New Section and New Resources Available on NCWD/Youth Website

NCWD/Youth introduces a new resource section, Technical Assistance Tools. These documents offer guidance in the design and implementation of programs in the fields of workforce, disability, and youth.

The first set of documents, Building, Developing, and Going to Scale: Grant Funded Programs for Youth in Transition, is now available. The six modules include:

• Module 1: Collaboration and Relationship Building
• Module 2: The Critical Choice—Pilot vs. Prototype
• Module 3: Leadership, Communications, and Outreach
• Module 4: The Fundamentals of System Building , Developing, and Going to Scale
• Module 5: The Practical Tools for System Building , Developing, and Going to Scale
• Module 6: Sustaining and Expanding Effective Practices

These six modules were originally developed as technical assistance tools for the state agency networks who are participating in an innovative demonstration project funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). The modules were developed from a combination of established practices in the human services systems, educational reform, successful business models, and advice from ODEP grantees.

Even though the modules’ original purpose was to support the efforts of the ODEP grantees, they can be helpful to the workforce system, other state agencies working with youth in transition, policy makers, and any public or private funder that is providing resources for innovative, collaborative youth development efforts.

Americans with Disabilities Act Anniversary

July 26 is the 15th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA guarantees equal opportunity for people with disabilities in public accommodations, commercial facilities, employment, transportation, state and local government services, and telecommunications. An overview of the ADA can be found on the NCWD/Youth website.

ADA centers around the country offer training, information, and technical assistance on the ADA along with providing accessible information technology to businesses, consumers, schools, and government agencies within . A list can be found at http://www.adata.org/centers.aspx .

Disability statistics can be found on the US Census website.

The U.S. Department of Justice ADA page is found at http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/.

CEC's Updated IDEA Regulations Side-by-Side

The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) has updated its side-by-side summary of the current and proposed IDEA regulations. Amendments to regulations are being proposed to implement recently enacted changes made to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, as amended by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004. To read the updated version of the CEC side-by-side, go to http://www.cec.sped.org/pdfs/Initial_Summary.pdf.

Youth Grants Available

Do Something is an organization that inspires young people to change their world. They award $500 grants to change-makers and potential community leaders ages 18 and under, who identify problems in their communities and then create game plans to do something to change their world.

Grants are awarded in three areas: community building, health, and the environment. Young people can apply on their own, or on behalf of a group or team. The Do Something Youth Advisory Council reviews grant proposals twice a year and awards ten grants every fall and ten grants every spring.

Applicants must be 18 years old or younger on October 21, 2005 , to receive a fall 2005 Do Something grant. Visit the Do Something Web site for complete application information and examples of funded projects, http://www.dosomething.org.