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The Florida Grantor, Spring 2004

FGA Update

Young Leaders Selected for Youth Leadership Forum

The Able Trust’s Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) is in its fifth year and still going strong with a new group of students ready to participate. Co-sponsored by the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, the YLF is designed to empower and inspire delegates that attend. The YLF has evolved year after year and has continued to serve as an avenue for high school juniors and seniors with disabilities in Florida to explore their leadership potential in school, business and society. Delegates will travel to the state capital from July 22 to 25, 2004, where they will take part in four days of leadership building, networking, self-advocacy and interactive learning about issues affecting youth with disabilities such as academic opportunities, community service, independent living, special resources and more. The delegates will also have the opportunity to meet with professionals with disabilities, state officials and other youth with disabilities from around the state.

The application process for the YLF is competitive and spaces are limited. After a careful selection process, The Able Trust is pleased to announce and would like to congratulate the forty-five delegates who will attend the fifth annual YLF. The 2004 YLF delegates are: Nissan Benjamin, Kentwood Preparatory School; Ruben Castro, Cypress Lake High School; Ashley Corliss, Gainesville High School; Danielle D’Errico, Durant High School; Victoria Daelli, Boca Raton High School; Lindel Davidson, Atlantic Technical Center; Steven Douillette, Pompano Beach High School; Diana Doyle, Gulf Breeze High School; Luke Farmer, Bayside High School; Clarissa Flowers, Central High School; Merneica Gibson, St. Lucie West Centennial High School; Timothy Gleaton, Lincoln High School; Jason Golden, Kentwood Preparatory School; Alicia Harp, Armwood High School; Mervin Hernandez, Timber Creek High School; Nigel Hill, Nova High School; Mario Hodge, Madison County High School; Jeremy Jones, Lake Mary High School; Mary Kelso, South Fork High School; Tyrell King, Palatka High School; Joshua Kobrin, Kentwood Preparatory School; Brian Loomis, Atlantic Technical Center; Johnathan Lussier, Armwood High School; Dayana Martillo, Hollywood Hills High School; Danielle McGill, Everglades High School; Marcel Melton, Gainesville High School; Anthony Moore, Palatka High School; Mario Nunez, Durant High School; Steven Obst, Ridgewood High School; Amanda Paez, Pompano Beach High School; Patrick Parry, Madison County High School; Nicholas Pellegrino, Dreyfoos School of the Arts; Shakiira Rahaman, Forest High School; Victoria Raines, Centennial High School; Jessica Rice, Lincoln High School; Ashley Salvati, Nova High School; Danyell Smith, McKeel Academy of Technology; Jordan Steinmeyer, Sickles High School; Cynthia Szuka, Wellington High School; Randolph Wetherington, Plant City High School; Shane Whalen, Freeport High School; Kayla White, Port St. Joe High School; Vanessa Willkomm, Gainesville High School; Matthew Wixon, Atlantic High School; and Jonathan Young, Durant High School. Additional sponsors for the YLF include Wachovia Bank, Florida Department of Education, Brain & Spinal Cord Injury Program and SunTrust Bank.

For more information about the YLF, please contact Abby Cruz at 888.838.2253 or abby@abletrust.org.

ODEP Seeking Nominations for 2004 New Freedom Initiative Award

The US Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) is seeking nominations for the 2004 “Secretary of Labor’s New Freedom Initiative Award.” Nominations are being accepted from non-profits, small businesses, corporations and individuals that have demonstrated exemplary and innovative efforts in furthering the employment and workplace environment for people with disabilities, a goal of President Bush’s New Freedom Initiative.

The Award recognizes public-private partnerships and programs that have demonstrated a positive and measurable impact on the employment of people with disabilities through access to assistive technologies, the use of innovative training, hiring and retention techniques. It also recognizes those partnerships, programs or individuals who develop comprehensive strategies to enhance the ability of Americans with disabilities to enter and advance within the workforce of the 21st Century.

Additional information on the award and specific nomination criteria are available at www.dol.gov/odep under the New Freedom Initiative tab. The information is also available by calling ODEP, Education and Outreach Section, at 202.693.7880. The deadline for receipt of nominations is May 21, 2004.

In 2003, there were ten award recipients, representing one individual, four non-profit organizations and five businesses.

DOT Recognizes Florida’s Transportation Commission

The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) recently recognized the Florida Commission for Transportation Disadvantaged with the United We Ride State Leadership Award. The award was presented to five states for excellence in improving transportation for older adults, people with disabilities and low-income families. Florida’s Commission was recognized for their statewide efforts to provide more and better transportation services while reducing costs.

The awards are part of a new multi-agency federal initiative - United We Ride - sponsored by the USDOT and its partners at the US Department of Health and Human Services, US Department of Labor and US Department of Education. United We Ride is a five-part initiative that encourages the coordination of transportation services for people to access health care, employment and employment-related services, and other community resources. The state of Florida has been a national model since the inception of the coordinated transportation program since 1979.

Affordable Housing for Floridians with Disabilities

The Florida Housing Finance Corporation is making buying a home easier for Florida citizens with disabilities. The Corporation recently set aside $1 million to aid Floridians with disabilities with first time home buying. In order to qualify, the homebuyer must meet certain criteria outlined in the ADA or must be defined as disabled by the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988. The program is offered at a low interest rate of 4.99% along with down-payment and closing cost assistance of up to $14,999.

For more information about the program, call 888.447.2977 or visit www.floridahousing.org.

Get Involved in Florida’s Disability Mentoring Day

On October 20, students with disabilities across Florida will have the opportunity to explore their career interests through one-on-one mentoring as part of Disability Mentoring Day (DMD).

The Able Trust is seeking Local Coordinators for Disability Mentoring Day. Local Coordinators recruit and play a matchmaking role between prospective mentees and workplace mentors. The Able Trust assists Local Coordinators by providing tool kit materials, promotional and public relations support, and regular updates and advice on how to create a successful DMD experience.

Last year more than seven hundred students shadowed three hundred career professionals at businesses and government agencies that matched their career interests.

Disability Mentoring Day is a national initiative of the American Association of People with Disabilities and the USDOL’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). It is sponsored in Florida by The Able Trust, Florida’s liaison to ODEP. For information about participating in Disability Mentoring Day 2004, call 888.838.2253 or email kristen@abletrust.org. Sarasota Agency Recognized for Work with Students with Disabilities

The Able Trust’s High School/High Tech (HS/HT) program focuses on helping teens with disabilities learn more about academics and careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math. Each year, The Able Trust recognizes one of the thirteen nonprofit organizations that has developed an outstanding HS/HT project. The innovative approach Children’s Haven & Adult Community Services, Inc. (CHAC) takes in helping students develop the skills to reach their education and employment goals has earned the agency the 2004 High School/High Tech Project of the Year Award.

In Sarasota and Manatee counties, CHAC’s HS/HT program is helping students learn more about their career interests through career assessments and internships. CHAC is currently working with seven high schools in Sarasota and Manatee Counties. Activities include weekly workshops and tutoring sessions, as well as tours to unique locations such as the Dolphin Aviation, where students learned about the aviation industry and even flew in a plane.

HS/HT participants are seeing the rewards of the program already through college acceptance notices and college scholarships. Congratulations to Children’s Haven & Adult Community Services, Inc. – 2004 High School/High Tech Project of the Year!