NTAC e.News — May 15, 2007

Asian/Pacific Islander Words of Wisdom

When the character of a man is not clear to you, look at his friends.
—Japanese Proverb.

Announcements: Local

NEW! Technical Assistance Available from Dr. Kim-Rupnow

From June 12 through June 15, Dr. Weol Soon Kim-Rupnow, Project Director for NTAC-AAPI, will be attending the 19th Annual Postsecondary Disability Training Institute at the Saratoga Hotel and Conference Center in Saratoga Springs, New York. During the remainder of June, she will be in the Wisconsin area. She is interested in meeting network members who live in New York or Wisconsin or in the vicinity. The purpose of the meetings, either one-on-one or in small groups, would be to provide information about NTAC-AAPI and to brainstorm about ways to collaborate to serve better the Asian American and Pacific Islander community.

Dr. Kim-Rupnow recently spoke to the Bay Area Asian Task Force in San Francisco. The District Administrator for the San Francisco District of the Department of Rehabilitation, Darlene Rutkowski, said the presentation was “outstanding and very, very informative.” If you would like technical assistance from Dr. Kim-Rupnow in June, please e-mail her at kimrupno@hawaii.edu.

Announcements: National and International

USDOL Launches Initiative to Advance Employment of People with Disabilities

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) launched its new “Alliance Initiative” to advance the employment of people with disabilities. The ODEP Alliance Initiative is a cooperative program that enables those organizations committed to improving disability workplace practices to work with ODEP to develop and implement model policies, initiatives, and strategies that increase recruiting, hiring, advancing, and retaining workers with disabilities. The Alliance Initiative is open to businesses, trade and professional associations, labor unions, educational institutions, government agencies, and other organizations. More information is available at http://www.dol.gov/odep/alliances/index.htm.

National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day

The second annual National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day was May 8, 2007. Awareness Day is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to promote positive youth development, resilience, recovery, and the transformation of mental health services delivery for children and youth with serious mental health needs and their families. The theme for Awareness Day this year was “Thriving in the Community” with a special focus on school-based programs. Mental health resources are available from SAMHSA, either through their toll free telephone number 800-789-2647, or their Web site http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/. The information is for users of mental health services and their families, the general public, policy makers, providers, and the media.

Recent Products

For a complete list of NTAC products, please visit the Products section of our Web site.

Resources

ETA Announces Grant Competition for Youthful Offender Registered Apprenticeship, Alternative Education, and Project Expansion Grants

The Employment and Training Administration announces the availability of approximately $20 million for Youthful Offender Grants. Over the next decade, the percentage of workers between the ages of 16 and 24 is expected to grow more rapidly than the overall workforce. The 21st century economic landscape is rapidly changing with technology and globalization altering the nature of work and the skills and training needed by workers to compete in this new reality. Ninety percent of the fastest growing jobs in the United States today require post-secondary education. Therefore, the rapidly growing youth labor force is emerging at a time where advanced education, skills, and abilities have a heightened importance in preparing the talent employers will need to populate their workforce.

The closing date for receipt of applications is May 31, 2007. There will be a Prospective Applicant Webinar held for this grant competition. The date and access information for this Prospective Applicant Webinar will be posted on ETA’s Web site at http://www.doleta.gov/youth_services.

The May 2nd Federal Register (http://www.dol.gov/eta/regs/fedreg/notices/2007008345.htm) provides full background, application preparation and submission instructions, Federal review criteria, and additional resources. Read the latest grant announcements.

Autism Spectrum Disorder Research Program (ASDRP)

Department of Defense—FY07 ASDRP Program Announcements for proposals in the following mechanisms are expected to be released in mid to late May 2007: Concept Award, Idea Development Award, and Clinical Partnership Award. Requests for e-mail notification of the Program Announcement release may be sent to prequest@constellagroup.com.

Research Fellowships

Application Deadline: July 16, 2007
The Helen Hay Whitney Foundation anticipates making 20 awards of $45,500–$47,500. Funding provides financial support of 3-year duration to young researchers planning careers in biological or medical research. Eligible candidates are those who hold, or are in the final stages of obtaining, a PhD, MD, or equivalent degree and are seeking beginning postdoctoral training in basic biomedical research. Learn more about the Helen Hay Whitney Foundation.

VA’s Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program

The VA is announcing the availability of funds for assistance under the Capital Grant component of VA’s Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program. It is offered annually (as funding permits) by the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Programs to fund community agencies providing services to homeless veterans. Its purpose is to promote the development and provision of supportive housing and/or supportive services with the goal of helping homeless veterans achieve residential stability, increase their skill levels and/or income, and obtain greater self-determination.

Applications are due to the Grant and Per Diem Field Office by 4 p.m. Eastern Time on June 28, 2007. For grant applications, visit: http://www.va.gov/homeless/page.cfm?pg=3.

Institutes / Conferences

For a complete list of conferences, please visit the Conferences section of our Web site.

ADA Restoration Act: Legislative Update: May 15, 2007

A bi-partisan bill was introduced that would restore protections for individuals intended to be covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 in September, 2006. The ADA Restoration Act is intended to restore the ADA to its “original intent” and address several decisions made by the US Supreme Court over the past 16 years. Join the session to learn about the history and intent of the ADA Restoration Act and the future of legislation that may affect the civil rights of individuals with disabilities.

The cost for the session is $25 for nonprofits and $40 for other entities for each location, regardless of the number of participants at each location (multiple people can attend at one location for the same flat fee. Sessions are delivered via audio conference. Participants are in a “listen-only” mode until the question and answer period. The sessions are offered real-time captioned on the Internet, and a transcript is developed and posted to the Internet following the session. http://www.ada-ohio.org/default.htm

SOLIDARITY 2007 Abilities in Motion Conference

Solidarity, Ohio’s oldest and largest educational, employment and leadership conference for and about people with disabilities will take place on May 30 – June 1, 2007, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel and Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio.

For registration or exhibitor information contact The Meeting Connection at 614-888-2568 in Columbus or outside of Columbus call toll free, 866-765-2007. Some scholarships are still available for registration cost. You can find out more information about the Solidarity conference on the Disability Network of Ohio—Solidarity Web site at www.dnos.org.

World Health Organization’s North American Collaborating Center for the ICF (the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health)

The Center for International Rehabilitation Research Information and Exchange (CIRRIE) will be hosting the conference of the World Health Organization’s North American Collaborating Center for the ICF (the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health) in Niagara Falls, June 5-7, 2007.

The conference theme, Sharing Knowledge Through the ICF, points to the role of the ICF in making it possible for us to communicate about disability across countries, cultures, languages, and professions. The conference will be useful to persons who are new to the ICF as well as those who have long been involved in its development and application.

Complete information and the Call for Papers are at http://cirrie.buffalo.edu/icf/conference/index.html

RESNA 2007

Instructional Courses: June 15-16, 2007; Conference Workshop: June 17-19, 2007
RESNA’s Annual Conference will be held in Phoenix, June 15-19, 2007. RESNA 2007 will feature assistive technology’s leading researchers, renowned clinicians and policy experts creating a conference program with unmatched levels of knowledge and expertise. RESNA presenters and attendees will experience a surprisingly intimate conference environment. RESNA 2007 will offer an exciting Exhibit Hall featuring product demonstrations and training sessions, two days of Pre-Conference Instructional Courses, and 3 full-days of Workshops, Interactive Poster Sessions, Themed Paper Sessions and distinguished speakers.
For the latest information and details visit their Web site: http://www.resna.org/.

AARP’s Diversity and Aging in the 21st Century Conference

AARP’s Diversity and aging in the 21st Century Conference will be held on June 19-21 at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles. For more information, visit the conference Web site, www.aarp.org/diversityandaging

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development/National Institutes of Health: Summer Institute in Applied Research in Child and Adolescent Development

June 24-29, 2007: Bolger Center, Potomac, Maryland
A goal of the Institute is to support investigators who are beginning careers as applied researchers by providing training that will build upon their existing content knowledge and research skills. To be eligible for this Institute, individuals must have completed a Ph.D., M.D. or equivalent terminal degree within their field. Individuals must also:

• Have at least 1 year of post-doctoral experience in academe, private industry, non-profit, or government
• Have not more than 5 years of subsequent research experience at the time of the Institute

Application packet and Institute information are available at: http://www.nichd.nih.gov/about/org/crmc/cdb/summerinst/index.cfm. Direct all inquiries to: summerinst@mail.nih.gov. Application Due Date: February 15, 2007. Notification of Acceptance: April 1, 2007

18th Annual National APSE Conference

The 18th Annual National APSE Conference will take place from July 16-18, 2007 in Kansas City, Missouri. This year’s conference challenges you to join in shaping the future of supported employment! Register Online for the APSE Conference

National Federation of the Blind Youth Slam 2007 A STEM Leadership Academy

July 30 - August 4, 2007: Baltimore, MD
Who:Two hundred blind high school students will be selected to participate in this program. Students who would like to be considered must complete the attached application and return it to the Jernigan Institute by April 1, 2007. Students will be selected based on their ability to participate actively in the activities.

What: This four-day academy will engage and inspire the next generation of blind youth to consider careers falsely believed to be impossible for the blind. While staying at Johns Hopkins University, students will be mentored by blind role models during fun and challenging activities meant to build confidence and increase science literacy.

Cost: There is no cost to apply for the program. Students who apply and are accepted to the Youth Slam will be expected to pay a $200 registration fee by May 31, 2007.

To send questions or comments via email, please write to youthslam@nfb.org, or visit http://www.blindscience.org/ncbys/Youth_Slam.asp

Research / Publications

NCWD/Youth Issues Foster Care Guide

NCWD/Youth has completed Negotiating the Curves Toward Employment: A Guide About Youth Involved in the Foster Care System. Read the guide today.

Guide on Serving Youth with Mental Health Needs Unveiled

In honor of National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day (see next story), the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) announces the release of Tunnels and Cliffs: A Guide for Workforce Development Practitioners and Policymakers Serving Youth with Mental Health Needs, prepared by the National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth. Practitioners and policymakers have key roles to play in ensuring that youth with mental health needs (MHN) have a fair chance of achieving the American dream of independence and self-sufficiency. Obstacles such as transition cliffs and ineffective service delivery tunnels can be eliminated through thoughtful systems change processes that incorporate sound policies and practices.

The guide’s contextual framework is the Guideposts for Success, a document developed by NCWD/Youth in collaboration with ODEP. The Guideposts are research-based and describe key components that all youth, including youth with disabilities, need to transition successfully to adulthood.

Entering the World of Work: What Youth with Mental Health Needs Should Know About Accommodations

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) has released a fact sheet on accommodations for youth with mental health needs who are preparing to enter the workforce. Disclosing a mental health disability, requesting accommodations, and examples of accommodations are among the topics addressed, and resources are provided. This fact sheet is available for download or print free of charge at http://www.dol.gov/odep/pubs/fact/transitioning.htm.

DOL Issues Brochure on Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act

The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), in collaboration with the Center for Faith Based and Community Initiatives (CFBCI) and the Civil Rights Center (CRC) of the Department of Labor has developed a new brochure to help faith-based and community organizations (FBCOs) better understand the requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The publication is titled “Demystifying Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.” Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act requires recipients of Federal financial assistance, including FBCOs, to take certain positive actions to make their facilities and services accessible and available to persons with disabilities. http://www.dol.gov/odep/pubs/fact/faith.htm.