All States/Territories

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.

Learn about the purpose, goals and activities of ADRCs. This course is geared towards ADRC staff, as well as others serving people with needs for long-term care information, services and supports. It includes a description of resources available on the ADRC-TAE website as well as links to other valuable resources. This course is helpful for anyone who wants to learn about the current trends in LTC policy at the federal, state, and local levels.

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.

What is a Representative Payee? A person or organization who helps someone manage their Social Security money, if the beneficiary is unable to do so themselves. The state of Utah is training people to act as Representative Payees as part of their MIG grant program. This presentation outlines the differences between Rep Payees and other designations, explains roles and responsibilities and more. A sample presentation is attached below and could be helpful to other states with MIG grants.

How are states keeping those involved in MIG grant programs up-to-date on important policies and issues? Utah created a newsletter for their MIG program. The Fall 2009 issue is attached and features a calendar of events for the October Disability Employment Awareness Month, and includes information regarding Individual Development Accounts and the Work Incentive Seminar Event (WISE). This publication could serve as example to other MIG grantees.

While long term care costs continue to rise nationally, the cost for in-home care is rising at a much slower pace. Complete national and state cost of care data can be found in the full report. Other reports include an Executive Summary of key findings, detailed methodology information and listings of counties involved in the survey. Also find an interactive map detailing costs within each state.