The Florida Center for Inclusive Communities (FCIC) is providing leadership in a variety of local and national research, training, and program development efforts. The following staff leaders provide contributions to the field of employment: Tammy Smith and Brenda Clark.
FCIC offers a large array of training and technical assistance in order to build capacity around effective transition and customized employment within the state. The activities described below provides state of the art training and technical assistance to job seekers, families, community rehabilitation providers, school districts, and state agencies involved with employment supports, services, policy development and implementation for people with disabilities. The FCIC employment activities have strong collaborations with the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Florida Department of Education/Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Agency for Persons with Disabilities and Social Security Administration.
For more information, contact Brenda Clark at 813-974-2581.
Alliance for Full Participation (AFP)
The Alliance for Full Participation was founded in 2003 by a consortium of national organizations in the developmental disability community. The Alliance came together to make the promise of integration, productivity, independence and quality of life a reality for all people with developmental disabilities. In 2009, they announced their new campaign, “Real Jobs – It’s Everybody’s Business,” and their goal of doubling the employment rate for people with developmental disabilities by 2015. For more information contact The Alliance for Full Participation.
Collaborative on Discovery & Innovation in Employment (CODIE)
CODIE is funded by the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council to build the capacity of competitively selected school professionals and community action teams to use the Discovery process in supporting youth and adults with disabilities in achieving customized employment. CODIE trains county-based teams, provide technical assistance to teams as to the use the DPG process, and has developed learning collaborative to support teams in achieving optimal transition and employment outcomes for individuals with developmental disabilities (DD). CODIE staff members provide systematic training, mentoring, and ongoing technical assistance to ensure that teams can implement the Discovery process with fidelity to the values, procedures, and intent of the model. For more information, please contact Nila Benito or Brenda Clark.
Congratulations to Brevard County and St. John's County Public Schools on their selections as implementation teams for the Collaborative on Discovery and Innovation in Employment (CODIE) Year 2. |
Florida Self-Advocacy Alliance (FSAA)
Florida Self-Advocacy Alliance was created to assist other self advocacy groups around the state to network. They serve as a bridge for communication, education and action for self-advocacy across Florida. Their mission is to create a network for all self advocate organizations to come together to form a united voice. In addition, they offer information, guidance and assistance to family members of people with disabilities, and promote legislative awareness of disability issues. For more information contact the Florida Self-Advocacy Alliance.
School-to-Adult Life - career advice for students with disabilities who are getting ready to graduate, and information and resources for families, and transition professionals who support those who are getting ready to graduate. This website portal is designed to provide information to guide decision making about a student’s transition from a Florida high school to post-school adult life. This site also features web courses, student learning games, family social networking, interactive animation, discussion board, success stories, student mini-courses, and frequently asked questions.
The Learning Academy at the University of South Florida is a 30 week program designed to provide a structured employment-focused curriculum for individuals diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, between the ages of 18-25 after they have graduated from high school. Participants engage in multiple career assessment activities to identify their strengths, skills, talents, interest and learn how they translate to work. Real life experiences and expectations through internships and peer mentoring complement the class work to provide generalization of skills and support personalized goals. For more information, please contact Susan Richmond.
FCIC Resources
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FCIC Fact Sheet: The Discovery Process. A Path to Employment for All This fact sheet provides information about cusomized employment, the Discovery process, and the components needed to make the process sucessful. |
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FCIC Fact Sheet: Everyone Can Work! Customized Employment This fact sheet provides information about customized employment as well as the resources available at FCIC's Center for Self-Employment and other projects. |
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FCIC Fact Sheet: Inclusion Works for All This fact sheet provides information about inclusion, self-determination, and the supports needed to ensure inclusion happens. |
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Everybody Works, Everybody Wins! The Florida Center for Inclusive Communities partnered with SSA's Florida Work Incentives Coordinator Marlene Ulisky to develop Everybody Works, Everybody Wins!, a flyer targeted to youth with disabilities and their families. The Florida Department of Education has request that Florida public schools distribute it to students via Individual Educational Plan (IEP) meetings. For more information, contact Nila Benito. |
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Florida Provider Network Archived Newsletters
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Other Resources
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ICI's National Report on Employment Services and Outcomes 2011 ICI's National Report on Employment Services and Outcomes is now available. The book provides national and state level statistics spanning a twenty-year period. Its sources include several data sets that address the status of employment and economic self-sufficiency for individuals with ID/DD. |
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Adversity Breeds Innovation (The Able Trust) In Adversity Breeds Innovation, The Able Trust encourages employers to consider the benefits of hiring a person with a disability. |
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Agency for Persons with Disabilities Providers’ Scorecard The Agency for Persons with Disabilities has developed a Supported Employment scorecard that focuses on some of the most important indicators that help people with developmental disabilities get and retain jobs. |
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Study of Employer Attitudes (The Able Trust) In 2003 The Able Trust partnered with the Milbank Foundation for Vocational Rehabilitation to conduct a study of business employers in Florida concerning their policies, practices, and attitudes related to hiring persons with disabilities. |
This page includes links to both internal (FCIC) and external (non-FCIC) websites. External links are selected and reviewed when the page is published. However, the FCIC is not responsible for the content of external websites. The FCIC website does not accept submissions or requests.
Florida Links
Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD)
The agency supports persons with developmental disabilities in living, learning, and working in their communities. APS provides services to Floridians with autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, intellectual disabilities, Prader-Willi syndrome, and spina bifida. APD also provides assistance in identifying the needs of people with developmental disabilities for supports and services.
APD Supported Employment Services: Review of Supported Employment Services offered through the Agency for Persons with Disabilities to their customers.
Department of Education, BEESS
The Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services administers programs for students with disabilities. Additionally, the bureau coordinates student services throughout the state and participates in multiple inter-agency efforts designed to strengthen the quality and variety of services available to students with special needs.
Disability Rights Florida is the designated protection and advocacy system for individuals with disabilities in the State of Florida. Their mission is to advance the quality of life, dignity, equality, self-determination, and freedom of choice of persons with disabilities through collaboration, education, advocacy, as well as legal and legislative strategies.
Students with Disabilities : School and Work: This site provides information and resources to assist students in special education and their supports to understand the IDEA federal law, how to apply it and when to apply it to most effectively assist the students with what skills they will need to live in the community and plan for how those skills will be acquired. There are many ideas, services and technologies for people with disabilities and planning can put them within reach.
Florida Alliance for Assistance Services and Technology FAAST
FAAST is a non-profit organization funded by the US Department of Education through the Assistive Technology Act of 2004, Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), and the Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.
Online Resource Library: Quick access to information on a wide range of assistive services – FAAST's online resource library. Employment Resources and Self‐Help Guide for Individuals with Disabilities
APSE is the only national organization with an exclusive focus on integrated employment and career advancement opportunities for individuals with disabilities. APSE leads in the advancement of equitable employment for people with disabilities.
Florida Business Leadership Network (BLN)
The primary purpose of the Florida Business Leadership Network (FBLN) is to promote diversity policies that include people with disabilities and hiring practices that target candidates with disabilities. The FBLN serves as an information clearinghouse by providing employers with disability employment resources and local FBLN chapters with general information and networking opportunities for sharing best practices.
Florida Developmental Disabilities Council (FDDC)
The Developmental Disabilities Council is a non -profit organization that receives federal assistance from the Department of Health and Human Services Administration on Developmental Disabilities. The mission of the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Inc., is to advocate and promote meaningful participation in all aspects of life for Floridians with developmental disabilities.
Created by the Florida Legislature in 1990 (FS 413.615), the Florida Endowment Foundation for Vocational Rehabilitation, parent organization of The Able Trust, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public/private partnership. Its mission is to be a key leader in providing Floridians with disabilities successful opportunities for employment.
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) is a federal-state program that works with people who have physical or mental disabilities to prepare for, gain or retain employment. VR is committed to helping people with disabilities find meaningful careers.
Supported Employment: Supported Employment is a unique employment service for individuals with the most significant disabilities who require ongoing support services to succeed in competitive employment.
School-to-Work Transition: The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation’ school-to-work transition supports and services helps students enter training, continue education, and/or work after leaving high school and provides information about what transition services and supports offer, who provides the services, who is eligible for the services, and how to apply for the services.
National Links
Americans with Disabilities Act Information Line
The U.S. Department of Justice provides information about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) through a toll-free ADA Information Line. For general ADA information, answers to specific technical questions, free ADA materials, or information about filing a complaint, call 800-514-0301.
Earned Income Tax Credit: Connect your Social Network
Now it's easier to spread the word about the Earned Income Tax Credit. As IRS partners and tax preparers, you can share the latest EITC news and information with your social network.
The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) provides free consulting services for individuals with physical or intellectual limitations that affect employment. Services include one-on-one consultation about job accommodation ideas, requesting and negotiating accommodations, and rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and related laws.
Office of Disability Employment Policy
The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) provides national leadership on disability employment policy by developing and influencing the use of evidence-based disability employment policies and practices, building collaborative partnerships, and delivering authoritative and credible data on employment of people with disabilities.
Employment Webinar Series
Join us on the 3rd Wednesday of each month from 5:00pm – 6:00pm EST for an opportunity to participate in a series of webinars geared to build capacity on an array of employment related topics. The webinars are a tool used to share information and resources for self–advocates, family members, and other community partners to make informed choices and decisions about services, supports, policies, and best practices to ensure their requests and service provisions are based on individual goals and outcomes. The webinars are FREE and registration is not necessary to participate. No webinars are broadcasted during the months of June, July, November and December.
2013
Presenter(s):Vicki Strickland, MS Employment Specialist Wakulla School District and Konni Wells, MS, CRC Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.
Date: April 17, 2012 Duration: 52 minutes
Description: "Students in their transition years at school supported in partnership with Division of Vocational Rehabilitation leave the school system through a seamless transition into adult life after high school with paid employment. Participants of this webinar will hear from Wakulla School District transition educator and local area DVR Transition Counselor share effective strategies, promising practices, and success stories of students supported by the Third Party Cooperative Arrangement and how students successfully transitioned into the adult workforce. Strategies include how the school district, Employment Specialist, and VR counselors work together to ensure the success of students who are active with DVR are prepared for adult life after high school to gain paid employment.
Health Benefits and Financial Management
Presenter(s): Rocio (Rosie) D. Paulsen, Owner of Food Faith Insurance Services
Date: March 20, 2013 Duration: 27 minutes
Description: Objective: To educate attendees on basic Health Insurance, Terms and information • What is Health Insurance? • Insurance in the life of an individual (Group Health Insurance, Individual and Medicare) • Health Insurance Lingo: Deductible, Co-payment, Co-insurance and MOOP (Maximum Out of Packet) • Difference between Medicare and Medicaid • ABC's of Medicare- Supplemental, Part D and Medicare Advantage of Replacements • Basic on Health Care reform • As of 2014 no more pre-existing conditions • How will health care reform affect Medicare replacements.
Presenter(s): Margaret O'Malley, Senior Tax Consultant, IRS
Date: February 20, 2013 Duration: 40 minutes
Description:Participants will receive current and accurate information relating to the 2012 Federal Income Tax season, resources and materials available on the IRS website, general federal income tax information, and receive answers to questions about various rules and forms. The presenter will also cover the following specific items: "What's new for the 2012 Federal Income Tax season" "Filing options" "Federal Income Tax information for taxpayers with disabilities"
2012
Presenter(s): Megan Fitzpatrick, MSW CARD Consultant, The Learning Academy at USF, Learning Academy Employment Services
Date: October 17, 2012 Duration: 58 minutes
Description: Disclosure: To Do or Not To Do is a webinar intended to provide information concerning the rights, laws, and some choices related to Disclosure. Materials and resources will be shared to help the participants to understand what disclosure is and why disclosure may be important. Participants will hear key terms and concepts related to Disclosure in the world of work. The presenter will provide strategies for job seekers and employees to consider before disclosing , how to disclose effectively, and the advantages/disadvantages of disclosing. During the webinar participants will also be provided information to help them to understand different example situations when job seeker or employee might disclose on the job.
Family Roles in the Job Search
Presenter(s): Nila Benito, Collaborative On Discovery & Innovation in Employment
Date: September 19, 2012 Duration: 62 minutes
Description: "To Work or Not to Work"… that is a question that is asked by many individuals with disabilities and their families. Having family members and other supportive adults involved in the career preparation and job search strengthens the motivation of individuals with complex disabilities to work. It is critical to encourage the involvement and realize the impact of family members on the positive customized employment outcomes for jobseekers with complex disabilities.
Marketing Your Strengths for Your Job Search
Presenter(s): Tara Crawford, Trio Employment Network
Date: August 15, 2012 Duration: 62 minutes
Description: Marketing Your Strengths for Your Job Search webinar focuses on utilizing community social capital. Participants will be given tips on job development to small business and independent companies for customized employment opportunities. Discussions will include tips to appeal to large corporations and strategies to develop profitable relationships with your Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development organizations, Business Leadership Networks and other business community forums. Best practices on how to capture the attention of hiring managers to market the array of possibilities for contributions to the workforce by the untapped and under-utilized human resource of job seekers with developmental disabilities.
Getting Started with Self-Employment Planning
Presenter(s): Donna Whitfield, United Cerebral Palsy of East Central Florida &
Brenda Clark, FCIC
Date: May 16, 2012 Time: 48 minutes
Description: This webinar provides information to think about when considering if self- employment is right for you. Participants will be given best practice strategies to implement when developing a business plan, answers to why planning is necessary, key components to the plan, information to include in the plan, and given information on resources available in most communities to help perspective entrepreneurs with developing a business plan.
Social Security Administration Work Incentives
Presenter(s): Angie Hoffman, Brevard Achievement Center
Date: March 21, 2012 Time: 49 minutes
Description: This webinar will provide information about SSI/Medicaid and SSDI/Medicare benefits. The difference between the rules and their application when income is earned. Participants will be shown how to find information and other important resources on the SSA website. The presentation will also explore how to best utilize the various SSA work incentives available to beneficiaries. Participants will receive information to help better understand the Ticket to Work program and employment supports available to the beneficiary.
Leveraging Your Community Networks and Partnerships
Presenter(s): David Lin, Vice-President of Programs and Services at Palm Beach Habilitation Center
Date: February 15, 2012
Time: 48 minutes
Description: The webinar will provide tools and tips to foster connections between agencies to enhance services available to job seekers and employees with disabilities. Viewers will receive information about the three types of community partnerships to include program partnerships, industry partnerships, and corporate partnerships. The presenter will also share effective strategies to develop a placement network with providers who have common goals and objectives to improve the service delivery system within a geographic region.
2011
SSA (Eligibility/Benefits/Work Incentives)
Presenter(s): Frank Torano, South Florida Area Work Incentive Coordinator for Social Security Administration
Date: July 21, 2011Duration: 55 minutes
Description: Several million disabled persons receive monthly benefits from the Social Security Disability Programs. Many also utilize Medicare or Medicaid to aid them with their medical expenses. Often persons with disabilities worry that working or attempting to work may make them ineligible for these benefits forever. Social Security recognizing this fear has responded with developing the Ticket to Work Program. The presenters will introduce you to the Social Security Disability Programs, the Work Incentive Provisions and the Ticket to Work Program. Social Security Work Incentives are design to accommodate your needs and circumstances so you can go to work.
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Self-Employment: New Opportunities Await
Presenter(s): Donna Whitfield, Area Supervisor of Employment Services at UCP of East Central Florida and DVR CBTAC
Date: May 19, 2011Duration: 45 min
Description: Donna Whitfield, United Cerebral Palsy and Debra Noel, FCIC provide information about self-employment through the start-up and implementation phases of a small business and provide the background about why self-employment has emerged as a viable employment option for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Achieving Dreams: Discovery & Successful Transition Planning for Individuals with Autism
Presenter(s): Nila Benito, Community Supports Coordinator at Florida Center for Inclusive Communities
Date: April 21, 2011 Duration: 1 hr 30 min
Description: Nila Benito, FCIC community supports coordinator, provides specific examples and successful strategies that optimize transition outcomes for youth with autism. The Individualized Career Planning Model is an individualized process that includes the Discovery person-centered planning approach. Moderator: Debra Noel
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Asset Development Strategies for Persons with Disabilities
Presenter(s): Michael Roush, National Program Director for NDI's Real Economic Impact Tour
Date: February 17, 2011 Duration: 1 hr 15 min
Description: Michael Roush and Elizabeth Jennings from the National Disability Institute address many of the negative myths that surround the accumulation of assets by individuals with disabilities which are debunked and strategies for improving personal finances are shared. Moderator: Debra Noel.
Employment Resources for Persons with Disabilities
Presenter(s): Debra Noel, Project Director at Florida Center for Inclusive Communities
Date: January 20, 2011 Duration: 38 min
Description: This webinar provides resources especially for Florida job seekers with disabilities, family members and providers who want to learn about the resources available to aid in the job search. Moderator: Debra Noel.
Other Employment Webinars
Autism and Employment Webinar Series
This five part webinar series, sponsored by the Florida Center for Inclusive Communities and Southeast Technical Assistance and Continuing Education (TACE) Center, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University provides information, tools, and tips to communicate, interact, and support individuals with autism to reach integrated, competitive employment goals. Presenters: Nila Benito and Brenda Clark
Department of Child & Family Studies • College of Behavioral & Community Sciences • University of South Florida
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