Micro-Loan is Jerry's "Ticket-to-Work"

Jerry just landed a management position with the Hair Cuttery of Charles Town, West Virginia.

(click on photo to watch interview)

After being unemployed for over 10 years, he is happy to be back working in the profession he loves.

Jerry’s career in cosmetology spans over a decade. He has worked in hi-end salons from the suburbs of Washington D.C. to the sunny beaches of Florida. One of the high points of his career was running his own styling salon on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina.

But then a decision to join the armed forces led to some unusual experiences. Jerry served alongside Special Forces who were in arctic combat training while stationed in Alaska. His health was at its peak when he decided to leave the service. Not long afterward, Jerry developed a condition necessitating double hip replacement surgery. Resultant complications left him with excruciating pain that was unmanageable. In this condition employment seemed completely out of the question.

In 2010, while undergoing therapy at the Martinsburg VA Medical Center he met Laura and fell in love. After being happily married for almost a year Jerry decided it was time to try going back to work. After considering a number of employment possibilities he came to the conclusion that going back into cosmetology was his best shot.

The biggest barrier Jerry had in returning to the profession was financial. He knew that he was eligible for using a Social Security work incentive called Ticket-to-Work. Locating Job Squad through the Employment Network listings in West Virginia he made a call.

After explaining how the “Ticket” program works, the question was asked: “What do you need to return to work?” After a few minutes Jerry had a mental list of things which included: one of the latest editions Milady’s Standard Cosmetology (around $100); a mannequin for taking the state cosmetology license exam; a set of professional quality clippers, trimmers, and edgers (starting around $1,000 and going to the many thousands of $s); a custom built stool that would give him the need support without aggravating his pain; and the fee for exam, license, and travel expenses. It all conservatively totaled a little over $2,000. After being out of the profession for over 15 years Jerry only had his extensive experience. He needed to start over with getting his professional license and equipment.

Job Squad has a micro-loan fund that is available to persons who have a critical barrier standing between them and employment. Arrangements were made for Jerry to receive a loan. After a year of hard work, he passed his cosmetology exam on the first try with flying colors. But on top of that, after his interview with the Hair Cuttery, a well established company with over 1,000 salons nationwide, Jerry was offered a management position.

Congratulations on your successful return to the Cosmetology profession. Job Squad wishes you future success in pursuit of your dreams.

Document Destruction Assistant

Derek has been working at Wesleyan College in Buckhannon, WV since April 1,2011. I had the privileged to begin working with Derek as his career counselor in September 2010. Derek previously worked for 21 years in a local sheltered workshop. Other than the sheltered workshop he had no other employment history. Derek has been very lucky to have strong family support.We was fortunate to use his family and social networks for the development of his work site.Derek was very persuasive with his desire to be an employee of the college, where both of his parents had retired. Initially we worked with the WV Department of Rehabilitation Services to develop a suitable work training program. We contemplated the possibility of writing a PASS, use of an IRWE, or resource ownership were tools discussed but the college was in favor of hiring Derek as a temporary,part time employee. Derek was hired for 750 hours at minimum wage. This particular employment venture has given him the opportunity to make new friends and to develop working relationships with his co-workers. Derek was given the title of a " Document Destruction Assistant". With such a strong title came the responsibility of shredding sensitive documents and forms for the college. Derek initially received 100% job coaching but his performance enabled us to fade in September 2011. Derek is a hard worker, and he has the ability of staying focused and precise. Derek's smile and enthusiasm has been a wonderful addition for the staff at Wesleyan college.

Sandy Marfield

A job of her own

Angela has been working at the Morgantown Early Learning Facility (ELF) for the past four years. Angela has been receiving job coaching assistance from Job Squad from the beginning. Angela’s job duties include: ensuring the children are safe during playtime outside, prepping for lunch, preparing tooth brushes following meals, meal clean up, activity initiation while indoors and outdoors, nap prep/back rubs, and other general day care duties. Angela has been working three days a week for 5 hours per day. Over the past four years Angela has gained the experience and the confidence to complete all of her job duties independently. For the past year, Angela’s Job Coach, has been encouraging ELF administrators and Angela’s Title XIX Waiver team to begin job coach fading, because Angela no longer requires assistance with her job duties. Angela’s Supported Employment Team with Job Squad has been on board with job coach fading from the beginning. Angela’s family has also been open to job coach fading once Angela proved that she is able to complete her duties on her own.

This summer Angela’s Job Coach spoke with the Administrators of ELF and it was agreed that Angela should begin job coach fading immediately. Evidently the new administrators are greatly impressed with Angela’s work. She has been hailed as one of the best employees at ELF. Not only is Angela approved for job coach fading but she will also increase her hours of work per week. By the end of June Angela is now totally independent at ELF. She receives only transportation support from Job Squad. Angela is working Tuesday’s, Wednesday’s, and Thursday’s from 11am-4:30pm. Her summer hours increase as her schedule allows.

Angela has been a success of her own making. Through hard work and determination she has proved her worth as an important member of the team at ELF. Congratulations to Angela!

2011 PASS Update: $180,516,000 (About $181 Million!) Still Available Yearly for WV Economic Development

In December 2010, there were 25,788 individuals in West Virginia receiving both SSI and SSDI benefits. Click here for the very similar 2010 version of this post and here for the 2009 version of this post, which briefly describes the "perfect Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) potential" of SSI/SSDI beneficiaries. The average PASS totals about $7,000/year, which means that there is potentially $180,516,000 available for these beneficiaries to use towards a work goal.

Some West Virginia PASSes:

Resource Ownership
College
Training
Self-Employment (still in negotiations with PASS Cadre)
Determining a Vocational Goal

Over the life of these PASSes (assuming the self-employment PASS will be approved), over $90,000 of additional resources will be set aside by these individuals for use towards a work goal.

In the Iowa New Entrepreneurs video, below, Nic and Lori both used PASS to help fund their business start-ups.

My Medicaid Matters

 MY MEDICAID MATTERS!

My medicaid matters...... That is the message that was being shouted through the streets of Washington D.C. on September 18th, 19th , 20th and 21st. Over 250 people from ADAPT chapters all over the country came to Washington to voice their concerns about possible cuts to medicaid. The group marched through the streets of D.C., to the white house where they held a rally. People with and without disabilities talked about what medicaid means to them. 

 

Medicaid not only pays for healthcare. It also pays for medication, wheelchairs, and other medical equipment for people with disabilities, the elderly and people with low income. Medicaid provides services such as personal care, respit and supported employment. Many people with disabilities need support to be able to live and work in their communities. Medicaid helps provide those supports. Without those services, some people may not be able to get out of bed in the mornings, take a bath, or even go to the bathroom. Without these services, many people with disabilities could be forced leave their homes and communities and move into nursing homes. ADAPT spoke out about their need for medicaid and, how the cuts would impact their lives.

Monday, September 19th, the group marched to one of the capitol office buildings. ADAPT members stopped by the offices of two Super Committee members to demand that Representative Camp, Representative Hensarling and other Republicans agree to support the "millionaire's tax;" and provide ADAPT with an opportunity to testify before the entire Super Committee regarding ADAPT's proposals for real Medicaid reform and eliminating the institutional bias.

Once in the building, ADAPT activists split up, some going to Camp's office and others to Hensarling's. Some people chanted as they lined up along the walls in hallways while others entered the offices. Everyone was chanting "My mediciad matters!".  54 people were arrested that day. Most of which were people with disabilities. They were charged with unlawful entry. Adapt members say, this charge pales in comparison to the many people who have died in institutions and others who will end up in institutions if their services are cut.


Tuesday morning, ADAPTers were ready to go again. Many people did not sleep at all because they were awaiting their brothers and sisters to return home from jail.  As each person came out of the jail they were greeted by many others clapping an screaming for them. Every one of them was treated as a hero when exiting the  police station. The last person was released from jail at 9:30am. The next march started at 10am.  The group marched to the Hart building, which houses many senetors. Again, the over 250 people chanted all the way. When entering the building, some people went to the 3rd, 5th and 7th floors while most stayed on the ground level and made a circle around a large sculpture.  ADAPT wanted to be heard by the Senetors. The chanted "My medicaid Matter" until they were finaly silenced by police.

Wednesday was the day of the big rally. Over 90 organizations sponsored the rally. There were close to 1,000 people there, from all over the country. They all came to the capitol to tell their congressmen that "My medicaid matters".  They were joined by a few members of Congress: Senator Tom Harkin, and Senator Bernie Sanders. Howard Rosenblum of the National Association of the Deaf, spoke.  CIL directors spoke. Illinois' Secretary of Health and Family Services spoke, as did the mayor of DC. Elaine Kolb sang. Labor unions were there. Three different religious leaders in the disability community offered words of hope. Rahnee Patrick and Bruce Darling of ADAPT emceed.

This event was about the people  who depend on Medicaid services to live and work in the community.

If you want to learn more about ADAPT or get more information about this event, go to ADAPTs website.

http://www.adapt.org/freeourpeople/mmm/