POLICY WORKS INC
PO Box 5139, TALLAHASSEE, FL 32314 disabilitypolicyworks.org

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Organizations Filed Purposes: To support equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living and economic self-sufficiency for people with disabilities.

Policy Works, Inc. has a five-year contract with San Diego State Univeristy to provide technical assistance to state vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies and other allied groups through the Workforce Innovation Technical Assistance Center(WINTAC). In this role, Policy Works, Inc. has the national lead to assist the Rehabilitation Services Administration develop peer mentoring projects in state vocational rehabilitation agencies and to test the effectiveness of this service in helping to improve the outcomes of the VR customer. WINTAC also includes partners: George Washington University, University of Arkansas/Currents, the National Disability Institute and the Career Index Plus. In this role, Policy Works, Inc. assists the states in designing their state pilot to meet state needs, and by training their staff and project coordinators providing operational support throughout the grant period. In 2019, Policy Works, Inc. provided services to state VR agencies across the country providing training and support in Virginia and Maine for Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies by providing direct two days of Peer Mentoring Program Orientation to VR community providors. In 2019 an addition of 77 young adults, youth and students with disabilities were provided peer mentoring training and 34 career employment specialists were also trained in the role of peer mentor coordinator. Both groups received training in self-advocacy, Pre-Employment Transition Services and on how to resouce state, community and campus supports. The coordinators also received in-person drive in training in Virginia, Florida and Maine. In 2019, Policy Works, Inc. continued working with three original pilot states: Alaska, Florida and Mississippi. In addition, Policy Works, Inc. provided consultation, support and technical assistance to Virginia and Maine Vocational Rehab Agencies for pilot programs launching in 2020.

Through partnersip with the State of California, WITH Foundation and EIN SOF, Inc., Policy Works, Inc. serves as a core strategic and operations partner in Lights! Camera! Action! (LCA) to increase employment of people with disabilities in front of, and behind the camera/keyboard; to improve disability portrayals and reduce stigma; and to integrate access to media with captions and audio descriptions. The LCA Collaborative is a collection of multi-dimensional initiatives that weaves and braids established traditional and digital media entities (networks, studios, industry associations, unions, production, internet and cable content creator and providers) with authentic disability and diversity leaders, organizations, film festivals, veterans, accelerated high school and college students, recent graduates and transitioning youth. This combination results in a dynamic disability-inclusive diversity community. LCA creates interconnected strategies and tactics to accomplish our three objectives, including hosting regional LCA Career Exploration Summits. These Summits are designed for three target audiences: media employers seeking qualified and creative prospective employees and collaborators; mentors in search of mentees with disabilities; and participants who are aspiring media professionals with disabilities or who are deaf. As part of each LCA Summit, Policy Works, Inc. conducts a workshop entitled 'How to Leverage Your Disability to Sharpen Your Competitive Advantage'. This workshop invites participants to look at disability disclosure through the lens of disability expression by exploring integration of one's disability experience into their narrative as an empowerment strategy. In 2019, these workshops were held in the three major media markets in Hollywood, San Diego and Silicon Valley serving nearly 90 aspiring media professionals with disabilities or who are Deaf.

Policy Works, Inc. continues to monitor and provide services from past grants targeted students in transition from school-to-work, either in high school, or college.

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Data for this page was sourced from XML published by IRS (public 990 form dataset) from: https://s3.amazonaws.com/irs-form-990/202043219349315554_public.xml