STEP UP Notes Special Edition

Welcome to STEP UP to Leadership Notes, an e-newsletter for youth and young adults with disabilities.  STEP UP to Leadership Notes, formerly IDS Youth Notes, is offered through the Start Today Empowering Peers through Uniting and Participating (STEP UP) Advisory Council . . . young leaders of tomorrow with and without disabilities.  STEP UP Notes includes information on leadership, self-advocacy, transition, health care, education, career and job opportunities, recreational activities and more.  If you have resources or information you want to share with others, please reply to this e-mail or contact Jerry R. Alliston at jerry.alliston@usm.edu.

Inside this edition:

Special Edition – November 2014

 

STEP UP to Self-Advocacy ...How to Become a Future Leader

 

Please join us for a free online training to learn about self-advocacy services in Mississippi and the importance of becoming a self-advocate. Learn "real-world" activities that lead to greater independence on the road to being a self-advocate.

 

Pick the time that works best for you:

 

Monday, November 17, 2014 12 to 1 pm

 

or

 

Tuesday, November 18, 2014 6:30 to 7:30 pm

 

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STEP UP to Leadership   for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, funded by the Administration on Developmental Disabilities (GR# 90DN0228).  For more information, call toll free 1.888.671.0051 or visit IDS on the web at www.usm.edu/disability-studies.

 

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Southern Miss Institute for Disability Studies Gulf Park Joins Broad Effort to Observe National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Southern Miss NOW article. 

Southern Miss Institute for Disability Studies Has New Name

Main Content

ARTICLE | FRI, 10/03/2014 - 9:45AM | BY ALMA ELLIS

Tennis is one of the many options available to clients at the Institute for Disability Studies Gulf Park Campus. (Submitted photo)

Tucked away on a corner of The University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Park Campus in Long Beach, the Institute for Disability Studies Gulf Park Campus is the new name for a facility that is renowned for its service to those in need.

Previously known as simply The Institute for Disability Studies, the new name reflects the center’s home base and primary focus. IDS Gulf Park offers a collection of community service programs that have been serving children and adults with disabilities and their families locally on the Gulf Coast and statewide for years.

“IDS Gulf Park Campus has been part of the Institute for Disability Studies for some years now,” said Dr. Vafa Kamali, interim executive director, “but this name change better reflects the focus of our programs for children and adults with disabilities and their families.”

IDS Gulf Park offers specialized recreation and assistive technology equipment for children and adults. From beach wheelchairs, special fishing poles, kayaks and hand cycles - even golf carts and clubs - to adapted computers, toys and games, the equipment is available for use free of charge to anyone with a disability.

Want to exercise or play? An accessible fitness center, fitness trail and play park are located adjacent to the Institute for Disability Studies Gulf Park building. Want to play tennis? Players with disabilities can take to the courts just across from the building’s front door. Lessons are available. Want to make ceramics? IDS Gulf Park Campus houses a ceramic studio and provides instruction.

IDS Gulf Park Campus also sponsors an award-winning wheelchair basketball team and proudly provides services to veterans with disabilities. Additionally, IDS has fair housing staff onsite at the Gulf Park Campus.

For more information about the programs and services offered by IDS Gulf Park Campus, call 228.214.3400 or visit http://www.usm.edu/ids.

About the Author

Alma Ellis

·        Phone: 601.432.6975   

·        E-mail: Alma.Ellis@usm.edu

 

TLC Designated U.S. Paralympics Sports Club

Article | Thu, 08/14/2014 - 10:00am | By Charmaine Williams Schmermund

The Institute for Disability Studies (IDS), located at the Technology Learning Center on The University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Park campus in Long Beach, was recently named a U.S. Paralympic Sports Club. This designation, only one of two in the state of Mississippi, allows IDS to train athletes as a way to qualify for various U.S. Paralympics events.
Partnered with community organizations throughout the nation, the U.S. Paralympics organization says the sports clubs were “developed to involve youth and adults with physical and visual disabilities in sports and physical activity, regardless of skill level.”
“The U.S. Paralympic Sports Club program will provide the IDS’s Technology Learning Center location with the chance to further our organization by engaging in more adaptive sports, reaching out to a greater number of athletes, and hopefully increasing our community’s involvement,” said Ashley-Nicole Ross Flowers, coordinator of recreational services and assistive technology specialist at the IDS Technology Learning Center.
While IDS can assist athletes with any U.S. Paralympic sport, the organization’s largest athletic event is wheelchair basketball. IDS, having hosted the TLC Golden Eagles wheelchair basketball team since 2011, is currently ranked 17^th in the nation among more than 300 other Division III teams after competing in the 2014 National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) national championships in April.
The Institute for Disability Studies serves as Mississippi’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Research, Education and Service. The Institute’s Technology Learning Center on the university’s Gulf Park campus in Long Beach serves children and adults with disabilities through assistive technology, evaluation, consultation and recreation.
For more information, contact the Institute for Disability Studies’ Technology Learning Center at 228.214.3400 or email tlc@usm.edu.

 

 

 

Congratulations to IDS for receiving a new AmeriCorps Program starting September 2014!!!!

 

 

Education, Disabilities, Veterans/Military Families, Economic Opportunity, and Health are the Focus of Mississippi's AmeriCorps Programs

State Service Commission Awards AmeriCorps Grants to Thirteen Mississippi Organizations

 

Jackson, MS - Volunteer Mississippi announced today that thirteen organizations in Mississippi have received AmeriCorps State grants from the Corporation for National and Community Service.  AmeriCorps grants are awarded to eligible organizations that identify an unmet need in their community that will be addressed by AmeriCorps members that the organization recruits, trains, and manages. AmeriCorps members may receive a living allowance and other benefits while serving. Upon successful completion of their service, members receive a scholarship, known as an education award, from the National Service Trust.

 

These programs will support  544 AmeriCorps members across the state who will serve in in-school and after-school programs as tutors and mentors, provide resources and nutritional education to address food insecurity issues and healthy living lifestyles, cultivate school and community gardens, provide independent living skills trainings to individuals with disabilities, complete 9 home rehabilitations, connect veterans and family members of active military personnel to available resources, and provide financial literacy training to adults with disabilities.

 

Volunteer Mississippi will distribute $3.6 million in funding to these 13 organizations selected in a highly competitive statewide and national process.  These organizations are providing a grantee share (cash and inkind match) of $2.2 million.  In addition to the federal dollars to be used to operate these programs, a total of $1.66 million dollars will be available through the Segal Education Awards to be earned by AmeriCorps members.

 

AmeriCorps Programs focusing on education include:
AMERICA READS-MISSISSIPPI:  99 AC Members are serving as reading tutors for low-academic performing kindergarten through third grade students in 30 public elementary schools and early education centers across Mississippi.  CONTACT: Ronjanett Taylor, 601.432.6380 or rtaylor@mississippi.edu < www.americareadsms.org >

 

BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF THE GULF COAST // IMPACT 2014:  20 AC members plan and implement activities related to academics, community service, and health to engage a minimum of 1645 k-8 club youth at the 5 gulf coast clubs.  CONTACT: Tawana Banks, 228.896.3770, x329 or tbanks@bgcgulfcoast.org.  < http://www.bgcgulfcoast.org/ >

 

GRENADA SCHOOL DISTRICT:  29 AC members tutor 1,000 K-8 students in reading and math within the Grenada Elementary and Middle Schools, participate in local and national days of service in the Grenada community, and reinforce tutoring through reading initiatives at the local library.  CONTACT:  Gwen Woodson, 662.226.1606 or gwoodson@grenadak12.com

 

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH 1 - COOL Project - 64 AC members provide innovative tutoring and mentoring to 300 economically-disadvantaged k-12 students.  CONTACT:  Dorlisa Hutton,  601.853.9773 or dhutton@sr1tech.org <www.SR1Tech.org >

 

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI // CAMPUS LINK AMERICORPS -  80 AC members provide in- and after school tutoring to 300 economically disadvantaged 4^th – 8^th grade students in South MS. CONTACTS:  Samantha Jones, 601.266.5205 - samantha.markland@usm.edu or Maribeth Love, 601.266.5208 - maribeth.love@usm.edu

 

AmeriCorps Programs focusing on Healthy Futures include:
FOODCORPS MISSISSIPPI:  10 AC members increase vulnerable children's knowledge of, engagement with, and access to healthy food, at three local partner organizations in Mississippi. CONTACT:  Cecily Upton, 212.596.7045, x 112; cecily@foodcorps.org  < www.foodcorps.org >

 

CITY OF JACKSON AMERICORPS :  20 full time AC members focus on two specific services: 1) 13 AC members serve as healthcare navigators to 150 clients in targeted communities at five non-profit agencies.  2)  7 AC members provide nutritional information and prepare/distribute a monthly food box to 300 low-income senior citizens/individuals.  AC members also create and maintain at least 3 community gardens.  CONTACT:  Linda Caldwell, 601.960.0746 or lcaldwell@city.jackson.ms.us

 

UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI // UM COLLEGE CORPS focuses on both education and healthy futures.  122 students, serving as AC members at the University of MS, MS State University and MS University for Women,  serve economically disadvantaged children by delivering an enhanced pre-K curriculum, by providing sustained after-school tutoring, and by supporting a summer learning program. Members also provide food and referrals to economically disadvantaged children and families. CONTACT: Sarah Smitherman, 662.915.2592 or sasmithe@olemiss.edu

 

AmeriCorps Programs focusing on Workforce Development / Economic Opportunity include:
CLIMB CDC // WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT TRAINING INSTITUTE AC GULF COAST:  27 economically disadvantaged AC members receive in-depth job training and related skills training in the construction field to become more employable. They then apply their skills to rehabilitating 9 houses for low income persons in Harrison and Hancock counties.  CONTACT:  Stephanie Mathes, 228.864.6677 or smathes@climbcdc.org  < http://www.climbcdc.org/climb/ >

 

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI // TRIAD AMERICORPS - 33 AC members are trained on the use of the Money Smart financial literacy curriculum and work readiness.  AC members then provide financial literacy training to 600 individuals with disabilities who will gain knowledge for money management and financial independence.  CONTACT:  Jerry Alliston, 601.266.5979, jerry.alliston@usm.edu

 

Southern MS Planning and Development District - This Planning Grant will enable the legal applicant to work with stakeholders/partners in determining specific needs to be addressed, identifying resources to support an operating program, and developing  a solid application for a 2015-2016 AmeriCorps operating program with AC members addressing specific needs in SMPDD's 24-county Twin District's Workforce Area.  CONTACT:  Marsha Taylor, 601.545.2137, mtaylor@smpdd.com

 

Veterans AmeriCorps Program:
NORTHTOWN CDC:  20 veterans serving as AC members connect veterans, their family members, and family members of active duty military service members to available resources. CONTACT:  John Victorian, 601.842.6073 or j.victorian@msvsn.org

 

Disability AmeriCorps Program:
LIFE/Project LINC (Linking Individuals into Neighborhoods and Communities):  20 AC members provide life skills training to individuals with disabilities and ensure accessibility of local communities through each of LIFE's six office locations throughout the state.  Life skills trainings enable individuals to remain living independently or transition from assisted living back into independent living.  CONTACT:  Margie Moore, 601.969.4009 or mamoore_jam1@comcast.net < www.lifeofms.org >

 

 

 

 

Together, Let’s Get Things Done in Your Community
Learn how national service programs can strengthen your organization and community

 

Volunteer Mississippi will hold information sessions to discuss the availability of federal funds to support local national service programs and opportunities to access national service resources, including AmeriCorps State, VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America), National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC), and Senior Service Corps programs. Educational institutions, volunteer centers, state and local government agencies, and nonprofit, community, and faith-based organizations are eligible to apply for national service funding.

 

All sessions will be an hour and a half long.  Those interested in submitting an application for an AmeriCorps State program to operate in 2015 will meet for an additional hour after the presentation, for Nuts & Bolts of AmeriCorps State.

 

DATES/LOCATIONS:

 

TUPELO                Wednesday, July 9

                                9:00 am – 11:30 am

                                Hosted by United Way of Northeast Mississippi

Community Development Foundation Board Room

398 East Main Street, CDF Center, Tupelo

 

INDIANOLA        Thursday, July 10

                                9:00 am - 11:30 am

                                Hosted by and to be held at Khafre

                                300 Main Street, Indianola

 

JACKSON             Tuesday, July 15

                                9:00 am - 11:30 am

                                Hosted by Mississippi DOVIA and Mississippi Dept. of Archives & History

                                William F. Winter Archives and History Building

                                200 North State Street, Jackson

 

COLUMBUS        Wednesday, July 16

                                9:00 am – 11:30 am

                                Hosted by Mississippi University for Women

                                MUW, Hogarth Hall, President’s Dining Room

                                408 MUW Drive, Columbus

               

MERIDIAN           Friday, July 18

                                10:00 am – 12:30 pm

                                Hosted by United Way of East Mississippi

                                MSU Riley Center, 2200 5th Street, Meridian    

 

MOSS POINT      Wednesday, July 23

                                9:00 am  – 11:30 am

                                Hosted by Jackson County Civic Action Committee

                                East Jackson County Services Complex,                 5343 Jefferson Avenue, Moss Point

 

AmeriCorps is a grant-funded national service network providing resources to Mississippi communities. Service program members pair with public agencies, schools and institutions of higher learning, and nonprofit, faith-based and community organizations to build volunteer capacity and meet locally-identified needs. AmeriCorps members also recruit area volunteers to directly address core issues—education, disaster, health, veterans, and the environment—forging self-sustaining communities.

 

To learn more or register for an information session, contact Judy Stein at 601.842.6700 or judy@mcvs.org.

 

Volunteer Mississippi engages and supports Mississippians of all ages and backgrounds in service to their communities. As your state office of volunteerism, Volunteer Mississippi administers AmeriCorps programs, supports a network of Volunteer Centers, and coordinates other initiatives fostering community engagement and building volunteer capacity throughout the state. Contact VM at 888.353.1793, our website www.volunteermississippi.org, Facebook www.facebook.com/volunteeryall and Twitter @volunteeryall.

 

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Mississippi UCEDD Self-Advocate featured in national publication . . . AUCDigest May 2014

Taylor Carley Honored for Advocacy Work (MS UCEDD)

April 23, 2014

Hattiesburg native Taylor Carley has many dreams, and each day he works toward the goal of achieving them.

The 20-year-old, who has autism, has found his calling in life: helping people and being an advocate.

Whether it's being the best at his job at Sam's Club helping motorists fuel up or proving to the world that people with disabilities have just as many abilities as anyone else, Carley embraces each day with enthusiasm.

That passion has not gone unnoticed.

On Feb. 19, the Mississippi Special Education Advisory Panel awarded Carley the state's first Breaking Barriers Award at a ceremony at the Jackson Convention Center.

Carley was recognized for his many abilities and his advocacy work. He said he was surprised and excited to receive the award.

"I want to show others that even though I have a disability, it's an ability. It doesn't make me weak. I am just like everybody else," Carley said. "I just take time to learn and get better at things just like everybody else. ... I want to show others that they can do what they want to do."

As co-president of USM's Step Up Council - one of the university's newest student organizations - Carley said he tries to be a living example of what others with disabilities can achieve if they follow their dreams and believe in themselves.

"(The Step Up Council) pretty much helps people transition to adulthood and get a job and go to college and be independent one day," he said. "Right now, I'm focused on recruiting because now we're a USM student organization. I want more recruits and more people to join so we'll be a big organization and also so my friends will be able to tell people, 'Hey, this helped me. Why not let it help your child, too?'"

Laura Carley said her son's journey to becoming a leader began after he graduated from Sumrall High School in 2011.

"There is no program for these children once they graduate," Laura Carley said. "When he graduated it was pretty much like, 'See ya, Taylor. Now, go home.' This child is very shy, but has such a sweet loving soul, and I just could not fathom him sitting at home doing nothing. So, I got out there and dug and dug and finally someone led me to Mr. Jerry (Alliston.

Read full article.