Employment Programs

The New Hampshire MIG program, the Granite State Employment Project, and its programs within, Employment for All and the Monadnock Center for Successful Transitions, have held several planning meetings so far in 2007. Included below are the minutes for each of these meetings.

The Monadnock Center for Successful Transitions issued consent forms to eligible consumers to complete in order to participate in the Granite State Employment Project Consumer Forum. The purpose of the forum is to study issues regarding employment for individuals with disabilities in the Monadnock Region. The information gathered will be used in the strategic planning process for the Granite State Employment Project, the New Hampshire MIG. Also included is a list of the focus group questions.

The Alaska MIG grant has developed three fact sheets about the Americans with Disabilities Act. The first sheet explains the ADA, offers definitions, major provisions, and enforcement information. A second page explains general misconceptions about the law. The third sheet explains how the ADA covers employment issues.

What is Supported Employment? The following presentations, brochures and manuals explain the ways that supported employment helps consumers find and maintain meaningful jobs in the community. The Alaska MIG grantees have shared two presentations and brochure on the principles of supported employment. The manual is designed as a guide for employment specialist.

In February 2007, North Dakota Comprehensive Employment Systems produced a report that summarizes the current state of long-term care in North Dakota including funding sources, expenditures, and the potential outcomes of change is not initiated. The report goes on to cite recommendations for change.

The Center for Health Policy and Research at the University of Massachusetts Medical School produces a quarterly newsletter entitled “Disability Issues”. The newsletter, which has been published for 25 years, discusses current issues surrounding disabilities in Massachusetts and beyond. The newsletter includes articles, information briefs, Q&A’s and more.

The Massachusetts MIG, CommonHealth, created an informational brochure describing how the program works and resources for individuals with disabilities living in Massachusetts who want to work and still receive their Medicaid benefits. The brochure also includes a survey requesting the reader’s thoughts on the usefulness of the brochure itself.

With the passage of Chapter 570, H.P. 1351-L.D. 1910: “An Act to Create Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities” by the Maine State Legislature in 2006, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Labor presented a report that identified resources, successes, and challenges in building supports that aid to increase employment for individuals with developmental disabilities.

The Maine MIG program, MaineCare, created an informational brochure describing the how the program works, who qualifies, and other resources for individuals with disabilities living in Maine who want to work and still receive their Medicaid benefits.

The State of Maine’s Commission on Disability and Employment, Department of Labor, and Department of Economic and Community Development issued a report to the State legislature that identifies marketing campaign strategies that will increase awareness and promote employment of individuals with disabilities living in Maine. The report identifies the need for the campaign, strategies for development, and the estimated cost.