NTAC e.News — July 1, 2009

Asian/Pacific Islander Words of Wisdom

"RESPOND. DO NOT REACT."

Explaination: The first of 64 verses of the I Ching. The I Ching or "Book of Changes" is an ancient Chinese divination manual and book of wisdom.
Sources: http://pages.pacificcoast.net/~wh/Index.html

Announcements: National and International

HHS Rescinds Medicaid Regulations

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced that the administration will rescind all or part of three Medicaid regulations that were previously issued and delay the enforcement of a fourth regulation. One of these rules would have eliminated reimbursement for school-based administrative costs and costs of transportation to and from schools.

The U.S. Department of Labor announces the 2009 National Disability Employment Awareness Month Theme:

Expectation + Opportunity = Full Participation. The press release can be found here for all interested.

May 2009 Disability Employment Statistics Released

In May 2009, the percent of people with disabilities in the labor force was 22.9 compared with 71.1 for persons with no disability. The unemployment rate for those with disabilities was 13.7 percent, compared with 8.9 percent for persons with no disability, not seasonally adjusted. For more about the May Disability Employment Statistics, click here.

Positions Available

New Employment Opportunities Posted on AUCD.org

To view a list of employment opportunities the AUCD has compiled, click here.

SSA's Hiring Plans for 2009: Linking Candidates with Disabilities to SSA Jobs

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has recently received funding to hire a significant number of employees throughout the country. This hiring initiative offers a unique opportunity for individuals with disabilities who may want to get a job with SSA. These jobs will be at various skill levels including a number of entry-level positions.

Recent Products

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

Resources

Solicitation for Grant Applications for Registered Apprenticeship for Youth with Disabilities

The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy and Employment and Training Administration's Office of Apprenticeship have announced the availability of approximately $400,000 to develop models to improve systems capacity to provide inclusive Registered Apprenticeship training and pre-apprenticeship training to youth and young adults with disabilities.

Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nehayan Foundation - Special Needs Rehabilitation Center

Due to identified gaps in existing service provision, the Foundation envisions the creation of a comprehensive rehabilitation and support center in the Eastern Region of the United Arab Emirates, which will provide appropriate interventions, therapies and other supports to people with special needs from birth through adulthood. Click here for more information.

Health Resources & Services Administration - Facility Investment Program

Funds will support health center efforts to expand their capacity to provide primary and preventive health services to medically under served populations nationwide as well as create employment opportunities in under served communities over the next 2 years. Click here to learn more about this opportunity.

Education Policy Fellowship Program

The Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL) is now recruiting participants for its Education Policy Fellowship Program, a nine-month professional development program for individuals whose work record reflects strong leadership abilities or potential and a concern for improving the life chances of children and youth. IEL runs sites in 13 states and the District of Columbia.

Institutes / Conferences

Overview of Self-Employment for Entrepreneurs

Self employment for individuals with disabilities involves minimizing the fears of the prospective business owner, as well as the rehab & local small business development professionals who assist them. A person does not need to "get ready" to own a business, if a customized approach is used. This web course runs from July 13 - Aug 17. Tuition is $60 per person. Scholarships available to individuals with disabilities. Take a look at the brochure and register online today!

The Healthcare Workforce Crisis: A Summit on the Future of Primary Care in Rural and Urban America

Plan now to attend the national meeting on the future of Primary Care Workforce in rural and urban America. The meeting is designed for health care organizations, associations, providers, state officials and academic health centers interested in the primary health care workforce in rural and urban communities. The summit occurs from August 10th-12th at Washington DC.

Cornell University Disability-related Training

Benefits Planning Services have become an integral part of a social security beneficiaries return to work. Just as we now recognize benefits planning as a unique profession we recognize the unique needs of every disabled beneficiary who considers returning to work. However, "urban myths" persist and prevent many beneficiaries from reaching their full potential. Cornells webinar series can help prepare you to embark upon your new profession or help fill in the blanks that may exist while you currently provide services. Join them in September for their new and improved Certificate in Benefits Planning series...or for just a webinar or two.

UConn's June Training Institute

It's not too early to start thinking about the 2010 institute, to be held in Saratoga Springs,New York. They also encourage you to request funding as soon as possible so that you do not miss out on this valuable professional development opportunity!

Research / Publications

HVRP Factsheet #6: Ex-Offenders and Employment

A job can be the spark of hope that changes the path for a homeless veteran and his or her family. Many homeless veterans, who are accustomed to living on the street, have had altercations with the law. Now their struggle to secure employment has just gotten more difficult because they will not pass an employers criminal background search. Ex-offenders do face a unique set of challenges but with proper support and guidance these challenges can lead to competitive employment success. To learn more, read this fact sheet