GCD: Governor’s Council on Disability Newsletter Volume 6, Number 5, October 2020 Governor's Council on Disability logo Inside this Issue Page 1: . Celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month Page 2: . 2020 Legislative Priorities Poll now open . Show Me Hope Page 3: . MO-YLF Alumni Spotlight on Madelyn Hubbs . Get Ready to Vote Page 4: . How DSS has faced the COVID challenge . Apply Now for Regional Leadership Forums Image: Register to Vote reminder by the Dance the Vote Project, partially funded by the Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council Link to the video about voting, featuring individuals with disabilities explaining voting options: https://youtu.be/jzw1XZh6yts Celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month by Claudia Browner Images: 1. Increasing Access and Opportunity - National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) poster celebrating the 75th anniversary of NDEAM and the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act featuring a navy blue background and diamond shaped images of various individuals at work. Published by the US Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy. 2. GCD's 2020 Disability Employment Awareness Month poster featuring artwork by Susie Dains, poster contest winner depicting various people with disabilities and the wording "30th anniversary, ADA, Disability is just another word for possibility." Each year in October, the US Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), along with disability organizations and agencies throughout the country observe National Disability Employment Awareness Month—NDEAM. NDEAM celebrates America's workers with disabilities and reminds employers of the importance of inclusive hiring practices. This year marks the 75th anniversary of NDEAM, along with the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the 100th anniversary of Vocational Rehabilitation! The theme for NDEAM 2020 is “Increasing Access and Opportunity”. The Governor’s Council on Disability (GCD) provides an annual educational NDEAM exhibit throughout the month of October, along with various other activities, to raise awareness and provide education about the workforce contributions of workers with disabilities. This year, GCD is offering a Virtual NDEAM Exhibit, and I invite you to visit our website to check it out at https://disability.mo.gov/NDEAM.htm and learn information about the background and history of NDEAM, disability history, GCD’s participation in NDEAM activities, ideas to celebrate, employment resources for Missourians with disabilities, and other resources. The GCD also raises awareness about the importance of employment inclusion through its annual Disability Employment Awareness Month poster contest. The winner of this year’s poster contest is Susie Dains, a young woman from Lake Ozark who attends the Bear POWER program at Missouri State University in Springfield. To find out more about the contest, or download a copy of the poster, please visit https://disability.mo.gov/gcd/PosterContest/ Page 2 2020 Legislative Priorities Poll now open by Laura Mueth Image: 2020 Legislative Priorities Poll flyer with link to website and survey monkey link. GCD is preparing for 2021. Please assist us in our legislative activities by completing the Legislative Priorities Poll. The responses will be used as we interact with all legislators before and during the 2021 legislative session. By completing the Poll you will help to ensure representatives and senators hear from all segments of the disability community (individuals with disabilities, family members, friends, service providers, educators, employers, agencies, health professionals, etc.) and from all 114 counties as well as the City of St. Louis. The poll can be completed online using Survey Monkey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/N2R7VTB. It is also available in PDF formats which can be filled out electronically or printed and completed by hand. These versions can be accessed at Annual Legislative Priorities Poll at https://disability.mo.gov/gcd/legislative_priorities_poll.htm or by contacting the GCD office at 800-877-8249. Assistance with completion is also available by contacting the GCD office. Please return all Polls by Friday, November 6, 2020 at 5:00. Hard copies can be returned via fax (573-526-4109), email (gcd@oa.mo.gov), and mail (Governor’s Council on Disability, 301 West High Street, Room 620, PO Box 1668, Jefferson City, MO 65102-1668). Show Me Hope by Claudia Browner Images: DMH CARES logo Show Me Hope logo The State of Missouri is offering a Crisis Counseling Program (CCP) known as ‘Show Me Hope’ that is funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and SAMSHA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) in response to federally declared disasters. This program is available to all Missourians and provides local community counselors to teach coping and stress management skills to anyone dealing with the anxiety and uncertainty caused by the events such as the current COVID pandemic. The CCP helps individuals and communities recover from disasters through community outreach and access to resources including mental health services. Some of the services offered include individual and group crisis counseling, community networking and support, educational materials, referrals and resources, as well as a Disaster Distress Hotline. Please visit the Show Me Hope website at https://www.moshowmehope.org for more information. One of the services offered by the Department of Mental Health throughout the remainder of the year are weekly, interactive 30-minute DMH CARES webinars that focus on self care, mindfulness, emotional wellbeing, and coping skills for stressful situations. These webinars are offered free of charge. For more information and the register for any of the upcoming webinars, visit the DMH CARES website at https://www.moshowmehope.org/index.php/outreach-resources/ Page 3 MO-YLF alumni Spotlight on Madelyn Hubbs by Rachel Rackers Image of Madelyn Hubbs This month’s Missouri Youth Leadership Forum (MO-YLF) alumni spotlight is on Madelyn Hubbs. In July of 2017, Madelyn attended the Missouri Youth Leadership Forum, a leadership program for students with disabilities, and returned last year to participate as a staff member. She has always been one to prove to others that a disability doesn’t stop a person from achieving their goals, and continues to break down those barriers still today. Madelyn is currently a third year Psychology Pre-Occupational Therapy major and Education minor at Maryville University in Saint Louis. She works as a residential assistant for first year students in the dorms on campus. She is also the Activities Coordinator for the Students of Occupational Therapy Club, as well as a Teacher's Assistant for Anatomy labs. Even with Madelyn’s busy schedule with school, she still finds time to be involved in different ways to help others advocate. She is the Vice President for Maryville’s Disability Advocacy club, which is open to all students, disabled or not, and is designed to break down the barriers that surround the disability community. Also, she continues to run a YouTube channel helping others who experience limb loss like herself gain the confidence and skills to conquer every day challenges. She has spoken to thousands of students and adults throughout the St. Louis area to promote disability awareness. On July 28, as part of the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Madelyn gave a speech at the Missouri state capitol on her perspective as someone born after the ADA. Madelyn has long been a supporter of Shriners Hospitals for Children. Years ago she started raising money for Shriners programs, organizing an annual toy drive and volunteering as a patient ambassador. Madelyn finished her year as one of Shriners Hospitals for Children National Patient Ambassadors in July; however, still continues to represent the hospital at various speaking engagements. During her time at a National Patient Ambassador, she got to participate and be involved in several once in a lifetime experiences. Last year, she got to ride on the Shriner’s float in the Rose Bowl parade! She also had the opportunity to meet the players who were playing in the Shrine Bowl. We are excited to see what the future will hold for Madelyn. Get Ready To Vote by Claudia Browner Image: Go Vote Missouri logo Have you registered to vote? It’s not too late. The deadline for registration for the November elections is October 7! Register now at https://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/goVoteMissouri/register Do you know about your different voting options? . In-Person Voting—Find your polling place at https://voteroutreach.sos.mo.gov/PRD/VoterOutreach/VOSearch.aspx . Curbside Voting at your polling place—Ask a poll worker to bring a ballot to you. To find out about the accessibility of your polling place, contact your local election authority at 1-800-669-8683 or https://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/goVoteMissouri/localelectionauthority . Absentee Voting—Deadline to request absentee ballot: October 21 by 5 p.m. Return in person or by mail by 7 p.m. on election day. . Mail-In Voting—Deadline to request mail-in ballot: October 21 by 5 p.m. Return by US mail by 7 p.m. on election day. For more detailed information on voting options and requirements, please visit https://www.sos.mo.gov/CMSImages/ElectionGoVoteMissouri//2020VotingOptions.pdf To watch a video on Missouri Voter Preparedness by the Dance the Vote Project, featuring individuals with disabilities explaining voting options, please go to https://youtu.be/jzw1XZh6yts Page 4 How DSS has faced the COVID Challenge by Claudia Browner Image: Missouri Department of Social Services, my DSS logo The Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) exists to help Missourians build capacity to live safe, healthy, and productive lives. Click the link below to find out how DSS has adapted to the challenges of COVID-19 to assure continued service to the citizens of Missouri. https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MOGOV/bulletins/2a0e541 Services to support Missourians’ basic needs include: . Food assistance . Home energy assistance . Child care assistance . Employment assistance More information is available at https://mydss.mo.gov/services Apply now for Regional Leadership Forums by Rachel Rackers Image: Map of Missouri with RLF locations marked with stars The Missouri Youth Leadership Forum is now accepting applications for four, one-day Regional Leadership Forums (RLF) for students with disabilities (ages 16-21)! Our team is looking forward to connecting with youth throughout the different parts of the state. During each RLF, the youth will get a small glimpse into what the Missouri Youth Leadership Forum is and also build connections with local alumni, agencies, employers, etc. The safety and health of our program participants and staff are a priority. Therefore, we had to postpone the RLFs to the spring of 2021 due to the recent increase in COVID cases in schools and communities. Those who applied for the fall events are still invited to participate in the spring, along with new applicants. The tentative dates for the Regional Leadership Forums (RLF) are: March 13, 2021 — Jefferson City March 20, 2021 - Cape Girardeau April 10, 2021 — Kansas City April 17, 2021 — Springfield Please help us share this exciting opportunity with students, parents, teachers and colleagues. Applications are now being accepted for all RLFs! For more information about the Regional Leadership Forums and apply, visit our website at: https://disability.mo.gov/gcd/ylf.htm Questions? Call 573-751-2600. Missouri Governor’s Council on Disability Members . Yvonne Wright, Chair, New Bloomfield . Joan Bergstrom, Ed. D, Lee’s Summit . Charles Comstock, Kirksville . Betty Davidson, Ph.D., St. Louis . Ronald Hack, St. Louis . Chip Hailey, Joplin . Rosemary Hendon, West Plains . Katie Jones, St. Charles . Kim Lackey, St. Louis . Elijah Mayfield, Jefferson City . DeAnna Noriega, Columbia . Susan Orton, Creve Coeur . Andrew Sartorius, Jefferson City . Lesia Shelton, Buffalo . Opeoluwa Sotonwa, Jefferson City . James Trout, St. Louis . Robert Wallace, St. Louis Missouri Governor’s Council on Disability Staff Members . Claudia Browner, Executive Director . Laura Mueth, Senior Program Specialist . Rachel Rackers, Senior Program Specialist . Jessica Zimmer, Lead Administrative Support Assistant