[NFBMT] FW: Friends of Rehab Bulletin, October 14, 2020

Thu Oct 15 14:47:45 UTC 2020

FYI, latest newsletter from Montana Vocational Rehabilitation and Blind
Services.

Jim Marks

President

National Federation of the Blind of Montana

president at nfbofmt.org

(406) 438-1421

www.nfbofmt.org

You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.

From: Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services
[mailto:DPHHS at announcements.mt.gov] 
Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 2020 11:59 AM
To: president at nfbofmt.org
Subject: Friends of Rehab Bulletin, October 14, 2020

A Monthly Update from Montana Vocational Rehabilitation and Blind Services 

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October 14, 2020

  _____  

2020 Marks 75th Observance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month

This year marks the 75th observance of National Disability Employment
Awareness Month (NDEAM). To commemorate this milestone we will share how
VRBS has partnered with a Montana business to support and promote their
commitment to an inclusive workforce, specifically hiring individuals with
disabilities:

Billings VRBS and Job Service were contacted by Wayne Boe, General Manager
at 4B's restaurant, requesting assistance in hiring a dishwasher. The
restaurant was newly opened in Billings and Wayne had taken a transfer from
another branch of the Montana based business. Wayne shared that he worked
with providers in the past to identify qualified applicants with
disabilities, due to lack of response to help-wanted ads. Kathy Ripplinger,
a Workforce consultant at Billings Job Service, worked with VRBS Business
Services team member, Bill Alexander, and met with Wayne at 4B's to learn
more about the dishwashing position and what he was looking for in an ideal
job candidate. The information was shared with local Vocational
Rehabilitation Counselors and local Community Rehabilitation Providers.
Since the time of the initial meeting, qualified VRBS participants have been
placed at 4B's, and positions have remained filled that otherwise would have
been vacant for long periods of time. Vocational Rehabilitation also
provided services such as job coaching, which saves onboarding costs and
provides meaningful support to the restaurant and the employees with
disabilities.

What can you do to recognize NDEAM?

*	Review hiring policies to ensure they convey a commitment to an
inclusive workplace
*	Train supervisors to ensure they understand their role in fostering
an inclusive workplace culture
*	Feature NDEAM activities in company social media campaigns:
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*	Create a display, freshen up the bulletin boards in break areas or
other areas where employees frequent by posting positive messages about your
company's commitment to a disability-inclusive workforce
*	Take five minutes and learn more from the
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eRvv7YO8sFzAvI/s/1176076863/br/86846848196-l> Office of Disability
Employment Policy 

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2020 NDEAM Poster reads "Increasing Access an Opportunity: Celebrating 30
years of the Americans with Disabilities Act" and features 7 pictures of
people with disabilities in diamond shaped frames

  _____  

Order of Selection Update

Total invites for IPE development since October 1, 2019:  1290

IPE's Federal Fiscal Year 2020:  616

Individuals in active IPE development: 84

Current total Waitlist Count:  2369

       Category 1:  934       

       Category 2:  1080

       Category 3:  355

  _____  

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Chart data current as of October 1, 2020

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  _____  

To limit contact during the COVID-19 virus emergency, all Disability
Employment and Transition offices in the state are temporarily closed to the
public.

Given the recent events surrounding COVID-19, Disability Employment and
Transitions (DET) offices across the state are closed to the public until
further notice. Our staff are prepared to work and provide services to
consumers across the state via telephone and online.

If you have any questions regarding upcoming appointments, please reach out
to the staff currently working with your consumer to arrange alternative
strategies to meet their needs.

We thank you for your understanding as our goal is to assist in keeping
everyone safe and healthy. 

Please feel free to contact me by email or phone if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Chanda Hermanson, DET Administrator

(406) 444-4179

 <mailto:Chanda.Hermanson at mt.gov> Chanda.Hermanson at mt.gov

  _____  

Friends of Rehab is a monthly bulletin published by the State of Montana,
Department of Public Health and Human Services,
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6BM/s/1176076863/br/86846848196-l> Disability Employment and Transitions
Division ("DETD").

The aim of this bulletin is to provide our community partners with regular
updates and news on the work carried out by Vocational Rehabilitation and
Blind Services.

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If you are in crisis and want help, call the Montana Suicide Prevention
Lifeline, 
24/7, at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) or text 'MT' to 741-741.

Stay Connected with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human
Services

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  _____  

This email was sent to president at nfbofmt.org <mailto:president at nfbofmt.org>
using GovDelivery Communications Cloud, on behalf of: Montana Department of
Public Health and Human Services . 111 North Sanders Street . Helena, MT
59601

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