SKLD Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient Dr. Margie Gillis

I am pleased and honored to accept the Lifetime Achievement Award

NORWALK, Conn. (PRWEB)
June 01, 2020

Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities (SKLD) will celebrate its 20th anniversary at a virtual gala, Make Waves, at 7:00 pm on Thursday, June 11.

At this year’s online event, SKLD will honor Margie Gillis, Ed.D. with its first Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. Gillis is a dyslexia expert, the president and founder of Literacy How, and author of the Literacy How professional learning series books. She has devoted her professional life to ensuring that teachers have the knowledge and skills to implement research-based practices in the classroom. Dr. Gillis has worked with statewide initiatives in Connecticut to close the reading and achievement gap, collaborated in developing an evidence-based PreK lab school model, and lectures widely on reading and dyslexia. She is a Board member and former President of the Dyslexia Society of CT, and a former Board member and President, as well as a co-founder of SKLD.

Dr. Gillis holds a bachelor’s degree from Connecticut College in sociology and elementary education, a master’s degree in special education from the University of Connecticut, a doctorate in special education from the University of Louisville and is a Certified Academic Language Therapist. She is the former president of the CT Branch of the International Dyslexia Association, a board member of the New Alliance Foundation, a member of the editorial board for the Reading League journal and a professional advisor for Understood and ReadWorks.

Dr. Gillis says, “I am pleased and honored to accept the Lifetime Achievement Award from Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities. I’m blessed to have partnered with so many passionate and dedicated individuals and organizations over the years, including Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities, to help everyone learn to read.”

Also at the gala, the 2020 Fred J. Epstein Youth Achievement Awards will be presented to student winners hailing from across the United States. The major award is for $1,000. These awards recognize the outstanding strengths and accomplishments of young people with learning disabilities and/or ADHD despite their struggles in school, and are named in honor of Dr. Fred Epstein, the renowned pediatric neurosurgeon who spoke often about his own learning disabilities.

The event sponsors include Leader Sponsor Fusion Academy Fairfield and Fusion Academy Greenwich; and Partner Sponsors: The Sari and Jay Canell Charitable Gift Fund, Eagle Hill School in Greenwich, Fairfield County Bank, Literacy How, and the Sasco River Center.

The online gala will feature both live and wine auctions, in addition to the awards program. Auction items include a cocktail cruise on Long Island Sound, a wine-of-the-month club, and a Napa Valley sommelier wine experience including airfare and a 3-night stay at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa.

Registration for the event is free, at https://smartkidswld.schoolauction.net/2020virtualgala/signup

About Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities, Inc.

Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping children with learning and attention differences reach their full potential by inspiring, educating and empowering parents to help their children succeed. Former Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy, Anne Ford, and The Southport School Head Dr. Benjamin N. Powers are Honorary Board members. Henry Winkler, Golden Globe award-winning actor, director and author, serves as the organization’s Honorary Chairman.

For more information, visit http://www.SmartKidswithLD.org.

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Rutherford Hime and Sierra Cantu enjoying Camp CAMP in Texas

“The well-being of our Campers is our number one priority, followed closely by their families, our counselors, Health Care volunteers, and our staff, so we ust cancel our in-person summer programming in 2020 at our incredible 55-acre camp on the Guadalupe River in the Texas Hill Country.”

SAN ANTONIO (PRWEB)
May 29, 2020

Since 1979, Children’s Association for Maximum Potential(known affectionately as Camp CAMP) has provided safe and fun-filled recreational experiences year-round for individuals with special needs. Due to the severity of their disabilities, many of the individuals now served by CAMP are not eligible to attend other camps, or even participate in other agency programs offered within the special needs community.

Now, for the first time in its 40-year history, CAMP shuttered its spring and summer programming.

“CAMP has been closely monitoring all that is going on in locally and throughout Texas and the nation, and carefully considering all information, including new guidance released this week from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Texas Governor’s Office, and the American Camp Association,” says Susan Osborne, CEO of CAMP since 2012 (and Director of Operations seven years before that). “Because the health and well-being of our Campers is our number one priority, followed closely by their families, our counselors, Health Care volunteers, and our staff, we came to the decision that we must cancel our in-person summer programming in 2020 at our incredible 55-acre camp on the Guadalupe River in the Texas Hill Country.”

Year-round, CAMP programs alleviate medical, physical, developmental, social, and intellectual barriers for more than 1,600 campers from all over Texas (and beyond) by adapting activities to allow full participation. CAMP serves individuals (aged 5 – 50) with mild to severe disabilities from diagnosis with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Disability, Down syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Traumatic Brain Injury, Spina Bifida, visual impairment, and/or hearing impairment.

Looking ahead to its school-year programming, Osborne adds that CAMP is determined to resume in-person programs at the best time and in the best ways possible, even if those programs look different (requiring smaller groups, continued social distancing, or other best practices).

“Being able to reunite in-person as a CAMP family is always our favorite way of connecting, but world events have made that impossible since the middle of March this year,” adds Brandon G. Briery, PhD, Chief Program Officer/Executive Camp Director of CAMP. “Our team has been working to find new ways to support our Campers and their families from afar through our ‘Virtual Spring 2020’ programs on our website, which we will expand in the weeks ahead.”

CAMP will provide refunds for any payments made for Summer Camp as promptly as possible.

CAMP’s summer programs account for over half of the organization’s revenue and could have a monumental impact on the nonprofit’s finances. Any donation can help in these unprecedented times of global pandemic. Visit http://www.campcamp.org to learn more or to donate.

“Now, more than ever, we need the support of our community so we can continue to provide the very best opportunities to strengthen and inspire our Campers with special needs – and those who care for them – now, six months from now, and in the years to come,” Osborne says. “Please make a donation today to help us #KeeptheLightsonatCAMP, and so we emerge even stronger for at least another 40 years!”

NOTE:

Susan is available any day for interviews; cell is 210-771-7999

Attached Fact Sheet (written before cancellation) gives more background on CAMP.

Photos of CAMP (photo credit to CAMP): https://www.dropbox.com/sh/jta5bobzeh7bx89/AABKTgg0RmaIbnmZiJ1BhCaUa?dl=0

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Savoy Orders Pigott Scholarships

New York, New York (PRWEB)
May 18, 2020

New York, New York – Due to the Covid-19 crisis, the American Foundation of Savoy Orders (Savoy Foundation) announced the extension of the deadline for submission of 2020-2021 Savoy Orders Pigott Scholarships Applications from May 15 to June 15, 2020. Applications and supporting documents may be submitted by email to facilitate the process. A complete list of guidelines, qualifications, and applications is available on its website visit https://www.savoyfoundation-usa.org/savoy-orders-pigott-scholarships.html. All applicants will be notified at the end of July.

Scholarship recipients are selected based on criteria established by the Savoy Foundation, under the generous support of the Pigott family, which endowed the scholarship fund to support gifted and deserving students by assisting them with the costs of their education in the fields of fine arts/ humanities and international studies. International studies scholars participate in the Savoy Foundation NGO program at the United Nations. Since 2010, the Savoy Foundation has awarded scholarships to 24 students to support their college and graduate studies. For detailed information, please visit https://www.savoyfoundation-usa.org/savoy-orders-pigott-scholarships.html . Questions about the scholarship process can be referred to Larissa Van Duser at 646-489-1242 or amsavoy@aol.com.

About the American Foundation of Savoy Orders, Incorporated

The American Foundation of Savoy Orders, Incorporated, a U.S. charitable 501(c)(3) organization, has three endowments: charitable causes, educational programs and operating expenses. The Savoy Orders Pigott Scholarships were also established by the Foundation to provide financial aid to students in the Humanities and International studies. Annual grants are also made to children’s and hospital programs. In order to raise funds for the support of its activities, the Savoy Foundation sponsors a winter event, Ballo di Savoia and a spring event, Festa della Primavera in New York City and an event on the West Coast, Notte di Savoia Los Angeles. The Foundation is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in Roster Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. Members of the Italian Royal Family, headed by His Royal Highness, Prince Victor Emmanuel of Savoy, actively support, attend and lend their names through formal patronage of the Savoy Foundation’s events. The Foundation also sponsors an annual history series on Italy and the Savoy dynasty which dates back over 1,000 years and is one of the oldest royal families in Europe.

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2019 Savoy Foundation Check Presentation to Caterina’s Club June 11, 2019

New York, New York (PRWEB)
May 18, 2020

The American Foundation of Savoy Orders, Incorporated (Savoy Foundation) today announced the list of organizations supported through its charitable contributions through 2020. This list includes local, national and international organizations focused on health, human services charities, aid to victims of hurricanes and earthquakes, education and children’s causes through its Chivalry for Children’s Causes™.

Since it was founded in 1991, the Savoy Foundation has been committed to philanthropic initiatives, following the centuries old traditions of the Savoy Orders. The diverse charitable giving list included contributions to support local, national and international charities focused on providing medical, educational and humanitarian assistance and children’s causes, as well as social assistance charities that provide services to those in need and scholarship grants to support university students in the fields of arts/humanities and international studies.

Recent beneficiaries of Savoy Foundation grants have been the following:

• 
      Mercy Ships to support life-changing surgical procedures performed on hospital ships bringing hope and healing to the forgotten poor.
•     In 2019, the Savoy Foundation launched a new Initiative – Chivalry for Children’s Causes™ – with the presentation of a substantial grant to Southern California-based charity, Caterina’s Club, for its work providing meals, housing and job training for disadvantaged children and families
•     The New York Foundling’s Camp Felix Program: to improve the quality of life of children in disadvantaged circumstances, to gain self-esteem and to develop life skills with an overnight camp experience each summer, providing a week-long adventure to change their outlook on life, their future, and their sense of pride. Camp Felix is the only overnight camp for children in the child welfare system. The Foundling’s campers immerse themselves in activities that instill feelings of self-confidence, resilience, respect and community.
•     Stuart House at UCLA-Santa Monica Medical Center: to serve the special needs of sexually abused children and their families by providing comprehensive state-of-the-art treatment to help child victims and their families cope with the traumatic effects of sexual abuse on children’s physical and psychological health.
•     Providence Rest Nursing Facility: to provide short term and long term care for the elderly in a peaceful environment.
•     Savoy Orders Pigott Scholarships: to provide scholarships to college and university students studying in the fields of fine arts/humanities and international studies. International studies scholars participate in the Savoy Foundation NGO program at the United Nations.
•     Savoy History Series: to fund a lecture series on subjects relating the Royal House of Savoy and the history of Italy, Italian literature, history, art, science and impact on other countries.
•     America’s VetDogs Program, a subsidiary of the Guide Dog Foundation Inc.: to meet the needs of disabled veterans by providing guide and service dogs specially trained to provide balance, relieve stress or perform other tasks.

About the American Foundation of Savoy Orders, Incorporated

The American Foundation of Savoy Orders, Incorporated, a U.S. charitable 501(c)(3) organization, has three endowments: charitable causes, educational programs and operating expenses. The Savoy Orders Pigott Scholarships were also established by the Foundation to provide financial aid to students in the Humanities and International studies. Annual grants are also made to children’s and hospital programs. In order to raise funds for the support of its activities, the Savoy Foundation sponsors a winter event, Ballo di Savoia and a spring event, Festa della Primavera in New York City and an event on the West Coast, Notte di Savoia Los Angeles. The Foundation is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in Roster Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. Members of the Italian Royal Family, headed by His Royal Highness, Prince Victor Emmanuel of Savoy, actively support, attend and lend their names through formal patronage of the Savoy Foundation’s events. The Foundation also sponsors an annual history series on Italy and the Savoy dynasty which dates back over 1,000 years and is one of the oldest royal families in Europe.

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Apply by May 25th!

As a Lime Pathways Scholarship recipient, I can stress out less about the cost of college and focus more on my academics and activities. I am so excited to get involved in my university’s community, and this scholarship has helped me do that.Megan, 2019 Lime Pathways Scholar

NEW YORK (PRWEB)
May 16, 2020

Lime Connect (Lime) believes strongly in the potential of high school students who happen to have all types of disabilities, and is committed to supporting their future. In 2019, we were pleased to launch our inaugural Pathways Scholarship designed for current high school seniors who are pursuing a degree at a four-year university or college in either the U.S. or Canada. 2020 scholarship applications are open, and are due by Monday, May 25, 2020.

Tom Wilson, Lime Connect global board chair, said, “Access to higher education can be a game-changer for young people who happen to have disabilities, and we’re proud to recognize the achievements of our outstanding Pathways Scholars with these awards.” Recipients of the Lime Connect Pathways Scholarship each receive $1,000 in support of their university/college studies. The awards are merit-based, but financial need will be taken into consideration.

The Pathways Scholarship is funded through proceeds from the annual Lime Connect Century Ride. Find out how you can participate to support next year’s scholarship recipients. Click here to learn more about the Century Ride.

Eligibility Requirements:

2020 Scholarship Applicants must match the following criteria:

• Have, or consider themselves to have a visible or invisible disability*
• Current high school senior in the U.S. or Canada graduating in the Spring or Summer of 2020
• Accepted to, or applied and awaiting acceptance to, a 4-year university or college in the U.S. or Canada for the 2020-2021 academic year
• Intending to be enrolled full time in that 4-year university or college in Fall 2020

*An individual with a disability is defined as someone who has, or considers themselves to have, a long-term, or recurring, issue that impacts one or more major activities that others may consider to be a daily function); this definition also includes the perception among others that a disability exists. We know that 90% of disabilities on campus are invisible, and candidates with all disabilities are encouraged to apply.

How to apply:

Applicants will apply online via The Lime Network and provide general background information, a resume/CV, and answer to one essay question related to living successfully with a disability. Those applicants who are selected as finalists will submit letters of reference.

For more detail regarding the process, read stories of previous Scholars, and to apply, go here.

Lime Connect is a not for profit organization that is rebranding disability through achievement. The organization’s focus is to attract, prepare and connect high potential university students and alumni for scholarships, a Fellowship Program, Foundations Program and internships and full time careers with their corporate partners – the world’s leading corporations. This work showcases the vast strengths and benefits that are found in disabilities and provides individuals who happen to have disabilities with the tools, access and confidence to realize their dreams. For more information on Lime Connect, visit http://www.limeconnect.com.

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Infographic

Caregivers are essential to the nation’s public health, and the magnitude of millions of Americans providing unpaid care means that supporting caregivers can no longer be ignored.

WASHINGTON (PRWEB)
May 14, 2020

A new study from the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) and AARP finds that the number of family caregivers in the United States increased by 9.5 million from 2015 to 2020 and now encompasses more than one in five Americans. Caregiving in the U.S. 2020 also reveals that family caregivers are in worse health compared to five years ago. As the demand for caregiving rises with an aging population, more must be done to support this vital work. This report highlights the nearly 48 million caregivers caring for someone over the age of 18, and is available here.

“As we face a global pandemic, we’re relying on friends and family to care for the older adults and people living with disabilities in our lives,” said C. Grace Whiting, JD, President and CEO of NAC. “Caregivers are essential to the nation’s public health, and the magnitude of millions of Americans providing unpaid care means that supporting caregivers can no longer be ignored. This research reveals that growing need. Family caregivers care for more people than in 2015 and they take on more care responsibilities as roughly one in four care for two or more people. Many individuals are caring for a longer time, with nearly a third (29%) of caregivers nationwide reporting they have been caregiving for five years or more—up from 24% in the last study.”

This new study shows that the profile of the family caregiver is changing. While caregiving spans all generations, Caregiving in the U.S. 2020 found more young people providing care, including 6% who are Gen Z and 23% who are Millennials. Nearly half (45%) are caring for someone with two or more conditions—a significant jump from 37% in 2015.

Caregiving in the U.S. 2020 also found that:

• 
  Caregivers face health challenges of their own: nearly a quarter (23%) of caregivers find it hard to take care of their own health and 23% say caregiving has made their health worse.
• Personal finances are a concern for family caregivers: 28% have stopped saving, 23% have taken on more debt and 22% have used up personal short-term savings.
• On average, caregivers spend 23.7 hours a week providing care, with one in three (32%) providing care for 21 hours or more, and one in five (21%) providing care for 41+ hours—the equivalent of a full time unpaid job.

“The coronavirus pandemic is exacerbating the challenges family caregivers were already facing from a personal health, financial and emotional standpoint,” said Susan Reinhard, RN, PhD, Senior Vice President at AARP. “Family caregivers provide vital help and care for their loved ones, yet this survey shows that they keep getting stretched thinner and thinner. We must identify and implement more solutions to support family caregivers—both in the short term as we grapple with coronavirus and in the long term as our population ages and the number of family caregivers declines.”

Caregiving in the U.S. 2020 was conducted by Greenwald & Associates using a nationally representative, probability-based online panel. More than 1,700 caregivers who were age 18 or older participated in the survey in 2019. First conducted in 1997, with follow up surveys in 2004, 2009 and 2015, the Caregiving in the U.S. studies are one of the most comprehensive resources describing the American caregiver. The 2020 study was funded by AARP, Best Buy Health Inc. d/b/a GreatCall, EMD Serono Inc., Home Instead Senior Care®, The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, The John A. Hartford Foundation, TechWerks, Transamerica Institute, and UnitedHealthcare.

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About AARP

AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation’s largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit http://www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media.

About the National Alliance for Caregiving

Established in 1996, the National Alliance for Caregiving is a non-profit coalition of national organizations focusing on advancing family caregiving through research, innovation, and advocacy. NAC conducts research, does policy analysis, develops national best-practice programs, and works to increase public awareness of family caregiving issues. Recognizing that family caregivers provide significant societal and financial contributions toward maintaining the well-being of those in their care, NAC supports a network of more than 80 state and local caregiving coalitions and serves as Secretariat for the International Alliance of Carer Organizations (IACO). Learn more at http://www.caregiving.org.

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As we all continue to face COVID-19, Makers Nutrition hopes our donation to The Center will help facilitate programs and services that improve the lives of so many people with differing abilities, providing a true sense of belonging.

HAUPPAUGE, N.Y. (PRWEB)
May 13, 2020

The Long Island-based supplement manufacturing service provider, Makers Nutrition, announced its donation to The Center for Developmental Disabilities.

The vision of the Center for Developmental Disabilities is to work as a team to create a quality environment in which the following values are embraced: Everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Individual strengths and abilities are recognized. People are enabled to fulfill their maximum potential as contributing members of society. The right to pursue lifelong opportunities in natural settings is encouraged. Responsibility is taught, shared and expected. Social, physical and emotional needs are addressed. Everyone is encouraged to interact in a dynamic partnership. Person-centered planning is espoused, meaning…nothing is decided “about me-without me.” Government and private resources are used effectively and efficiently (Adopted by the Board of Directors, December 13, 2000).

COVID-19 has made tough times tougher; it has caught us off guard and awakened many of us to what is most important in life—our loved ones. That is why as Makers Nutrition continues serving an unprecedented number of clients, the company has contributed to The Center so the organization is able to continue empowering children and adults to overcome obstacles and reach their full potential.

“As we all continue to face COVID-19, Makers Nutrition hopes our donation to The Center will help facilitate programs and services that improve the lives of so many people with differing abilities, providing a true sense of belonging,” says Jason Provenzano, CEO and President of Makers Nutrition. “All the best to staff, members, and families of The Center during this difficult time.”

About Makers Nutrition

Makers Nutrition, a 2019 Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Company in America, is a groundbreaking provider for dietary supplement companies worldwide.

Specializing in capsules, tablets, powders, softgels and gummies, Makers Nutrition provides a full-service option for all contract manufacturing, graphic design, packaging and fulfillment service needs. Visit Makers Nutrition to learn more.

About The Center

Established in 1958, The Center for Developmental Disabilities, Inc. is committed to the following mission: To help children, adolescents and adults with differing abilities achieve their dreams by overcoming barriers to living, learning, working, and enjoying recreational activities in the community of their choice. Donate today.

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“The modest gains seen in the employment-to-population ratio for people with disabilities during January, February, and March have been lost due to the effects of COVID-19,” said John O’Neill, PhD, director of employment and disability research at Kessler Foundation.

EAST HANOVER, N.J. (PRWEB)
May 08, 2020

Kessler Foundation and University of New Hampshire nTIDE Report—featuring the Disability Rights Louisiana’s FAIR (Financial Access Inclusion and Resources) Program for formerly incarcerated individuals with disabilities

As the COVID Recession deepens, nearly one million more people with disabilities are not working compared to March, according to today’s National Trends in Disability Employment – Monthly Update (nTIDE), issued by Kessler Foundation and the University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability (UNH-IOD).

In the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Jobs Report released Friday, the number of working-age people with disabilities who were employed decreased by 950,000 between March and April (from 4,772,000 to 3,827,000), a 20 percent reduction. In comparison, the number of working-age people without disabilities who were employed decreased by 14 percent (from 140,135,000 to 120,804,000).

“The modest gains seen in the employment-to-population ratio for people with disabilities during January, February, and March have been lost due to the effects of COVID-19,” said John O’Neill, PhD, director of employment and disability research at Kessler Foundation. “The May nTIDE is likely to show a further decline.”

“Unlike the Great Recession and the Great Depression, many workers in the COVID Recession may be ‘on temporary layoff’ (aka furloughed) and may be recalled, rather than losing their jobs completely,” explained Andrew Houtenville, PhD, research director of the University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability. “To further investigate this issue, we plan to release a Special nTIDE Report on May 15.”

Traditional nTIDE Numbers

The employment-to-population ratio for working-age people with disabilities decreased from 30.9 percent in April 2019 to 26.3 percent in April 2020 (down 14.9 percent or 4.6 percentage points).

For working-age people without disabilities, the employment-to-population ratio also decreased from 74.3 percent in April 2019 to 63.2 percent in April 2020 (down 14.9 percent or 11.1 percentage points). The employment-to-population ratio, a key indicator, reflects the percentage of people who are working relative to the total population (the number of people working divided by the number of people in the total population multiplied by 100).

For working-age people without disabilities, the labor force participation rate decreased from 33.3 percent in April 2019 to 32.7 percent in April 2020 (down 1.8 percent or 0.6 percentage points). For working-age people without disabilities, the labor force participation rate also decreased from 76.8 percent in April 2019 to 73.6 percent in April 2020 (down 4.2 percent or 3.2 percentage points). The labor force participation rate is the percentage of the population that is working or actively looking for work.

In April 2020, among workers ages 16-64, the 3,827,000 workers with disabilities represented 3.1 percent of the total 124,631,000 workers in the U.S.

nTIDE Special Report – Friday May 15

Stay tuned for more on jobs as we follow the impact of COVID-19.

Beyond the Numbers

Finding a job and maintaining employment are challenges for everyone today, and people with disabilities who are striving to work face mounting challenges to reaching their goal of financial independence. Individuals with disabilities who are re-entering the community from jail or prison have even greater needs for comprehensive services and supports. The pandemic has promoted early release of inmates to reduce exposure in crowded facilities, increasing the need for vocational support for this population.

In Louisiana, which has the highest incarceration rate in the nation, efforts were already underway to improve employment outcomes and financial security of formerly incarcerated individuals with disabilities, with an ultimate goal of helping people remain in their communities. In 2019, with funding from the Greater New Orleans Foundation, JPMorgan Chase & Co., and Kessler Foundation, Disability Rights Louisiana launched the FAIR project (Financial Access Inclusion and Resources), in response to the state’s plans to reduce the prison population by 10%.        

FAIR enrolls individuals pending release from incarceration within 3 months, as well as those up to 10 years post release, assessing baseline goals, identifying barriers to employment, and creating an action plan with tasks and target dates. Financial coaching is the cornerstone of FAIR’s flexible and holistic program, which partners with the Justice and Accountability Center of Louisiana to address clients’ court fines and fees and draws on community resources for job training and placement, health care, legal services, housing assistance, and other services. As of March 2020, 61% of enrollees were actively participating, with 48% working, and a growing number increasing their incomes and reducing their debts, according to FAIR’s program director Libby Whiteside at Disability Rights Louisiana. The spread of COVID-19, however, prompted measures that triggered layoffs that affected FAIR’s clients, and complicated the coordination of community services.

“We are grateful to have this program up and running at a time like this,” says Whiteside, “when it is so important to help our clients access services and supports during this time, so they are positioned for employment opportunities moving forward.” Working remotely, Whiteside and case manager Pat Holmes have been able to continue to accept new clients and provide case management and financial coaching services. They find the most pressing current needs of their clients relate to accessing healthcare services, reporting wage changes to Social Security, and applying for income supports, including disability benefits, SNAP, unemployment assistance, and rental assistance.

Many of the career development providers that had assisted FAIR’s clients have suspended their employment services. ”For clients who are job-ready, we are helping them apply for high-demand opportunities,” says Whiteside, “while keeping in mind that many of our clients are considered to be in the high-risk category for coronavirus infection.”

Whiteside anticipates the need to be creative and pivot to find new opportunities to meet client needs. “We have participated in webinars hosted by National Disability Institute and APSE on how COVID-19 has impacted the disability community and on providing remote employment supports,” she reports, “and we are taking weekly courses from the Financial Clinic on financial coaching strategies in the face of COVID-19, as well as attending New Orleans Reentry Task Force and other meetings focused on the needs of people in reentry during this pandemic. Like many disability organizations,” she said in conclusion, “we are finding our way, seeking new ways to connect, building new relationships and improving our own capacity for finding job leads available to the population we serve.”

Ask Questions about Disability and Employment

Join our nTIDE Lunch & Learn series today, May 8, at 12:00 pm Eastern. This live broadcast, hosted via Zoom Webinar, offers attendees Q&A on the latest nTIDE findings, provides news and updates from the field, as well as invited panelists to discuss current disability-related findings and events. Libby Whiteside, program director for FAIR at Disability Rights Louisiana and case manager Pat Holmes join Dr. O’Neill, Dr. Houtenville, and Denise Rozell, Policy Strategist at AUCD. Join live or watch the recordings at: ResearchonDisability.org/nTIDE.

NOTE: The statistics in the nTIDE are based on Bureau of Labor Statistics numbers but are not identical. They are customized by UNH to combine the statistics for men and women of working age (16 to 64). nTIDE is funded, in part, by grants from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) (90RT5037) and Kessler Foundation.

About Kessler Foundation

Kessler Foundation, a major nonprofit organization in the field of disability, is a global leader in rehabilitation research that seeks to improve cognition, mobility, and long-term outcomes — including employment — for people with neurological disabilities caused by diseases and injuries of the brain and spinal cord. Kessler Foundation leads the nation in funding innovative programs that expand opportunities for employment for people with disabilities. For more information, visit KesslerFoundation.org.

About the Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire

The Institute on Disability (IOD) at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) was established in 1987 to provide a coherent university-based focus for the improvement of knowledge, policies, and practices related to the lives of persons with disabilities and their families. For information on the NIDILRR-funded Employment Policy and Measurement Rehabilitation Research and Training Center, visit ResearchonDisability.org.

For more information, or to interview an expert, contact:

Carolann Murphy, 973.324.8382, CMurphy@KesslerFoundation.org.