Here is today's Kansas Commission on Disability Concerns (KCDC) Disability News message.? I hope you have a wonderful weekend.?

Martha

*Martha K. Gabehart* | "Executive Director
"Kansas Commission on Disability Concerns (KCDC)
*Kansas Governor Laura Kelly
*900 SW Jackson, Suite 100 | Topeka, Kansas 66612
(785) 296-6525 (direct) | (785) 260-4027 (cell)

[email protected] | www.kcdcinfo.ks.gov [ [link removed] ]

*****

This message is from the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) Employment First Community of Practice (E1 CoP).

View it in your browser [ [link removed] ].

April 24

Community of Practice Webinar Series
Using Ticket to Work to Support Competitive Integrated Employment
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
3:00-4:00 p.m. ET
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The National Employment First Community of Practice (CoP) Webinar Series augments the technical assistance areas of Employment First systems change (Capacity Building, Provider Transformation, School-to-Work Transition, Employer Engagement, and Policy/Funding Alignment). CoP participants benefit from national subject matter experts (SMEs) presenting information and resources to support Employment First efforts.

Note: In recognition of Financial Literacy Month, this is the first in a two-part series of webinars on access to Financial Planning for people seeking and maintaining Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) positions. Stay tuned for Part 2, to be announced next week!

The Social Security Administration's Ticket to Work aims to help people with disabilities move toward financial independence by connecting them with services and support they need to thrive in the workforce. Designed to assist those in CIE workplaces succeed in their full-time career oriented positions, many employment providers and workers with disabilities have not taken full advantage of this free and voluntary program. This webinar will help shed light on the benefits of Ticket to Work for the worker and the provider and will discuss how beneficiaries can make the most of the program without feeling burdened by administration, apprehension and paperwork.

Webinar Objectives:
? Learn about the main components of Ticket to Work, who can benefit from this program, and how it supports people with disabilities in the workplace.
? Understand the process of creating a Ticket under the Ticket to Work program, and learn the role Administrative Employment Networks and benefits counselors play in lessening the bureaucratic burden for workers and providers.
? Learn how to use Ticket to Work to support robust CIE practices.
? Hear from representative payee organization about their experiences in ensuring workers and jobseekers have full access to their Ticket to Work benefits.

***Register for the Webinar Here [ [link removed] ]***

Please email any accommodation requests
to [email protected] <[email protected]>.
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Speakers:

Michael Dalto
Subject Matter Expert, NEON

Michael Dalto has delivered training and technical assistance on disability benefits from Social Security and related work incentives for 34 years. He has consulted with both projects that provide national training and certification for benefits planners ? Cornell University?s Yang Tan Institute and Virginia Commonwealth University?s National Training and Data Center. He has served as a subject matter expert on Missouri?s ODEP-funded EFSLMP, VOICE and NEON projects; he assisted with the design of a tiered benefits planning model. He also aided in creating tiered models in Michigan and Minnesota. He helped establish a fee-for-service benefits planning system for Maryland?s state Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency and is currently supporting Wyoming?s state VR agency to develop a similar model. He created a state benefits planning certification in Maryland and trained and supported 60 benefits planners using over 50 original training sessions. He trained and technically assisted benefits planners in Kentucky and Minnesota as part of the Substantial Gainful Activity project, a research effort that tested the impact of interventions including benefits planning on the number of vocational rehabilitation customers receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) who worked at a level that would stop their cash benefits. Michael holds a Bachelor?s degree from Johns Hopkins University and Community Partner Work Incentives Coordinator certification from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Ali Tabatabai
CEO, New Leaf Solutions

Ali Tabatabai is the CEO and Chairman of the Board for New Leaf Solutions, an organizational representative payee service. New Leaf Solutions partners with social work agencies in California to serve adults living with developmental disabilities. Under his tenure, New Leaf helped create stable living environments for thousands of adults living with disabilities. The company has also helped its clients recover over a half-million dollars in underpaid benefits. Under his leadership, New Leaf was recently awarded a grant from the state of California to bridge gaps in benefits counseling services available to disabled workers and job seekers.
Ali also serves on the board of the American Representative Payee Organization, a newly founded advocacy group for representative payees of Social Security beneficiaries. Ali holds an MPA degree from the McGeorge School of Law, where he graduated with valedictorian honors. His hobbies include pizza-making, camping, and making YouTube videos.

Amy Wallish
CEO, Full Circle Employment Solutions

Amy Wallish is the Founder and CEO of Full Circle Employment Solutions. She founded Full Circle in 2010 which has grown to become a leading provider of benefits counseling and employment services for people with disabilities across the country. She is an innovative leader who is passionate about helping people achieve their dreams and is a fierce advocate for her clients. Amy has worked over 25 years with people with diverse backgrounds and abilities. Amy is a subject matter expert on Social Security work incentives and the Ticket to Work program. She has trained across the country on Social Security benefits, Ticket to Work and asset development. She holds a B.A. in Psychology, an MBA and is a Certified Community Work Incentives Coordinator. Amy is currently the Board Chair of the National Employment Network Association (NENA). When she?s not working, you?ll usually find her on some outdoor adventure with her family.

Stay tuned for the Financial Planning Webinar-- Part 2, to be announced next week!
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Employment First Webinars are recorded, and the links are distributed to the listserv within two business days following the webinar. Please share this announcement with your colleagues! If they are not a current subscriber to ODEP's Employment First mailing list, they can register here.

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