Online Seminar
Topic: Project SEARCH
Presenter: Susie Rutkowski, Great Oaks Institute of Technology & Career Development

New T-TAP Fact Sheet: Funding Consumer-Directed Employment Outcomes

In the past, funding representatives usually controlled the decisions and allocations of resources, including the choice of service providers, for individuals with disabilities needing employment supports. Today, the concepts and practices of funding employment supports are evolving to focus on consumer-directed, customized employment outcomes. Since funding practices vary greatly from state to state, funds for customized employment continue to be scarce in many communities. Read this fact sheet for helpful strategies

Spotlight on T-TAP's CRP Leadership Network

Don Lavin is the Vice President of RISE, Inc. and a member of T-TAP's CRP Leadership Network! RISE is a non-profit corporation that specializes in customized employment for unemployed and underemployed youth and adults with varied disabilities and employment challenges in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. Read about RISE, Inc. and Success Stories on Customized Employment

Lessons Learned: Spotlight on EmployAbility
Developing Linkages to Benefits Planning, Assistance, and Outreach Services

Concerns about the impact of earned income on social security benefits and other benefits (food stamps, housing, insurance, etc) are a significant barrier to employment for individuals and for family members. Benefits Planning, Assistance, and Outreach (BPAO) Programs exist to enable recipients of SSI and SSDI with disabilities to make informed choices about work. BPAO Benefit Specialists can work cooperatively with Community Rehabilitation Programs (CRPs) to provide information to SSA recipients and beneficiaries in a number of ways. They can help with planning and assistance around work incentives and with understanding the impact of work on benefits.
Read about EmployAbility's arrangement with their local BPAO office.

It's Not Too Late to Register for the Upcoming 2006 Webcourses!

Supported Employment Web-based Certificate Series - [Jan. 16 - April 17, 2006] This online course provides an extensive overview of supported employment and how to facilitate competitive jobs for individuals with significant disabilities. There will be 6 lessons posted every 2 weeks. Access this information any time of the day to complete the assignments. Approximately 6-8 hours should be allowed per lesson for course completion. Earn 3.5 CEUs or 35 CRCs, and a certificate of completion. Cost: $195 per individual. Find Out More and Register Online

Supported Competitive Employment for Individuals with Mental Illness - [Jan. 30 - May 1, 2006] This online course provides an extensive overview of supported competitive employment for individuals with mental illness. There will be 6 lessons posted every 2 weeks. Sessions will include information on these important topics: evidence-based practice and research base, career development, customer choice, cultural competency, marketing and job development, developing business partnerships, interagency collaboration, self-employment, workplace supports / coworker supports, social security work incentives, and funding , evidence-based practice and research base, Earn 3.5 CEUs or 35 CRCs, and a certificate of completion. Cost: $195 per individual. Find Out More and Register Online