The UNT WISE e-News Bulletin is published monthly through a grant awarded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration to the Department of Rehabilitation, Social Work & Addictions at the University of North Texas.
Editorial Staff
Editor
Martha Garber
Project Director
Contributing Authors
Margaret J. Cortez
Marcy Haag
Jim Humes
Yvonne Raffini
Zach Sneed
Principal Investigator
Linda Holloway
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Send your comments and story ideas to e-News Bulletin Project Director & Editor, Martha Garber.
From the desk of: Martha Garber
New amendments to the Social Security's Ticket-to-Work program offer expanded opportunities for beneficiaries/consumers, employers, providers and State VR agencies. The changes will increase services offered to consumers and increase milestone payment options.One of the most significant changes is to allow both State VR agencies and another employment network to be paid for providing services to the same consumer,thus encouraging stronger partnerships that will provide greater benefits to the consumer.
As you know, an employment network (EN) is a public or private organization that has agreed to work with Social Security to provide employment services. An EN can earn in excess of $20,000 helping a beneficiary find and keep employment. Earnings can be used to provide needed work supports for those beneficiaries that require them to remain employed.
I encourage you to explore this program more. If you are a provider or employer, consider if becoming an Employment Network is good business for you.
Improvements to the SSA's Ticket-to-Work Program 
SSA has made significant changes to the Ticket-to-work program. Learning from its experience, the agency has expanded the options for participation of beneficiaries/consumers and providers of employment services. Changes will encourage providers to work in partnership with State VR agencies. Additionally, greater financial incentives have been implemented. The improvements should result in greater opportunities for beneficiaries/consumers to succeed in the work world; they will take effect July 21, 2008. Read more about the program details at http://ssa.gov/work/newregs.html
If you prefer a more personal approach, SSA is on the road explaining the new details of the program. Many stops will be made in Region VI. Check out their schedule at http://ssa.gov/work/events.html
For information about becoming an employment network click on the link below.
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/work/envr.html#ENs
FREE Online Transition Training: iTransition - It's all about me!
PEPNet has developed on line curriculum designed for students who are deaf or hard of hearing as they transition to life after high school. There are four training packages with activities to help students learn about themselves, their career goals, and the skills they need to be successful in the future. The topics are as follows:
- Career Interests and Education Choices: It's My Plan!
- First Year College Success: Be the One!
- Essential Skills for College Living: It's My Life!
- eFolio: My Online Portfolio!
While the training is focused on a specific population, the content could be easily adapted to other disability groups. Visit the PEPNet website at http://www.pepnet.org/itransition.asp for more details on these training programs.
Career Voyages
Career Voyages is a website designed to provide information about occupations and industries that are growing. It has a pathway for career advisors, students, parents and others who want to change careers. Information is provided from apprenticeships to four-year colleges. The site is a joint project of the Department of Labor and the Department of Education.
Have You Heard?
Are you working with a budding artist? You might want to check out “Effective Career Development Strategies for Young Artists with Disabilities” just released by the Institute for Community Inclusion.
Transitions
The Arkansas Division of Services for the Blind (DSB) celebrates its 25th anniversary on June 6th. Special appearances of significant people in DSB history are scheduled for the celebration. Congratulations DSB!
Following a lengthy illness, longtime University of North Texas employee Christine Young, has died. Chris, who retired in 2002, was instrumental in establishing the effective delivery of Supported Employment training for VR/CRP personnel in Region VI. We, along with many others, are grateful for her contributions to the field of rehabilitation and employment. She will be missed.
Training Schedule
June 20, 2008: Resiliency, Online Webinar
June 24-26, 2008: Certificate in Employment Services, Baton Rouge, LA
July 10, 2008: Employment of People with a Disability and a Criminal Background, Dallas, TX
July 11 & 18, 2008: Conflict Resolution for Vocational Rehabilitation Professionals, Online Webinar
July 16-17, 2008: Supported Employment Basic Skills Clinic, Lubbock, TX
August 8, 15, 22, 2008: Social Security Disability Benefits & Impact of Work, Online Webinar
August 12-14, 2008: Certificate in Employment Services, (Session II: Sept 16-18), Dallas, TX
August 27-28, 2008: Job Coaching, New Orleans, LA
New Webinars Feature Resiliency & Conflict Resolution
Resiliency: Exploring the concept of resilience can provide professionals with a strengths-based framework through which to identify individual asssets and promote competence.This one-hour session, offered by Dr. Denise Catalano on June 20th, will provide information regarding the concept of resilience, as well as our current understanding of risk and protective factors that appear to influence resilience.For details and to register, click here.
Conflict Resolution for Vocational Rehabilitation Professionals: Through this two-part, 3-hour class July 11 and 18, participants will learn skills and techniques to handle disagreements between themselves and others more effectively; disagree with others without being offensive in the process; de-escalate a situation that is becoming or has become volatile; and much more. For details and to register, click here.
Upcoming Conferences
Workforce Innovations 2008, July 15-17, 2008, New Orleans, LA
2008 Annual Conference on Independent Living, July 21-24, 2008, Washington, DC
2008 NRA National Training Conference, October 23-26, 2008, St. Louis, MO
CSAVR Fall Conference 2008, November 16-19, 2008, San Diego, CA
This project is in part supported under a grant from the Department of Education. However, the contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education and endorsement by the Federal Government should not be assumed.