Page 28 - October 2023

GRANT PROGRAM COMMITTEE MINUTES (DRAFT) (4)
the end of the second phase because of difficulties finding interview candidates. The final grant installment of
$62,500 scheduled for the spring of 2024 will not be funded. b. Florida Atlantic University update
Bobby explained that FAU submitted a grant application based on the PACKS model in August. Kristine Webb, JSF’s PACKS Program Consultant, has affirmed the programmatic elements. However, the institutional financial contribution is unclear and FAU was asked to clarify it. The hope is that the application will be resubmitted in time to be presented in December. This led to a discussion about whether FAU is the best partner to pilot the program. The fact that Michelle Shaw, the well-respected head of the Student Accessibility Services office, will oversee it is a strong indication that FAU is a good partner. However, institutional commitment is a critical component to the program’s opportunity for success. It was noted that public universities in general are unwilling to commit major dollars to a program that they perceive will benefit only a small number of students. The Committee agreed that FAU’s institutional commitment is necessary for this program to succeed, and Bobby was given discretion to kill this application if he feels that FAU’s commitment is insufficient.
c. Bender Leadership Academy
Bobby introduced Joyce Bender, President and CEO of Bender Leadership Academy, and Scott Hammerstrom, the Manager of Programs and Partnerships who appeared before the Committee via Zoom. An application requesting $150,000 over 2 years with a 1:1 match to support the Résumé Builders Program had been circulated along with notes from a January 17, 2023 videoconference and a report from a site visit on May 16, 2023.
Joyce apologized that she and Scott had been unable to attend the meeting in person because of a flight cancellation. She shared about her background, explaining that she suffered from health issues as a child that were diagnosed later as epilepsy. In the 1980s, she suffered a seizure that led to an injury and life-saving brain surgery. Her background working in the field of employment led her to start Bender Consulting Services in 1995. She designed programs to help young people with disabilities transition into the workplace. From that work, Bender Leadership Academy was launched in 2018.
The organization serves 600 young people in Delaware and Pennsylvania. Résumé Builders is a competency- building program with 4 distinct pathways: Digital Access@Work, which teaches skills in the field of digital accessibility; International Computer Driving License (ICDL), which offers credentials in several commonly used computer programs; National Retail Foundation Customer Service Certifications, which provide credentials in customer service; and Education2Employment (E2E), which works with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation and employers to help participants gain work experience in a supported environment. The grant aims to increase the number of students served through all 4 pathways.
Scott and Joyce were asked what kinds of students Bender serves. Scott stated all students with disabilities are welcome, and those with IDD are served through the E2E program. While some Bender students go on to college, many choose to move directly into employment with help from Joyce’s consulting service. Bender works with several school districts, and students find out about the program through teachers or counselors. Another way students find out about Bender is through an annual Disability Mentoring Day event held in the fall. That event attracts hundreds of students, and local dignitaries and educators are also invited to attend. On the employer side, Bender works with several local companies who offer internships and job shadowing opportunities to Bender students.
A question was asked about how the proposal will help Vocational Rehabilitation offices serve more students. Scott said that by expanding one of the certification classes from one county to additional counties, it will help increase VR access for additional students. He said Bender does not receive VR funding for this course. Asked whether Bender has outcome data, Scott said tracking the students after graduation has been a challenge. The organization does pre- and post-testing for its programs. Also, students are required to make speeches, and the organization uses those presentations to gauge student confidence levels over time. Scott and Joyce left the meeting.
During the discussion, a point was raised that the proposal seemed focused on training rather than actual employment. The goal is to make students more marketable. The application is somewhat vague about how JSF dollars would be spent other than to scale the current programs. The program has similarities to Bridges from School to Work. There is a lack of outcome data. However, there was agreement that the model is promising and
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