The Able Trust Grant Committee Follow-Up Mtg. Materials - May 2023

Request For Proposal: Impact Grants

The Able Trust

The mission of The Able Trust is to be a key leader in providing opportunities for successful employment for Floridians with disabilities.

The organization was created by the state legislature in 1990 as the Florida Endowment for Vocational Rehabilitation, as a direct supporter of vocational rehabilitation efforts by state agencies and community organizations. Operating under the dba of The Able Trust, the organization has helped to put thousands of individuals with disabilities to work and has supported employment-related efforts in all counties of Florida.

In 2022 The Able Trust launched its latest strategic plan, the aim of which is to make real impact through support of Florida’s Vocational Rehabilitation system. The Able Trust realizes that a true collaboration and a solid working relationship between disability employment service providers and Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation is necessary for successful employment outcomes.

Grant Program Mission and Scope

Most of our partners know The Able Trust for our history of grantmaking for direct services. Although this work has been extremely valuable, our vision has shifted to investing in capacity building. We believe that one of the most important things we can do is encourage and support disability employment service providers. Moving forward, we envision our grant making as a vehicle to grow the capacity of employment service providers through facilitating collaboration, professional development, and education opportunities. Our investments in supporting local collaborative efforts will be central to our mission of supporting the vocational rehabilitation system.

Grant Opportunity: Impact Grant

Applicant and partner organizations for Impact Grants must be approved, recognized vendors of the Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.

The Impact Grant is a $25,000 opportunity to support the development of a collaborative effort between disability service providers and Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) staff to respond to the needs of employers in their community. Additionally, the grant also includes scholarships and travel reimbursements for staff members to participate in a two-day professional development for employment services staff (job developers, job coaches, employment services, etc). Representatives from partners listed in grant application will be required to attend the professional development.

The intent of the grant is to provide capacity building support that supports the development of a working group among disability employment providers and DVR staff address the issue of disability employment in their community through collective impact.

The goal of this grant in not employment outcomes, but rather the construction of relationships that supports employment of people with disability over the long-term. It is expected that best practices and hurdles be identified so the model can be replicated in other communities in Florida.

The grant provides funding and training to support the organizations participating. These trainings will be facilitated by The Able Trust or it’s designees during the period of the grant. Representatives from all partner organizations listed in the grant must attend all training.

It is anticipated that this will be a multiyear grant renewable contingent upon funding, outcomes and investment strategies of The Able Trust. The first year of the grant will be utilized as a planning period to develop partnerships, calendar, and plan for subsequent years. The planning period for this grant is four (4) months from the execution of the grant. Staff of The Able Trust will provide technical assistance and support throughout the duration of the grant.

Important Dates and Deadlines:

Full Proposal Due April 28, 2023

Notification June 5, 2023

Ineligible Expenses

Expenses related to the start-up of a small business. Expenses for capital outlay, including vehicles, buildings or land.

Grant Requirements

• Applying organizations must hold a 501 c 3 status.

• A minimum of four (4) partner organizations to participate initially with the grant.

• Applicant organization and all partner organizations must be Florida DVR employment service providers.

• Only applications invited to apply will be reviewed.

Grant Deliverables and Outcomes

Listed below are the anticipated deliverables and outcomes for the Impact Grant:

• Recruitment of additional Florida DVR employment service providers to participate in group.

• Integration of Area Florida DVR staff into group activities (ex. Provider Liaison and Business Rep)

• Identify potential barriers or issues with employment service providers working collaboratively.

• Identify best practices for employment service providers working collaboratively to support employer needs.

• Identify best practices for employment service providers working collaboratively with DVR staff to support employer needs and successful employment outcomes of individuals with disabilities.

• Establish best practices for making collective impact of employment of people with disabilities.

Grant Application Requirements

Grant Application Cover Page (attached)

• Statement of Need: describe why your local area needs a collective impact project to improve collaboration and system as a whole to achieve more and higher quality VR employment outcomes.

• Describe how your organization will provide oversight and coordination of the project (i.e., act as the backbone of the project).

• Describe how other VR employment service providers and community partners will be recruited for the project.

• Provide a description of the project (i.e., 4-month planning period) and how it will meet the required project deliverables and outcomes.

o Include in your description the capacity building needs of project participants and how The Able Trust’s technical assistance and support will be used.

• Provide a timeline for Project Implementation.

• Provide a Project Budget for the $25,000 allocated for this grant. Note: we encourage using a portion of the grant funds as financial incentives to partners.

RFP Submission

Completed RFP’s can be sent via email to joseph@abletrust.org or via mail to: The Able Trust

Attn: Joseph D’Souza 1709 Hermitage Blvd., Suite 100 Tallahassee, FL 32308

The Able Trust Grant Application Cover Page

Organization Name:

State of Florida Charitable Registration#:

Employer Identification#:

Mailing Address:

Executive Director/CEO/President Name:

Phone Number:

Email:

Primary Project Contact Name:

Phone Number

Email:

The Able Trust Grant Application Cover Page

Organization Name: The Grow Group, Inc.

State of Florida Charitable Registration#: N/A

Employer Identification#: 27-3549225

Mailing Address: 412 E Madison St. Suite 1104 Tampa, FL 33602

Executive Director/CEO/President Name: Devin O’Connor

Phone Number: 813-402-4018

Email: admin@thegrowgroup.org

Primary Project Contact Name: Devin O’Connor

Phone Number Email: 813-843-1324 devin@thegrowgroup.org

Statement of Need: describe why your local area needs a collective impact project to improve collaboration and system as a whole to achieve more and higher quality VR employment outcomes.

Within the Greater Tampa Bay area there are 50+ community resource providers that offer employment-focused services to Florida’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and the individuals with disabilities it serves. Organizations often develop their own relationships, programs, and practices without sharing resources or best practices. The field is fragmented and practitioners spend most of their resources creating relationships with employers that result in one-off or limited job placements. Additionally, the performance-based payment structure, with no option for interagency communication, has created a competitive and individualized environment for providers. Ultimately, this impacts job seekers with disabilities and VR outcomes. These conditions also present a challenge for employers who may be in contact with multiple agencies providing similar services with no clear message about how they can receive support when hiring individuals with disabilities.

With the employment rate for people with disabilities at 21% in 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and an increased desire for employers to hire them as part of their overall DEI efforts, VR providers are in a perfect position to bridge this gap through a unified and collective effort. Provider collaboration has been explored and successfully implemented in a handful of other states which can maximize efficiency around job placement and provide clarity for employers who are working with a network of providers who offer a shared message. Grant-funded projects and technical assistance centers are the driving force for resource sharing and raising awareness about evidence-based practices with universities and colleges leading

much of the training, certifications, and professional development opportunities. A similar model could be introduced within the state of Florida, in partnership with The ABLE Trust, which is naturally positioned as both a partner to the state's Vocational Rehabilitation program and its community resource providers.

Describe how your organization will provide oversight and coordination of the project (i.e., act as the backbone of the project).

The Grow Group will interview leaders and participants of existing provider networks across the county to learn about their struggles, outcomes, and best practices. The organization will interview local providers to hear their ideas about how the network could support their needs while considering any concerns they may have about the collaboration. The Grow Group will assist with drafting participation or interagency agreements, share best practices, and coordinate regional meetings with participating organizations. The Grow Group will also lead employer focus groups, conduct research, and survey local employers to learn how the network of providers can streamline communication, meet their needs and support their efforts in hiring more individuals with disabilities.

Describe how other VR employment service providers and community partners will be recruited for the project. www.abletrust.org

The Grow Group has existing relationships with local providers in VR Area 4 and will invite these organizations to participate in the pilot. Additionally, with The ABLE Trust's help, The Grow Group will reach out to organizations it is not currently working with to invite them to participate. The goal will be to have providers of all sizes, experience levels, and areas of expertise represented in this network so that similar projects can be implemented in other areas across the state.

Initially, lunch-and-learn sessions could be used to bring providers together to share initial information about the network, answer questions and begin to establish shared trust. Once providers have joined the pilot, The Grow Group could host in-person and virtual meetings to share strategies, business leads, and best practices in addition to any training The ABLE Trust would provide.

Provide a description of the project (i.e., 4-month planning period) and how it will meet the required project deliverables and outcomes. o Include in your description the capacity building needs of project participants and how The Able Trust’s technical assistance and support will be used.

During the four-month planning period, The Grow Group will work with The Able Trust team, as well we the organization piloting the program in Area 2, to gather and share information with stakeholders. The Grow Group will partner with The ABLE Trust to host interviews, focus groups and information sessions with these stakeholders while communicating objectives and desired outcomes.

Provide a timeline for Project Implementation.

Month 1- Interview Groups- interview provider networks in other states, post-secondary institutions, national organizations, and other groups to learn about existing best practices.

Month 2- Interview Employers- interview local employers and conduct research to learn more about employer preferences and needs to identify how a network of providers could best support them in hiring, training, and retaining individuals with disabilities.

Month 3- Interview Providers- to information sessions to discuss findings, introduce the pilot, gauge interest, and listen to concerns. Communicate with providers about any updates to the pilot based on their feedback and offer

Month 4- Invite Providers- Share final pilot details, best practices, participation agreement, training schedule, etc.

Provide a Project Budget for the $25,000 allocated for this grant. Note: we encourage using a portion of the grant funds as financial incentives to partners. Project

DEVIN O’CONNOR

EXPERIENCE

Executive Director

The Grow Group, Inc. Tampa, FL 2010-Present

• Founded and lead a nonprofit agency that provides employment focused services for people with disabilities throughout Florida

• Providing clients of Florida’s Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, a high quality, and human-focused service

• Developed and delivering Career Counseling Information Referrals (Sub-Minimum Wage Training) to over 4,000 individuals statewide while advising 14C agencies about the benefits of competitive employment

• Design curriculum and deliver personal and professional development training for high school students and adults

• Assess service gaps to create program and services for government agencies and the populations they serve

• Create and foster a workplace culture that promotes self-care, diversity, inclusion, and a growth mindset

• Created a pilot for an employer-driven model to develop strategic disability inclusion initiatives for medium to large companies

• Developing and international resource, information and service exchange with nations and territories in the Caribbean

Employment Specialist/Vocational Evaluator

• Managed a caseload of individuals with various disabilities while developing employability skills in the community

• Placed individuals in various job goals or training opportunities in an integrated and competitive setting

• Collaborating with VR units to create a strong support system for our shared clients

• Delivering diversity and inclusion training and consulting to non-profits and private companies

• Administer formal, nonformal, and age-appropriate assessments as part of the vocational evaluation process for individuals with disabilities

• Conduct community and worksite observations to identify transferable skills and how they can relate to employment

EDUCATION

2022-University of Tampa Nonprofit Leadership Graduate Coursework

2021-George Washington University

MA in Interdisciplinary Secondary Transition Services (3.98 GPA)

2019- Cornell University

Certificate Work Incentives Planning and Utilization for Benefit Practitioners

2012- Troy University

International Relations and Conflict Resolution Graduate Coursework

2009- University of South Florida

B.A. International Business

• Research labor market data and trends to identify job goals, accommodations, educational tracks, and other important information for clients working with Vocational Rehabilitation

Director of Operations/Co-Founder

Kinetic Employment Solutions Tampa, FL 2017- Present

• Design professional development training for collegiate cohorts, scholars, and organizations such as the Black Leadership Network and Latino Scholars

• Facilitate training for for large groups of students

• Consult with post-secondary education and training institutions with a focus on workforce development, employment, and students with disabilities

Employment Specialist

Independence Works Tampa, FL 2010-2011

• Provided Employment Services and Supported Employment to a caseload of up to 20 Vocational Rehabilitation and APD clients at one time

• Assisted customers with all aspects of their job search, including resume/cover letter, online applications, interview skills, professional behavior and communication, job training, and support

• Lead 40 Hour Pre-Placement training following a curriculum in a class-based setting and assisted with the development of new content for classroom training

• Consistently recognized for top placement and retention rates in Florida

• Completed Supported Employment Training with Virginia Commonwealth University

Professor of English/ESOL

University of San Pablo Arequipa, Peru 2009

• Taught English as a foreign language to undergraduate and graduate students in a classroom setting of up to 15 students

• Created and implemented a curriculum targeted for students aged 14+ for every English language proficiency level from basic to fluent

• Designed and employed a marketing plan for a small private sister campus to increase attendance and reduce student turnover

• Conducted private tutoring sessions for students interested in applying for study abroad opportunities in English speaking countries

AWARDS

2023- FLORIDA DIVISION ON CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND TRANSITION

PATRICK MULVIHILL MAKING A DIFFERENCE AWARD

2019- NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PEOPLE SUPPORTING EMPLOYMENT FIRST (APSE)

WENDY WOOD EMERGING LEADER AWARD

2016- USF FAST 56 TOP 10 AWARD

2016- NATIONAL REHABILITATION

ASSOCIATION

ORGANIZATIONAL AWARD

2016- NATIONAL REHABILITATION ASSOCIATION

BELLE GREVE MEMORIAL AWARD

TRAINING & CONSULTING CLIENTS

• University of South Florida

• Florida Association of Rehabilitation Facilities

• The George Washington University

• Top Golf

• Project SEARCH

• Dick’s Sporting Goods

• 14C (subminimum wage) agencies statewide

• APD statewide training

PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS

● Florida APSE- Vice President of state chapter

● National APSE- National exam item writer

● Nonprofit Leadership Center- CEO Circle

● VR4VR- co-led a virtual reality training pilot with USF’s Rehabilitation Engineering program.

● ACCESS- Collaborated with USF’s Mental Health Counseling and Rehabilitation program in a Discovery and Customized Employment focused pilot

CERTIFICATIONS

● 2020- GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY SPECIAL EDUCATION SECONDARY TRANSITION CERTIFICATION

● 2019- CORNELL UNIVERSITY WORK INCENTIVES PLANNING AND UTILIZATION FOR BENEFIT PRACTITIONERS

● 2013- UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA DISCOVERY CERTIFICATE

● 2012- FLORIDA ARF PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT OUTCOMES

● 2011- VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SELF EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATION (CBTAC)

● 2009- AGENCY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT

● 2008- AMERICAN TESOL INSTITUTE TESOL, BUSINESS TESOL

KEY SKILLS

● ENTREPRENEURSHIP

● LEADERSHIP

● PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

● PROGRAM DESIGN

● CONSULTING

● TRAINING

● TEAM BUILDING

● OPERATIONS/SYSTEM DESIGN

● HEALTH AND WELLNESS

● NON-PROFIT MANAGEMENT

● SYSTEMS CHANGE

Matonya Wieczorek

Tampa, FL 33603

727-457-3337

Professional Experience:

The Grow Group, Tampa, FL Director of Employment Services

matonya wieczorek@gmail com

2018 - Present

● Maintain The Grow Group’s strategy, mission, vision, and values

● Create strategies, systems, processes

● Develop, update, and organize documents, policies, procedures, handbook, templates, forms, Google Drive, and deliver new information to team members

● Train on policies and procedures to all new hire employees / interns and implemented orientations and training programs for a non-profit organization working with individuals with disabilities

● Oversee all aspects of the planning, implementation, and support for the training program for all departments

● Monitor quality and performance and develop strategies when performance is not sufficient

● Develop training curriculum and syllabus for Employment Specialist training

Senior Employment Specialist

2015 - Present

● Provide Supported Employment, Employment Services, and On the Job Training for individuals to gain competitive integrated employment

● Develop resumes, cover letters, provide interview preparation and assist with application process of employment search

● Work in the community to educate and advocate for employment of individuals with disabilities

● Build partnerships with organizations in Tampa Bay to add value to their company

Work Incentives Practitioner

2017 - Present

● Provide Benefits Counseling to individuals with disabilities to better understand how their income may impact their benefits, educate on resources on incentives to work

Nielsen Media Research, Oldsmar, FL 2015 Research Interviewer

● Conducted outbound calls to households seeking participants for TV ratings by asking a series of questions to qualify

● Met strict quality guidelines by accurately coding calls

● Persuaded reluctant respondents to cooperate

● Followed strict guidelines for obtaining consistently unbiased data

● Maintained confidentiality of procedures, scripts and respondent information at all times to ensure validity and accuracy of call outcomes

Artista’s Café / Art for Autism, Tampa, FL

Training Supervisor / Office Manager

2013 - 2014

● Trained on policies and procedures to employees, interns, volunteers at orientations and training programs for a non-profit organization working with individuals with disabilities

● Job coached employees to strive towards more independent living, including building resumes, one-on-one assessments, financial advice

● Supervised 14 employees in café to assist them with daily tasks and to help them gain independence and teach proper communication techniques

● Professionally developed behavioral and leadership skills to 3 adults with no work experience to be fully productive team members

● Created procedures with for organizing café invoices, inventory, cash flow, office documents, and tax forms for a non-profit organization

● Planned and implemented repeatable processes to educate about the organization to new hires and volunteers

● Responsible for developing and conducting performance assessments

● Managed all café operations including ordering, inventory, scheduling, and administrative tasks

● Used Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint to develop and manage documents, spreadsheets, databases, presentations, forms, manuals, and graphs

In-home Employment

Private Nanny

2008 - 2015

● Responsible for all tasks related to the care of two toddler aged children

● Planned and provided children with daily developmental activities to stimulate and teach them based on the individual academic needs

● Ensured timely pick-up from school and discuss any academic issues with teachers and daycare providers

● Created a stimulating, nurturing and safe environment for the children Education

The Grow Group Benefits Package

Our organization offers the following benefits for our employees:

• Unlimited PTO

• Unlimited Paid Vacation

• Unlimited Paid Sick Days

• Health, Dental, and Vision (70% paid by employer)

• $100 Self-Care Reimbursement (monthly)

• 401k match (highest match possible)

• Professional Development and Training

• Group Counseling

• Gas reimbursement