MOVING FASTER We're committed to taking service to the next level. August 2015 Greg's Greetings SOME BIG GOALS FOR THIS Simply stated our major goals for this year are the YEAR following: One thing is for sure with our agency, you cannot say that there is not enough to do! It does feel like we have been running for the past three years, and I don't see that slowly down much this year. In many ways, GVRA has stabilized as an agency. Our infrastructure is pretty much in place. Our funding situation is much improved. Program staffing is better than it's been. We've been able to give some pay raises with more to come this year as well, and we have greater visibility with the state legislature. So what's next you might ask. The answer is that our focus now should be on improving our effectiveness and our efficiency. As you have hopefully heard me say before, our mission of service to others is our highest priority; and now the pace will be geared toward making a quantum leap forward regarding our mission. Significantly increase the number of individuals served and number of jobs obtained. Significantly increase the business and employment opportunities. Maximize our effectiveness and efficiency for those applying for SSA benefits. To do this, we really can't slow down. I'm reminded of one of my favorite Doobie Brothers' songs "It Keeps You Running," and that's what I expect this year to be like. The good news is that we have the privilege of serving Georgians who traditionally have had a hard time and who can really benefit from what all of you do. I personally feel so blessed to do what we do, and I am always willing to keep running for something as noble as that. GVRA Newsletter Changes This month marks the end of the GVRA newsletter as we all know it, but it's not exactly going away. Beginning in October, GVRA will publish its first seasonal magazine. You heard that right. We're committed to bringing you high-quality content that not only informs but tells the narrative of GVRA: that our mission isn't just about jobs; it's about the people we help gain employment and find independence through that employment. The editorial team is already hard at work, but we still want to hear from you. Do you have a success story? Is there something interesting happening in the Georgia disability community? Do you have an idea for a recurring feature or column? Let your voice be heard. For suggestions, questions or comments on the new magazine-style format, please contact GVRA Communications Manager John Boan at 404.623.9159 or email him at john.boan@gvra.ga.gov. 2 Jamming for a Cause The third annual Friends Helping Friends Jam Fest and Taste of Elberton is fast approaching, and you're invited. system or to the students served. All FHF members and workers receive no compensation. FHF is dedicated to the memory of Bud McCall. While dining at the delicious food court prepared by Visit FriendsHelpingFriendsClub.com for more info local restaurants and caterers, enjoy inspirational about the event and to learn more about the great family entertainment provided by local and area work Friends Helping Friends does every year. musicians. State Representative Tom McCall will auction off cakes, so bring your sweet tooth along with your family and friends. Donations will be received at the door. All proceeds benefit Friends Helping Friends Club, Inc., a 501(c)3 charitable organization providing exceptional educational opportunities such as school trips, special events, lessons, crafts and school supplies for Elbert County students of all ages Pictured below: Musicians at last year's Jam Fest and who face special challenges at no cost to the school Taste of Elberton rock out. 3 WIPA Gets a Facelift The Georgia Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Program under the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency now has a new customer care number and service area map. The Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Program (WIPA), which educates and aids individuals on SSI or SSDI who want to work and gain self sufficiency, recently underwent a few changes. The number of counties covered under the WIPA grant by GVRA has swelled to 119, with the remaining Georgia counties being covered by WIPA services through the Shepherd Center. Meriwether, Mitchell, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Muscogee, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Peach, Pierce, Pike, Pulaski, Quitman, Rabun, Randolph, Richmond, Schley, Screven, Seminole, Stephens, Stewwart, Sumter, Talbot, Taliaferro, Tattnall, Taylor, Telfair, Terrell, Thomas, Tift, Toombs, Treutlen, Troup, Turner, Twiggs, Upson, Walton, Ware, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Webster, Wheeler, Wilcox, Wilkes, Wilkinson and Worth. To learn more about GVRA and its efforts to maximize employment opportunities and independence for Georgians with disabilities, visit www.gvra.georgia.gov. In addition, the GVRA branch of WIPA now has a toll -free customer care number. All questions related to working while on SSI or SSDI can be directed to 844 -FOR-WIPA (367-9472). "Our mission is to help Georgians with disabilities get jobs," said GVRA Executive Director Greg Schmieg. "WIPA is another tool in our toolbox." The counties covered by GVRA include: Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Baker, Baldwin, Banks, Barrow, Ben Hill, Berrien, Bibb, Bleckley, Brantley, Brooks, Bryan, Bulloch, Burke, Calhoun, Camden, Candler, Charlton, Chatham, Chattahoochee, Clarke, Clay, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Columbia, Cook, Crawford, Crisp, Decatur, Dodge, Dooly, Dougherty, Early, Echols, Effingham, Elbert, Emanuel, Evans, Franklin, Glascock, Glynn, Grady, Greene, Habersham, Hancock, Harris, Hart, Houston, Irwin, Jackson, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Jones, Lamar, Lanier, Laurens, Lee, Liberty, Lincoln, Long, Lowndes, Macon, Madison, Marion, McDuffie, McIntosh, The map above shows the counties that will now be covered by GVRA. The counties in white are now covered by the Shepherd Center. 4 An RWS Graduation Family, friends and staff recently filled the Roosevelt dreams. Nichole, service dog beside her, shared her Hall auditorium for the June graduation ceremony at experience of growing up with epilepsy and Roosevelt Warm Springs Vocational Rehabilitation reminded the graduates that having a disability does Campus (RWS). not make one less than other people, just different. RWS holds graduation ceremonies twice a year to After receiving their graduation certificates from the celebrate the accomplishments of its students who keynote speakers and Roosevelt Warm Springs are returning home armed with new skills and Executive Director Bill Bulloch, each student had an enthusiasm to achieve their goals. Several opportunity to make a speech to the hundreds of graduating students, it was announced, already had people gathered in the Roosevelt Hall auditorium. jobs in their home communities. A total of 44 Many graduates stood at the podium and thanked students participated in the graduation ceremony on their family and friends and talked about what June 19th. The event included a motivational speech Roosevelt Warm Springs experience has meant to by former student LaShawn Long, a vocal them. performance of "Wind Beneath My Wings" by graduate Sarah Pergola and a moving sign The graduates may be leaving Warm Springs, but language presentation of "I Believe I Can Fly" by the the staff of RWS hopes to keep in contact with them Roosevelt Warm Springs Signers. as they return home and enter the workforce. Trey Stewart, another former RWS student who now LaShawn, 25, graduated from Roosevelt Warm works fulltime at Warm Springs, will call the Springs in December 2013 and has been working as graduates at regular intervals to document how they a Peer Support Specialist at Access2Independence in are progressing on their goals. Columbus since October 2014. He shared the keynote speaker duties with his employer, Nichole The information that Mr. Stewart collects will help Davis, Executive Director of Access2Independence, a RWS to continually improve its programs and non-profit organization that helps people with services. The next graduation will take place in disabilities live independently. LaShawn encouraged December. the current graduates to never give up on their 5 DAS Employee of the Month This nomination was submitted by David Crozier in but also shows that Ms. Yee reads and utilizes pol- the category of Customer Service. icy in the performance of her job. "Ms. Yee has a history of contact with the Quality Assurance (QA) Unit. Ms. Yee contacted the QA unit when the new Failure to Cooperate (FTC) procedures were put in place. Her questions were thoughtful and showed concern for correctly following policy and providing good service to applicants. Ms. Stone-McGlade reports that Ms. Yee performs her job conscientiously and always considers the welfare of the applicant. Ms. Yee provides global customer service by notifying adjudicators regarding issues pending on a claim. Below is an email received from Ms. Yee that not only demonstrates excellent customer service David, in my role as FTC for Consultative Examination (CE) reminder calls in Athens, I have had the opportunity to use the service three times. I have experienced communication with claimants (CLs) who speak Bosnian, Spanish and Hmong. I wanted you to know how wonderful the service is and how simple it is to use. It has been a wonderful experience to be able to "talk" with people about their appointments and each time, the CL has had a question that they had not been able to ask previously. Thank you for helping us work closely with CLs who have no other voice. Lisa GIB Celebrates the ADA On July 17th, Georgia Industries for the Blind (GIB) joined forces with the Center for Independent Living, Bain Inc, to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. GIB, who is the largest employer of blind individuals in the region, has been a longtime sponsor of the annual ADA activities hosted by Bain Inc. This year's ADA festivities were kicked off by a march through the streets of the community, which culminated at the Bainbridge Middle School Cafeteria where a formal program was held. Mayor Edward Reynolds and some inspiring words from State Rep. Darleen Taylor. Also included in the program were speakers from agencies serving individuals with disabilities such as GVRA, GDOL, Easter Seals and Friendship House. Luis Narimatsu, GIB PR coordinator, was one of three speakers representing the agency this year. Narimatsu recapped the positive economic impact GIB has on the community, including the fact that over $3 million was paid out to employees in wages and benefits last fiscal year. Some of the highlights of the program included the "These monies go into the community, and when reading of a proclamation signed by Bainbridge you take into consideration the local multiplier 6 GIB and the ADA Continued effect, the amount of secondary spending produced from job leads produced by the call center agents, has a major impact in terms of economic so not only are we employing blind people in the development in the community," Luis said. call center, but we are also helping other individuals with disabilities find employment around the state". Mike Lane, GIB Call Center Supervisor, recalled the many obstacles and challenges he faced to find Roger Meredith, a GIB mechanic, shared his story on meaningful employment before coming to GIB. how he was forced to quit his job as a certified GM mechanic and stay home due to his degrading Mike, who is a Florida State University graduate, eyesight. started at GIB as an administrative assistant. He took advantage of supervisor training and now is in "After over a year of in-activity I just had to do charge of the GIB Call Center. something," Roger said. "I finally gathered the cour- age and called GIB. I worked in production for a "In the call center, we make cold calls to employers while, and then I applied for an opening in the around the state and generate job leads for the maintenance department as a mechanic. Now I get GVRA BRS team," Mike said. "In June, of the 59 job to fix machines like before". placements made by the BRS team, 21 came from Pictured from left to right are Mike Lane, Roger Meredith and Luis Narimatsu. 7 BEP Happenings The BEP is happy to announce the completion of its Gordon was the only installation that received an 2015 trainee class! Wesley Vaughn and John exceptional rating from the Department of the Army Bellamy completed the licensee candidate training Food Management Inspection. This was in large part class on August 14. to Franklin's efforts and his team exceeding the standards. Congratulations to the BEP's Contract Manager Franklin Hulsey! Frank manages the food service Congratulations to new licensee candidate Phyllis contract in consultation with his teaming partner at Campbell who was recently awarded the Rich's Caf Fort Gordon Army post in Columbus. The food snack bar located in the Atlanta Federal Center. service contractor (H&B Inc) continues to provide exceptional food service to military service Congrats and farewell to licensed vendor manager members. The quality of food service provided by Zach Snow who was recently awarded the Adairsville H&B is recognized at the highest levels of the food Rest Area vending. Zach is temporarily still service chain. H&B makes every effort to keep costs managing Zach's Snacks located at #2 Peachtree down while providing optimum service. Street until this role can be filled by a new vendor manager. Recently the Logistic Readiness Center (LRC) at Fort Customer Care Helpline DAS (844) For(844) 367-4872 8