Grantee produced

How much do MIG states know about the prevalence of disabilities within their state? Rhode Island and the University of RI, College of Pharmacy produced a data-driven fact book addressing this. An excerpt of this fact book is attached below and could be helpful to other MIG grantees.

What are states doing to address the needs of individuals with learning disabilities in school and beyond? Utah gave the attached presentations at the Learning Disabilities Association National Conference to address the diverse services available across the lifetime of an individual with learning disabilities. They include various Utah resources and could be useful to other MIG states interested in this demographic.

Providing employers with the resources to make hiring and retaining employees with disabilities a more common practice is one approach Utah is taking to ensure more successful programs. The attached presentation to employers was given at a semi-annual Employer Workshop, to provide information and support to employers about hiring and retaining employees with disabilities. It includes information, success stories and resources. It is an approach that could be useful to other MIG states.

How are states making personal assistance services an effective reality for consumers? North Dakota created The Registry, a website designed to help connect seniors, people with disabilities, and family members using personal assistance services and various home and community based services, with available providers of HCBS such as Qualified Services Providers. A link to this site and marketing materials are attached, and could serve as templates for other MIG states.

What are states doing to help teachers whose job is to prepare youth with disabilities for a fulfilling work life? The attached presentation was given to students in the Brigham Young University Special Education Department. It addresses myths and truths about employment and people with disabilities. It also provides policy information, job seeker guides, tips for teens, eSkills and resources. This approach could be helpful to other states with MIG grants.

The Maryland Department of Disabilities hosted an intensive workshop focused on employment resources and services, and job-seeking sessions about cover letters, resumes, job applications, interviewing and benefits counseling. At this workshop they conducted a survey of participants in order to rate the event and assess improvements. A sample of the questions and results are attached, which could serve as a template for other states looking into assessing their employment programs and events.

What can parents do to help young adults improve employability skills and prepare for the world of work? Utah wants to get parents involved early. They created the attached PowerPoint presentation that outlines essential skills and a list of how parents can help with each. These skills are broken down into work, academic, people and thinking skills. This is an approach that could be useful to other MIG grantees.

How are states using online resources to educate consumers about their choices? The state of Utah developed a resource site for the following areas: Employment, Benefits, Education and Training, Housing, Transportation, Finances and Money Management, Legal and Advocacy, Assistive Technology, Healthy Living. A link to the site is available and could serve as an example to other MIG states.

How are states integrating American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funded on-the-job training into their MIG grant programs? Utah created presentations to train new on-the-job training employees. Three of these presentations are attached. Topics include building employer relationships, schedule A, and successful job development. These presentations could be a good example for other states seeking to do the same.

Promoting the hiring of people with disabilities though media directed at the businesses community could be a useful marketing strategy. The attached document is a sample of an article for the magazine "Indiana Employer". "The Disability Advantage," by James Emmett, explains how a formal disability outreach program can boost your bottom line, build your business, and lower your exposure to disability-related lawsuits. It is an example that could be helpful to other states.