Think Beyond the Label began in January 2010 as a campaign to raise awareness about the business case for hiring people with disabilities. Through our humorous, award-winning print, TV and digital advertisements and website, we work to counter attitudes and myths about people with disabilities—as well as demonstrate to businesses how to "think beyond the label" when it comes to hiring this group. Our message is simple: labels get in the way, disabilities rarely do.
Click Here For More Information.
Click here to access Louisiana's Think Beyond The Label Page
(Find information on tools, jobs, success stories and more.....)
Louisiana’s Medicaid Infrastructure Grant (MIG)
in collaboration with the Work Pays Coalition is
seeking interested Employment Networks (EN’s)
for participation and utilization of a Free web-based
software application to help your EN work more
efficiently and effectively.
EN’s interested in being considered as SmartWorks
partners can register for a webinar hosted by SmartWorks
On May 25, 2012 at 9AM.
Please click here to register online.
For more information on SmartWorks
In the areas of employment and rehabilitation, the Advocacy Center may be able to help Louisiana residents with issues related to:
Employment Programs Include:
Client Assistance Program (CAP)- Provides advocacy services to clients of Louisiana Rehabilitation Services
Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS)- Provides advocacy to SSI and SSDI beneficiaries with barriers to employment
Work Incentives Planning & Assistance (WIPA)-Provides benefits advice and counseling to SSI and SSDI beneficiaries who have questions on how work can impact their Social Security and other benefits
To Access WIPA Services Call: 1-888-942-8104
Call 1-800-960-7705 for more information on AC's employment programs
Work Pay$ Coalition Meetings
The Work Pay$ coalition supports a coordinated system of employment initiatives and services for people with disabilities in Louisiana. Open meetings are held in Baton Rouge every other month. If you are interested in attending a Work Pay$ meeting contact David Gallegos with the Advocacy Center.
Meeting minutes can be found on the employment tab under documents.
Contact: David Gallegos dgallegos@advocacyla.org
2012 Meeting Schedule:
May 18th – LMA Building, 700 N. 10th St., Baton Rouge; 9am – 3pm
July 11th – Location TBA, 9am – 3 pm
Sept. 13th – Location TBA, 9am – 3pm
Nov. 15th – Location TBA, 9am – 3pm
October Statewide Job Fairs
Businesses and Job seekers looking to create a diverse workforce are encouraged to participate in the 2012 WORK PAY$ Job Fairs taking place during National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October.
The job fairs, which are free to both employers and job seekers, will be held in Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Houma, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Monroe, New Orleans, Slidell and Shreveport.
This year’s job fairs will also feature mini symposiums for participating employers. These events will offer networking and valuable information on a variety of workplace topics. Participating job seekers who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) will be offered Work Incentive Seminar Events (WISE) to understand how work impacts SSA benefits and how work incentives can improve their success in employment.
The job fairs are being led by the Louisiana Workforce Commission, Office of Workforce Development, and sponsored by the Department of Health and Hospitals through its federal Medicaid Infrastructure Grant.
The WORK PAY$ Coalition, a consortium of agencies working together to increase the employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in Louisiana, is responsible for coordinating the events.
For more detailed information on the job fairs including dates, locations, times regional and state steering committee meetings, please contact Georgette K. Wallace via email gwallace1@lwc.la.gov or by phone at 225-342-2936.
Specific information about times and locations to come.
2012 Employment Summit- Pending
The Work Pay$ Summit provided perspectives on the national pulse regarding employment for workers with disabilities, best employment practices, Louisiana employment initiatives, building capacity among agencies, Employment First Initiative and overcoming barriers to employment. Updates will be provided.
“The Winning Grant Writer!” - Grant Writing Seminar- Pending
“The Winning Grant Writer!” workshop will focus on grant writing basics, elements of a successful proposal, data collection, and how to not only write an appropriate proposal for your organization, but put it into the proper format for the funder. The workshop will be innovative, interactive and filled with practical components for writing an extraordinary grant.
Contact: David Kiviaho david@kiisacorporation.com
Medicaid Purchase Plan Council Meeting
Current statistics show that three out of every four individuals with significant disabilities are not working. One of the major barriers for individuals with disabilities is the fear of losing comprehensive health coverage if they work.
To eliminate these barriers, Louisiana has implemented the Medicaid Purchase Plan (MPP), which allows enrollees with disabilities to pay a premium and obtain or retain health care benefits. MPP allows individuals with disabilities to contribute tax dollars by returning to the workforce.
The MPP Advisory Council contributes to significant improvements in Medicaid and other services to support people with disabilities in their competitive employment efforts.
Contact: MPP Chair - David Gallegos dgallegos@advocacyla.org for more information.
Next Meeting-September 2012 (Time and location TBA)
OCDD Employment First Initiative
The Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities (OCDD) implemented the Employment First Initiative on July 1, 2011. OCDD has established an Employment First Work Group that meets on a regular basis in order to provide guidance and input to OCDD as policy and procedural changes are made around employment.
OCDD has defined Employment as “the primary outcome for all persons receiving OCDD services who are of working age.”
Employment is characterized by typical jobs with competitive compensation that are fully integrated in the workforce.
For additional information and updates on Employment First within OCDD, please go to this website: http://new.dhh.louisiana.gov/index.cfm/newsroom/detail/1778
Contact: Rosemary Morales rosemary.morales@la.gov
Statewide Independent Living Council Meetings
The Louisiana Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) was established to support the efforts of our citizens with disabilities to live independently in the community of their choice. All meetings of the SILC are open to the public.
Contact: SILC chair Jennifer Bollinger, jennifer.bollinger@gov.state.la.us
Statewide Independent Living Council 2012 Meetings
April 12th, location/ time TBA
May 10th, Tentative
July 12th, location/ time TBA
Oct. 11th, location/ time TBA
Jan 10th, 2013, location/ time TBA
Governor’s Advisory Council on Disability Affairs (GACDA) 2012 Meetings
Jan. 24th – State Office Building on 3rd St., Baton Rouge,10am – 2pm
April 24th – State Office Building on 3rd St., Baton Rouge, 10am – 2pm
July 24th – State Office Building on 3rd St., Baton Rouge, 10am – 2pm
Oct. 23rd – State Office Building on 3rd St., Baton Rouge, 10am – 2pm
LSU- Human Development Center Training
Trainer: Sue Killam
Offering two trainings: 1) a 40 hour CORE supported employment training and 2) a 15 hour BASIC employment training.
Trainings:
The 40 hour training incorporates APSE’s CORE Supported Employment competencies and will include;
8 hours of online instruction and resource information
Three days (20 hours) of classroom instruction
1 additional half day (4 hours) of small group activity in which participants will complete case study examples that are incorporated throughout the classroom instruction and
Portfolio fieldwork assignment completion and submission (8 hours).
The 15 hour training is a 2-day training session on the BASICS of providing supported employment services. This training is partially funded by the Louisiana Developmental Disability Council and is presented in partnership with Louisiana APSE.
Visit LSU’s Human Development Center employment page for more information - http://www.hdc.lsuhsc.edu/employment/index.html
Contact: empsup@lsuhsc.edu
40 hour CORE supported employment training
Training Dates and Locations: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
|
New Orleans January 25, January 26 and 27th, 2012 + February 8th, 2012 (1/2 day follow-up) |
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Lafayette April 10, April 11, April 12 and April 25, 2012. (1/2 day follow-up) Affiliated Blind of Louisiana 409 W. St. Mary Blvd Lafayette, LA 70506 (337) 234-6492 |
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Baton Rouge * March 28, March 29 and March 30, 2012 + April 18th, 2012 (1/2 day follow-up) Upliftd 1979 Beaumont Dr. Baton Rouge, LA 70806 (225) 928-3808 |
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Shreveport CANCELLED DUE TO LOW RESPONSE |
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Houma June 19, June 20 and June 21, 2012 + July 5th, 2012 (1/2 day follow-up) LWC/LRS
1442 Tiger Drive Thibodaux, LA 70301 |
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New Orleans August 7, August 8, August 9 and August 22, 2012 (1/2 day follow-up) LSUHSC Human Development Center
1900 Gravier St New Orleans, LA 70112 (504) 556-7564 |
* Interpreters will only be available for this training event.
15 hour BASIC employment training
Note: All Trainings are from 9:00am to 4:30pm
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January 17-18, 2012 Lincoln Parish Library 910 N Trenton St Ruston, LA |
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January 19-20, 2012 Volunteers of America 520 Olive Street Shreveport, LA |
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February 13-14, 2012 Miller Memorial Library 108 Pine Street Hammond, LA |
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February 16-17, 2012 LSU Health Sciences Center 1900 Gravier Street New Orleans, LA |
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March 21-22, 2012 Goodwill of Arcadia 1225 Kaliste Saloon Rd Lafayette, LA |
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April 10-11, 2012 Volunteers of America 520 Olive Street Shreveport, LA |
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April 12-13, 2012 Alexandria, LA Location to be Determined |
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May 9-10, 2012 Baton Rouge Red Cross 4655 Sherwood Commons Blvd Baton Rouge, LA |
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June 13-14, 2012 LSU Health Sciences Center 1900 Gravier Street New Orleans, LA |
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July 17-18, 2012 Lincoln Parish Library 910 N Trenton St Ruston, LA |
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July 19-20, 2012 Monroe, LA Location to be Determined |
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August 14-15, 2012 Goodwill of Arcadia 1225 Kaliste Saloon Rd Lafayette, LA |
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August 16-17, 2012 Natchitoches, LA Location to be Determined |
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September, 18-19, 2012 Thibodaux, LA Location to be Determined |
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September 20-21, 2012 Baton Rouge Red Cross 4655 Sherwood Commons Blvd Baton Rouge, LA |
Louisiana APSE
APSE is a growing national non-profit membership organization, founded in 1988 as the Association for Persons in Supported Employment, now known as APSE. APSE is the only national organization with an exclusive focus on integrated employment and career advancement opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
Membership includes online access to the Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation (JVR), a $400 value, APSE’s quarterly newsletter, the Advance monthly electronic publications of JTPR and APSE Connections, a $99 value, action alerts, discounted rates at conferences and webinars, access to the Members Section of the APSE website, and a vote in elections and other voting issues.
Louisiana APSE was formed in 2009. Current activities of Louisiana APSE include sponsoring a 40-hour intensive training for job coaches.
To join APSE, get more information on meetings or to learn more about Louisiana ASPE , please go to http://laapse.org/.
Contact: Derek White derek.white@la.gov or visit: http://laapse.org/
Upcoming APSE meetings:
June 15th
September 7th
December 7th
Times and locations TBA
Work and Social Security Benefits
Do you need help understanding how SSI/SSDI benefits are affected by work? Call us! Work incentives Planning & Assistance Coalition 1-888-942-8104.
Visit the Louisiana Resource Guide to list your agency and its services, or to find services in your region.
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