November, 2017
Join us for a *free* Promise Bootcamp
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When: Saturday, November 18, 2017
Time: 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Where: Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative (WWBIC) office,
Schlitz Park, 1533 N Rivercenter Dr., Milwaukee

This event is free! Breakfast, snack, and lunch will be provided. Transportation can be arranged through your Promise Counselor. Registration is required.
Take advantage of what Promise has to offer to you and your family.
All of these services are offered to you through Promise. We have a team of people ready to help you and your family achieve your work and learning goals. Find out more about our services and get started by contacting your DVR counselor.
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Ellie's Updates
The impact of Wisconsin Promise depends on making a difference in the lives of all Wisconsin Promise youth and families.
The more impact we can have with more youth and their family members, the more we will be able to demonstrate how Wisconsin Promise Services and Supports can help to increase participants’ education, employment, and financial self-sufficiency.

Promise success Story:
Sean is a student with a developmental/cognitive delay. He receives special education services for all academic courses. Last year, he completed several job shadows at Walgreens and a restaurant to assist him with career exploration. With some urging from his parents, Sean participated in an 8 hr per week work experience. Sean was responsible for filling the ice machine and making sure the area was clean and fully stocked with lids and straws. He was also responsible for sweeping the lobby floor, wiping down tables and chairs in the dining room and cleaning the restrooms. Sean used a laminated list to keep him on task during his shift. Sean talked about initially struggling to tie the garbage bags and followed up by saying, "Now it's easy as pie." According to the reports from the employer, customers commented on how nice Sean was during his shift often asking if they enjoyed the meal, wishing them a good evening, etc. Feedback from his co-workers was similar. On several occasions during our meeting, Sean asked when he could work again and even offered several upcoming dates when he's available to work. We explained the Trial Work Experience (TWE) is complete but there is a lobby attendant position available. Sean's dad indicated he'll take Sean into Burger King to pick up an employment application and they will complete it together. Sean reported he'd like to explore working as a bagger at a grocery store. We agreed to move ahead with this service while waiting to hear back from Burger King about a permanent position. We all agreed Sean is very personable and it would be beneficial for him (and a business) to work in an environment in which he's able to have contact with customers. If Sean enjoys the job shadow at the grocery store and expresses interest in working there, we will explore the possibility of another Trial Work Experience (if things do not pan out with Burger King.) 
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Wisconsin Promise's Response to SSA's Request:

Has Promise been used to provide evidence on how WIOA should be implemented?

  • WIOA Implementation - The PROMISE grant was awarded right before WIOA became law, so as DVR began WIOA implementation the agency expanded the infrastructure already built by Wisconsin Promise for DVR WIOA services.
  • Skills to Pay the Bills - Wisconsin Promise trained trainers state wide to implement Skills to Pay the Bills (curriculum from the Department of Labor; https://www.dol.gov/odep/topics/youth/softskills/) with Wisconsin Promise youth. Based on this experience, Wisconsin DVR wrote up technical specifications and a fee schedule for Skills to Pay the Bills as a Pre-Employment Transition Service (Pre-ETS) for youth enrolled in Wisconsin DVR and potentially eligible youth.
  • Wisconsin Promise found that learning/practicing these skills on the job is important to ensure youth apply these skills on the job, so Wisconsin DVR has since added on-the-job skills training as part of their youth Work Based Learning. 
  • Self-Advocacy - Wisconsin Promise implemented an on-line interactive Self-Advocacy Curriculum. The content is good, but in person training was preferred and/or needed for most youth, so Wisconsin's Independent Living Centers (ILCs) developed an in-person curriculum. This Self-Advocacy training is now available as a Pre-ETS service for youth enrolled in Wisconsin DVR and potentially eligible youth. 
Promise Events
Community Forums
group of people at the event.
On October 19, seventy-five people gathered in Eau Claire at a Promise Community Conversation sponsored by Promise and organized by BPDD. Scott Hodek, economist for DWD, facilitated the event and the newly appointed Chamber Director, Dave Minor, pledged Chamber support and collaboration to find ways to recruit and train youth with disabilities to fill local workforce needs. The group heard from an enthusiastic employer and employee from Micon Cinema. There was great conversation, great food, and lots of ideas for Next Steps Stipend applications. Up to three applications will be funded for as much as $3000 each to take an idea formulated at the event to fruition.
people from this event.
On October 24, seventy-seven people gathered in Superior for a community conversation sponsored by Promise and supported by BPDD to discuss how to increase employment opportunities for youth with barriers. Mayor Jim Paine facilitated and spoke of local workforce shortages. A panel of four employers and two youth employees provided testimonials of their positive experiences either working in the community or of hiring an employee with a disability. 
Steering Committee Profile Members and Emails
Project Director
Meredith Dressel

Project Manager
Ellie Hartman