If you would like to become a contributor to the WiSe Blog, please e-mail Mark Snodgrass with your request.

Also, I’d like to share with you a piece of conference history straight from Lee Valenta’s closet. It’s the T-Shirt from Ellensburg II.
Anyone else have things they’d like to share?

I am writing to announce that the 2009, 32^nd Annual Ellensburg Employment Conference has been cancelled. Please be assured that this decision is a difficult one for the Division of Developmental Disabilities, the WA State Counties and W.i.S.e. But, it’s a decision that we all agree is necessary during the tough economic situation that our state and our service system is facing. We have all enjoyed the rich tradition of Ellensburg and the rich learning an event like this produces. This conference is recognized nationally and internationally as a key reason for the success of supported employment in the state of WA. This is something we can all be proud of and something we can use as part of a foundation as we work together for the continuation of supported employment.  Everywhere that we look right now we are being called upon to conserve, refocus and rethink what our traditions and norms have been. The absence of our state’s largest learning event on employment is a great example of a time when we need to come together to “Try Another Way”. Please join me in the spirit of change and remember that we have: (1) all that we’ve learned, (2) all that we’ve developed and (3) all the talent of a collective of thousands of people to move our work to the next level.

Therefore, what’s being called for is a time of total FOCUS…we as a community are in a battle for critical services for people with developmental disabilities. Our commitment at W.i.S.e. is to continue to focus our training and technical assistance on maintaining those services for the individuals in jobs and seeking jobs, their families and the agencies that are navigating a very tough economy to sustain and maintain employment opportunities. We remain your partner in the pursuit of employment for ALL and we look forward to planning the next phase of learning and development that it will take for employment for people with developmental disabilities to be TYPICAL in our country. 

Stay focused, stay connected and in times of change you can count on one thing remaining the same…VALUES…

They have asked everyone throughout the nation to join them in a commitment to service on January 19th, and in a commitment to make it last, to continue this service beyond one day.

This offers everyone an opportunity to become involved by volunteering in their local community, or by hosting a service opportunity.  I can think of several ways to take advantage of this remarkable invitation.   Certainly this provides the opportunity for individuals with disabilities (and agency staff) to contribute to their communities, learning, sharing, building skills, and building a network of connections.  It is also an opportunity to ask community members to help with your efforts by serving in a variety of ways:  on individual planning teams, in providing advice about the job market and connections to community employers, in inviting job seekers to come to work with them to see what particular work environments and jobs are like.

I look forward to  hearing  your ideas about ways to serve, and ways to invite the community to serve in your efforts.  Please share your creative ideas.  This  a new, exciting era:  A time of great change, and a time of great opportunity.

Michelle Obama’s message about this:

One week from today, on January 19th, Barack and I will join thousands of people all across the country for an extraordinary day of service.

I recorded a short video to tell you more about this important effort. Please take a minute to watch it and sign up to host or attend a service event near you.

Volunteers of all ages and backgrounds are committing to renew America together, one community at a time.

Whatever service activity you organize or take part in — cleaning up a park, giving blood, volunteering at a homeless shelter, or mentoring an at-risk youth — you can help start this important journey. But this is about more than just a single day of service, it’s the beginning of an ongoing commitment to your community.

Go to www.usaservice.org for more information.

http://www.change.org/ideas/view/fully_fund_medicaid_waivers_for_the_developmentally_disabled

Fully Fund Medicaid Waivers for the Developmentally Disabled
I propose that if the Medicaid waiver program were fully funded that the action would not only end decades-long waiting lists for people with developmental disabilities, but would also create small businesses and jobs because more service providers would be needed. Funding must be available in all states, portable across and within states and promote self-determination for the individual with the disability, their families and legal guardians. Furthermore, parents who have had to stay home to be caregivers could go back to work, and people with developmental disabilities would also be able to go to work because they would have employment supports to do so. Portability of services across states and counties also should be mandated so that families can, during these difficult times, move to another state and continue to receive services if they had them before. Right now, if a family moves, they placed at the bottom of the new state’s waiting list and can wait many years for services.

- Renee Beauregard (Mom, advocate, small business owner), Aurora, CO Dec 15 @ 12:11PM PST

Today was my rookie outting in the world of blogging. I had no idea how expansive this world is. I have searched templates, explored a massive number of sites, admired amazing photos and stories and am blurry-eyed with possibilities!

I find it simply mind boggling to consider the potential for feeling connected in a virtual world. I’m left to ponder…what does it mean to feel unified in the information era? I see how technology connects us to old friends, family and like-minded others but is it really possible to create unity through technology? I have witnessed the most connected movement in my lifetime, the Obama campaign. I sit stunned by the capacity of the vast array of outreach tools available through technology and yet still wonder if the ability to unify, connect and move a massive country like the United States was “for real”.

I guess only time will tell. The collective energy that is stirring in our country has my mind in action and in question of what is possible and probable.

Happy Veteran’s Day…and thank you to all of our veterans on this rainy, overcast day in lovely Seattle. I look forward to sharing the world of Supported Employment with you through yet another modality of our collective connectedness.