Florida Rural Routes to Employment

Okeechobee Employment Initiative: SSA Benefits and Funding Opportunities

Plan to Achieve Self-Support is a powerful work Incentive that offers many SSA beneficiaries the opportunity and funding to save for and acheieve career goals. Join us for an interactive and lively discussion and learn how PASS funds can be used to open the door to a wider range of career possibilities and enhance employment services.

Thursday, November 29, 2012 

9:30 am to 3:30 pm 

To register, contact Deborah Ross at dross@hpsfl.org or call (772) 320-0832

Download PASS Training- Okeechobee

Self-Employment and Resource Ownership Training Announcement

Download OrlandoPensacola Flyer SE 10-12

Self-employment has proven to be a viable and exciting career option for persons with disabilities.  Attend this training to ….

• Learn how to evaluate a business idea
• Create a simple business plan
• Identify promotional strategies
• Identify funding resources
• Learn how to acquire equipment or material and use an individual’s skills to generate profits for both employers and consumers

Who Should Attend? 

Vocational rehabilitation counselors, special  education personnel, employment service  providers, support coordinators, families and individuals with disabilities interested in employment options

Orlando, FL

November 5, 2012,  9:00 am to 3:30 pm

 

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation 3191 Maguire Blvd.

Orlando, FL 32803-3722

To Register for Orlando Session, Contact:

Desiree Robles drobles@bishopgradyvillas.org (407) 361-7710   or

Paula Whetro pw@buildingblocksministries.com 

Pensacola, FL
November 9, 2012,  9:00 am to 3:30 pm  

Location:
City Hall Bldg.
222 W. Main Street
Pensacola, FL

To Register for Pensacola Session, Contact:
 Tara Crawford 
tcrawford@trioemployment.net    

For questions about training content:
Contact Patty Cassidy
pcassidy@griffinhammis.com

Building the Okeechobee CAT

The most remarkable aspect of the Community Action Team (CAT) is the wide variety of creative and interesting people who have come together in this project. Their backgrounds are fascinating. We have an author, who also runs a battered women’s shelter, two respected pastors, a person who works for HUD, a seamstress who is working to market a new product targeted to bed ridden patients, an employment consultant with 20+ years of sales and marketing experience, a former welfare transition worker, a smart and caring vocational rehabilitation counselor, a disability benefits expert and our program coordinator who keeps us focused and on track.

What intrigues me is how the concept of social capital works. I had never been exposed to this terminology prior to this project. Now I see how it truly works in real life. It has been great to meet and work with the members of the CAT team. I value their ideas and contributions to our community. I hope to nurture these relationships and remain connected even after the project ends.

Janet Kissam, Helping People Succeed Florida