Meet this Year's Technical Assistance Sites

T-TAP is pleased to highlight the TA sites for 2004. These five organizations were selected to receive training and technical assistance from T-TAP staff and the CRP Leadership Network to help develop their programs from segregated work and non-work options to competitive employment opportunities in the community. They join the five agencies selected last year to receive TA. The technical assistance is individualized to the needs of each CRP and can include program planning, marketing, budgeting, staff development and financial planning, and other aids to management. Five organizations will be selected to participate each year for a total of twenty CRPs to receive this direct TA from T-TAP. Meet the TA Sites

New Online Seminar : A Parent’s View on Customized Employment

In this seminar, Dale Dutton talks about his daughter, Dusty, and her employment dreams and goals. Dusty is a 28 year old Californian with Down syndrome, diabetes, and limited vision. Her parents, Donna and Dale, have been very supportive of her inclusion as she has grown up, left the education system, and moved on to supported living and employment opportunities. In this interview, Dale shares his efforts on learning about the systems that will continue to facilitate Dusty's success as an adult. Today, Dusty enjoys "having a life" and pursuing her dreams. Online Seminar

Webcast on Using Work Incentives to Fund Micro Enterprises
Dave Hammis, Sr. Partner at Griffin-Hammis Associates
September 20, 2004, 2 PM ET, Followed by a live chatroom

In this webcast, David Hammis will discuss using Plan For Achieving Self-Support (PASS) as a small business funding source that directly infuses operating cash into a business cash flow. He will address Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE), Blind Work Expenses (BWE), and using Property Essential to Self Support (PESS) that allow unlimited cash resources in small business accounts not subject to the SSI $2000 personal resources limits. Mr. Hammis will explain how Vocational Rehabilitation and Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funding interact with net earnings from self employment. Lastly, he will cover other critical issues related to self employment such as Medicaid, Section 8, and small business loans. Register Online

Spotlight on T-TAP's CRP Leadership Network

The CRP Leadership Network is a group of providers recognized for having converted their programs from 14 c certificates to evolve their programs to provide customized employment or have made substantial gains in doing so. Katahdin Friends, Inc. is one of the 10 CRP Leaders and has been providing services in the communities where people with disabilities live for over 20 years. As a member of CRP Leadership network, KFI is providing assistance to other CRPs who also would like to expand community employment for individuals in their programs. How KFI Reshaped Staff Roles

Regional Seminar

We are still accepting registrations for our regional seminar on "Self Employment: People Who Own Themselves". August 12, 2004, 8:45 a.m. - 4:00 p.m, St. Cloud MN. The presenter is Cary Griffin, Sr. Partner at Griffin-Hammis Associates. This seminar exposes the many myths of self employment for individuals with a disability. The session is practioner focused and uses numerous examples to demonstrate business feasibility, licensing structures, marketing approaches, financing opportunities, pricing, rehabilitation and natural supports, and how to go about getting started. A planning map is provided to assist participants in the critical thinking that any business start-up will need to be successful. Find out more and register online