U.S. Labor Department makes available to employers database of more than 1,900 job candidates with disabilities
WASHINGTON —The U.S. Department of Labor today will make available to employers nationwide a free database of 1,921 job candidates with disabilities seeking employment in a wide variety of fields. Federal employers can tap into this ongoing recruitment resource online at http://WRP.gov, and private sector, other government and nonprofit employers can request unlimited searches by calling a toll-free telephone number.
The Workforce Recruitment Program for College Students with Disabilities, co-sponsored by the Labor Department's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) and the U.S. Department of Defense, compiled the database by sending recruiters to college campuses across the country to interview eligible undergraduate and post-graduate students, as well as recent graduates.
"Historically, people with disabilities consistently have experienced difficulties finding employment regardless of the economic climate," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "Providing an internship or first job to someone with a disability can provide a real jumpstart in launching a successful career. The Workforce Recruitment Program offers top talent while enabling college students and recent graduates the opportunity to gain invaluable work experience."
In using the database, an employer sets the criteria for each candidate search by specifying location, college/university, degree program, position type and length of appointment. Job seekers represent many high-demand fields of study, including accounting, administration, business, communications, computers, criminal justice, education, engineering, human resources/equal employment opportunity, health care, law, the social sciences and the sciences.
Hiring officials at federal agencies can access the Workforce Recruitment Program database and conduct independent searches on the Internet by obtaining a password at WRP.gov. Employers in the private sector, state and local government agencies, and nonprofit organizations should contact the Labor Department's Employer Assistance and Recruiting Network at 866-327-6669 to access the database. The Workforce Recruitment Program has assisted employers in identifying job candidates with disabilities who meet their recruitment needs since 1995.
ODEP is leading a 21st century federal response to the historic underemployment of people with disabilities. In collaboration with other government agencies, public and private employers, and additional stakeholders, ODEP facilitates the development and implementation of innovative policies and practices necessary to achieve a fully inclusive workplace. ODEP's work primarily falls into three categories: employers and the workplace; workforce systems; and employment-related supports, which include education and training, health care, reliable transportation, affordable housing and assistive technology. For more information, visit www.dol.gov/odep.
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
New Recommendations Call for States to Strengthen Long-Term Care Services by Collecting Workforce Data
New York, March 18, 2009 - State policymakers grappling with soaring demand for eldercare and disability services, particularly in home and community-based settings, face an enormous challenge: maintaining a stable, skilled direct-service workforce that can deliver quality services to consumers.
A new set of recommendations from the National Direct Service Workforce Resource Center, funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, suggests that a first step in addressing this challenge is adequate data collection.
The Center recommends that states collect a minimum data set, including three basic elements:
Numbers of direct service workers (full time and part time),
Stability of workforce (turnover and vacancies), and
Average compensation of workers (wages and benefits).
Read more and download the white paper
Click Here For White Paper
http://phinational.org/archives/cms-touts-value-of-workforce-data-collection/
Media Contacts:
Karen Kahn
Director of Communications
978.740.9844
kkahn@PHInational.org
Steve Edelstein
National Policy Director
718.402.7413
sedelstein@PHInational.org
Aaron Toleos, Online Communications Director
atoleos@phinational.org
718-874-9035
PHI works to improve the lives of people who need home and residential care-and the lives of the workers who provide that care. Our goal is to ensure caring, stable relationships between consumers and workers, so that both may live with dignity, respect, and independence.
Governor Jon S. Corzine
January 23, 2009
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Robert Corrales
609-777-2600
GOVERNOR CORZINE HONORS CHILD ACTIVIST GRACE GLEBA
Ceremonially signs “Grace’s Law”
Trenton – Reaffirming government’s obligation to ensuring the treatment of hearing impairment in children, Governor Jon S. Corzine today ceremonially signed “Grace’s Law” and thanked the bill’s namesake, 9-year old Grace Gleba for her civic awareness in championing the legislation until it became State law.
“I want to thank Grace and her mother Jeanine for being here today and for never stopping their fight,” said Governor Corzine. “Hearing aids for children were a major oversight in the past. Thanks primarily to Grace and her family, this insurance gap was brought to our attention and now hearing impaired children across the state will be able to afford hearing aids. We are all proud of your efforts.”
As a result of Grace’s commitment, health insurers across the state are now required to provide coverage for medically-necessary hearing aids for children 15 years of age and younger. Insurance companies must contribute at least $1,000 toward the cost of each hearing aid and must provide reimbursement for replacements at least once every 24 months.
“Most studies show that children who do not get proper treatment for hearing loss will suffer from poor listening, speaking and comprehension skills,” said Senate President Richard J. Codey (D-Essex). “Thanks to Grace Gleba and her parents, thousands of children in New Jersey will now have a level playing field to succeed.”
“The treatment of hearing loss in children with hearing aids is not a luxury,” said Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts, Jr (D-Camden). “It’s unimaginable that insurers can effectively deny hearing-impaired children the opportunity to learn to hear, speak and communicate like everyone else.”
Grace, a resident of Washington Township in Warren County, was born with congenital hearing loss that was identified 2 days after her birth. Wearing hearing aids since she was 3 months old, Grace has developed as any normal, active child would. She is an honor student, takes dance lessons, sings in the school choir and is even a cheerleader.
“Grace is a symbol of all that is possible for children with a hearing impairment,” added the Governor. “Because she has accomplished so much, she gives other children hope for a productive and rewarding future.”
According to studies, hearing loss is the most common form of congenital abnormality in newborns. In fact, approximately 3 per 1000 babies are born with significant hearing loss, making it the number one birth defect in America. If not treated, hearing loss can impede speech, language and cognitive development, which can result in significant educational delays and increased educational costs.
“The signing of this legislation give kids like Grace a chance to grow and thrive without the prospect of the impeded speech, language and cognitive development that can sometimes affect hearing-impaired children,” said Senator Buono, D-Middlesex. “By calling upon health insurers to cover hearing aides New Jersey's hearing impaired children will be able to be all they can be.”
“Hearing aids are a vital first step in treating hearing loss,” said Assemblyman Herb Conaway (D-Burlington), a practicing physician. “Moreover, they can make a major difference in a child’s education and ability to understand speech in the critical early years.”
Primary sponsors of the legislation included Senator Barbara Buono (D-Middlesex), former Senator Leonard Lance (R-Warren, Hunterdon), Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts, Jr. (D-Camden, Gloucester) and Assemblyman Herb Conaway, Jr. (D- Burlington, Camden)
Survey of Employer Perspectives on the Employment of People with Disabilities
The recently released Survey of Employer Perspectives on the Employment of People with Disabilities is the first of its magnitude, with responses representing more than 2.4 million companies nationwide. The survey���s results reveal that a majority of large businesses hiring people with disabilities are discovering that costs for accommodations differ very little from those of the general employee population. They also show that once an employer hires someone with a disability, they are much more likely to hire other people with disabilities. The complete report is available in Word format.
The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) has just released a new fact sheet on the subject of accommodations. Making Workplace Accommodations: Reasonable Cost, Big Benefits is available in PDF and Word format.
Compare Nursing Home Ratings
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released quality ratings for each of the nation's 15,800 nursing homes that participate in Medicare or Medicaid. Facilities are assigned star ratings from a low of one star to a high of five stars based on health inspection surveys, staffing information and quality of care measures.
Learn about alternatives to nursing home care and other long-term care choices.
