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A-Team Action Alert – National Voice Your Choice

Posted on | by lakesideadmin | Leave a Comment on A-Team Action Alert – National Voice Your Choice

Urgent Action Alert!  Please be aware that if President Biden’s stimulus package goes through it may mean the end of 14C of the fair labor law.  Please read this thread and the attached document and call and/or e-mail our senators, Tammie Baldwin and Ron Johnson on Friday, February 5.  Thank you for your attention to this important matter.  Please contact Tom Mentele at Lakeside Packaging Plus at 920-725-8241 with any questions.

Baldwin, Tammy – (D – WI)   Class I

709 Hart Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510

(202) 224-5653

Contact: www.baldwin.senate.gov/feedback

Johnson, Ron – (R – WI)   Class III

328 Hart Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510

(202) 224-5323

Protect Special Wage Provision 14c

BE AWARE

•   The Biden Administration’s $1.9T Stimulus proposal (Biden American Rescue Plan) includes a provision to eliminate the Special Minimum Wage (Section 14(c)) of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

•   Congress and the Administration are currently negotiating proposed legislation in the hope of reaching bipartisan agreement.

•   If agreement is not reached, Democratic legislators may try to pass a bill through a process called budget reconciliation, which would only require Democratic support and cannot be filibustered, which would make it very likely to pass.

BE ADVISED

•   If the Special Minimum Wage provision (14(c)) is eliminated, you or your loved one may lose the choice to work in a setting that uses this certificate.

•      Most community rehabilitation programs utilize this important certificate to offer training/ work services.

TAKE ACTION!

1.    The A-Team is designating FRIDAY, February 5th 2021 as national “Call Your Senator Day.” Call your Senator’s office and let them know you support 14(c).  You may be asked to leave a recorded message, or you may be able to directly give your message. Say  “Senator PLEASE take the 14(c) provision out of the  Stimulus legislation”.

2.   If you prefer, email your Senators through their website.  Tell them why your work/your loved one’s work and 14c are so important and not to eliminate 14c.

3.  Senators phone numbers and email contact info are given at  https://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

A-Team logo

Attention A-Team

Posted on | by lakesideadmin

Good morning A-Team Grassroots –

Friday June 21. We are into our final 3 days for the 14 C Dialogue – let’s make it count! It is hoped we have thousands of comments by our national call this Friday and much to celebrate!

Since sending all of you the updated options for sharing testimony. i.e. direct phone number and email, I have heard from some states that the phone line is not the most conducive for taking testimonies. It is my hunch that the phone line is not prepared for this type of process and should be used as a last resort option.

Our team at Opportunities, Inc. has developed a simple tool for capturing self-advocate and family advocate comments (attached). We will be completing these with our participants and loved ones who haven’t commented yet (via traditional means) and then scan and email them to ePolicyWOrks@dol.gov

If your team has put together a tool/system – please share and I will send on to everyone, as well.

This is our opportunity to advance the A-Team national message!

GO Grassroots GO!

A-Team logo

Attention A-Team Advocates!

Posted on | by lakesideadmin

ATTENTION A-Team advocates : In January, the United States House and Senate introduced companion bills to raise the minimum wage over time. The bills, H.R. 582 and S. 150, the Raise the Wage Act, include language that would eliminate Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act, which would eviscerate opportunities for people with significant disabilities who enjoy and want to keep their jobs. Please watch this important message from A-Team members Andy Coughlin and Kris Hale. https://drive.google.com/open?id=1KKsmg3L6dw2eht-WmAv0i1xSS-B1AXgS

Then – TAKE ACTION: https://accses.org/action-center

We need your help!

Posted on | by lakesideadmin

If you have gotten a chance to make a comment on this, thank you.  If you haven’t yet we did some clarification on an effective response from the A-team facilitators.

The recommendation was to keep it simple, positive and personal.  With forums like this, the number of responses is more impactful than the length. 

A-Team – 3 times

1. Subject Line (something to identify our group but not all the same-“A-team/Big Lake” would be good for our group)

2. First sentence of comment (example: My name is ________ and I am member of the A-Team. Our mission is to ensure people with disabilities have a full array of choices for work, home and life.)

 3. Closing of comment: Thank you, (name ____________

Body of Comment:

  • Keep it to one or two sentences.
  • “Thank you” for inviting public comment on this important topic of employment choice. My (family member) or I am very proud of my work at my CRP and want to be sure this continues. I do believe in the choice of CIE too and its value within Wisconsin’s full array of services.
  • *** Remember to keep your comment about the importance of a full array and the dignity of employment. Confirm the importance of Community Integrated Employment too.
  • Be gracious and positive.

Our goal is to get 20 replies from A-team Big Lake.  Thanks for taking the time to do this.

tmentele@lakesidepackagingplus.com

A-Team logo

We need your help with the Home and Community-Based Settings Rule

Posted on | by lakesideadmin

Background

CMS requires all states that operate home and community-based services waivers to comply with a federal settings rule. The purpose of the settings rule is to ensure that people receiving services through home and community-based waiver programs have access to the benefits of community living and are able to receive services in the most integrated settings.

 

For more information about the federal rule and settings requirements can be found on CMS’ website at www.medicaid.gov.

 

Share Your Story

Tell Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to support a full array of services, including prevocational services. Share your story on choice and the importance of preserving your choice on where to live and work.

 

How to Take Action- Write a letter to Seema Verma, CMS Administrator. Share…

  1. Your story- where you work, things you like about work, etc.
  2. Tell her to eliminate the presumption that settings specifically designed to serve individuals with developmental disabilities are “isolating”.
  3. It’s your right to choose where to receive services.

 

Mail-

Seema Verma,Administrator

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Hubert H. Humphrey Building

200 Independence Ave, SW Washington D.C. 20201

Email- Seema.Verma@cms.hhs.gov

 

This information is being shared across 15 states, which will provide the background of the Home and Community-Based Settings Rule and how to take action.  The attachment is an example written by Rick Wilson to Seema Verna on this issue. It is important that Seema Verna, CMS Administrator eliminates the presumption that settings specifically designed to serve individuals with developmental disabilities are “isolating.”  The Home and Community-Based Settings Rule includes prevocational services,  day services, and residential services.  Please take a few minutes to contact Seema Verna and help preserve a full array of choice to people with disabilities.

Let me know if you need any assistance.

Margaret

 

10-30-18 example of email message

Senator Grothman and Johnny Collett visit Lakeside Packaging Plus-9

Congressman Grothman brings Johnny Collett to Lakeside Packaging Plus

Posted on | by lakesideadmin

On Wednesday October 10, Congressman Grothman brought Johnny Collett, Assistant Secretary in the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services from the United States Department of Education to LPP-Oshkosh for a tour.  Congressman Grothman wanted Collett to see for himself that CRPs are valuable community resources and positive places to work.  Thank you Congress Grothman for joining us and bringing Johnny Collett with you.

 

America's Workforse Empowering All

LAKESIDE PACKAGING PLUS JOINS BROAD EFFORT TO OBSERVE NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH

Posted on | by lakesideadmin

Lakeside Packaging Plus, Inc. announced its participation in National Disability Employment Awareness Month, an annual awareness campaign that takes place each October. The purpose of National Disability Employment Awareness Month is to educate about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America’s workers with disabilities. This year’s theme is “America’s Workforce: Empowering All”

 

“Americans of all abilities must have access to good, safe jobs,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta. “Smart employers know that including different perspectives in problem-solving situations leads to better solutions. Hiring employees with diverse abilities strengthens their business, increases competition and drives innovation.”

 

Reflecting this year’s theme, throughout the month, Lakeside Packaging Plus will be engaging in a variety of activities to educate its associates and families on disability employment issues and its commitment to an inclusive work culture. On October 23, a representative from A-TEAM WI will be on-site to share the successful grassroots efforts that have been going on around the state and nation. The Wisconsin A-TEAM started in 2011 and has grown to 15 states throughout the United States, including 12 chapters in Wisconsin!

 

Lakeside Packaging Plus is proud to sponsor the A-Team Wisconsin Big Lake Chapter. Big Lake Chapter brings individuals with disabilities and their family members together to advocate in a grassroots effort, create awareness in the community and advise others to ensure a full array of vocational service choices are protected and sustained.

Voice Your Choice logo

We need your help – Voice Your Choice!

Posted on | by lakesideadmin

It is an exciting time to be involved in grassroots efforts to support expanding CHOICE for people with disabilities! After several years of frustrating policies, we have seen the momentum shift. In fact, right now, there is legislation in Congress that would expand employment options for people with disabilities. The bill, H.R. 5658 or the Workplace Choice and Flexibility for Individuals with Disabilities Act, would amend the definition of Competitive Integrated Employment.  As you know, Competitive Integrated Employment is so narrowly defined by the government that it is causing people with disabilities to lose out on work opportunities. This bill will go a long way toward fixing the problem. Yet, that is not all H.R. 5658 does. It also represents a giant step forward in keeping the momentum going. 

We need your help! We cannot do this without all of you. With your help we can improve the lives of people with disabilities all over the country and ensure that every person has the right to pursue the work and residential choice that best aligns with their goals and abilities. 

What can I do?

Tell your representative to co-sponsor H.R. 5658.

  1. CLICK HERE to go to the ACCSES Action Center – “Support and Cosponsor H.R. 5658”
  2. Tell your Members of Congress to cosponsor and pass this important bill to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The subject and message o
  3. f the body is already filled in. However, feel free to add your own personal comment.
  4. Based on the address you enter, your message will immediately be sent to the appropriate representative.
  5. Tell your family and friends to do the same!

Show Congress that CHOICE matters.

Be part of the force for change.

View our video at here