Introduction Powerpoint and notes from first meeting on 2.25.10

1. Welcome and thank you for agreeing to be a part of the NH state team February 25, 2010

3. AN AFP OVERVIEW By Tammy Mills, Self-Advocate Consultant for People First of New Hampshire The National Alliance For Full Participation is a movement that is created by a group of organizations from across the country where people with and without disabilities can get together and focus on important topics, write up state team reports, and prepare for the national summit. Among the organizations that help put the Alliance together are Self Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE), APSE, and TASH just to name a few. And in each state, teams are formed in order to have meetings and come up with creative reports on what’s being worked on. 2/25/2010

4. We’re going to focus most of our energy on the subject of employment, and based on what I’ve learned from the World of Work trainings, I’d like to share a few things with the Alliance about employment. This may include how to job shadow, how to create a resume, how and where to look for a job, and so on.

5. You might wonder why employment is important for self-advocates, and the thing is, they need cash not just for spending, but also for paying bills. They also want to gain more independence no matter what their ability levels are. It also enables them to gain a close social relationship with co-workers and employers.

6. Without further ado, we’re going to turn our attention to the employment piece, and come up with creative projects we can and help other self-advocates across the state become fully able to work in their community based settings vs. the sheltered workshops. We’ll teach them about how to look for jobs/career opportunities, how to make most of their money they earn, and so on. All this is going to take place in the very near future.

7. National Alliance For Full Participation Vision For Employment: Employment expectations for individuals with developmental disabilities will be the same as those for people without disabilities. Education settings will assist in raising these expectations by providing information, supports and job experiences to all students. In all instances the individual will be the focus of the employment process. Discovering interests, experiences and skills are important facets of the job search. Customization, choice and individualized and natural supports help ensure job satisfaction and retention. Career development will be a consideration throughout the job process. Employment will be in regular, competitive and inclusive employment settings. Frequent and ongoing interactions and the development of relationships are expected. Compensation will be at least minimum wage, up to the prevailing wage for the work performed. Wages and benefits will be comparable to coworkers performing similar tasks. The Alliance for Full Participation Video Replay - 5/7/09 "Employment Today" Webinar

8. Notes From Meeting - Employment efforts in New Hampshire that we should know about for our Alliance: Granite State Employment Project: See slide 13 Project Search – National Project Hospital (Nashua, Concord) Project Start - Hospitality (Portsmouth) First Course – Culinary (Keene) Employer Collaborators ? Training – CSNI video conferencing Employment Leadership Committee – 2-3 trainings per year, statewide, vendors, AA, BDS, parents & families Employment Soft Skill – Intra-train, how to do online applications, 12 week series. GSIL Pilot Project – Benefits Coordinators being trained certified on benefits to help individuals, teaching employers about different tax incentives Monadnock also doing benefits training BDS – training on Personal Centered Planning focus on employment, job coaching, interviewing Schools – vocational skills, Internships for students, community-base of employers Job Fairs I am success campaign

10. Who should we get involved in our state team efforts (brainstorm) Individuals employed and unemployed Vocational Rehabilitation Schools Transition Coordinators Parents Employers/Businesses Other Vendors