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Kansas Commission on Disability Concerns News - May 18, 2022
Government and Politics
May 18, 2022
From: Kansas Governor Laura KellyJob Vacancy Announcements
Blue Cross/Blue Shield posted the following position, open to external candidates:
Application Security Developer, Application Deadline: 6/1/22
Data Management Team Lead, Application Deadline: 5/30/22
Data Analytics Team Lead, Application Deadline: 5/23/22
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager, R2022247 (Topeka)
Sr Group Sales Consultant, R2022052 (Wichita)
To view the job description and apply on-line, please go to www.bcbsks.com/careers.
The Intrust Bank job vacancy listing is attached below.
The Statewide Independent Living Council of Kansas (SILCK) is currently conducting our Needs Assessment Survey. The goal of this survey is to help us assess how programs and services are meeting the needs of people who have disabilities living in Kansas. The survey deadline is July 22nd, 2022.
The survey results provide us with valuable information necessary to collaborate with statewide partners to create new initiatives and to enhance existing services for Kansans who have disabilities.
We want to hear directly from people who have disabilities, their family members, caregivers and other stakeholders. Take a moment to complete the online survey at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QJR9PWF
Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) News Brief
Driving Change | Creating Opportunity
May 13, 2022
Building Mental Health-Friendly Workplaces
The U.S. Department of Labor will present a virtual Mental Health Awareness Month event on “Building Mental Health-Friendly Workplaces” on May 25 at 2 p.m. EDT. The event will highlight the department’s commitment to promoting mental health-friendly workplaces and ensuring America’s workers can access the equitable and inclusive mental health services they need. Featuring insightful dialogues and knowledge sharing, the event will explore mental health parity, the role of the workplace in addressing the nation’s mental health crisis and strategies for fostering work environments that support workers with mental health conditions. Featured guests will include Marty Walsh, U.S. Secretary of Labor; Julie Su, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Labor; Ali Khawar, Acting Assistant Secretary, Employee Benefits Security Administration; and Taryn Williams, Assistant Secretary, Office of Disability Employment Policy.
- Register for “Building Mental Health-Friendly Workplaces”
Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, an annual celebration of the contributions that these communities, including those with disabilities, have made to America’s history and culture. “Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islander Americans have made innumerable contributions to America’s advancement as a nation,” said ODEP Assistant Secretary Taryn M. Williams. “During May we celebrate and honor these contributions, to our workforce, our economy and our ongoing American journey. We also commit to ensuring Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islander Americans, including those with disabilities, have equal access to services and supports to succeed in employment.”
- Read the Presidential Proclamation
- Learn more about Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
LEAD Center Grant Announcement
The U.S. Department of Labor announced the availability of $8 million in funding over four years to manage the Leadership for the Employment and Economic Advancement of People with Disabilities Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Policy Development Center.
Administered by the department’s Office of Disability Employment Policy, the LEAD Center focuses on advancing economic self-sufficiency for people with disabilities, creating career pathways to competitive integrated employment and increasing data reporting on disability through WIOA programs. Once awarded, the center will continue to ensure people with disabilities, including those from historically underserved communities, have equal access to publicly funded workforce programs and services.
Perspectives on Workplace Wellbeing
In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Office of Disability Employment Policy posted a blog on “Perspectives on Workplace Wellbeing.” The blog highlights a video featuring the cast members from the Campaign for Disability Employment’s “Mental Health at Work: What Can I Do?” public service announcement. In the video, a CEO, a manager, a co-worker and a person who identifies as having a mental health condition discuss their perspectives on creating a mental health-friendly workplace.
- Read “Perspectives on Workplace Wellbeing”
Youth with Intersecting Identities
The Center for Advancing Policy on Employment for Youth will present a webinar on “Addressing the Needs of Youth with Disabilities & Other Intersecting Identities” on May 24 from 3:30-5:00 p.m. EDT. Speakers will share strategies for supporting tribal, LGBTQ+, justice-involved and Latino youth with disabilities in their transition to employment and adulthood.
• Register for “Addressing the Needs of Youth with Disabilities & Other Intersecting Identities”
JAN Newsletter
The Job Accommodation Network announced a new format for its newsletter. The newsletter will share accommodation, Americans with Disabilities Act and JAN information and resources and will be distributed as needed. It will include a feature article, a question-and-answer section called Ask JAN!, a Consultants' Corner, resources and announcements. The first edition focuses on telework, which continues to be a trending topic as employees return to the workplace.
PIA Newsletter
The Partnership on Inclusive Apprenticeship released its latest newsletter. The newsletter highlights resources to support mental health in the workplace in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month and Global Accessibility Awareness Day on May 19th.
EEOC Informal Discussion Letters on Workplace Technology
The Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology published an article on “EEOC Informal Discussion Letters Relating to Selection, Pre-Employment Inquiries and Confidentiality.” The article contains overviews of select informal discussion letters from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in response to public inquiries. The letters discuss workplace technology and employer obligations on selection, pre-employment and confidentiality under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
ePolicyWorks Vega Creative Awards
ePolicyWorks won two Vega Creative Awards for a series of national online dialogues focused on advancing equity for underrepresented and historically marginalized communities. The dialogue series, which addressed various facets of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility, received awards under the Diversity & Inclusion category, as well as the Government Website category. One dialogue explored the U.S. Department of Labor’s efforts to advance racial and social equity in employment for people with disabilities, while another discussed barriers that continue to limit the full participation of women in the workforce. Additional dialogues looked at ways to advance inclusive apprenticeship opportunities, as well as equal access to financial education and economic advancement. Finally, a popular dialogue hosted by multiple Department of Labor agencies explored ways to promote equity within the department’s own worker-focused policies, employment support programs and federal procurement activities. Vega Digital Awards recognize and honor the exemplary talents and creative minds of digital content creators worldwide.
- Learn about the ePolicyWorks Diversity & Inclusion Vega Creative Award
- Learn about the ePolicyWorks Government Vega Creative Award
State Employment Policies for Veterans with Disabilities
The National Conference of State Legislatures, in collaboration with the State Exchange on Employment & Disability, published a report on “State Employment Policies for Veterans with Disabilities.” The report features demographics and employment background for veterans with disabilities, as well as several state policy options to support those entering or remaining part of the civilian workforce.
- Read “State Employment Policies for Veterans with Disabilities”
Mental Health Awareness Month: Recognizing Efforts to Meet Growing Challenges
The Council of State Governments West, in collaboration with the State Exchange on Employment & Disability, published a blog on “Mental Health Awareness Month: Recognizing Efforts to Meet Growing Challenges.” The blog details the mental health challenges brought on by the pandemic and the growing behavioral workforce shortage. It also highlights resources for state legislatures to address mental health and workforce challenges in their states.
- Read “Mental Health Awareness Month: Recognizing Efforts to Meet Growing Challenges”
U.S. Department of Labor
Office of Disability Employment Policy
DRIVING CHANGE • CREATING OPPORTUNITY
HOME-ARP Listening Sessions
Earlier this year, Kansas Housing Resource Corp. (KHRC) announced that our organization would be launching the HOME-ARP Program, which is a program funded through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. KHRC has received $22,929,650 in HOME-ARP funding, which can be used for the following Eligible Activities:
- Development and support of affordable housing
- Supportive services
- Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA)
- Acquisition and development of non-congregate shelter units
- Up to 10% of funds can be designated for operating and capacity building expenses for nonprofits carrying out
HOME-ARP activities
The Qualifying Populations who are eligible to receive HOME-ARP assistance are as follows:
- Homeless
- At risk of homelessness
- Fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking
- Other Populations
- Other families requiring services or housing assistance to prevent homelessness
- At greatest risk of housing instability
- Veterans, and families that include a veteran family member, that meet the criteria for one of the qualifying populations described above are eligible to receive HOME-ARP assistance
KHRC is gathering data from state and local partners to inform the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan, which will be submitted to HUD this fall. While portions of the allocation plan have already been drafted, the plan will not be completed until after the final listening sessions have been held. There is still time to provide feedback regarding the housing needs of your community. If you serve any of the Qualifying Populations, KHRC invites you to participate in the two final virtual listening sessions for the HOME-ARP Program. Following these sessions, KHRC will finalize the Allocation Plan and prepare to submit the plan to HUD.
Tuesday, June 28, 2022, 9:00-10:30am | Register Now
Wednesday, June 29, 2022, 9:00-10:30am | Register Now
Additional details about the HOME-ARP Program can be found on our website, including HOME-ARP next steps and past webinars and recordings. Please also consider taking a few moments to share more about your organization by completing the HOME-ARP Stakeholder Survey, if you have not already done so.
Questions? Email HOME-ARP Program Manager Abigail Phillips at [email protected].
Kansas Housing Resources Corporation
611 S Kansas Ave., Suite 300 | Topeka, KS 66603
[email protected]
Kansas Housing Resources Corporation | 611 S. Kansas, Suite 300, Topeka, KS 66603
2023 Call for Presentations is Open!
The Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) is the global leader in assistive technology (AT) education and research. ATIA hosts an annual conference where speakers share new insights, the latest research, and innovative approaches during the largest gathering of the national and international assistive technology community.
ATIA is seeking presentations and speakers to share best practices, technologies and new strategies that enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities in education, work, home, and the community. Interested in presenting? ATIA us seeking session proposals on a variety of topics that highlight the conference themes: AT for Makers and AT and Social Inclusion. Abstracts should cover the use of assistive technology from a practitioner or user perspective and may be in the form of a case study, demonstration, implementation study, panel discussion, poster session, research paper or a tips and techniques workshop.
The ATIA 2023 call for presentations is open now through June 13, 2022. For more information and to submit to present, go to ATIA.org/ATIA-2023-call-presentations.
This document was developed by the Job Accommodation Network (JAN). JAN is a service of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy/ODEP (#OD-38028-22-75-4-54). The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the U.S. Department of Labor. Nor does mention of tradenames, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Labor.