Transcript Document

SOLVING THE PUZZLE: AGRABILITY NETWORKING RESOURCES
COLLABORATING WITH THE ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION AND GOODWILL INDUSTRIES
TO PROVIDE BEST SERVICES FOR AGRABILITY CLIENTS
The vision of AgrAbility is to enable a high quality lifestyle for
farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural workers with
disabilities.
The Arthritis Foundation's vision is to create a world free of
arthritis pain.
Goodwill’s vision is that every person has the opportunity to
achieve his/her fullest potential and participate in and
contribute to all aspects of life.
Three visions. One common goal:
Solving the Puzzle of Disability Assistance
SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIPS:
ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION -------------> GOODWILL
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GW Staff attended AARL Conference (2011)
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AF provided materials and resources for GW AgrAbility
trainings
Oregon (April 2010) and New York (May 2012)
 couldn’t attend to speak, but sent presentations
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Alabama A&A Workshops (2012)
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Eric Olsen and GW staff at AL stakeholder meeting promoted
the A&A consumer workshops 2 weeks after their meeting
SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIPS:
ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION -------------> STATE AND REGIONAL
AGRABILITY PROGRAMS (SRAP’S)
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Arthritis and Agriculture Consumer Workshops
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Arthritis and Ag Professional Trainings
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Illinois, North Carolina, Georgia
Speaker/Display at Professional Conferences
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Vermont, Maryland, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas
Nebraska, Kentucky, Minnesota, Arkansas
Media Submissions (magazines, TV, radio)
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Michigan, Nebraska, Illinois, Wyoming
SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIPS:
ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION -------------> NATIONAL AGRABILITY
(NAP)
Alabama
 Montana
 North Carolina
 Minnesota
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Ashley Driste, guest speaker
POTENTIAL PARTNERSHIPS:
ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION -------------> GOODWILL
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Arthritis and Ag Professional Trainings
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For GW staff
2015 National Arthritis Conference
 Author magazine and newsletter articles
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AF “Growing Pains” Newsletter
 GW “Working!” Jobs Magazine
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Resource sharing
 Event partnerships and sponsorships
 Website links, Facebook posts
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POTENTIAL PARTNERSHIPS:
ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION -------------> STATE AND
REGIONAL AGRABILITY PROGRAMS (SRAP’S)

Arthritis and Agriculture Consumer Workshops


Arthritis and Ag Professional Trainings

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For general public
For AgrAbility and AF staff
Media Submissions (magazines, TV, radio)
GOODWILL AND AGRABILITY
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Goodwill joined the National AgrAbility Project in the
2008 project year
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For the initial four years, this role was assumed by Eric
Olson, a member of the Goodwill Industries
International Team
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Beginning with the 2012 Project Year, the role has been
assumed by Goodwill of the Finger Lakes, one of the
Goodwill Affiliate Members
GOODWILL AND AGRABILITY
Goodwill Connections …
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Goodwill staff are members of SRAPs in Colorado, Maine and New Jersey.
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Goodwill of Delaware and Goodwill of Arkansas are on the advisory boards
of their respective SRAPs.
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The Oregon Goodwill Affiliates (Goodwill of the Columbia Willamette and
Southern Oregon Goodwill) established a stakeholder group which was
able to secure foundation funding for an affiliate AgrAbility Project.
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Goodwill teams in Alabama, Arizona and New York have hosted
informational meetings for stakeholders, as well as regional conferences to
introduce AgrAbility to non-AgrAbility States.
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The Macon Goodwill in Georgia has hosted AgrAbility Trainings in its career
centers.
Work will continue to connect Goodwill affiliates to the AgrAbility mission!
THE GOODWILL NETWORK
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Goodwill itself is a complex networking machine. While lead from
administrative offices at Goodwill Industries International, Goodwill is not a
single entity.
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There are 165 independent, community-based Goodwill agencies in the United
States. While Goodwill’s mission is to put people to work, and keep people
working, each affiliate may have their own focus areas within their
communities.
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Goodwill regions may include a few counties, or a few states. In many cases,
each SRAP has multiple Goodwill Affiliates within their state.
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Each affiliate shares the common mission of getting people to work, and
helping individuals remain at work, however, each may provide this mission
differently. Some Goodwill organizations have focused programs for particular
barriers such as: Vision Impairments, Hearing Impairments, Traumatic Brain
Injury, Chronic Illness, Mental Health Concerns or Developmental Disabilities.
Some have roots in organizations such as Easter Seals.
GOODWILL AND AGRABILITY
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As Goodwill works to leverage our affiliate networks, we are
also charged with facilitating the Networking team to get
AgrAbility connected to local service providers and relevant
organizations where it makes sense.
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Goodwill team members will represent the National
AgrAbility Project at several conferences and events, building
the networks that will assist in making each project stronger
and more connected to the service providers and referral
sources in their regions.
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Through our own Goodwill and other affiliates, one way to
leverage the network will be through training opportunities in
core competency areas.
CONNECTING TO AND THROUGH GOODWILL
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The easiest thing to do is ask us! We have access to all of the
Goodwill organizations and can get you the right people in the
right place.
The reference document made available today also lists
Goodwill organizations by state. (many overlap state lines, and
states may have multiple Goodwills)
We can help you get your information in the Goodwill job
centers across the country, a place where individuals go when
they can no longer do the work they once did, or cannot connect
to employment.
Your local Goodwill may be connected with or be the area
Vocational Rehabilitation team and other valuable providers that
help you help your clients.
CONNECTING TO AND THROUGH GOODWILL
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The saying goes, if you have seen one Goodwill, you have seen
one Goodwill. An example of connecting with just one Goodwill
could lead to:
Inclusion in your region’s 2-1-1 listing as a resource for individuals who
may be calling for services, AND, a number to provide to clients who
may be in need of assistance and supports.
 Connection to a Crisis Center for the National Suicide Prevention
Lifeline accredited by the American Association of Suicidology, with a
team that specializes in emotional health and mental illness. On call
24/7 for our region, with connections to similar services in yours!
 Access to Vision Serve Alliance, National Industries for the Blind and
Vocational Rehabilitation for the Visually Handicapped, which are a
part of our organization. Let us help connect you to your local
providers, or guide you in the most effective ways to work together.
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QUESTIONS?
Amber Wolfe
[email protected]
800.783.2342
JoBeth Rath
[email protected]
585.402.2059