C-Store Dive: Sheetz Expands Program to Hire Workers With Disabilities, RCPA Member KenCrest Highlighted
DLI
Free Virtual Training Series Aims to Help Employers Create, Maintain Recovery-Friendly Workplaces
The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (DLI), in partnership with Penn State College of Medicine, is offering a free virtual training series to help employers create and maintain recovery-friendly workplaces. The training series, “Shatter the Stigma: Supporting Recovery in the Workplace ECHO,” will educate employers on valuable tools to support employees in recovery from substance use disorders, provide strategies to reduce stigma in the workplace, and help prevent unnecessary terminations.
The program starts Tuesday, September 10 with eight one-hour sessions. The sessions are 8:00 am – 9:00 am every other Tuesday at no cost to employers. Those interested can register online.
OVR Releases FNT Policy Public Meeting Notice
The PA Department of Labor & Industry’s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) has developed a draft of the Financial Needs Test (FNT) policy. The draft will be posted on OVR’s website for public review beginning August 30, 2024. Virtual meetings will be held via Zoom at 10:00 am and 3:00 pm on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, to provide an overview of the policy and take questions and comments. Please note that the content will be the same in both meetings. The public is invited to comment on the draft policy for 30 days. Comments may be directed to OVR’s Public Comment Resource Account through September 20, 2024.
Meeting Information
CART and sign language interpreters will be available for these meetings via the Zoom link. Additional auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Please send your request to OVR’s Public Comment Resource Account.
Support Service Provider Trainings Announced
The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry’s Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH) is excited to collaborate with Step Up Services to offer free, in-person training sessions for Support Service Providers (SSP). SSPs support individuals who are DeafBlind in leading a self-determined life. There will be two training sessions, one in the eastern region and one in the western region.
Eastern Region
October 5, 2024
Northampton Community College
Western Region
November 2, 2024
Mount Aloysius College
Please note: In addition to attending one of the two trainings, individuals will need to complete an online course to become an SSP. For more details about this requirement, please contact ODHH.
Sign up today! The deadline to register is September 6, 2024.
For questions, please contact ODHH via email.
Registration Now Open for October 10 Employment Symposium & Job Fair
Legislative Task Force Releases Report on Delivery of State Services Relating to ID/A
House Resolution 212 (2021), which was adopted June 29, 2022, created a legislative task force on services provided to individuals with intellectual disability, developmental disability, and autism. It directed the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study on the impact of the Commonwealth’s current needs and system capacity for providing opportunities for individuals with intellectual disability, developmental disability, and autism.
The Commission was further directed to establish an advisory committee to assist in its study. The advisory committee included representatives from the Commonwealth agencies, who were charged with the responsibility of overseeing these services, namely the Department of Human Services (DHS) Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) and the Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR). Other representatives included individuals and family members of individuals who are receiving home and community-based services or who are on waiting lists for services. Service providers, advocates, self-advocates, a physician, and a representative of the Pennsylvania Association of County Administrators of Mental Health and Developmental Services, as well as other interested persons, were also on the advisory committee. Richard Edley, President and CEO of RCPA, and several RCPA members served on this committee.
The committee has completed their work, resulting in their finalized report and one-page summary.
RFP Released for InVEST Project in Eastern PA Region
The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry (L&I), Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), is looking for a partner to deliver and manage their InVEST Project services in the eastern region of Pennsylvania. The federally funded InVEST Project (Grant # H421D220003) will assist individuals with disabilities in finding fulfilling jobs in their communities while meeting the unique workforce needs of green and transportation-related industries.
If you’re interested in applying, visit PA eMarketplace.
Audiological Services Policy Public Meeting Notice Released
The PA Department of Labor & Industry’s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) has developed a draft of the Audiological Services policy. The draft will be posted on OVR’s website for public review beginning January 15, 2024. Virtual meetings will also be held via Zoom at 10:00 am and 3:00 pm on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, to provide an overview of the policy and take questions and comments. Please note that content will be the same in both meetings.
The public is invited to comment on the draft policy for 30 days. Comments may be sent electronically through February 16, 2024.
Meeting information:
Wednesday, February 7, 2024
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
CART and sign language interpreters will be available for these meetings via the Zoom link. Additional auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Please send your request via email.
PA L&I Announces Availability of $2.8M in Grant Funding to Improve Job Quality for Direct Care Workers
On January 8, 2024, the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) announced the availability of $2.8M in reemployment funds for the Direct Care Worker Job Quality (DCWJQ) Grant. The grant funding is to be used to boost PA’s direct care workforce by improving job quality and increasing career advancement opportunities. Applicants may request awards of up to $600,000 each.
Additional information about this funding is posted on the L&I grant opportunity web page. This information includes the grant itself, the application form, project summary, budget form, and the Worker Protection and Investment Certificate form.
The application deadline for the DCWJQ Grant is February 29, 2024, at 4:00 pm ET.