Wages and Benefits

FCA launched this online community promoting professional knowledge around families in their caregiving role. The site offers resources to help policymakers, professionals and family caregivers develop caregiver-friendly legislation or initiatives, implement caregiver support programs or services, and access information to enhance the delivery of quality care. Interactive site features include an online forum and user submissions.

Review the findings from a survey of eldercare and disability services employers. While most employers in the state offered employer-sponsored insurance, less than one-fifth of Massachusetts direct-care workers were enrolled in 2009. Based primarily on data from the survey, the main reason for the low number and recommendations are outlined in this report that deals with the impact of Massachusetts health reform on the eldercare and disability services sector.

What is the cost of providing job accommodation? Recent amendments to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) refocused attention on workplace accommodations by broadening the definition of disability. This increased attention has some employers concerned about the costs of providing job accommodations. However, a study conducted by the Job Accommodation Network (JAN), shows that workplace accommodations not only are low cost, but also positively impact the workplace in many ways.

This document from the Central Texas VDHCBS program contains templates for the veteran's action plan and participant-directed purchases. This worksheet helps develop an action and spending plan.

The National Technical Assistance and Research Center to Promote Leadership for Increasing the Employment and Economic Independence of Adults with Disabilities has released Collaborating and Coordinating with Employers, a brief that illustrates key research findings, outlines existing strategies and practices that are advancing the concept of disability and business collaboration, and provides resources that further illuminate effective strategies and examples of these collaborations.

Workforce3 One, an online resource sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration, has a new Disability and Employment Resource Page to provide employment-related resources for the workforce system. This page outlines promising practices and expands the capacity of the One-Stop Career Center system to serve customers disabilities. The resource page includes videos and podcasts, toolkits and training materials, promising practices, and other materials.

On January 1, 2009, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 2008 went into effect, making some major changes to the way the definition of disability has been interpreted in the past. The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) has released this document to outline these changes clearly and thoroughly. This includes the modified definition of disability, the definition of reasonable accommodation, a listing of publications to help employers understand reasonable accommodation and practical tips.

Community Living Program and Aging & Disability Resource Center grantees, and Veteran Directed Home and Community Based Services programs, evaluators, researchers, and other stakeholders are welcome to answer this call for proposals. Attendance is invitation only, but interested subject matter expert are encouraged to submit sessions and/or recommend a consumer to attend. Deadline is Dec. 15, 2009, “Changing Systems, Changing Lives” will be Feb. 22-24, 2010 in Alexandria, VA.

This site highlights the employment successes of people with Intellectual Disabilities/Developmental Disabilities (ID/DD) who are working in paid jobs in their communities. The purpose of these stories is to share where people work and how they got there. They are meant to be read by individuals with ID/DD, their families, and employment support professionals. The goal is to increase awareness of the full range of employment opportunities and support options available.

Idaho’s, My Voice, My Choice training program, is an online resource for those wishing to be Support Brokers. The site’s main categories include a section for Computer Instructions, Meeting the Trainers, Readings and Activities. The course itself stresses several key concepts: Self-Determination, the Philosophical Shift that is occurring from traditional supports to a self-directed model, Person-Centered Planning, and the Ethics and Professionalism required as a successful Support Broker.