IBSA Blogosphere

Amtrak Hiring

ibsa@myway.com (W. Lazone Grays) — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 18:36:00 +0000

AMTRAK IS HIRING - AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY!
PASS-ON TO SOMEONE WHO CAN USE THIS!

Great jobs for young men who aren't in college and strong young women also!
These jobs pay good wages.

Training: You will attend two or three weeks of training at the Railroad Education & Development Institute in Atlanta , GA. CSX will pay for travel, lodging and meals as required by collective bargaining agreement.

Track Worker-030702 Job Summary: Work as a member of a crew to install new railroad track, maintain existing track and right-of-way. Replace or repair track switches with specific components. Slide and align tie plates. Drill holes through rails for insertion of bolts and tighten or loosen bolts at joints that hold ends or rails together. Correct deviations in track surface, alignment and gauge
Cut rails to specific lengths etc.
Pay Rate Entry Rate $19.36/hour Full Rate $21.52/hour Promotional/ Advancement Opportunities:
Under Maintenance of Way Collective Bargaining Agreement, Track Workers may be considered for advancement
or promotion to other positions within the Engineering Department if qualified.

Machine Operator $23.25 - $24.81/hour
Welder Helper $21.93/hour
Bridge Tender $21.93/hour
Bridge Mechanic $22.65/hour
Foreman $22.71 - $25.53/hour
Track Inspector $23.98 - $25.14/hour

Qualifications: High School diploma/GED; 18 years of age or older; Valid Driver's License
At CSX, two of the company's core values are People Make The Difference and Safety Is A Way of Life. We are committed to offering our team members the most competitive compensation and benefits package available, unlimited opportunities for development and growth throughout an exciting and rewarding career, and the safest work environment possible.

CSX is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer that supports diversity in the workplace.

Apply online to this and other positions: http://www.csx.com/index.cfm/working-at-csx/search-job-openings-and-apply

"WIA YOUTH TALK Live Chat" - Tuesday, November 29, 2011

ibsa@myway.com (W. Lazone Grays) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 20:16:00 +0000

Please join the Division of Youth Services for an upcoming "WIA YOUTH TALK Live Chat," Tuesday, November 29^th at 1:00pm on Workforce3one.org. See detailed announcement below:

WIA YOUTH TALK

Live Chat with Department of Labor (DOL)/Employment and Training Administration's (ETA)

Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Youth Team

Date: Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Time: 1:00 - 1:30 pm EST

Where: https://youth.workforce3one.org/page/chat/r=wiayouthtalk

Do you have questions about aspects of the DOL WIA Youth Program?

You will have an opportunity to get your WIA youth questions answered, share promising practices, and hear about what other WIA youth programs are doing around the country via a LIVE CHAT.

The chat session will last about thirty minutes so be prepared with questions and comments! You can submit questions in advance of the chat to: youth.services@dol.gov.

..."So what exactly is a live chat?"...

The LIVE CHAT is an online instant messaging format that acts as a typed conversation, or "chat", between two or more people. All comments are typed into a message box. When they are submitted, they will immediately appear in the chat screen in the order they were entered. This is not a conference call: there is no dial-in number and no need to use the phone whatsoever. If you use a computer during the day, you're halfway there!

..."How do I participate in the LIVE CHAT?"...

To participate, you must be a member of Workforce³One. If you are not a member, you must register at: http://www.workforce3one.org/register.aspx. There is no cost to register and once the account is established you can access the Youth Connections CoP as well as free webinars, tools, and documents available through Workforce³One.

The LIVE CHAT is created for individuals interested in general WIA youth issues to communicate directly with DOL youth staff. Participation in this chat may enhance and improve your knowledge of the WIA youth program. Login and enjoy an informative exchange of information!

Disclaimer: DOL/ETA's, Division of Youth Services may not answer all questions during the chat do to time constraints. However, the team will do their best to answer questions in real time or post answers on the Youth Connections CoP at a later date. Questions not answered should be sent to: youth.services@dol.gov.

How important is the Internet to your business growth or getting a job?

ibsa@myway.com (W. Lazone Grays) — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 20:40:00 +0000

The internet is now the most prominent marketing tool and videos are the most effective method of advertising!

90% of all online customers say watching an online video influences a buying decision!

Angus Reed Forum - 2010

64% have taken action after seeing an online video!

TNS 2007, AOL/Google Online Video Survey

A minute of video is worth 1,8 million words!

Dr. James McQuivey, Forrester Research, January 2009

####

Sampling of Best Social Media Stats and Market Research of 2010

First Page Or Bust: 95% of Non-Branded Natural Clicks Come From Page One by MediaPost Search Insider

In SEO, how important is a page one ranking? This post tells you: according to a recent study from iCrossing, across the three major search engines, 95% of the clicks came from page one. While Rob Garner notes that this figure is higher than in other studies, the clear implication is that doing some extra optimization to move your site to page one from page two or three can pay off in dramatic traffic gains.

Social Media Not Preferred Recommendation Resource by MediaPost Online Media Daily

In a study asking consumers to rate the most influential sources of information for their purchase decisions, 59% said "personal advice from friends or family members," followed by 39% search engines, 36% articles in newspapers or magazines, online articles 28%, email 20% and social media 19%.

Social Media: Everybody's Doing It, But For Different Reasons [Charts] by Pamorama

"70% of social media users between the ages of 18-34 regularly use Facebook more than other sites such as MySpace, Twitter, and Classmates.com," and women use Facebook more than men.

Senior marketing execs see their companies moving to social media in 2010 by The Viral Garden

In a recent study of high-level marketing executives, 70% plan new social media initiatives in 2010. 92% said they personally use LinkedIn, versus 56% on Facebook. While 28% planned to use internal resources to launch new initiatives, 25% turn to social media consultants. The two most important criteria when hiring a social media consultant are examples of previous work and recommendations; number of Twitter followers is the 12th-most important factor

Social Media Revolution by YouTube

Social media stats in video form. Some of the numbers shown here lend themselves to the skepticism recommended in the post above, but all are documented so take `em for what they're worth. There are more Gen Y'ers than Baby Boomers, and 96% of them have joined a social network. 80% of companies are using LinkedIn as their primary tool to find employees. 80% of Twitter use is on mobile devices. YouTube now hosts more than 100 million videos and is the second largest search engine. 78% of consumers trust peer recommendations when making purchase decisions; just 14% trust advertising. More than 1.5 million pieces of content (videos, photos, blog posts, links etc.) are shared on Facebook daily.

Social Media: What a Difference a Year Makes by ClickZ

If it were a country, Facebook would the third-largest on earth, up from fourth-largest in 2009. 80% of companies use social media in some manner for recruiting; of those, 95% use LinkedIn. 50% of mobile Internet traffic in the U.K goes to Facebook

52 Cool Facts About Social Media by Danny Brown

Small Businesses That Blog Have 102% More Twitter Followers by HubSpot Blog

Where SMB Spend their Marketing and Advert Money? [Infograph] by Thoughtpick

At the other end of the scale, for small to midsized businesses, marketing budget allocations are changing. Traditionally, small business marketers have favored email and search, and spent the majority of their marketing dollars offline. In 2009, only one-third of SMB marketers viewed Faebook as "very" or "somewhat" beneficial. But for 2010, 74% planned to increase their use of email marketing and 68% planned larger expenditures for social media. Over the next five years, social media budgets are expected to grow at a 34% annual rate — twice as fast as all other forms of online marketing. By 2014, Forrester predicts that social media spending will be higher than that for both email and mobile, though still much smaller than search and online display advertising

Social Media in Small Business is Anything But Small by Social Media Today

The prolific Brian Solis reports on recent research showing that social media adoption by small business doubled from 2009 to 2010. 61% of small business owners now use social media to helpf identify and attract new customers, 75% have a company page on a social networking site, and 45% expect their social media activities to be profitable within the next 12 months. 58% say that social media has met their expectations to date, and only 9% expect to lose money on social media efforts for the next year

Organic Search Still Reigns by eMarketer

Diving deeper into the iCrossing study referenced above, Google accounts for 74% of non-branded search traffic, with Bing and Yahoo tied at 13%.

Small businesses spending more on search by iMedia Connection

The average small business spent $2,149 on search engine advertising in the fourth quarter of 2009, up 30% from 3Q09 and 111% from the final quarter of 2008. Also, video is taking off in this segment: at the end of last year, 19% of small businesses were using video on their websites, up from just 5% the previous quarter.

Study: Three-Word Queries Drive Most SEO Traffic by Search Engine Land

What's Changed This Decade (1999-2009) by Virtual Video Map

Cell phone use increased from one of out of 10 people in 1999 to two out of three in 2009

The Ultimate List: 300+ Social Media Statistics by HubSpot Blog

Knock yourself out with this extensive collection of videos, infographics and presentations compiled by HubSpot with still more social media stats and figures

http://socialmediatoday.com/tompick/176932/best-social-media-stats-and-market-research-2010-so-far

Online Directories We Use to Increase Search Rank for Listed Businesses

www.ussmallbizdirectory.org

www.kansassmallbizdirectory.com

www.oklahomasmallbizdirectory.com

*include video on your directory profile to increase your product/service appeal

Funding Opportunity Reminder: Support to build new or expanded public trails

ibsa@myway.com (W. Lazone Grays) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 21:15:00 +0000

Success Stories | Request for Proposals | About the Sunflower Foundation

REMINDER - The deadline to apply for Sunflower Trails funding is approaching!

Sunflower Trails (RFP 11-101) - This Request for Proposals (RFP) is designed to help improve the health of students, families and communities by offering support to build new or expanded public trails to increase the opportunity for physical activity.

Proposals in response to this RFP may be submitted through Thursday, January 5, 2012. Funding announcements will be made by Friday, February 17, 2012.

PLEASE NOTE THAT PROPOSALS MUST BE SUBMITTED USING THE FOUNDATION'S ONLINE APPLICATION.

Click here for complete RFP details and application instructions. A document summarizing the General Criteria for Sunflower Trails Grants is available here.

As there will be no additional telephone conference call briefings scheduled prior to the submission deadline, potential applicants are encouraged to contact foundation staff prior to submission with any questions regarding the RFP or the online application process.

1200 SW Executive Drive, Suite 100 Topeka, KS | toll free 866.232.3020 | info@sunflowerfoundation.org

US Labor Department Proposes Historic Hiring Goal

ibsa@myway.com (W. Lazone Grays) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 23:17:00 +0000

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Please see below and circulate. This proposed rule represents another extremely important step to improving employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The following press release comes from the Department Labor:

US Labor Department Proposes historic hiring goal for federal contractors and subcontractors

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor is proposing a new rule that would require federal contractors and subcontractors to set a hiring goal of having 7 percent of their workforces be people with disabilities, among other requirements. The department's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs invites public comment on this proposal, which will be published in the Dec. 9 edition of the Federal Register.

OFCCP's proposed rule would strengthen the affirmative action requirements established in Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 obligating federal contractors and subcontractors to ensure equal employment opportunities for qualified workers with disabilities. The proposed regulatory changes detail specific actions contractors must take in the areas of recruitment, training, record keeping and policy dissemination – similar to those that have long been required to promote workplace equality for women and minorities. In addition, the rule would clarify OFCCP's expectations for contractors by providing specific guidance on how to comply with the law.

"This proposed rule represents one of the most significant advances in protecting the civil rights of workers with disabilities since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "President Obama has demonstrated a commitment to people with disabilities. This proposed rule would help federal contractors better fulfill their legal responsibility to hire qualified workers with disabilities."

Although Section 503 regulations have been in place for decades, the current unemployment rate for people with disabilities is 13 percent, 1 1/2 times the rate of those without disabilities. Even more discouraging, data published last week by the department's Bureau of Labor Statistics show stark disparities facing working-age individuals with disabilities, with 79.2 percent outside the labor force altogether, compared to 30.5 percent of those without disabilities.

"For nearly 40 years, the rules have said that contractors simply need to make a 'good faith' effort to recruit and hire people with disabilities. Clearly, that's not working," said OFCCP Director Patricia A. Shiu. "Our proposal would define specific goals, require real accountability and provide the clearest possible guidance for employers seeking to comply with the law. What gets measured gets done. And we're in the business of getting things done."

Establishing a 7 percent hiring goal for the employment of individuals with disabilities would be a tool for contractors to measure the effectiveness of their affirmative action efforts and thereby inform their decision-making. The proposed rule also would enhance data collection and record-keeping requirements – including for documentation and processing of requests for reasonable accommodation – in order to improve accountability. Additionally, it would ensure annual self-reviews of employers' recruitment and outreach efforts, and add a new requirement for contractors to list job openings to increase their pools of qualified applicants.

To read the notice of proposed rulemaking or submit a comment, visit the federal e-rulemaking portal at http://www.regulations.gov. Comments also can be submitted by mail to Debra Carr, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, U.S. Department of Labor, Room C-3325, 200 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20210. All comments must be received by Feb. 7, 2012, and should include identification number (RIN) 1250-AA02.

In addition to Section 503, OFCCP enforces Executive Order 11246 and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974. As amended, these three laws require those who do business with the federal government, both contractors and subcontractors, to follow the fair and reasonable standard that they take affirmative action and not discriminate in employment on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran. For general information, call OFCCP's toll-free helpline at 800-397-6251 or visit its website at http://www.dol.gov/ofccp.

U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The information above is available in large print, Braille, audio tape or disc from the COAST office upon request by calling 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.

The White House • 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW • Washington, DC 20500 • 202-456-1111

YouthBuild Kansas City, Kansas is now accepting applications for it's next cycle

ibsa@myway.com (W. Lazone Grays) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 18:23:00 +0000

YouthBuild Kansas City, Kansas is now accepting applications for it's next cycle. Applications can be picked up at the YouthBuild office located at 1821 N. 3rd St., Kansas City, KS. The application deadline is Friday, February 17th.

Enrollment for YouthBuild is a 4 step process.

1. Complete and return the Enrollment Application (please see attached)

2. Schedule a testing time

3. Attend Mental Toughness - a two week orientation/observation period to determine if a young person is ready for YouthBuild

4. Those who successfully complete Mental Toughness will be invited to participate in YouthBuild*

YouthBuild Kansas City, Kansas is a 15 month comprehensive, human development program providing education enrichment, construction skills and job training to at-risk young adults between the ages of 16 and 24. Kansas residents only.

Other services provided are:

Ø G.E.D. instruction classes

Ø Official Practice Test in preparation for their G.E.D. certificate.

Ø Integrated construction curriculum with a nationally recognized pre-apprenticeship certificate

Ø Life skills training

Ø Civic development and leadership

Ø Random drug testing

Ø Modest living allowance /stipend

Ø Other supportive services

Ø One year of follow up after program completion

*One important piece of information to consider - YouthBuild KCK is now part of a national study designed to learn the ways in which YouthBuild programs help young people complete their GED and High School diploma, gain vocational skills and find employment.

Not everyone interested in the program will be enrolled. Participation in the program will be based on, in part, a random selection process (much like drawing names from a hat). For this process, participants will be chosen at random without consideration of any personal characteristics, such as race or gender – everyone who goes through this random selection has an equal chance of getting invited to participate in the program.

Thank you for helping us spread the word. If you know of a young person who might be interested in YouthBuild, please have them stop by the office or contact us at 913-371-3770.

Chandra Ward

Executive Director

YouthBuild KCK

1821 North 3rd St.

Kansas City, KS 66101

913-371-3770

913-233-2933 (fax)

cward@youthbuildkck.org

Free Advocacy Speaker in Topeka

ibsa@myway.com (W. Lazone Grays) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 15:49:00 +0000

Advocacy in Health Speaker Series

2012 Series

The Sunflower Foundation is proud to announce "Sustaining Advocacy in Challenging Times," a presentation by David Adkins. This session, which will be held Wednesday, January 18, 2012, from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Topeka, is offered as part of the 2012 Advocacy in Health Speaker Series - an educational program that supports nonprofit advocacy through leadership and civic engagement.

David Adkins is executive director and CEO of the Council of State Governments, and former member of both the Kansas House of Representatives and the Kansas Senate. Click here <http://www.sunflowerfoundation.org/user/file/David%20Adkins%20Bio%20-%20Long.pdf> to learn more about this speaker. January 18, 2012

Hear David Adkins present "Sustaining Advocacy in Challenging Times." See the information at left for details and to register for this first event in the Sunflower oundation's 2012 Advocacy in Health Speaker Series.

This presentation is free and open to the public, but requires advance registration by Wednesday, January 11, 2012. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW <http://www.sunflowerfoundation.org/user/file/2012%20Speaker%20Series%20-%20Adkins%20Registration.doc> .

Additional speakers in this series will be announced in the near future. Be sure to sign up for eNews <http://www.sunflowerfoundation.org/communications-enews.php> to receive direct notification as other speakers are announced.

http://www.sunflowerfoundation.org/advocacy-speaker_series.php

Employment Opportunity for Veterans

ibsa@myway.com (W. Lazone Grays) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:38:00 +0000

There is an opening for 2 Housekeepers at the Topeka VA. It is currently open to veteran and people working within the system. If you know of someone who is looking for a job tell them to go to usajobs.gov - enter Topeka Ks under the Where option - then select 'Jobs for Federal employees. If they are a veteran, then they will be eligible for these positions.

Leadership Forum January 26th, 11-1, Topeka

ibsa@myway.com (W. Lazone Grays) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 19:56:00 +0000

Leadership Forum
Addressing Challenging Times:
An Opportunity for Collaboration

Working collaboratively to address critical issues in an atmosphere of mutual respect can benefit non-profits. Successful collaboration requires a willingness to investigate the possibilities, an investment of time and energy, the exploration of new paths, and careful planning. Often collaboration begins by finding organizations with whom to identify for accessing funding sources and for sharing office space or employees. Collaboration is more than a handshake but means a commitment by the parties to accomplish a particular goal.

Mainstream is hosting a Leadership Forum on collaboration, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Thursday, January 26, 2012 at the Mainstream office, 3600 S.W. Burlingame Road in Topeka (Burlingame exit from Highway 470 Bypass). The fee is $20 for nonprofit association members and $40 for nonmembers. Lunch will be provided. Attendance is limited to one person per organization. No walk-ins, please. Cancellations must be received by January 24th prior to 5:00 p.m.

Topics to be covered during this Leadership Forum are: space, equipment, or staff collaborations; community or multi-agency grant writing teams; special events with a nonprofit or for profit partner; one-stop shop, i.e. multiple service providers sharing costs; and memorandums of understanding. Participants may submit questions for the Forum by e-mail at info@mainstreaminc.net.

New Career Opportunities

ibsa@myway.com (W. Lazone Grays) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 19:57:00 +0000

These jobs are from employers actively looking to hire talented and diverse professionals!

F. William Harder Chair of Business Administration posted by Skidmore College

[Apply Now]

Assistant Director, Event Operations posted by Boston College

[Apply Now]

School of Retail Leadership (SORL) posted by HEB

[Apply Now]

Temp Recruiter posted by HEB

[Apply Now]

Store Director posted by HEB

[Apply Now]

Store Director posted by HEB

[Apply Now]

Store Director posted by HEB

[Apply Now]

Store Director posted by HEB

[Apply Now]

Store Director posted by HEB

[Apply Now]

997177 - Focus Improvement Pillar Lead posted by Chrysler

[Apply Now]

996922 - International Customer Service Specialist posted by Chrysler

[Apply Now]

996450 - Manager, Mopar Training posted by Chrysler

[Apply Now]

996448 - Manager, Service and Warranty Training posted by Chrysler

[Apply Now]

Send Your Resume to These Hiring Companies!

Boston College located in Boston, MA [Send Your Resume]

Emerson Climate Technologies located in St. Louis, MO [Send Your Resume]

California University of Pennsylvania located in California, PA [Send Your Resume]

ADP located in Everywhere, US [Send Your Resume]

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources located in Madison, WI [Send Your Resume]

Restoring the Promise of Work - 2012 National Transitional Jobs Network Conference

noreply@blogger.com (Moderator) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 22:19:00 +0000

Having trouble viewing the message below? View it online instead!

2012 National Transitional Jobs Network Conference

Restoring the Promise of Work: Subsidized Employment & Transitional Jobs

Baltimore, MD I April 12-13, 2012

A disproportionate number of people with barriers to labor market entry - including those with little or no work history or skills, those living in unstable housing, those with criminal records, and individuals with low literacy - continue to face alarming rates of unemployment far surpassing national averages.

Subsidized employment and Transitional Jobs programs support access to employment, earned income and real work experience for those with employment barriers. Given the realities of our current labor market and the challenges that lay ahead, the mandate for the Restoring the Promise of Work Conference is to advance the field of Subsidized Employment and Transitional Jobs. Through cutting-edge content, user-friendly resources, peer-learning opportunities and discussions, the goals of the conference are to:

Bolster existing programs serving people with barriers to employment through adoption of best and promising practices;
Expand the dialogue about federal, state and local investment and support of Subsidized employment and Transitional Jobs programs; and
Nurture new research and innovation about how best to support labor market entry and advancement for hard to employ individuals.

PART-TIME CONSTRUCTION GREEN-UP PROJECT COORDINATOR

noreply@blogger.com (Moderator) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 16:16:00 +0000

Kansas City Kansas Community College is looking for someone part-time to fill the role of Construction Green-Up Project Coordinator for a program administered by KCKCC and funded by Mid America Regional Council's "Green Jobs Workforce" grant.

Position Title: PT CONSTRUCTION GREEN-UP PROJECT COORDINATOR

Grant-Funded thru April 1, 2013

Department/Division: BUSINESS & CONTINUING EDUCATION

Closing Date: FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012

How to Apply: COMPLETE AN ON-LINE APPLICATION AT WWW.KCKCC.EDU

Kansas City Kansas Community College

Attention: Human Resources

7250 State Avenue

Kansas City, Kansas 66112

(913) 334-1100

SALARY: $35,625.00/15 months, maximum of 29 hours per week.

This is a grant-funded position which ends April 1, 2013.

APPLY BY: Friday, January 13, 2012

Free CDL Training Workshops in Kansas City

noreply@blogger.com (Moderator) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 21:19:00 +0000

The Missouri Department of Transportation ("MoDOT") is providing a series of workshops centered on the General Knowledge of the CDL process and also has scheduled a series of training sessions (a total of 6) specifically in respect to the "skills" (driving) area of the CDL directive.

As you are aware at this juncture, MoDOT is slated to provide a series of workshops centered on the General Knowledge of the CDL process on the following dates:

Thursday, January 12, 2012 at the Don Bosco Center, 548 Brooklyn, Kansas City, Missouri
Saturday, January 28, 2012, location TBD
Saturday, February 11, 2012, location TBD
Saturday, February 25, 2012, location TBD

Further, we have scheduled a series of training sessions (a total of 6) specifically in respect to the "skills" (driving) area of the CDL directive. The initial skills training sessions are slated at MoDOT's South Consolidated Service Center located 4900 East 87th Street, Kansas City, Missouri. The sessions will be 8:00AM til 3:00PM on the following dates:

Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Thursday, January 19, 2012

Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Thursday, January 26, 2012

Please note, individuals participating in the "skills" sessions are expected to commit time and efforts for the entire six (6) dates associated with the training directive. Moreover, we are looking at future dates in the month of February 2012, whereas we will offer additional "skills" training involving the CDL process. If there are questions, please feel free to contact me.

Scholarships for Students whose Parent has a Disability

noreply@blogger.com (Moderator) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:20:00 +0000

2012 THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS SCHOLARSHIP
ANNOUNCEMENT AND APPLICATION

Through the Looking Glass and its National Center for Parents with Disabilities and their Families are pleased to announce new scholarships specifically for high school seniors or college students who have parents with disabilities. A total of fifteen $1000 scholarships will be given out Fall 2012. These scholarships are part of Through the Looking Glass' National Center for Parents with Disabilities and their Families <http://lookingglass.org/ncpd/index.php> . These scholarships are open to all students whose parent has any significant disability or health condition. Although no specific parental disabilities are prioritized for these scholarships, we especially encourage those students who have a parent with an intellectual disability to apply for these scholarships.

There are separate eligibility requirements for high school seniors and for college students:

1. High School Seniors. To be eligible, a student must be a high school graduate (or graduating senior) by Summer 2012, planning to attend a two-year or four-year college in Fall 2012 in pursuit of an AA, BA or BS degree, and have at least one parent with a disability.

2. College Students. To be eligible, a student must be currently enrolled in a two-year or four-year college in Fall 2012 in pursuit of an AA, BA or BS degree, be 21 years of age or younger as of March 5, 2012, and have at least one parent with a disability.

All application materials must be postmarked by March 5, 2012. Individuals may submit only one application per award period.

Selection criteria for all scholarships include academic performance, community activities and service, letter of recommendation and an essay describing the experience of growing up with a parent with a disability. Five of the fifteen scholarships will also consider financial hardship and academic potential in addition to the other selection criteria.

Please go to our website: http://www.lookingglass.org <http://www.lookingglass.org/> for more information, including the application form, complete application directions and an FAQ page that answers many common questions as well as offers helpful suggestions.

Through the Looking Glass
3075 Adeline Street, Suite 120
Berkeley, CA 94703
(800) 644-2666
(510) 848-2005 (TTY)
www.lookingglass.org <http://www.lookingglass.org/>
scholarships@lookingglass.org <mailto:scholarships@lookingglass.org>

Request for Proposals-Centers for Independent Living - KS

noreply@blogger.com (Moderator) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:23:00 +0000

State of Kansas

Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services

Request for Proposals

Kansas Rehabilitation Services (KRS), a division of the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services, announces the release of a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) for a statewide network of centers for independent living to provide the four core independent living services (information and referral, independent living skills training, peer support, individual and systems advocacy) and deinstitutionalization supports for persons with disabilities in all 105 Kansas counties. Community-based private nonprofit non-residential agencies or organizations are eligible to submit proposals. Applicants must meet section 725(c) (1) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended as well as the 34 CFR 364.4 (b) to be an eligible agency.

Interested agencies can download a copy of the RFP at: http://www.srs.ks.gov/agency/rs/Pages/default.aspx.

All questions or contacts regarding this RFP must be made to:

Brie Wilkins, Procurement Officer

Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services

8th Floor, Docking State Office Building

915 SW Harrison, Topeka, KS 66612-1570

Phone: 785-291-3251

Email: Brie.Wilkins@srs.ks.gov.

Complete proposals must be received by 5 p.m. February 29, 2012.

A pre-bid conference will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on January 25, 2012. Questions from meeting participants will be accepted. Preliminary answers may be provided. Final answers will be posted on the KRS website by February 10, 2012. Any individual with a disability may request reasonable accommodations in order to participate in the conference. Requests for accommodations should be made at least five working days in advance of the conference by contacting Brie Wilkins at the contact information provided above.

The pre-bid conference will be webcast from Topeka, with the following access sites:

Topeka
SRS Learning Center

Rooms A and B
2600 SW East Circle Drive
Topeka, KS 66606

Wichita
Finney State Office Building
Conference Room 5082
230 E William
Wichita, KS 67201

Parsons
SRS Service Center
Large Conference Room
300 N 17^th St.
Parsons, KS 67357

Hays
SRS Service Center
Grey Room
1105 W 30^th
Hays, KS 67601

Garden City
SRS Service Center
Bunker Room
1710 Palace Drive
Garden City, KS 67846

Overlooked and Underpaid: Number of Low-Income Working Families Increases to 10.2 Million

noreply@blogger.com (Moderator) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:25:00 +0000

Overlooked and Underpaid: Number of Low-Income Working Families Increases to 10.2 Million
Working Poor Families Project
Roberts, Brandon; Mark Mather; Deborah Povich
Published: December 2011

Highlights 2007-10 trends in the number and percentage of working families with incomes below 200 percent of the poverty line by state and race/ethnicity, as well as the number of children affected. Examines income inequality by quintile and implications.

Funder(s): Annie E. Casey Foundation, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, Ford Foundation, Joyce Foundation

REPORT LINK - http://www.workingpoorfamilies.org/pdfs/Overlooked_Dec2011.pdf

HUD - Section 3 Opportunity for Employment & Business - KCMO

noreply@blogger.com (Moderator) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:39:00 +0000

The East Patrol Division/Crime Laboratory Police Campus project at 27th and Prospect is a HUD project and must meet Section 3 requirements. Both individuals and businesses that qualify for Section 3 certification will be given hiring priority during the project. But it is immensely important that we reach and educate everyone who could qualify for Section 3 certification, and encourage them to go fill out the paperwork in order to get qualified.

WHAT IS SECTION 3?
SECTION 3 is a provision of the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Act of 1968 that helps foster local economic development, neighborhood economic improvement, and individual self-sufficiency. The Section 3 program requires that recipients of certain HUD financial assistance provide job training, employment, and contracting opportunities for low- or very-low-income residents in connection with projects and activities in their neighborhoods.

FOR RESIDENTS
Do you have a job skill? If you want a vendor to know about your job skills and readiness for work, then con-tact us! We will assist you in identifying opportunities with vendors doing work for the City of Kansas City, Missouri. When a vendor needs to hire additional staff or workers on HUD-assisted projects, that company is required - to the greatest extent feasible - to hire and/or contract with Section 3 certified residents.

WHO CAN QUALIFY?

* Public Housing Resident

* Food-Stamp Recipient

* Low Income-80% or below median income of Kansas City, Missouri area

* Very-Low Income-50% or below median income of Kansas City, Missouri area

FOR BUSINESSES
Your company could qualify as a Section 3 business if it meets the following criteria:

* 51 percent or more owned by Section 3 resident(s)

* 30 percent or more of your permanent, full-time employees are Section 3 residents

* Your business subcontracts 25 percent or more of the contract's value to Section 3 businesses

The information above is also included in the attached PDF document. In order to apply for Section 3 certification, individuals or businesses should contact the Small Business Division, 1601 East 18th Street (the Historic Lincoln Building), Kansas City, MO 64108, Phone: 816-513-6817, Fax:: 816-513-6820.

Mark

Sgt. Mark Stinson
Capital Improvements Unit
Kansas City Missouri Police Department

Federal Internship and Job Opportunities for Youth with Disabilities

noreply@blogger.com (Moderator) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:04:00 +0000

Friday, January 13, 2012

Good afternoon--

The White House Office of Public Engagement invites you to a nationwide conference call on federal internships and employment opportunities for young Americans with disabilities on Tuesday, January 17th at 3 p.m. EST. Program representatives will explain how to apply for these unique opportunities, when application materials are due, and useful tips on putting together a competitive application package.

What: Conference Call on Federal Internship and Employment Opportunities for
Young People with Disabilities

Speakers from:

The White House Internship Program
The Presidential Personnel Office
The Department of Labor's Workforce Recruitment Program for College Students with Disabilities

When: Tuesday, January 17th

Time: 3 p.m. EST

How: Please click HERE to receive an email with dial-in information for this call.

Note: this call is off the record and not intended for press purposes.

The White House • 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW • Washington, DC 20500 • 202-456-1111

Grant Opportunity - Reintegration of Ex-Offenders

noreply@blogger.com (Moderator) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 18:15:00 +0000

Reintegration of Ex-Offenders (RExO) Adult Generation 5 - SGA-DFA-PY-11-02

The Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, announces the availability of approximately $20.6 million to serve adult ex-offenders returning to their communities. The Department expects to award approximately 17 grants of up to $1,212,000 each for 27-months, which includes up to three months for a planning phase and a minimum of 24 months of operation. Any non-profit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status may apply for these grants to provide pre-release and post-release services to ex-offenders returning to high-poverty, high-crime communities. These services will include job training leading to credentials for in-demand industries, employment preparation, mentoring and assistance connecting to supportive services such as housing, and substance abuse programs and mental health treatment.

Issue Date: January 12, 2012
Closing Date: March 13, 2012
Full Announcement (pdf format)

Presidential Memorandum Supports Entrepreneurship for those with Disabilities

noreply@blogger.com (Moderator) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Friday, January 20, 2012

As our nation continues to recover from the economic downturn, the President continues to demonstrate that all Americans, including Americans with disabilities, must play a part in that recovery and have opportunities to work and contribute to our society.

Today, the President issued a memorandum to the heads of Executive Departments and Agencies regarding the Federal Support for the Randolph-Sheppard Vending Facility Program.

The text is below or you can find it online at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/01/20/presidential-memorandum-federal-support-randolph-sheppard-vending-facili.

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release January 20, 2012
January 20, 2012

Memorandum For the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies

SUBJECT: Federal Support for the Randolph-Sheppard Vending Facility Program

Thousands of Americans who are blind have embraced the entrepreneurial spirit that helps define our Nation as a land of opportunity. Through the Federal Randolph-Sheppard Vending Facility Program administered by the Department of Education, talented and creative individuals who are blind have acquired the management training and business skills necessary to realize the American dream -- a lifetime of economic opportunity, independence, and self-sufficiency for themselves and their families.

For 75 years, blind business managers have successfully operated food services and commercial ventures at Federal, State, and private buildings and locations nationwide. We honor and celebrate this program's historic achievements. We also trust that the Randolph-Sheppard Program will continue to be a leading model for providing high-quality entrepreneurial opportunities for blind individuals. From a simple snack shop, to tourist services at the Hoover Dam, to full food-services operations at military installations, blind entrepreneurs have provided exceptional customer service to Federal and State employees, the Armed Forces, and the general public. With proven ability, they have challenged preconceived notions about disability.

The Randolph-Sheppard Act (20 U.S.C. 107 et seq.) created the Vending Facility Program requiring qualified blind individuals be given a priority to operate vending facilities on Federal properties. This program is responsible today for providing entrepreneurial opportunities for over 2,500 individuals who are blind. In turn, these business managers have hired thousands of workers, many of whom are individuals with disabilities. Every American, including persons with disabilities, deserves the opportunity to succeed without limits, earn equal pay for equal jobs, and aspire to full-time, career-oriented employment.

Continued support and cooperation are needed from executive departments, agencies, and offices (agencies) to extend the Randolph-Sheppard priority to qualified blind managers through the State licensing agencies that implement the program. Therefore, I direct all agencies that have property management responsibilities to ensure that agency officials, when pursuing the establishment and operation of vending facilities (including cafeterias and military dining facilities) as defined in 20 U.S.C. 107e, issue permits and contracts in compliance with the Randolph-Sheppard Program and consistent with existing regulations and law. I further direct the Secretary of Education, through the Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration, to submit a report to the President on agencies' implementation of the Randolph-Sheppard Program not later than 1 year from the date of this memorandum.

This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
The Secretary of Education is hereby authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.

BARACK OBAMA

Presidential Memorandum Supports Entrepreneurship for those with Disabilities

noreply@blogger.com (Moderator) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 00:03:00 +0000

Friday, January 20, 2012

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release January 20, 2012
January 20, 2012

Memorandum For the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies

Bid Notification - Bid # 7115-01242, RFP: Summer Youth Employment Program

noreply@blogger.com (Moderator) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:05:00 +0000

A formal bid notification has been sent to you by City of New Orleans.

To respond online, you need your company's user name and login ID. Go
to the City of New Orleans site at
http://www.purchasing.cityofno.com/bso/login.jsp. Enter your login and
password information to sign into the system. Once logged in, open
formal bids are listed in the Open Bids section of the home page. All
formal bids can be accessed by clicking on Bids, then Open Bids.
Printed copies of the bid can be requested from Nat Celestine by
calling (504)658-1550.

The information from the request is below:

Bid Header

Requesting Department: City of New Orleans
Buyer Name: Nat Celestine
Buyer Phone: (504)658-1550
Buyer Email: ncelestine@cityofno.com
Bid Number: 7115-01242
Description: RFP: Summer Youth Employment Program
Opening Date/Time: 02/17/2012 04:00:00 PM
Available Date/Time 01/18/2012 12:10:00 PM

Thank you for your participation.

Use this link to log on to City of New Orleans:
http://www.purchasing.cityofno.com/bso/login.jsp

RFQ from MARC

noreply@blogger.com (Moderator) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:53:00 +0000

New RFQ from MARC:

Recruitment of Disadvantaged Businesses For Targeted Assistance

MARC and its partner, the UMKC Innovation Center – KCSourceLink, desire to contract with up to 10

community organizations whose mission is to work with disadvantaged businesses to help identify and

engage small disadvantaged business enterprises in the Kansas City metropolitan region (Cass, Clay,

Jackson, Platte and Ray counties in Missouri; and Johnson, Leavenworth, Miami and Wyandotte counties

in Kansas).

http://www.marc.org/rfp/RFQ_RecruitmentDBE_TargetedAssistance.pdf

United Way funding opportunities

noreply@blogger.com (Moderator) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:49:00 +0000

United Way of Greater Topeka is pleased to announce the release of Requests for Proposal (RFP) on Wednesday, February 1 for funding opportunities beginning June 2012. In the release, four funding opportunities will be available focused on strategies supporting 10-year community goals in the areas of:

· Early Education Strategies

· On -Grade Achievement Strategies

· Financial Stability Strategies

· Substance Abuse

Organizations interested in learning more about these opportunities are invited to an Information Meeting.

What:	RFP Information Meeting
When:	Wednesday, February 1, 2012 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Where:	Marvin Auditorium 101BC, Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library 1515 SW 10th Ave, Topeka Kan.
RSVP:	Click here to RSVP online

Additional opportunities to apply for funding will be available after August 2012.

The RFP process is open to 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations that provide services in Shawnee and Jefferson counties. For more information, visit United Way of Greater Topeka at http ://unitedwaytopeka .org /community -impact /impact -funding -rfps.

JAMIE HORNBAKER

Director of Communications

United Way of Greater Topeka

Phone: 785.273.4804 ext. 117 | Fax: 785.273.2467

1315 SW Arrowhead Road, Topeka, KS 66604

*** United Way's refined focus on Education, Income and Health starts with root causes and outcomes to ultimately create a more vital, stable and livable community. Visit www.unitedwaytopeka.org to learn more. ***

Employment Matters - NTJN's Working to End Homelessness Initiative

noreply@blogger.com (Moderator) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:55:00 +0000

Most people experiencing or at risk of homelessness want to work and paid employment is a critical piece in helping individuals achieve personal and family stability. Evidence and practice tells us that when offered employment opportunities and supports, people experiencing or at risk of homelessness can and do succeed in work.

To shine a spotlight on the critical role of employment in ending homelessness and to advance promising workforce solutions to addressing homelessness, the National Transitional Jobs Network launched the Working to End Homelessness Initiative in 2011 with support from the Butler Family Fund.

As a result, we're excited to share a series of best practice briefs with the field, which include: