VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2
PROMISE Grant Monthly Newsletter
February 2014 
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
February Calendar of Events
Coming in the next weeks
Call Us
Contact Information
Executive Committee Meeting
Steering Committee Profile - Wendi Dawson
Workgroup Updates
Evaluation
Recruitment and Enrollment
Career Exploration
Case Management
Financial Capability Workgroup
New Staff on board
 



February Calendar of Events
 

 
 


Coming in the next weeks:

- New Logo and Branding

- Website

- 1-800 Number

 
 


Call Us 

If you have a group that may be interested in hearing about the grant, recruitment and enrollment, or other aspects of the project. Call 608.261.0050 or email:
 
 


Contact Information
 
Ellie Hartman, 
Project Director
201 E. Washington Ave.
Room H 103
Madison, WI
Phone: 608.261.0215
Email:

 
 








 


 
Executive Committee Meeting

The first meeting of the Executive Committee, comprised of Secretaries Rhoades (DHS), Anderson (DCF) and Newson (DWD) and Superintendent Evers, was held on January 24, 2014. In addition to discussing a possible press event and sharing some department highlights, the committee members offered these observations for how they visualize the role of the Executive Committee. 
  • Secretary Rhoades: Identify obstacles - who is in the way or what policies or rules are in the way.  Recognize barriers can be removed. Need to think differently. Have benchmarks/outcomes with deadlines and deliverables. Could use a work plan for each agency and then brief the Secretaries/Superintendent each time. Develop an employer model - CEO to CEO. Partner with Let's Get to Work. Need stories about employees and employers that include tangible benefit to employers. Put together several ideas the Governor could get behind.
  • Superintendent Evers: Don't want to micromanage the project. Need to look at our messaging for multiple audiences. Think about how we can communicate change and engage people in making that change.
  • Secretary Newson: Need to monitor outcomes and have regular budget updates. Would like to hear stories of who has been impacted by the grant so that could be fed to the media.
  • Secretary Anderson:  Broader view of the grant - not many details. Executive level reports like a dashboard or matrix. Think about how to send messages through departments.  

A press event will be held with the 4 agency leaders during the active recruitment launch, possibly during the first week of March.

Steering Committee Profile: 

Wendi Dawson, Department of Public Instruction (DPI) Statewide Transition Consultant

Wendi Dawson serves as the department representative for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. She originally served on the grant design and application committee.

 

Wendi Dawson at recent PROMISE Grant meeting in Washington DC
Workgroup Updates
Evaluation 
The evaluation workgroup has received approval from UW-Stout's Institutional Review Board (IRB) for the Wisconsin PROMISE Project. IRB approval is needed before we can start the enrollment process. All evaluation materials have been written so they are easily accessible to all the Wisconsin PROMISE participants to maximize the usefulness of the materials. 
Recruitment and Enrollment
Recruitment and enrollment documents are being finalized and set for final approval by SSA our Federal Partners. The forms include the Consent Form, Intake Form and Recruitment letters. All items are currently being translated to Spanish and will be used upon completion of training.
Click Here for article 
Career Exploration and Work Experience
The Career Exploration/ Work Experience Workgroup is comprised of over 20 members from a variety of agencies. The workgroup is in the final stages of identifying resources to be used by the case managers and support teams to assist participants and their families in the following areas: Career Exploration, Self-Advocacy, Job Readiness Training, Work Experience/ On-the-Job-Training, Adult Training, Job Development, and Literacy. 
Case Management
The Case Management group has three main objectives: training for staff, development of case management tools and engaging of consumers in the PROMISE DVR process.  All the PROMISE DVR staff will be receiving specialized training on Trauma Informed Care, Poverty and Benefits. The group was very helpful in identifying qualified trainers in each area who also had an understanding of VR and the job seekers that are served.  

Financial Capability Workgroup 

A talented team is serving on the PROMISE Financial Capability workgroup including work incentives benefits specialists, researchers, economic development and financial awareness experts, Independent Living representatives, and current and former Social Security Administration (SSA) employees. "Financial Capability" is a key feature of the PROMISE project.
New Staff on board
I am pleased to announce that the PROMISE grant DVR staff team is beginning to take shape. The following individuals will be transitioning into working with PROMISE participants and the PROMISE grant.