors to life without parole.  Now, as a self-employment counselor for Iowa's Vocational Rehabilitation, she tells us how she was able to get an education while incarcerated and how she used IowaWORKS programs helped her find employment after her release. Hear more about her current journey obtaining her second master's degree, and how she's putting her skills to use in helping fellow Iowans achieve their self-employment dreams.

The national spotlight is centered on whether Idaho's abortion ban conflicts with federal law. Senate Minority Leader Melissa Wintrow shares her view on the oral arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court. Then, Attorney General Raúl Labrador gives his take on how the hearing went. Plus, Division of Financial Management administrator Alex Adams discusses how budgeting issues at Vocational Rehabilitation could affect clients.

We interview Richard K. Sala, the new director of the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation, about the state's efforts to help people with disabilities find jobs and connect employers with workers. For more information about the NH Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation, click here. Sponsored by Business NH Magazine's 2024 Business of the Year Awards Luncheon.

If you have a service-connected disability that limits your ability to work or prevents you from working, Veteran Readiness and Employment (formerly called Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment) can help. This program—also known as Chapter 31 or VR&E—helps you explore employment options and address education or training needs

Lawmakers set the final state budgets this week – or did they? The showdown over the transportation budget is finally ended, and long-anticipated bills await the governor's signature or veto. Melissa Davlin sits down with lawmakers investigating a possible budget shortfall at the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Then, Dr. Jaclyn Kettler from Boise State University and reporter James Dawson from Boise State Public Radio discuss the lead up to adjournment.

National Council of Disability, National  Council on Independent Living In a Month of Civil Right Remembrances & leading into April 2024, I wanted to include Disability Rights. A Movement over 50 years ago supported by the  Civil Rights & Black Panther Movements. The advances in Disability Legislation/ ADA was influnced by many people, including Black National Leaders who's names have been virtually forgotten in history. So lets explore them!Theo W. Braddy has advocated on behalf of people with disabilities for over 40 years. At the age of 15, he became a person with a disability due to a high school football accident that left him paralyzed from the neck down. In 1988, Braddy was hired as CEO of the Center for Independent Living of Central Pennsylvania, where he served for over 30 years. As CEO, Braddy created an independent living center that became a strong and growing voice for people with disabilities, and started the Living Well with a Disability Initiative. H e currently serves as Executive Director of the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL). He has taught at Temple University and Millersville University as an Adjunct Professor. Two different Governors have appointed Braddy as a Commissioner for the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission and to serve on the Pennsylvania Statewide Independent Living Council. In 2021, Governor Wolf appointed him to serve on the State Board of Vocational Rehabilitation. In 2022, Braddy was selected by Senator Robert Casey, Jr., as one of four Black leaders in Pennsylvania who has demonstrated power and persistency in overcoming challenges and creating meaningful change in the State, and his contribution was acknowledged on the Senate Floor at a Congressional Hearing. He graduated from Temple University with his MSW in 1988 after receiving his BSW from Edinboro University. Ncil.org, NCD,gov

In this episode we welcome Kyle Reed and Michelle Young from Vocational Rehabilitation of Missouri! Kyle and Michelle walk us through the process of how to get started, and the many ways they can help individuals on the ASD spectrum! Listen in and we promise you will come away with valuable information. If you like our podcast, please share, review, and subscribe! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about us and the podcast on our website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠We have a Facebook page!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Our Instagram account⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Like our Facebook page to get the latest updates for the podcast.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ You can also find Heather Woodring write about her son Zachary at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Everyday Adventures with Zachary on Facebook⁠

In this emotional podcast episode, host Craig Charles from Crown Cutz Academy brings in two special guests, Shane and Lisa who share their personal experiences on overcoming addiction, jail time and other personal struggles. They discuss the importance of sobriety, mental health, education, support system and vocational resources in recovery. Lisa and Shane, now both students in Crown Cutz Academy, highlight the impact of the barbering program they attended in jail. They believe their trajectory is shifting positively due to acquiring new career skills and gaining support from those around them. They emphasize on giving and receiving second chances to people who have had troubled pasts and the importance of providing resources and programs that teach applicable life skills behind bars. 00:00 Introduction and Background 00:19 The Importance of Love and Community 00:30 Introducing the Co-Hosts 00:50 Special Episode: Sober Living and Recovery Resources 01:09 Guest Introductions: Lisa Nichols and Shane Coles 01:41 The Power of Giving People a Chance 02:47 The Role of Barbering in Rehabilitation 04:10 Shane's Journey to Barbering 11:30 Lisa's Journey to Nail Artistry 13:18 The Impact of Support and Encouragement 16:31 Overcoming Addiction and Finding Purpose 19:50 The Power of Positive Conversations 23:00 The Importance of Having a Support System 26:18 The Struggles and Triumphs of Recovery 34:17 The Power of Slogans and Quotes 35:17 Writing a Book in Jail 35:38 The Impact of Education in Jail 37:01 The Importance of Accountability 37:46 Overcoming Depression and Inspiring Others 38:17 Building a Career After Jail 38:45 Dealing with Judgement and Anxiety 41:21 The Power of Community in Recovery 42:05 The Importance of Purpose and Self-Belief 44:14 The Impact of Education in Jail: A Personal Perspective 48:43 The Importance of Mental Health in Recovery 53:07 The Role of Vocational Rehabilitation in Recovery 55:36 The Power of Investing in Yourself 59:33 The Importance of Community Support in Recovery https://crowncutzacademy.com/ IG: @crowncutzacademy @ammiyourbarber @jbahhba @bobcrc2   Barber College Success is hosted by Craig Charles, owner of Crown Cutz Academy barber college with locations in Johnson City, TN and Bristol, VA.   Produced by Mitch McGarry with Maypop Media LLC

Dive into the inspiring world of cybersecurity and inclusivity with the latest episode of the Living the Dream podcast featuring David Mayne, the co-founder and director of the Apex program. Discover how David's personal journey from a life-altering accident to becoming a cybersecurity expert ignited his passion for helping others. Learn about the Apex program's mission to provide people with disabilities, especially those who are blind or visually impaired, with the tools and opportunities to secure entry-level cybersecurity jobs. Tune in to hear David's story, the challenges he overcame, and the future he envisions for the Apex program and its graduates.www.theapexprogram.comEmpowering The Visually Impaired In Cybersecurity (Full Documentary) 

Go to www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com for the full episode and other episodes of The Jason Cavness Experience on your favorite platforms. Sponsor CavnessHR delivers HR companies with 49 or fewer people with our HR platform and by providing you access to your own HRBP. www.CavnessHR.com David's Bio David, former VP of Project Management at Sitebiz and Senior IT Specialist, excelled in e-commerce website development, graphic design, front-end development and project management, demonstrating Agile leadership, effective collaboration, client service commitment, and portfolio oversight. His versatile role at ABetterTrack further showcased skills in curriculum creation,teaching career skills at various schools and Echo Glen Children's Center in Washington State as a Life Coach and Instructor, where he developed two State approved immersive reality courses in partnership with the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, teaching teen career development and self-advocacy at high schools in Seattle, Yakima, and Tacoma. This has required high level skills in virtual reality development in Unity, C# programming language and visual scripting, 3D modeling in Blender, dialectic and cognitive behavioral therapy tactics, understanding and teaching about the metaverse, cryptocurrency, and NFT's, thus enhancing team management, strategic planning, problem-solving, VR course development and client services. We talked about the following and other items Military service, wealth disparities and social class Spiritual awakening and personal transformation Gender Identity and surgery for minors Blackmuse pitch competition Blackmuse AR/VR Religion, philosophy and the bible Conspiracy theories The nature of reality and time The interconnectedness of emotions and reality Improving the education system for creatives and innovators Psychedelics and Veteran mental health The impact of marijuana on creativity and productivity. David's Social Media David's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blackmusellc/ Blackmuse website: https://www.blackmuse.net/ David's Advice There is no such thing as a bad idea. No such thing as a bad bad question. The only bad question is the unasked question. Take a chance on yourself and your idea. Stay away from the haters and stop chasing clout and find your quiet space.

Vocational Rehabilitation Experts I’m Katelyn Holub, an attorney focusing on personal injury law in northwest Indiana. Welcome to Personal Injury Primer, where we break down the law into simple terms, provide legal tips, and discuss personal injury law topics. Today’s topic is about what it takes to get a person back to gainful employment after […] The post Ep 245 – Vocational Rehabilitation Experts – Part 2 first appeared on Personal Injury Primer.

Today we chatted with Ashley Roberts, MRC, CRC vocational rehabilitation field supervisor here in NortWest TN. Timeline: 3:27 What is vocational rehabilitation (VR)? 3:54 Who does VR service and what services does it cover? 4:16 How can parents get connected with VR? 5:47 Is VR part of school and when do you enroll for services? 11:58 Does VR involve finding independent living solutions? 14: 06 Can VR coincide with other employment services? 15:39 Conclusion. The transcript of this podcast can be found at www.raisingkellan.org This episode is sponsored by Anderson Consulting in Newbern, TN --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/marsh-naidoo/message

Dylan LeMaster, an 11th grader at Riverside High School and Auburn Career Center is known for being curious, determined, and skilled at using technology. He began learning Braille at age three and quickly became interested in using assistive technology. He even appeared on The Steve Harvey Show five years ago, showcasing how he was the youngest individual using the OrCam MyEye 2 for greater independence at home and school.During the past summer, Dylan participated in an Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) Summer Youth Work Experience at Magnifiers & More. The opportunity allowed him to use his expertise in troubleshooting and repairing equipment while considering possibilities for his future career.Deborah Kogler, President of Magnifiers & More, explained, “He definitely has the personality to help people, and that's the big thing is to want to help people.'Amanda Teddleton, OOD Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, explained: “Dylan's successes should be attributed to his incredible skills, hard work, and diligence.”Transcripts and MP3 files are available at ood.ohio.gov/podcast.Do you have a disability? Do you want a job? OOD can help! Visit OODWorks.com or call 800-282-4536 to get started.Connect with OOD on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OhioOODTwitter: https://twitter.com/OhioOOD/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ohioood/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ood/YouTube: https://youtube.com/@OhioOODSign up for our newsletter and other email updates at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/OHOOD/subscribers/qualify.Have a disability? Want to work? Visit OODWorks.com!

Drake Box and Marsh Naidoo recap the highlights of 2023, including our first-ever "Day At The Lake" live event held in Dyersburg TN on August 26, 2023. Savannah Pham has contributed a blog of the podcast highlights titled: Navigating Possibilities: A Year of the Raising Kellan Podcast, 2023. (Link to blog) We are enthusiastic about 2024. Here is a list of upcoming events to mark your calendar. 1) Disability Day on the Hill on February 28, 2024, followed by Disability Advocacy Day on Monday, March 11, 2024, organized by the Tennessee Disability Coalition. 2) Podfest Media Expo from 25-28 August 2024 in Orlando, Florida. 3) Resource Ability Fair at Vocational Rehabilitation on Morgan Rd, Dyersburg TN on 28 March 2024 from 5-7 pm. Happy New Year! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/marsh-naidoo/message

Today's Life Question of The Week comes from someone who is grappling with their feelings towards two male family members who have been emotionally and physically abusive towards women, including the women in their family, and how to navigate their relationship with them.  Next, Michael welcomes Hazel Ortega. Hazel is a Master of Miracles, a serial entrepreneur, and an Educational Psychologist specializing in Vocational Rehabilitation. She is the author of the extraordinary memoir, "From Bounced Checks to Private Jets: The Mastery of Miracles," where she shares her inspiring journey of transforming her life and creating success for herself and her family. With a deep understanding of how our stories shape our lives, Hazel empowers audiences as a speaker, guiding them to manifest their dreams and discover the miracles within their own lives. She is dedicated to helping others rise above their circumstances and achieve extraordinary results. During their extraordinary conversation, Michael and Hazel discuss: –Hazel's intense childhood growing up in downtown Los Angeles on welfare surrounded by poverty, gang violence, and death, and how that became her “sob story” –The ‘Pushy Angel' who came into Hazel's life and encouraged her to finish school, get an advanced degree, become a psychologist, and ultimately start the Ortega Counseling Center in her garage, which has now served over 45,000 individuals to date –How Hazel released her “sob story” and developed a miracle mindset that expanded her vision for her life beyond what she knew was possible, allowing her to become a successful business owner, speaker, and entrepreneur, heal her troubled relationship with her sisters, and find and marry her wonderful husband of 14 years –Hazel's philanthropic work as the founder of High Tide Global Foundation which is committed to bringing educational opportunities to the most impoverished and at-risk communities in the world.  –The importance of asking for, and receiving, help in manifesting your miracle vision – and so much more! And as always, Michael concludes with a brief meditation that encapsulates the energy of their conversation. Find out more about Hazel and her work on social media and at these websites:  https://hazelortega.com/ https://hightideglobal.org/ https://www.injuredworkeronline.com/occ-home-page For practical spiritual insight and encouragement around relationships, finances, health, life purpose, or in understanding world events, submit your Life Question of The Week, to podcast@michaelbeckwith.com.   And remember to subscribe/follow and set an alert to receive notifications each Wednesday when new episodes are available! Connect with Michael at https://michaelbeckwith.com/ and www.Agapelive.com. Facebook: @Michael.B.Beckwith https://www.facebook.com/Michael.B.Beckwith IG: @michaelbbeckwith https://www.instagram.com/michaelbbeckwith/ X (Twitter):  @drmichaelbb https://twitter.com/drmichaelbb YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqMWuqEKXLY4m60gNDsw61w Finally, a special thank you to the sponsors of the Take Back Your Mind with Michael B. Beckwith podcast: The Agape International Spiritual Center (www.Agapelive.com) and NutriRise, makers of Michael's AdaptoZen Superfood Greens Powder and Vitamin D3+K2 drops (https://nutririse.com/products/adaptozen-bundle)!

Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services has a new leader and he comes all the way from Texas. Division Administrator, Dr. James Williams, joins the Mission: Employable podcast to talk about how he plans to lead the department over the next few years. Find out what he has in store for Iowa's Vocational Rehabilitation Services, and how his experience in special education and vocational rehabilitation in Texas has prepared him to lead the division in Iowa and especially after the statewide realignment under Iowa Workforce Development.