The Region VI CRP-RCEP e-News Bulletin is published monthly through a grant awarded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration to the Department of Rehabilitation, Social Work & Addictions at the University of North Texas.
Editorial Staff
Editor
Martha Garber
Project Director
Contributing Authors
Margaret J. Cortez
Marcy Haag
Jim Humes
Yvonne Raffini
Zach Sneed
Principal Investigator
Linda Holloway
Any comments about the content or design of this e-Newsletter should be directed to Martha Garber
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Advisory Committee
Bill Agnell
DARS Blind Services, Texas
Paul Baganz
Easter Seals of Greater Northwest Texas
Marsha Blackmon
Louisiana Rehab Services
Dorothy Brooks
Arkansas Blind Services
Belen Burkhalter
Oklahoma Dept of Rehab
Amy Fox
Tresco, Inc.
New Mexico
Debbie Hambel
New Mexico DVR
Bill Loyd
Abilities Unlimited of Ft. Smith, Arkansas
Carl McMillen
Panhandle Independent Living, Texas
Daryel Prust
UpLIFTD, Louisiana
Terry Smith
DARS Rehab Services, Texas
Terri Williams
Total Source for Hearing-loss and Access, Oklahoma
What would you like to hear about in future issues of e-news?
Send your comments and story ideas to e-News Bulletin Project Director & Editor, Martha Garber.
From the desk of: Martha Garber
One out of 100 persons in the United States is incarcerated according to a report issued by the Pew Research Center earlier this year. One in 30 men between the ages of 20 and 34 is currently in jail. While women are 10 
times less likely to be incarcerated, the number of women jailed is steadily increasing. According to the National Institute on Corrections, 95% of offenders return to their communities after completing their sentences. These issues are important to the rehabilitation community as the prison population is about three times as likely to have a disability.
Employment is the key to integrating into the community and creating a better life. The road to employment can be very rocky for the ex-offender, especially if that person has a disability.
When looking for work, offenders often need assistance explaining work history and gaps in employment on an application or in an interview. While disclosure of a disability is a choice, disclosure of the offender's status may be required. Defining how to reveal is crucial. Rules regarding employment of ex-offenders are different in each state which further complicates reintegration.
This month we will look at resources to assist the offender with a disability to reenter the workforce.
National Institute on Corrections
The National Institute on Corrections (NIC) was created to provide training, technical assistance, information services, and policy/program development assistance. The NIC Library is a good resource for information regarding offenders with disabilities and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The NIC addresses juvenile justice issues through a recently launched blog, the Juvenile Justice Connection. The blog is intended to address research in juvenile justice; training and development opportunities and links to info on juvenile justice news and information from agencies across the United States and the world.
Employer Incentives for Ex-offenders
There are two employer incentive programs for hiring ex-offenders. The Federal 
Bonding Program (FBP) and the Work Opportunity Tax Credit which we featured last month in e-News. The FBP is primarily for ex-offenders but can also be used for low-income applicants who may have gaps in their work history, as well as applicants with poor credit or those who have filed for bankruptcy. The bonding is free to employers for the first six months of employment.
The work opportunity tax credit is available for individuals with disabilities as well as ex-offenders. Both programs are operated through the Department of Labor. Below are links to detailed information:
http://www.bonds4jobs.com/assets/brochure.pdf
http://www.doleta.gov/business/Incentives/opptax/
State Resources
Each state creates its own unique set of rules governing offender reentry into the community. Generally, felons are restricted from working with vulnerable populations, law enforcement, drug or liquor sales and certain occupations requiring a license or certification. Some exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis, but, once again, it depends on the state.
To address this, UNT has developed a one-day state-specific training on re-entry. With a series that began last year in Oklahoma, New Mexico and Louisiana, Dr. Zach Sneed, organizational consultant, will complete the regional circuit this year by delivering Texas and Arkansas trainings this summer. He will also deliver a New Mexico DVR-sponsored offender training in June. Check our calendar for updates.
A beginning point for state-specific offender information is the lead agency for corrections. Here are the links for Region VI states:
http://www.arkansas.gov/doc/
http://www.cole.state.la.us/
http://corrections.state.nm.us/
http://www.doc.state.ok.us/
http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/
Transitions
Ken York is the new Assistant Director of Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS) effective March 26, 2008. The position became available with the retirement of long-time LRS employee, Claire Hymel.
Ken has served LRS and consumers with disabilities for over 17 years in a variety of positions including Bureau Administrator, Program Coordinator, Program Specialist, and
Rehabilitation Specialist and Counselor.
Current Assistant Director, Claire Hymel, will officially retire April 6, 2008.
Training Schedule
April 11, 2008: Developing Your Business Plan, Online
April 18, 2008: Disability Etiquette, Online
April 30, 2008: Job Coaching, Hot Springs, AR
May 20-21, 2008: Building Employer Relationships: Marketing, Shreveport, LA
June 24-26, 2008: Certificate in Employment Services, Baton Rouge, LA
New Training At Your Desktop
Managing the Unknowable: A Step-by-Step Approach to Writing Great Business Plans
The University of North Texas/Region VI CRP-RCEP is pleased to host an important training for the field.
As a VR professional, you are called on to assist consumers in developing small businesses and/or to evaluate a plan that a consumer gives to you.
This online webinar will equip you with the tools to provide this service effectively.
Don't miss Cary Griffin, noted author and consultant, in this special UNT feature.
From your desktop, Friday, April 11, from 10-11:30, a MUST attend training!!!
The Region 6 Revitalization Conference is scheduled June 2-4 at the Hilton Garden Inn – Downtown, in Austin, TX. The event is envisioned as a time for reconnecting to the heart of the IL movement. UNT is a co-sponsor of the event.
To register online, Click here.
Upcoming Conferences
CSAVR Spring Conference 2008, April 20-23, 2008, Behesda, MD
National ADA Symposium & Expo, May 12-14, 2008, St. Louis, MO
Region 6 Revitalization Conference, June 2-4, 2008, Austin, TX
Workforce Innovations 2008, July 15-17, 2008, New Orleans, LA
2008 Annual Conference on Independent Living, July 21-24, 2008, Washington, DC
2008 NRA National Training Conference, October 23-26, 2008, St. Louis, MO
CSAVR Fall Conference 2008, November 16-19, 2008, San Diego, CA
This project is in part supported under a grant from the Department of Education. However, the contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education and endorsement by the Federal Government should not be assumed.