DSHS Home
DVR Home
Archive MessagesMay 2008April 2008March 2008February 2008January 2008 DVR LinksAbout DVR Benefits Planning Contact DVR DVR Offices Employment at DVR Job Seekers Privacy Service Providers Site Map Ticket to Work What's NewDSHS LinksDSHS Home Search Contact DSHS Privacy DSHS Services
|
|
June 2008 MessageIn this message
Come Join Our Team and Make a DifferenceThe Division of Vocational Rehabilitation is recruiting to fill a new position of Supported Employment in State Government Manager. Applicants need to submit their resume and a cover letter to Don Kay at DVR no later than July 25, 2008. The Supported Employment in State Government (SESG) Program assists individuals with significant disabilities in obtaining supported employment positions within any agency of state government. The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) shares responsibilities with the Department of Personnel to help coordinate and provide technical assistance to state agencies that participate in the SESG Program. The role of the SESG manager is to market the program and assist state agencies in successfully establishing and filling supported employment positions. Within DSHS, the Divisions of Vocational Rehabilitation, Developmental Disabilities, and Mental Health share roles for carrying out the Department’s overall SESG responsibilities. The Supported Employment in State Government Manager will work in close collaboration with our partners in DDD and MHD to revitalize and assure the success of this important program. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Don Kay at kayd@dshs.wa.gov or 360.725.3623.
You Can Help Tell Our StoryWe are now having good success getting media coverage for DVR customers and our local activities. We’ve been holding Open Houses throughout the state and getting positive press in local newspapers. We’re posting them on our Intranet site (see News and Events) for all staff to enjoy – check out the recent story from the Colville newspaper with comments from VRC David King! We have an open invitation from DSHS Communications Consultant Deborah Schow – as we share newsworthy events with her, she’ll make the necessary contacts for possible media coverage. This is a great time to highlight the partnerships we’re creating with local employers with our customer internship program and other collaborations that are resulting in successful employment outcomes for our customers. So – come on – help us tell our story! BizKids Feature June 24Former DVR customer Dylan Kuehl will be included in an upcoming PBS BizKids show that will focus on youth with disabilities and their paths to career development. Dylan has his own business called DK Arts and Performing Arts Co. based in Olympia. The two and a half minute segment will be a great opportunity to showcase Dylan’s talent and creativity. National Disability Employment Policy SummitEarlier this month I had the opportunity to attend the U.S. Department of Labor’s Summit on Disability Employment Policy. With more than 200 attendees from across the country, the Summit offered an opportunity to work together with colleagues from federal, state, and local workforce organizations as well as researchers and major employers. The Summit was held on the grounds of Gallaudet University in Washington DC. Major employers spoke with passion about the contributions that workers with disabilities make in the workplace. The employers and presenters were a good mix of public sector and private sector partners including Home Depot, Walgreen’s Distribution Centers, Aetna Insurance, CVS Pharmacy, Dow Chemical and Booz, Allen, Hamilton; as well as the federal Departments of Veterans Affairs, Transportation, Labor and Education. For those who may be interested, I have a CD with the conference presentation materials and a great video by Walgreen’s. Trying to Keep Up with the Price of GasDue to the rapidly rising cost of gasoline, DVR has recently raised its rate for customer mileage reimbursement to 25 cents per mile. VR counselors continue to have discretion to grant exceptions on a case-by-case basis. Welcoming New Members to the Directors Advisory CommitteeI am fortunate to have a diverse group of staff that advises me on current topics each quarter through their participation on the Director’s Advisory Committee. Our next meeting will be Tuesday, July 15 from 10-2p in Olympia. I’m honored to have active participation from staff throughout the organization. With an annual rotation of members, we continue to benefit from fresh voices and perspectives. Please join me in welcoming the following new members: Lauren Caldwell, Maria Ozmun, John Fredrick, Don Farrell, Donna Dalzell and Tina Bredengerd; and saying farewell with sincere thanks to David Hankinson, Terry Stewart, Bryan Austin, Margarita Rodriguez, Don Alveshere and Jan Smith. Inviting Input from DVR Staff and Higher Ed PartnersLast Fall we implemented our interagency agreement between DVR, DSB and the system of higher education. This Spring, DVR staffperson Steve Roldan took the lead in organizing training for partners on the cost-sharing provisions of the agreement. Anecdotally we’re hearing good things about the spirit of cooperation and increased collaboration occurring at the local level. We’d like to hear from you – please feel free to contact me with general feedback regarding the agreement and the processes we’re establishing. What more can we be doing to enhance our relationships between DVR, DSB and our higher ed partners? Let us know about the successes as well as the areas where we can improve. Call For Nominations – Workforce Best Practices AwardThe Governor’s Economic and Workforce Development Awards acknowledge and recognize individuals, organizations, communities, regions and agencies that have achieved excellence in their field. We once again have the opportunity to recognize the outstanding leadership and exemplary accomplishments in a program, project or initiative in the workforce development system by submitting nominations in the Workforce Best Practices Award category. Here’s a great chance to recognize the vital public/private partnerships that result in successful employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities. Nominations are limited to three pages, are due July 15th and can be emailed to: AprilT@cted.wa.gov If you would like assistance in completing the nomination materials, contact Don Kay; we’d be glad to help! Build Your Skills as an ADA TrainerThe DBTAC Northwest is offering a regional 2-day training event designed to empower a network of interested people to be trainers on the major tenets of the ADA. Register now for the ADA Trainer Network to be held July 16-17 at the DBTAC Northwest Training Center in Mountlake Terrace. Training, materials and updates are free; the class is limited to 40 participants. For more information and to register online, contact: www.dbtacnorthwest.org It’s Graduation TimeOn June 6, Linda Rolfe (Director, DDD) and I had the proud opportunity to address the graduates of a new program at Highline Community College. Nine months ago, a pilot Employment Professionals Certificate program was launched. Participants were recruited locally but word traveled fast and one participant even commuted each week from Eastern Washington. The students each committed to three terms of Friday classes, while continuing to work full-time for community-based programs providing employment support services for individuals with significant developmental disabilities. The first class of twenty-one employment specialists has successfully completed the rigorous Employment Professional Certificate program. Based on the success of the pilot and the needs of our customers, DVR is providing funding for replication of the Certificate program in two more locations – Vancouver and Spokane. Can you Say Hey?As many of you know, last Fall we started a quarterly networking event in Olympia called Say Hey. It’s become known as a great opportunity to meet new people, share news of possible job openings and celebrate successes. Be sure to mark your calendars and plan to join us if you’re in town for our Summer Say Hey on Tuesday, July 8 at the Phoenix Inn in Olympia. Based on our success, we’re working with other partners to explore ways to ‘grow’ Say Hey in other communities. The Washington State Rehabilitation Council plans to host a Say Hey networking event in Spokane Thursday evening, July 24 at the DoubleTree Hotel in conjunction with their quarterly meeting. Another group of partners is planning to launch a Say Hey networking event in Seattle this Fall. If you are interested in assisting with either event or just want to make sure you get the announcements with all the details, please let me know and I’ll be glad to get you connected. We’re excited about the possibilities – imagine the power of having folks all over the state involved in Say Hey! A New Bi-Lingual Recruiting ToolThanks to the creativity of Chuck Paeth here in State Office, we have now printed our ‘You Impressed Me’ recruiting calling cards in both English and Spanish. Please contact Edna Isaac to order a supply of the cards. They’re an easy way to introduce DVR and let folks know about our interest in recruiting new talent. DSHS Employee Recognition HonoreesPlease join me in recognizing the outstanding contributions of the following DVR staff that have been honored to date at the Regional and Headquarters DSHS Awards celebrations: Region 1 – June 4, Spokane
Region 2 – June 11, Kennewick
Region 3 – to be announced after Awards ceremonyRegion 4 – June 12, Seattle
Region 5 – to be announced after Awards ceremonyRegion 6 – to be announced after Awards ceremonyHeadquarters – May 15, Lacey Community Center
Closing ThoughtsRecently, I received an email from a DVR Supervisor who has developed a great tagline at the end of his email message and I’d like to share it with you: What a great way to let folks know that we’re ‘open for business’ and proud of it. Give us a call! Lynnae Ruttledge, Director |
|
|
|
