October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month
The 2011 theme emphasizes the rich diversity and talent that workers with disabilities bring to the workplace. It serves to inform the public that workers with disabilities contribute to the output of any organization. According to Kathy Martinez, assistant secretary of labor for disability employment policy, "Return on investment means hiring the right talent. Workers with disabilities represent all skill sets and are ready to get the job done." Click here to Download your Poster!

Letter to State Medicaid Directors on Receipt & Use of Federal Funds Under the Ticket to Work Program
Letter from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that provides clarification regarding the receipt of federal funds under the Social Security Administration's (SSA) Ticket to Work & Self-Sufficiency program and encourages the utilization of the flexible funding the program offers. Utilizing and coordinating these resources is critical to support States' progress in constructing a comprehensive health and employment services system for individuals with disabilities to achieve their employment goals. This guidance also provides policy clarifications regarding State Medicaid providers' acceptance and the treatment of SSA ticket payments.

White House Launches Celebration Of 20th Anniversary Of Americans With Disabilities Act
June 2010, Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to President Obama, kicked off the President's and White House's celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act while delivering remarks to over 2,000 people from around the World at the VSA International Festival at the Kennedy Center.

New Ticket to Work Website Launched
The Social Security Administration  and CESSI, the Program Manager for Recruitment and Outreach for the Ticket to Work program, marked the 10th anniversary of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act by launching a new web site (www.choosework.net) for people with disabilities receiving Social Security disability benefits.  Visitors to the site can view videos and listen to stories told by people with disabilities who have used the Ticket and other work incentives.  The site also contains information about Work Incentive Seminar Events and other resources.

Fourth Annual Brain Injury Conference
March 25-26, 2010 at the Midtown Holiday Inn, 2503 South Locust, Grand Island, Nebraska. Purpose is to discuss therapeutic strategies and resources available to assist individuals with traumatic brain injury. Call Peggy Reisher, (402) 429-5719, for more information. The Brain Injury Association of Nebraska is hosting a social on March 25 after the first day of the conference.

Third Annual Brain Injury Awareness Day
Nebraska State Capitol, March 10, 2010
Governor Dave Heineman will be signing a proclamation making March Brain Injury Awareness Month in Nebraska. Please let Nancy Noha, TBI Network Coordinator at nancy.noha@nebraska.gov know if you plan to attend to help us prepare for this event.

SSA Strategic Plan Released
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has released its strategic plan for 2008-2013. The plan focuses on four main goals: to eliminate the hearings backlog and prevent its recurrence; to improve the speed and quality of the disability determination process; to improve retiree and other core services; and to preserve the public's trust in Social Security programs.

Ticket to Work at the Crossroads: A Solid Foundation with an Uncertain Future
How many people have new or improved jobs due to Ticket to Work (TTW)?  Why did people choose whether to participate in the program? Which employment supports were the most effective? What are the costs and benefits of TTW to participants, program mangers, and employers?  The report describes the program and answers all these questions and others.
Contact: Mathematica Policy Research via email info@mathematica-mpr.com or call 609-799-3535.

National APSE Calls for End of Sub-Minimum Wage Employment
The Executive Board of APSE issued a dramatic statement this month calling for “the complete phase out of sub-minimum wage for all individuals with disabilities by the end of 2014.”  The Board’s statement outlines recommendations to ensure that phasing out sub-minimum wage is carried out over time, in a way that avoids unintended consequences and leads to integrated employment opportunities.  Recommendations include amending the Rehabilitation Act to prohibit VR closures to sub-minimum wage jobs and for the Department of Labor immediately to stop issuing new sub-minimum wage 14(c) certificates to employers.  The statement was endorsed by the Collaboration to Promote Self-Determination.  Read the full statement.

New Disability and Employment Website Launched
As part of October’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Workforce3 One launched a new Disability and Employment Resource Page to provide employment-related resources for the workforce system.  The page was created to disseminate promising practices that promote positive employment outcomes of people with disabilities and expand the capacity of the One-Stop Career Center system to serve customers with disabilities.  Visit the new resource page.

Disability and Employment Resource Page
In connection with National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) in October, Workforce3 One will soon be unveiling a new Disability and Employment Resource Page to provide employment-related resources for the workforce system.  The purposes of this page are to disseminate promising practices to promote the positive employment outcomes of people with disabilities and expand the capacity of the One-Stop Career Center system to serve customers with disabilities.  The page will compile information related to disability and employment in one location on Workforce3 One and along with the addition of a new “Disability” super search category will make it easier for users to find this information.

Millions face Shrinking Social Security Payments
Millions of older people face shrinking Social Security checks next year, the first time in a generation that payments would not rise.

RentWise Train the Trainer
Training on December 8 and 9, 2009 in Ogallala, Nebraska.  Download the registration form.

Resources for Employers and the Visually Impaired
HR Magazine’s April issue featured an article of interest to ODEP’s (Department of Labor – Office of Disability Employment Policy) stakeholders: An Underestimated Talent Pool – Able, eager people who are blind or visually impaired want to work; now it’s up to employers.

Ticket to Work Employment Network Partners’ Teleconference Call
The Social Security Administration (SSA) and CESSI, the Ticket to Work Program Manager for Recruitment and Outreach (PMRO), invite you to participate in a Ticket to Work Teleconference for organizations interested in becoming an Employment Network (EN) or current ENs to understand the support available from SSA, PMRO, and MAXIMUS, the Ticket to Work Operation Support Manager. Tuesday, December 15, 2009 1:00 – 2:30 pm Central Time; 12:00 – 1:30 pm Mountain Time. To participate in this Teleconference, please register at www.cessi.net/ttw to click on the Region 7 teleconference icon.