ADESA’s Post

See you there for the latest on issues and pathways for reform in the sector

Looking forward to discussing the importance of system alignments and policy changes to support family reunification. Stop by our session to join the conversation!

This October, we celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)! NDEAM is a time to recognize the contributions of America's workers with disabilities and to showcase supportive, inclusive employment policies and practices. This year's theme is "Advancing Access and Equity." Want to learn more about how to support opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities in the education, training, and workforce landscape? Watch Equus Workforce Solutions Director of Strategic Communications Marion Akers and Ann Werbach, Strategic Partnership Director for InsideTrack, discuss this important topic at the NAWB's Forum 2023. In this conversation, they dive into the challenges and opportunities facing individuals with intellectual disabilities, and how we can work together to create a more inclusive and equitable workforce. Click here to watch the full video: https://lnkd.in/gq5V9J8x #NDEAM2023 #WorkforceEquity #InclusiveEmployment

 💛 What's your "why"? --> As May marks Maternal Mental Health month, I often reflect on the evolution of work-life balance from my first experience as a new mom circa 2015 to the second time around in 2021. Back then, stationed overseas, I juggled full-time, on-base work with access to affordable, high-quality childcare. Contrastingly, amid a global pandemic, when my son arrived, I found myself working remotely without access childcare support. Needless to say, that was unsustainable and led me down a path of big changes.  ✨ On Jan 1st, 2022 - 7 months postpartum - I made a resolution to prioritize my mental well-being and that of my two children. Throughout the year, I progressively shed elements of my life that no longer aligned. Fast-forward 2 years, I've proudly created a reality where I no longer feel compelled to choose between family and career. My role as a recruiter has not only been fulfilling, but has also empowered me to continue to advocate for working families. I take pride in being associated with an organization that authentically upholds values of social justice, anti-bias education support, and advocacy for self and others. ⚡ Contemplating the future of my children, I envision a reality where, should they decide to embark on parenthood, they need not compromise their mental health for their careers. Speaking out and raising awareness about the postpartum journey remains a persistent challenge for working mothers, and I am stoked to be part of an organization that supports this movement!  💡 Learn more about Wonder's involvement here: https://lnkd.in/eSrxSZF5. #childcare #mentalhealthmatters #breakthestigma #postpartumsupport #workingfamilies

I am pleased to announce that, in collaboration with Gerison Lansdown, we have co-authored a publication titled "Measuring the Impact of the Child Participation Assessment Tool: Outcome Indicators and Guidance for Data Collection" for the Council of Europe. This publication reflects our unwavering commitment to amplifying the voices of children through their active participation. The Council of Europe's Child Participation Assessment Tool (CPAT) plays a pivotal role in this regard, equipping governments with essential indicators to assess their progress in realizing Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (#UNCRC #childrensrights). The outcome indicators detailed in this publication are designed to enable States to achieve the following: ► Conduct a comprehensive baseline assessment of children’s perceptions of being listened to and taken seriously. ► Evaluate the effectiveness of the measures adopted under CPAT. ► Identify the necessary measures to strengthen participation rights. ► Highlight exemplary practices. ► Monitor progress over time. ► Enhance accountability to children and young people.

Publication Spotlight! The following study analyzed the way service providers adapted to address the needs of rural disabled people during the unfolding Covid-19 pandemic. The article was written by lead author Krys Standley and co-authored by Genna Mashinchi, Rayna Sage, and Lillie Greiman. You can read the abstract by following this link: https://lnkd.in/gAQA_zKM

At the Coalition our vision is quality care for all, including those who provide it. But how do we get there? By making professional community health workers (proCHWs) the norm worldwide. We do this with three interconnected tactics to drive systems change. We research to equip international norm setters with evidence to create proCHW guidelines. We advocate to influence global financing institutions to increase proCHW funding. And we activate in-country CHW networks to win national proCHW policy. In our latest blog, and ahead of our upcoming Annual Report, we explore where we won in 2023 and what we hope to achieve together in the new year. What would you add to the list? We would love to hear in the comments! https://lnkd.in/eJMn_iWJ

Blitz Blog – Help to advocate for Individuals with disabilities by supporting the HEADs UP ACT 2023 Welcome back to the Blitz Blog. My colleague in the Special Needs Family Engagement Center (FEC), Carol Musso, sent an article today that was published in Disability Scoop: Feds Urged To Classify Disability As A Health Disparity - Disability Scoop. And, last week, I was at our annual Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics (SDBP) conference. One of the roles of SDBP, as an organization, and for me, as an individual, is advocacy. I was reminded of the HEADs UP Act of 2023, which was introduced into Congress (House Bill 3380) on May 16, 2023. H.R.3380 - 118th Congress (2023-2024): HEADs UP Act of 2023 | Congress.gov | Library of Congress We can all advocate by contacting our state’s representatives and urging them to support the HEADs UP Act of 2023. As SDBP stated: -         The HEADs UP Act is a bi-partisan bill re-introduced in the 118th Congress on May 16, 2023. This bill was previously introduced in the 117th Congress but did not move out of the subcommittee. -         As of May 19, 2023, the bill is currently in the Subcommittee on Health for review.    -         With your support and advocacy skills, it is my hope that this bill will move to the next phase of the legislative process. What would the HEADs UP Act of 2023 provide? o  Would designate people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) as a “Medically Underserved Population,” which would increase access for individuals with I/DD to more than 25 federal programs and agencies. o  Would increase access to loan repayment and training programs for providers who work with individuals with I/DD. o  Would provide incentives for physicians to treat this population by increasing reimbursement rates for services delivered. o  Would authorize the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to health centers that provide services for individuals with I/DD. o  Would potentially increase research due to preference given to federal research studying medically underserved populations. Here is how to find your house representatives and senators: Members of the U.S. Congress | Congress.gov | Library of Congress #developmentaldisabilities #HEADsUPAct

Watch as two of our team members, Richard Blakeborough (interviewer) and Tony (interviewee and head of DIAS at Independent Living) talk about the EGL (Enabling Good Lives) Principle: ‘Ordinary life outcomes’.     Tony discusses what Ordinary Life Outcomes look like for him personally as well as what that means in our Independent Living context. Whaikaha - Ministry of Disabled People #EGL #EnablingGoodLives #IndependentLiving

Are you skeptical or struggling to engage with the National Preparatory Process in the context of the EVAC Ministerial Conference? Do you want to support local CSOs but are unsure how to go about it? Register for tomorrow's (Tuesday) EVAC CSOs Forum Webinar and join the conversations with representatives from WHO, national CSOs, Save the Children, SOS Children’s Village, and World Vision International. CSO Forum to End Violence Against Children; The Alliance for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action; Global SDG Network; #childprotection.