Here is today's KCDC Disability News message. I hope you have a great day. Martha Martha K. Gabehart | Executive Director [email protected] | www.kcdcinfo.ks.gov Kansas Youth Leadership Forum The Kansas Youth Leadership Forum for Students with Disabilities (KSYLF) is currently searching for motivated young leaders to attend the 22nd annual forum held July 17-22, 2023 at Washburn University in Topeka. We are also searching for adults to serve as volunteers for the week of the KSYLF. The KSYLF is an annual conference that is heading into its 22nd year serving students with disabilities across the state. During the forum, delegates enjoy a week full of learning, fun, friends, and, most of all, a new sense of empowerment! Through various large sessions, delegates are able to hear from community leaders on such topics as disability history, advocacy, goal setting, leadership, resources, and much more. Students are also able to share life experiences, goals, and ideas during breakout sessions with small groups. By week's end, all delegates will have stated their future plans and career goals in their very own Personal Leadership Plan. Aside from large and small group sessions, students participate in a variety of fun activities as well. A trip to the Capitol is always a highlight of the week. Students are able to tour the Capitol building, as well as participate in a legislative activity in the Senate Chambers. Other activities include a mentor luncheon where delegates are paired with an adult from their area who has a similar career interest, and a talent show where participants are able to share their unique abilities with the group. Other fun activities include a recreation session, real life fair, a barbecue, and a dance, which is always a delegate favorite! All students who are interested in attending the KSYLF must meet the following criteria: • Reside in Kansas. There will be no cost for students who are selected to attend. All lodging, food, and accommodations are paid for through KSYLF funds. Accommodations such as personal care attendants, sign language interpreters, large print or Braille materials, and other accommodations will be provided for those delegates who need them. Students must fill out an application that will be reviewed through a competitive selection process. About 20 - 25 delegates will be selected to attend. The delegate application deadline for the 2023 Forum is December 15, 2022. KSYLF is also accepting applications for volunteers for our 2023 Forum. We are searching for committed, enthusiastic people who are willing to devote a week to this great program. Do you have the skills and passion to help facilitate groups and motivate youth with disabilities? Then consider serving as a volunteer at this year's KSYLF. Past volunteers, KSYLF alumni, and new volunteers are encouraged to apply! Volunteer applicants must fill out our application form, as well as two background checks, and send to the KYEA office. Volunteer applications are due by February 28, 2023. Delegate and volunteer applications, as well as other information, can be downloaded from our website at www.kyea.org/upcomingksylf. More information can also be obtained by contacting Carrie Greenwood, Program Coordinator, at 785-215-6655 or [email protected]. Apply to be a KSYLF Delegate or Volunteer ____________________________________________________________________________ The Statewide Independent Living Council of Kansas (SILCK) SILCK is in the process of preparing the next 3‐year State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL), one of its federally‐mandated duties. As part of that process, the Council is seeking input from people with disabilities regarding issues that are critical to their living as independently and inclusively as possible in their communities. You are invited to a Public Comment Forum on the SPIL November 8th 1pm to 2:30pm over Zoom (link below). We want to hear from disabled Kansans and community disability stakeholders on what they think would help Kansas become more accessible and inclusive. Topic: SPIL Public Forum Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 820 6116 8723 Dial by your location Kathy Cooper ____________________________________________________________________________ The accessible version of the OneCare Kansas October 2022 newsletter is attached below. Please feel free to share. _____________________________________________________________________________ Job Accommodation Network (JAN) Newsletter - Fall 2022 The Fall Edition of the JAN Newsletter focuses on allergies. When people think of allergies, they often think of the pollen in spring, but fall has its own allergy triggers such as ragweed, scented candles, party foods, and molds. JAN receives many questions about allergies and has developed resources to help employers, individuals with disabilities, and service providers learn what accommodations might help. Read the Fall 2022 edition of the JAN Newsletter. If you have any questions or comments or if there is a topic you would like us to cover, please contact us. The JAN Staff ________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ Independent Connection center for independent living shared their Fall 2022 issue of the ICI Observer. Available TODAY…The Fall 2022 Issue of the ICI Observer! In this issue we share consumer spotlights, tips about online safety, information about the Kansas Special Education 25% rule, details about an opportunity for feedback, a snapshot of our community outreach & education activities, and so much more. To check it out, follow this link: https://indconnectinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/ICI-Observer-Fall-2022.pdf If you know someone that would like to receive the quarterly ICI Observer or if you would like to be removed from the email list, please contact us (785) 452-9580 or email ([email protected]). Thank you, ____________________________________________________________________________ Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) News Brief October 21, 2022 Mental Health within Native Communities Virtual Series ODEP, along with the Department of Education and the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Native Americans and Strengthening Tribal Colleges and Universities will host a virtual four-part dialogue series that addresses multiple topics that impact employment for American Indians and Alaskan Natives. Launching on November 1 at 1:00 PM ET, the first dialogue will focus on employment opportunities for American Indians and Alaskan Native individuals with mental health conditions. This virtual dialogue offers perspectives from Native people who have navigated mental health conditions and/or substance use disorder while also seeking employment. NDEAM Employer Chat: Video Recording Available In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh and ODEP’s Assistant Secretary Taryn Williams welcomed a group of corporate employers and disability advocacy leaders recognized for their innovative approaches to fostering mental health-friendly workplaces. Featured guests included: The event, titled “NDEAM Employer Chat on Workplace Mental Health and Well-Being,” emphasized the importance of supporting the needs of individuals with mental health conditions in the workplace as the nation experiences a mental health crisis driven, in part, by the pandemic. Panelists shared strategies for promoting best practices for workplace mental health initiatives. Celebrating the Contributions of People with Disabilities, Both Visible and Hidden In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Georgia State Representative Kim Joy Schofield penned a U.S. Department of Labor blog that explores the importance of disability employment rights for those with disabilities, both visible and non-apparent. The blog recounts Rep. Schofield's personal experiences as a person with lupus, and her efforts to combat stigma and break down policy barriers to disability inclusion. The Role of Non-Work Activities in Developing Critical Skills for Competitive Integrated Employment On October 26 from 3:00 – 4:00 PM ET, ODEP’s Employment First Community of Practice will host the webinar “The Role of Non-Work Activities in Developing Critical Skills for Competitive Integrated Employment”. Join leaders, people with disabilities, and direct support professionals as they discuss the invaluable role non-work activities play in community engagement and building critical life and social skills needed to ultimately find success in employment. This webinar will be part of a two-part webinar series on understanding community engagement being organized by ODEP, and the Departments of Education, and Health and Human Services, as well as members of the Federal Community Engagement Cross-Agency Workgroup. Reminder: Promising Practices on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility within the Workforce System Webinar How can we advance equitable workforce practices that support improved outcomes for all participants while simultaneously providing innovative services for employer customers? What does it look like to acknowledge customers’ intersecting identities to meet their unique strengths and needs? Join the LEAD Center on October 27 from 3:00 – 4:30 PM ET for the webinar “Promising Practices on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility within the Workforce System.” The webinar will highlight some effective state and local practices that promote DEIA in the workforce system in the areas of business services, internal staff training, and policy implementation. Next Iteration of the ASPIRE Initiative ODEP’s Advancing State Policy Integration for Recovery and Employment initiative is now accepting applications from interested states to join the next iteration of the initiative. ASPIRE provides training and support to selected States to develop and implement strategic plans to expand access to evidence-based practices, such as the Individual Placement and Support model of supported employment. The application deadline is November 8. Apprenticeship Intermediary Webinar This year celebrates the 85th anniversary of the passing of the National Apprenticeship Act of 1937 which established the Registered Apprenticeship Program. To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, the Center for Advancing Policy on Employment for Youth is hosting a webinar with apprenticeship intermediaries on the evolution of apprenticeship, in general and for people with disabilities. This webinar will provide a brief overview of inclusive apprenticeships, feature speakers from apprenticeship intermediaries and highlight best practices to ensure apprenticeships are inclusive of youth & young adults with disabilities. An apprenticeship intermediary is an organization with the capacity, expertise, and network to help businesses successfully create, launch, and expand apprenticeship programs. Register today! The webinar takes place Tuesday, Nov 15, at 4:00 PM ET. • Register and learn more about Apprenticeship Intermediaries U.S. Department of Labor View this newsletter on our website ______________________________________________________________________________ Job Vacancy Announcements Frito-Lay posed several job vacancy announcements for the Topeka area. We have an opportunity to fill a Topeka position. Please distribute this information throughout your network. This position is open for applications at our careers website and can be viewed by CLICKING HERE. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us by email to [email protected] or by calling 888-319-0631. We thank you for your partnership! Frito-Lay Recruitment
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