April 1 2016 to Gravetti, Craig on Calley Meeting FOIA
Paul Joseph Harcz, Jr.
1365 E. Mt. Morris Rd.
Mt. Morris, MI 48458
joeharcz@xxxxxxxxxxx
810-516-5262
Re: FOIA on Employment First with Calley and other Documents
To:
Rodney Craig, Executive Director
Michigan Statewide Independent Living Council
Sarah Gravetti, Chair MSILC, CEO Disability Network Michigan, and Appointee MCRS
Christian Simmons, Advocacy, MSILC
Tracy Brown, MSILC
(Via e-mail)
All,
I point your attention to the press release from MSILC sent to me today after
my signature line and related to a meeting with Lt. Governor Brian Calley on
the issue of Employment First and more.
Now, I’m requesting from MSILC a state agency subject to the FOIA any and all
correspondences between any of you and Lt. Governor Calley, or any of his staff
in regards to the issues discussed in this press release.
Moreover, as a person who is blind I am requesting them in fully accessible
format, in a timely manner and without surcharge pursuant to obligations under
the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973. To wit: send them all as either plain text
attachments and or plain text enclosures to my e-mail address listed above.
I thank you in advance for your prompt and accessible response and for your
transparency and accountability.
Nothing about us without us!
Paul Joseph Harcz, Jr.
Citizen with Disabilities
Cc: Lt. Governor Brian Calley
Cc: Members MSILC
Cc: ACL/ILA
Cc: several
(Attached press releaseJ
For Immediate Release: March 31, 2016
SILC Meets with Lt. Governor Calley Regarding Employment First Executive Order
In February the Statewide Independent Living Council sent concerns regarding
the Employment First Executive Order to Lt. Governor Brian Calley. This
communication
prompted the request for a meeting to further discuss the issues. On March
30th, Sara Grivetti, SILC Chair, Rodney Craig, SILC Executive Director and Chris
Simmons, Director of Systems Advocacy, met with Lt. Governor Calley for a
productive discussion on Employment First, along with other disability policy
issues.
We feel confident that Lt. Governor Calley is aligned with our thinking about
the importance of inclusion, including in the employment setting. We also
feel confident that he has a strong grasp on the issues and challenges that
impact the achievement of full community inclusion. While our concerns were
centered on the use of the term ‘intermediate facilities’ and the possibility
of perpetuating the status quo, it was evident that was not his intention.
We also recommended that a revised Executive Order include the definition of
employment to one that is more consistent with other Employment First directives
from across the country. He indicated he will take our recommendation under
advisement.
While we feel the discussion about Employment First was successful, our bigger
success was obtaining his support on CareerACCESS. CareerACCESS is a national
initiative that Michigan’ s SILC and Disability Network/Michigan, in
coordination with the National Council on Independent Living and World
Institute on
Disability, is working on to seek authorization for a pilot project through
the Social Security Administration. If Federal authorization and appropriation
occurs, Michigan could be one of five states to pilot a program for individuals
with disabilities ages 18-30. The program consists of intensive wrap-around
supports to promote acquisition of a career, and eventual discontinuation of
benefits. In the end the individual would achieve financial self-sufficiency
due to earning higher wages.
CareerACCESS combined with Employment First are two significant policy
initiatives that will lead to increased employment opportunities and wages for
people
with disabilities. “We are grateful for the Lt. Governor’s support as we move
this effort closer to the finish line. It is exciting to have an individual
in the Governor’s Administration so closely aligned and knowledgeable about
inclusion and self-determination, “states Sara Grivetti.
