Supported Employment

October is National Disability Employment Month!

The leaves are turning, the colors are rich this year with oranges and reds.  In Denver, we have had our first brush with winter. October marks the seasonal advent of fall and it is also National Disability Employment Month. This month, let’s celebrate Colorado’s Employment First efforts and the passage of the 2014 Workforce Opportunities […]

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How is Employment First Down Under?

Here at Shining Beautiful, we advocate for employment for people with disabilities.  Mikelle has been working in some form or fashion since she was sixteen years old.  In the very near future, Mikelle and I are starting a podcast featuring interviews and discussions with advocates, employment specialists, thought leaders and whoever we find interesting.  Colorado

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National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Mikelle and I often write about employment strategies for people with disabilities.  In celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month and the many changes coming forward with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act, we feel you need to hear directly from the  Regional Services Administration Commissioner Janet LaBreck on what is happening in the area

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Are Parents the Best Job Developers for Special Needs Children?

I don’t know, but I think so.  After all, who knows our kids better than we do? We know our communities and our communities know us, right?  We hope so. Here are few reasons why we might be our child’s best job developer.  We, as parents, are great at negotiation. We can spy an opportunity

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It’s not March Madness, but it is Bracelet Bonanza!

March Madness does exist at Mikelle’s home, but it is more like madness for making money at her Bracelet Bonanza Party. While many things bring a smile to Mikelle’s face, nothing makes her more confident than gathering the green stuff in her small hand. At the first ever Social Security Beneficiaries Summit, via conference call,

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The conversation continues: Families at the Forefront of Technology Conference 2015

Check out this year’s presenters! To quote John F. Kennedy, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” At Shining Beautiful, we learned so much from last year’s conference. Mikelle is using the Pictello app on her iPad to hire

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Mistakes, Coincidence and Chance: Necessary Ingredients for Supported Employment Success.

Fertile soil, water and sunshine are all necessary to yield bountiful crops. So, too, are mistakes, coincidence and chance essential ingredients for successful job development and supported employment programs. Paperwork must be done and meetings must happen to keep funds flowing in. They also serve to prepare the job development terrain. The greatest movement, however,

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Key Elements of Creativity in Supported Employment

How do You Get from Here to There? The first part of this series on X-treme Creativity focused on frustration and the desire for improving job development activities and results. In this segment, we zero in on the key element necessary for creativity to flourish. Grab a piece of paper and start your checklist. Consider

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