The State Exchange on Employment and Disability (SEED), an initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), assists states in developing effective and inclusive workforce policies that promote disability employment. Recognizing that every state is unique, SEED offers policy options and resources that states can tailor to meet their individual needs and goals. To this end, SEED partners with leading intermediary organizations that serve as trusted sources of information to state and local policymakers.
Continue reading “POLICY BRIEF: COVID-19: FEDERAL DISABILITY-SPECIFIC AND OTHER RELATED GUIDANCE”Uber Expands Paratransit Options for Eight Cities
By Sydney Geiger | Thursday, April 18, 2019 at 10:52 AM
Boston, Chicago, D.C., Las Vegas, Toronto, San Francisco and New York City are improving their paratransit options through an Uber initiative. Since Uber’s launch, the company has invested in ensuring that its features and technologies are accessible to all users. In November 2018, Uber, a CSG Associate member, announced plans to widely expand paratransit for individuals using wheelchairs and other motorized mobilization devices.
Continue reading “Uber Expands Paratransit Options for Eight Cities”Washington Pilot Program Helps Individuals with Disabilities Return to the Workforce
ByTrent Patrick | Monday, September 9, 2019 at 03:59 PM
The focus on helping individuals with mid-career disabilities stay in or return to the workforce is emerging in the economic and health sectors of the public policy arena. This focus comes from the drive to retain good employees in the workforce, which benefits state governments, employees and employers.
Continue reading “Washington Pilot Program Helps Individuals with Disabilities Return to the Workforce”Disability Caucuses in State Legislatures
By Trent Patrick | Wednesday, May 6, 2020 at 10:16 AM
There have been many innovative and diverse ways for coalitions to form in state legislatures. As the groups of people who participate in the political process change, one such innovative legislative tool to ensure all voices are heard would be a legislative caucus.
Continue reading “Disability Caucuses in State Legislatures”State Medicaid Buy-In Programs for Workers with Disabilities
By Sydney Geiger | Monday, September 23, 2019 at 10:05 AM
Fear of losing Medicaid coverage can deter people with disabilities from entering the labor market. Medicaid buy-in programs allow workers with disabilities to purchase Medicaid coverage that enables them to participate in the workforce without losing health care benefits. A large majority of states such as Colorado, Illinois and Ohio, amongst others, are participating in or pursuing these kinds of programs.
Continue reading “State Medicaid Buy-In Programs for Workers with Disabilities”Kentucky Representatives Cross Party Lines to Develop Engage and Empower Caucus
By Sydney Geiger | Friday, November 1, 2019 at 12:00 AM
Two Kentucky representatives — Rep. Al Gentry and Rep. Brandon Reed — have crossed party lines to co-chair a caucus focused on issues facing people with disabilities. The bipartisan caucus is currently comprised of nine republicans and nine democrats.
Continue reading “Kentucky Representatives Cross Party Lines to Develop Engage and Empower Caucus”Kentucky Paves the Way for Public Sector Apprenticeships
By Sydney Geiger | Tuesday, February 4, 2020 at 10:49 AM
Kentuckians work for the government at a rate slightly higher than the national average — 16.2%. Based on application trends, however, that percentage might decrease. According to a report from the National Association of State Chief Administrators, the number of applicants for state government jobs has decreased by 24% from 2013 through 2017.[1]
Continue reading “Kentucky Paves the Way for Public Sector Apprenticeships”Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Vocational Rehabilitation Programs
By Rachel Wright | Monday, April 13, 2020 at 04:42 PM
This year marks the 100th anniversary of federal-state vocational rehabilitation programs and services. The 1920 Smith-Fees Act, also known as the Civilian Rehabilitation Act, put forth the necessary funding for states to provide prosthetics, vocational guidance, training, occupational adjustment and placement services to individuals with disabilities.
Continue reading “Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Vocational Rehabilitation Programs”Pennsylvania Representative Dan Miller Hosts 7th Annual Disability and Mental Health Summit
By Sydney Geiger | Monday, April 13, 2020 at 02:44 PM
Pennsylvania Representative Dan Miller hosted his seventh annual Disability and Mental Health Summit in Pittsburgh at the beginning of March. The event highlights a variety of critical issues faced by people with disabilities. Over 2,000 legislators, advocates, youth, and practitioners were in attendance.
Continue reading “Pennsylvania Representative Dan Miller Hosts 7th Annual Disability and Mental Health Summit”States Prioritize Mental Health Amid COVID19 Pandemic
By Sydney Geiger, CSG Policy Analyst
As the current state with the largest outbreak of COVID-19, New York is prioritizing the mental health of its citizens. Over 6,000 volunteers have donated their time to staff a free online mental health hotline. Discussing the hotline, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said, “No one is really talking about this. We are all concerned about the immediate critical need. The life and death of the immediate situation which is right. But don’t underestimate the emotional trauma that people are feeling and the emotional health issues.”
Continue reading “States Prioritize Mental Health Amid COVID19 Pandemic”