Wise

Congratulations to Zack, one of our board members at Wise! Celebrating this amazing accomplishment. 🥳

BenefitU is seeking volunteers to provide feedback on the new website! As a volunteer, you will:
• Explore the redesigned website.
• Review content that interests you.
• Complete a survey about your experience.

It only takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Your feedback is valuable and will help BenefitU improve the website to better meet your needs.

Take the survey here: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=nA1N9BGQvU-WQRs26TdocF7K5ZQxgsNFmAdEH_sz_IZUMjNMUDAwSENNN09YNUlQUTVBWVdFRkhaRC4u

[ID: A graphic with a gray background and illustrations of green and blue buildings in the backrgound. The BenefitU logo is in the bottom left corner. The text reads "We'd love to get your feedback. BenefitU is seeking volunteers to provide feedback on the new website."]

Are you an employment specialist striving to navigate the complexities of DEI in today's evolving workplace? Discover your personal JEDI (justice, equity, diversity & inclusion values) in this transformative workshop where presenter, Lorie Sandaine, delves into the heart of our personal DEIA journeys.

This course is free for all Wise Learning Center users through the month of September. Click here to get free access: https://onlinelearning.gowise.org/products/wise-staff-pick-discovering-your-jedi

[ID: Image 1: A graphic that shows a computer with the Wise Webinar banner on the screen. There is a diagonally divided background with a slightly opaque digital pattern on the top section and lime green below it. Text reads "September 2024 Staff Pick, Discovering Your Jedi (Justice - Equity - Diversity - Inclusion). Wise Webinar. Wise Learning Center, Staff Picks. Get FREE Access to this Webinar Until September 30th".
Image 2: A lime green and white background with a gray square that sits below the text. Ali's headshot is in a circular frame. She is smiling at the camera with a gray background. Text reads "Picked by: Ali. This two-part series provides powerful insights applicable to both personal and professional life. Lorie is an incredible presenter and holds space for journaling and reflection to deepen your understanding of DEIA. With a focus on disability inclusion and cultural competence, the WAIT (Why Am I Speaking?) approach is especially impactful, guiding participants to apply these transformative principles to their daily work. Ali DeYoung, Training & Technical Assistance Manager"]

What’s new on BenefitU.org?

• More Content: Explore 40+ pages packed with tools, training, and insights to help you manage your benefits.

• More Features: Log in to our Client Portal to manage your income info and get accurate SSI insights with our calculators.

• More Resources: Find state and national resources tailored to your needs.

• More Accessibility: Enjoy translation tools, benefit term definitions, and more!

Ready to explore? Visit BenefitU.org now and check out all the new features!

Your benefits journey just got a whole lot easier.

[ID: A graphic showing a computer and an iphone with the new BenefitU website displayed on both screens. Text reads "Did you hear? BenefitU.org has a fresh new look! www.BenefitU.org" There is an animated cursor clicking on the web address button.]

The Wise Webinar Series returns next Wednesday, September 11th, to kick off an exciting new season!

Join us as we tour www.BenefitU.org, a free, user-friendly platform designed to help beneficiaries, families, and service providers navigate Social Security benefits and employment. We’ll introduce you to the brand-new client portal, where users can make SSI calculations, track wages, and explore work incentives that help people maximize their potential.

Learn how BenefitU can help simplify the impact of employment on cash and medical benefits, while providing tools to make confident decisions. We’ll cover practical features that can empower users to successfully thrive with less fear and uncertainty. Don’t miss out on discovering how BenefitU can be a valuable part of your toolkit!

Register here: www.gowise.org/home/training/webinars

[ID: A graphic with a light gray background and a silver laptop with a black keyboard. Dan Rutten's headshot photo is in a circular frame. Below the photo, the text reads "Dan Rutten. Wise Webinar Series. BenefitU: Your Benefits Navigation Sidekick. Wednesday Sept 11 2024 11:00am PST. Register Now"]

Hey Southwest WA! Join us for Clark County’s 24th Annual celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month! This event highlights the invaluable role people with disabilities play in workforce diversity. We’ll be honoring local employers, employees, and employment agencies/professionals for their outstanding commitment to inclusive employment.

🕓 Networking: 4:30-5:00 PM PDT
🎤 Program Start: 5:00 PM PDT

Come celebrate with us and support ! Register here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/av6w3x5/lp/fc3af7a7-c2ab-4bd3-9fac-e04228cc2faa

[ID: A person holding a bouquet of flowers receives an award from another individual on stage during Clark County's 24th Annual Celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Both individuals are smiling and standing against a wood-paneled background, with text on the image that reads: 'Clark County's 24th Annual Celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, October 9, 2024, 4:30-6pm.]

Attention transition educators and employment specialists! Join us for the upcoming Fall 2024 cohort of the Website Portfolio course.

Elevate your digital literacy skills and learn to incorporate them into your work. The instructor led hybrid course (live online sessions & on-demand content) is designed to empower you with the tools and strategies to support students in creating a website to share their skills, experiences, and employment goals. Registration is open now through September 16th. Check out our website or schedule a quick info session with Ali DeYoung, the lead instructor for the course, to learn more.

[ID: A graphic promoting the "Creating Dynamic Website Portfolios Course" for the 2024 Fall Cohort. The image shows a computer monitor with the Wise logo on a desk with a green office chair. The text reads, "2024 Fall Cohort," and details about the live session dates: Sep. 24th, Oct. 15th, Nov. 12th, and Dec. 10th. The course runs from September to December 2024. The background features a green and teal color scheme with a grid pattern on the floor.]

This month's featured member from our Board of Directors is Katherine Carol. Katherine is a recognized subject matter expert by the US Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy. She serves as a Director on the Board of Imagine Enterprise in Texas, co-founded Families at the Forefront of Technology, and is a former consultant at the University of N. Colorado. Ms. Carol, tri-chair of Colorado's Employment First Advisory Partnership, consults on organizational transformation, works with parents of special needs children, and hosts Podcast with her daughter Mikelle at www.TheShiningBeautifulSeries.com.

[ID: Image 1: Graphic featuring a photo of Katherine Carol with the title "MEET OUR BOARD MEMBER" and text: "Katherine Carol, Board Member Since 2012," along with the Wise logo.

Image 2: Image with the title "Moving Forward with Our Board" and text: "What work will you be focusing on in 2024? Working with Colorado's Medicaid agency to prepare for the sustainability of community support when older families can no longer be the primary caregivers and advocates. What happens when the pioneering generation of families who built inclusive community supports can no longer be the invisible support for employment, community inclusion, and self-determination? I continue to Co-Chair Colorado's Employment First Advisory Partnership. We are working on our next phase of development for the partnership. I continue to be interested in developing Technology First principles and practices for people with disabilities. I am curious how AI and Robotics could improve the lives of people with disabilities and those who support them in the community.”

Image 3: Image with the title "Moving Forward with Our Board" and text: "What's your vision for Wise in 2024 and beyond?" Katherine Carol envisions fierce advocacy for people with disabilities, adapting infrastructure to a changing world, and building robust communities through business partnerships.]

Wise staff and board members gathered in July for our annual summer all-staff meeting. It was a wonderful opportunity to collaborate on strategic priorities and celebrate our accomplishments from the 2023-24 fiscal year. Highlights included re-evaluating our strategic goals, planning for the year ahead, new professional headshots, and spending time with our amazing board members.

We had a good laugh when Tyler gifted Ces a GoWISEUSA air fryer (our branding competitor)! It's a common mix-up! But while we love an air fried snack, our mission is to promote inclusive employment, not kitchen gadgets. 😉

[ID: Image 1: A group of Wise staff gathered together in front of a black circular table smiling at the camera. Image 2: Ali fixes Ces's hair while she poses for her headshot photo. Image 3: Rebecca, Debbie, Emily and Heather working on an activity at tables during the staff meeting. Image 4: Our board member Santa Perez with Jenny Crook at a table promoting Santa's book, 'Sitting at Eye Level'. Image 5: Jim standing speaking to the group. Image 6: Katherine, David and Emily standing together outside smiling at the camera. Image 7: Wise staff meeting in progress with board members david Mank and Margaret-Lee joining virtually. Image 8: Jaimie standing speaking to the group. Image 9: Tyler and Ces standing together smiling and holding the air fryer box.]

Shout out to all Wise Online Academy 100 and 200 series graduates! 🎉

Between July 2023 to June 2024, 182 Employment Practitioners from communities across the country successfully completed the WOA 100 series and received ACRE Basic Certificates of Completion with a focus in Customized Employment. Congratulations!

Additional congratulations to the first 28 ACRE Professionals with a Customized Employment Certificate in the Nation that graduated from the Wise Online Academy 200 series!

[ID: A graphic with a photo that shows graduation caps being tossed into the air by a group of graduates. The photo is taken from below and looks upward at the sky and trees above. There is an achievement ribbon with the ACRE logo in the top left corner. Text reads "Congratulations to all of the Wise Online Academy Graduates from the 100 and 200 Series that recieved their ACRE Certifications!"]

Take your skills as a Supported Employment Provider to the next level. Registration is now open for the Plan to Placement 2024-2025 series!

Through personalized coaching and mentoring, you'll learn how to effectively gather Person-Centered Employment Planning information to support job seekers in finding meaningful, fulfilling work that aligns with their unique strengths and needs.

Learn more and register here: https://www.gowise.org/home/training/plan-to-placement/

[ID: A graphic with a white background and an illustration of a calendar with a sheet of paper pinned onto it. A hand is reaching with a pencil writing down a list of dates. There is a sage green leaf illustration next to it. There is a blue bar along the bottom of the graphic. The text reads "Plan to Placement, 2024 Fall Cohort, October 8, October 15, October 22, November 5, November 12, November 26. Registration Now Open!"]

Debbie Moore and David Murahashi recently visited Sebastian at his job with the Bellevue Rotary Club. As Sebastian enters his final year at the Evergreen Transition Program, he's focused on securing employment. He is already making an impression as the Bellevue Rotary Club Greeter and is hoping to work in customer services or in an office setting.

[ID: Image 1: A photo of Sebastian standing and smiling at the camera making a thumbs up with both hands.
Image 2: A photo taken at an overhead angle looking down at the Rotary event where people are standing at tables looking toward a screen that reads "Welcome to Bellevue Rotary".
Image 3: A photo of an indoor bar space with two blue and gold banners hanging on a railing that read, "Home Club of the Rotary International District 5030 Governor". Sign two reads "Rotary Club, Rotary International, Bellevue Washington."]

Bellevue Rotary Club

"Skills, especially those we focus on in employment and Positive Behavior Support (PBS) services, should help us access things that are meaningful to us. Otherwise, what’s the point? Most of my work is around PBS, and that is all about figuring out what people need to feel successful and what skills a person needs to learn to get access the life outcomes that are meaningful to them." -Shaun Wood, Wise

Check out this month's staff pick for free here: https://onlinelearning.gowise.org/products/wise-staff-pick-alexandrias-journey-figuring-out-her-next-steps-in-school-to-work-transition

[ID: Image 1: A graphic that shows a computer with the Wise Webinar banner on the screen. There is a diagonally divided background with a slightly opaque digital pattern on the top section and lime green below it. Text reads "August 2024 Staff Pick, Alexandria's Journey: Figuring Out Her Next Steps in School to Work Transition. Wise Webinar. Wise Learning Center, Staff Picks. Get FREE Access to this Webinar Until August 31st".
Image 2: A lime green and white background with a grey square that sits below the text. Shaun's headshot is in a circular frame. He is smiling at the camera with an outdoor background. Text reads "Picked by: Shaun. Shaun Wood
Senior Training & Technical Assistance Manager. In "Alexandria's Journey," we meet a young woman who knows what makes her happy and connects that happiness to her future goals. Let’s remember her joy when prioritizing the skills we teach and coach in our work supporting people with disabilities."]

Our mission at Wise.

[ID: The text reads "Promoting equitable employment for people with disabilities through innovation, training and technical assistance." The graphic is dark gray with white text and the teal and green Wise logo at the bottom center.]

Here are some photos from our recent Community Inclusion Training in Seattle. Despite our carefully crafted agenda, we found ourselves embracing the unexpected. This experience truly highlighted the importance of having a plan, but also being ready to adapt and pivot when things don't go as planned. It was an incredible day of learning and growth! 😊

[ID: Image 1: A computer screen showing the Wise website home page. The text on the screen reads "Promoting equitable employment for people with disabilities through innovation, training and technical assistance." In the background there is a projector projecting a PowerPoint presentation on a blank white all. Image 2: Wise trainer, Anne-Marie Lake, walks around the room speaking to the group during her presentation. Image 3: Three training participants work on their laptops at a table with an open air background behind them. Image 4: A photo taken from the back of the room during the training. Participants are seated at their desks looking towards the presentation.]

Are you a Washington State resident? Your partipation in this study could help improve the services and lives of Washingtonians with co-occurring developmental disabilities and mental and behavioral support needs.

Use this link to participate!https://natleadership.org/pdfs/WADDCMoreAboutTheStudy.pdf

[ID: The text reads "WASHINGTON
STATE RESIDENTS: We want to hear from you! Participate in research to help policymakers and service providers
better understand the perspectives and experiences of people with
cooccurring intellectual and developmental disabilities and mental
and/or behavioral health support needs! We want to hear from: Adults in Washington state with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities AND mental/behavioral health support needs
Caregivers of people (any age) in Washington state with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities AND mental/behavioral health support needs. CHOOSE HOW YOU WANT TO PARTICIPATE: Survey: Take this survey before August 9th: bit.ly/WALivedExperiences Visit
natleadership.org/pdfs/ WADDCMoreAboutTheStudy.pdf to learn more about the study! This research is led by the National Leadership Consortium and funded by the Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council. Interview: Schedule an individual interview between July 15th and August9th and receive a $20 Amazon eGift Card after the interview: calendly.com/natleadership/wa-interview
www.natleadership.org "]

Save the dates for the Fall Cohort! Recruit, Cultivate and Retain (RCR) is a leadership series designed for mid-level managers working in employment and community inclusion service provider agencies. By joining RCR, you will have the opportunity to develop immediately usable skills for developing your own career and promoting increased job satisfaction for staff you manage. In community with other program managers, we will re-energize, create solutions to complex problems and share expertise.

Registration coming soon!

[ID: A graphic with a teal and lime green banyan tree illustration. There is a white to light teal gradient background and a dark gray rectangle along the bottom. Text reads "2024 Fall Cohort. Recruit, Cultivate and Retain. September 3 | September 10 | September 17 | October 1 | October 8 | October 15. Save the Dates!"]

Some highlights from the National APSE Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina! Jaimie Laitinen, Katherine Titus, Charly Walters, and Robyn Slocom kept busy teaching, attending sessions, enjoying social events, and networking throughout the conference. From reconnecting with old friends and colleagues to meeting new faces, it was amazing to come together to move Employment First forward!



APSE Minot State University University of Massachusetts Institute for Community Inclusion KCARC KUCDD - Kansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities

Check out the Wise Staff Pick for the month of July: Job Coaching from a Self-Advocate Perspective. You'll learn from John Lemus and Ivanova Smith from AtWork! as they share their top tips for better support. This course is pre-approved for CESP credits.

Access this webinar for free here: https://onlinelearning.gowise.org/products/wise-staff-pick-job-coaching-from-a-self-advocate-perspective

[ID: Image 1: A graphic that shows a computer with the Wise Webinar banner on the screen. There is a diagonally divided background with a slightly opaque digital pattern on the top section and lime green below it. Text reads "July 2024 Staff Pick, Job Coaching from a Self-Advocate Perspective. Wise Webinar. Wise Learning Center, Staff Picks. Get FREE Access to this Webinar Until July 31st".
Image 2: A lime green and white background with a gray square that sits below the text. Rebecca's headshot is in a circular frame. She has dark hair and is smiling at the camera with an outdoor background. Text reads "Picked by: Rebecca. Rebecca Roybal, Learning Management System Administrator. Employment Consultants receive a lot of training and information from various experts in various ways. However, we don’t often turn to or ask for key details from the very people we support. John and Ivanova – Activist Advocates for AtWork! – will share their top tips on how to be a better coach and support."]

AtWork!

Equity and inclusion for ALL! 🏳️‍🌈

[ID: A graphic with a white background and illustrations of people holding hands and standing together holding rainbow flags in celebration of Pride month. The text reads "Celebrating Pride by honoring ALL identities and abilities."]

Emily Harris, and Jenny Crook had the opportunity to attend the 15th European Supported Employment Conference in Tarragona, Spain! During the conference, the team was involved with cofacilitating a day of learning with world collaborators from Oslo Metropolitan University in Norway. Emily also co-presented a session with Tonje Sannes and Ane Stø on the intersectionality and overlaps of inclusive employment practices across cultures and communities, and the value of global collaboration to spark collective change.

We are grateful for the opportunity to learn and share, and are moved by the collective efforts happening across the world to continue to move inclusive employment practices forward.

ID- Image 1: Lena Maier, Emily Harris, and Jenny Crook with their arms around each other’s shoulders/ smiling at the camera.
Image 2: An image of two people participating in the workshop, practicing graphic facilitation, and sitting outside. The image is from the waist down and shows the wise logo on the table.
Image 3: Ane Sto, Emily Harris, and Tonje Sannes, standing in front of their presentation slide. On the screen is an image of a train station, airplane, and car with the words "trains planes and automobiles: how a cultural exchange sparked an international collaborative reflection on Supported Employment."]

As a service provider or employment professional, you may find yourself wondering, should you disclose a disability? Use these guidelines to make your decision.

[Image Description: Image 1: A white graphic with a light gray question mark in the background. There is an illustration of two people facing each other, one is using a wheelchair. The text reads "Should you disclose a disability? There are three important factors you need to consider." Image 2: A white graphic with a light gray question mark and a teal blue border along the left side. The Wise W logo is in the bottom center. Text reads "1. Understand a person’s rights about disclosing their disabililty. It’s the person’s decision when or if to disclose their disability and you may not do so without their permission. 2. Employers can ask a person if they will be able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without accomodations, which means are any modifications needed to assist because of the disability? 3. Generally there is no obligation to disclose a disability to an employer unless there is a need for accomodation."]

Join us for the Final Episode of PBS Playbook! We're excited to announce the final episode of the PBS Playbook series, "Tools to Last a Lifetime", dropping on June 24!

In this episode, we'll explore:
• Tools cocreated and owned by people with disabilities for self-advocacy
• A framework from an occupational therapist for building sustainable supports
• Tips on using generative AI to build tools, supports, and accommodations

By registering, you'll also gain access to all previous episodes:
• Episode 1: Teaching choice, transition collaborations, and PBS support experiences
• Episode 2: The power of special interests, stimming for calmness, mental health first aid, and meditation practices

Don't miss out on this opportunity to enhance your toolkit for supporting people with disabilities. Register here: https://www.gowise.org/pbsplaybook/

This series is generously funded by King County.

[Image Description: PBS Playbook presenter Madison Voigt in the WiseStream Studio with Digital Content Manager Rob Van Oss]

We're excited for the National APSE Conference starting June 17th! Charly Walters and Racheal Beamis will be sharing insights from their personal and professional experiences in supportive employment. Discover innovative strategies for marketing, collaboration, and building social capital to enhance Supported Employment in our community.

[ID: Charly and Racheal's headshot photos are in circular frames. In the background, there is a photo of Charlotte, North Carolina with a white overlay. Text reads "2024 National APSE Conference. Engagement, Employment, Empowerment, With Presenters: Racheal Beamis & Charly Walters. Discover how marketing, collaboration, and social capital can drive employment success, and learn practical approaches to building powerful partnerships that make a real difference in elevating Supported Employment in our community. apse.org/events-learning/2024-conference"]

APSE

This month's featured member from our Board of Directors is Karen Williams. Karen is the Executive Director at Trillium Employment Services, a nonprofit agency supporting Western Washington businesses in hiring, training, and retaining employees with developmental disabilities.

Karen has worked in public and nonprofit sectors in several states in both affordable housing and social services, but primarily her career is dedicated to individual growth and community inclusion of people with developmental disabilities.

Karen obtained her Master of Public Administration from The George Washington University, with a concentration in public policy and nonprofit management. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Disability Studies from the University of Colorado, Boulder.

[ID: Image 1: a photo of Karen in a blue blazer and glasses. She is sitting against a tan colored background and smiling at the camera.

Text reads: MEET OUR BOARD MEMBER, Karen Williams, Board Member since 2008.

Image 2: text reads: Moving Forward with Our Board
What work will you be focusing on in 2024? "Supporting the efforts in Kansas - mentoring with an organization.
Community Employment Alliance - looking at system barriers to full inclusion (personal care, assistive technology, language access, etc) Implementing quality Community Inclusion services - Trillium is attending the Wise Community Inclusion Bootcamps and launching Community Inclusion services"

What is your vision for Wise in 2024 and beyond? "1. Be the catalyst to get some states moving forward for employment.
2. Be a historical steward and futurist for Washington as we see significant leadership changes in DDA and DVR.
3. Keep experimenting with all the ways the Wise Studio can be a tool for individuals and organizations who want to create workability." -Karen Williams]

Wise is excited to attend the 2024 APSE Conference next week in Charlotte, NC! Be sure to check out the presentations from a few of our team members!

Know and Grow: Jaimie Laitinen, Katherine Titus, and Robyn Slocom, will join leaders from North Dakota Minot State University, KUCDD - Kansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities, and Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities to share state examples on expanding Employment First actions that others can borrow to move their own practices forward locally. We're passionate about seeing Employment First become a real experience for all!

Strategies and Tools to Deliver Effective Employment Services: Jaimie Laitinen and Robyn Slocom are excited to join Institute for Community Inclusion ThinkWork from UMass Boston to share simple and powerful strategies and tools for moving you and your teams into best practices in supported and customized employment. We hope to see you there!

[ID: Image 1: The top section of the image features the title "2024 National APSE Conference: June 17th" against a backdrop of a city skyline with skyscrapers. Below the title, the text reads "Know & Grow: Effective Practices in Employment Engagement Community Partnerships". There is a subheading "With Wise Presenters:" followed by images of three presenters. Jaimie Laitinen: The first circular photo on the left shows Jaimie with shoulder-length blonde hair, wearing a green top, and smiling. Katherine Titus: The middle circular photo shows Katherine with long blonde hair, wearing a black top, and smiling. Robyn Slocom - The circular photo on the right shows Robyn with shoulder-length brown hair, wearing a pink top, and smiling. Presenter names are written below the photos in a white box with bold black text. There is a brief description: "Employment First policies are common, but implementation often lags. Discover strategies from other states to apply locally in any role. Act now and use their experiences to drive your efforts forward. At the bottom, there is a teal-colored bar with the website link "apse.org/events-learning/2024-conference" in white text.

Image 2: At the top reads "2024 National APSE Conference: June 17th", set against a backdrop of a city skyline. Below the title the text reads "Strategies and Tools to Deliver Effective Employment Services" in bold. Photos of the presenters include Jaimie Laitinen, Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) logo featuring the letters "ICI" within a colorful circular design, and Robyn Slocom Text below reads "As a manager, job developer, or job coach, you're already doing great work! With the right tools, you can do even more. Learn how to find brief, impactful training to help your team achieve desired outcomes and visualize your progress in implementing best practices."]