IT'S CONTEST TIME!

  Welcome to the latest version of our monthly online newsletter.  Did you notice anything missing? It's a name for the newsletter...something catchy! We are reaching out to you to help give it a name.

Send in your name suggestions by May 31, 2017 to [email protected]. 

   A winner will be chosen on June 8th and will be awarded

DINNER and a MOVIE for Two!    
 PRE EMPLOYMENT TRANSITION  
HITS SCHOOLS! 

The Pre-Employment Transition Services Program (Pre-Ets) is a partnership between disability Connections and Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) in several Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale county schools. disAblity Connections Pre-Ets Program Coordinators include Tricia Bortell, Shawna Hayes and James Bradley.  The program is designed to assist students ages 14 to 26 to develop employment and independent living skills.  Even as a new program it is already being seen favorably by teachers and students.  Special Education teacher Alanna Snyr says of the program,    
 
"It has been a great pleasure to have James Bradley with disAbility Connections, Pre-Employment Training Services, working in our classroom this school year.  I met Mr. Bradley through one of my students that had been working with him during the summer. We thought it would be a good idea to try the program and services with my classroom.  I teach for the Jackson County Intermediate School District in the High School emotionally Impaired Program (at Columbia High School). Since Mr. Bradley has been working with my students I have seen a few great changes.  I have seen the  students communicating with each other inside and outside of the classroom better and I have seen them show more positive attitudes.  I also talked to the students and asked them what changes they have seen in themselves since Mr. Bradley has been working with us or something positive about him being in the classroom.  One student said that he is less argumentative, and one said he thinks he communicates better.  Another student said that she likes Mr. Bradley’s fun and positive energy.  My students have been thinking more about their career choices and paths and seem more excited about their future.  Overall, I believe that having the opportunity to work with Mr. Bradley and disAbility Connections has benefited my students."
         VOTE MAY 2ND!
Two local millages will be on the ballot May 2nd   
  • Jackson County Intermediate School District's  Millage Renewal.  This renewal allows JCISD to reimburse all local districts for the special education services that they are providing. It not only affects the nearly 4000 students with disabilities  (receiving services)  but all students.  If funds for  special education services were not reimbursed... each district would have to pull from general operating budgets. See more on Facebook:   Jackson County Friends of Special Education . https://facebook.com/jacksoncountyfriendsofspecialeducation


LifeWays (the local Community Mental Health) has experienced a significant reduction of close to 70% of State General Funding over the past two years. State General Funding is used to serve the uninsured/underinsured. As a result, critical programs and services have been drastically reduced or eliminated. In 2016, 1,476 individuals were not able to be served by LifeWays because of the cuts. See more Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CitizensForMentalHealth
  • April 28 - MI-Ability Assistive Technology Expo, FREE and open to the public! See more at www.disabilityconnect.org


  • April 29 - Ramp Build  - Volunteers Needed! No experience necessary! Contact [email protected]


  • May 8 - GOGOs May event 6 PM to 9 PM at First Church of the Nazarene. Family Sloppy Joe Dinner. Sloppy Joes, salad, chips and beverages provided. Please bring a passing dessert.  Please RSVP to Holly at 998-3097 or [email protected]


  • May 9 - Jackson Parkinson Support Group at disability Connections 6:15 PM to 7:45 PM  Contact 517-782-6054 for more information.

  • May 16 - MiABLE Training at disability Connections 5:30 PM to 7 PM.
409 Linden Avenue  Jackson MI 49203
(517) 782-6054
Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for? (Audience) Why should they care? (Benefit) What do I want them to do here? (Call-to-Action).

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Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for? (Audience) Why should they care? (Benefit) What do I want them to do here? (Call-to-Action).

Create a great offer by adding words like "free" "personalized" "complimentary" or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take an action, so think about inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining!"