Richard Kriner
(804) 674-2356
Richard.Kriner@drs.virginia.gov
Carolyn "Sinclair" Hubard
(540) 434-5981
Sinclair.Hubard@drs.virginia.gov
Kate Kaegi
(804) 662-7183
Kate.Kaigi@drs.virginia.gov
Barclay Shepard
(757) 865-3117
Barclay.Shepard@drs.virginia.gov
Vacant
Portsmouth DPN
Al Jones
(804) 271-8510
jon37@co.henrico.va.us
Jamal R. Graham
(703) 838-4479 x300
Jamal.Graham@alexandria.gov
Maynor Guillen
(703) 838-4479 X314
Maynor.Guillen@alexandriava.gov
Jennifer Green
(703) 838-4479 X298
Jennifer.Green@alexandriava.gov
David Amoroso
(703) 838-4479
David.Amoroso@ourpeoplework.org
Maurice Tomdio
(703) 838-4058 TTY
Maurice.Tomdio@alexandriava.gov
Rosalyn Key-Tiller, Project Director
WIB Area IX
Joe Ashley, Project Co-Director
Virginia DRS
Bob Satterwhite
WIB Area IV
Andrea Grund
WIB Area V
Todd Palmquist
WIB Area VI
Dennis Mckinney
WIB Area XII
Mike Jenkins
WIB Area XIII
Bill Mann
WIB Area XIV
Levin Sullivan
WIB Area XV
Bill Coley
WIB Area XVI
Kimberly Staley
WIB Area XVI
Bruce Patterson
ServiceSource Inc.
Richard DiPeppe
Endependence Center
Barbara Cotter
Virginia DSS
Sharon Kohler
Virginia DHMRSAS
Karen Tefelski
VaACCESS
Jim Taylor
VADBVI
Message from Joe Ashley on Video Teleconferencing
One of the initiatives of the WIG IV grant is to utilize video teleconferencing technology to improve the delivery of services and increase efficiency of administrative meetings and training. Recently Rosalyn Key-Tiller, WIG IV project director and Al Jones, project coordinator, requested an action plan from all participants of WIG II and WIG IV who have received video teleconferencing equipment. Hopefully, we will be able to conduct a video teleconference meeting soon for all individuals who have equipment in place. This should start the process of sharing training and other resources through the video teleconferencing equipment.
In our initial discussions we recommended that the video teleconferencing equipment use ISDN connections. Recently we have learned that the IP connections are proving to be less costly at this time and that there are more available services, such as DSL and high speed cable services that can support the IP application for those who do not wish to have security problems with their current internet systems. We also learned that others have been able to expand bandwidths on their existing internet connections to provide a much more cost effective connection for their teleconferencing equipment. Our original vision was to facilitate both point-to-point (ie. meetings between two separate WIBs or end points) and to have meetings that would allow up to 4 WIBS to participate in a single meeting, which is supported by the Polycom equipment. We have been in discussion with DRS and with the VA Department of Transportation on the possibility of using "bridging" resources that would enable all WIG IV One Stops with Polycoms to simultaneously participate in project meetings. It is our hope that by conducting meetings with WIG IV participants, we can begin the process of sharing customer training resources across One Stops.
SAVE THE DATE:
Tuesday, October 25, 2005 @ 10:30amThe Executive Management Council of the Virginia Disability Program Navigator Initiative will be meeting at the Henrico County Training Center, located at
8001 Parham Road in Richmond, VA
Needs Assessment Action Plan
A stated WIG IV strategy to provide services to WIG IV Workforce Centers calls for Disability Program Navigators (DPNs) to conduct a preliminary needs assessment of the project's Workforce Centers capacity to provide services for persons with disabilities. Over the past three months, project DPNs have visited and surveyed approximately 29 participating Workforce Centers. Information for the needs assessment was collected through observation and interviews with WIB and Workforce Center staff. Based on this feedback, proposals for service plans are being developed and will be shared with each WIB director.
Although each WIB area will receive an individualized service proposal, some generalizations on Workforce Center needs are shared below:
(1) Program accessibility:
- assistance in developing formal procedures to serve customer request for accommodation;
- assistance with developing materials in alternate format;
- assistance with developing access statements and public notice on center accommodation policies;
- access to assistive technology, DPN services and regular staff training.
(2) Staff training:
- working with and identifying job seekers with hidden disabilities;
- Social Security benefits, BPAO services, and WorkWORLD decision-making software;
- accommodations for job seekers with disabilities;
- hands-on training on the usage of Assistive Technology or telecommunication devices for the deaf and hard of hearing (in centers that have AT workstations and/or telecommunications devices)
(3) Systems relationships:
- assistance with developing direct contacts and referral processes with partners such as BPAO's, community mental health services and Centers for Independent Living;
- help in identifying and implementing strategies to maximize the potential of video conferencing for improved access to partner services.
Mystery Shopper
A goal of WIG IV is to use the Mystery Shopper model to assess a selection of WIG IV participating Workforce Centers' awareness and ability to serve customers with disabilities. Recently, project staff traveled to northern Virginia for a meeting with Bruce Patterson (Service Source Inc.), and George Liacopoulos (St. John's Community Services), who developed and implemented a well-received Mystery Shopper program for the One Source Project (Customized Employment Grant) of the Northern Virginia WIB.
Using the One Source model, job seekers with disabilities will be recruited to serve as Mystery Shoppers. Mystery Shoppers will be given a stipend, and transportation to and from the Workforce Centers, as well as training on WIA, Workforce Center services, and accessibility. Mystery Shoppers will be debriefed after each visit by project staff. Because the intention is to improve services, not rate them, each Workforce Center visited by Mystery Shoppers will receive a report detailing the results of the visit and any recommendations noted by the participants.
The Mystery Shopper program will be piloted in a WIB area by the end of August, and replicated in each participating WIB area by June 30, 2006.
Marketing Initiative
Executive Council Member Richard DiPeppe from Endependence Center in Norfolk, met with project staff to discuss marketing and outreach to disability groups initiative, as outlined in the WIG IV proposal. There was general agreement with his suggestions that the DPNs should target (1) high school students transitioning to the workforce and (2) students with disabilities completing course work at community and four-year colleges that seek to enter the job market. To implement the outreach initiative, DPNs will contact school transition specialists and college disability services staff in their respective WIB areas to market the services of the local Workforce Centers and offer to arrange tours of the facility. This process has already begun, with an outreach to the Special Populations/PAVE staff at J. Sergeant Reynolds. Representatives from these departments recently toured CAWIB's Williamsburg Road Workforce Center and it was well-received.
Preparing the Workplace for Everyone:
A Guide and Webpage for Emergency Preparedness
Assistant Secretary Roy Grizzard unveiled a comprehensive Guide and Web page that provides information on developing emergency preparedness plans that include the needs of employees with disabilities. Called Preparing the Workplace for Everyone, the document includes successful practices, employer and employee perspectives, viewpoints of first responders, as well as legal considerations. You can access the press release, guide and the Web page from ODEP's home page at www.dol.gov/odep.
The One Stop Accessibility Toolkit
The One Stop Accessibility Toolkit is a computer workstation standard developed by the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services under a grant for the Workforce Investment Board. The Toolkit provides a positive computing environment for a broad range of One Stop clients with any of a number of disabilities that would normally make using a computer difficult or impossible. To this end, the Toolkit includes hardware, software and enhancements that were either designed for, or may be useful to, persons with disabilities. To access the Toolkit, go to: https://center.wwrc.net/sphome/onestoppctech/OneStop/Index.htm.
Welcome Barclay Shepard!
Barclay Shepard has been chosen as the DPN serving the Greater Peninsula and Bay Area Workforce Investment Boards. He brings a wealth of experience to the position having served as Manager/Business Consultant for an Employment Service Organization in the tidewater area. Barclay has skills in sign language, Spanish, and conducting training in various settings. We look forward to him joining the DPN team on August 10, 2005.
List of Events:
August 19, 2005 - Medicare Part D training in Ashland from 9:30am to 4:00pm; Contact: www.vaaccses.org
September 1, 2005 - DPN Training on the AT Kit from 10:00am to 2:00pm at Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center (DPN Only); Contact: Richard Kriner 804-674-2356
September 7-8, 2005 - Mini-conference on DOL Federal Compliance from 9:00am to 4:00pm at the Ramada Plaza Resort in Virginia Beach; sponsored by Virginia Access; Contact:www.vaaccses.org
September 25-27, 2005 - 9th Annual Collaborations Conference at The Ramada Plaza Resort Oceanfront, Virginia Beach, Virginia; Contact: Marilyn Morrison, VaACCSES at (703) 970-3675 or www.vaaccses.org
