Dignified and meaningful employment for people with ... Newsletter Jan. 2014.pdf · hands of the Joint Commission on Administrative Rules. Fulvio Franzi, director of DESE’s Sheltered

by Bob Koch, MASWM PresidentPast winter newsletters have begun with

the anticipation of the coming New Yearand the opportunities and challenges it willbring.

This year is no different. The economyseems to continue to ease somewhat, andthere is a sense of optimism as work for anumber of shops has improved, and newopportunities have been created for ouremployees. Workshops continue to be cre-ative in their business efforts and partner-ships with business and within the commu-nity. This is making what we all hope willbe a brighter and better 2014.

While we meet our mission of employ-ing individuals with disabilities, manyshops go beyond employment and provideadditional services. Recently, at the StateDESE Board meeting, two managers gavereports on their shops and workshops ingeneral. They discussed the success, chal-lenges and entrepreneurship of findingwork, funding needs, etc. In addition, theyspoke of the services workshops provide toindividuals beyond employment. Stories ofassisting an employee or his or her familywith Social Security, Medicare and

Medicaid, housing and other issues arecommon. For many of our workers withdisabilities, the workshop is a place theyfeel comfortable with and go to for help.For others, it is the only resource available.

A good example of this came recently forEmpac, as the mother of one of ouremployees passed away. The employee,who had limited means, came to the shopstaff, unsure of how she would be able topay the funeral and burial expenses.Employees, staff, board members and thecommunity contributed enough to cover allexpenses and provide a headstone for thegrave. This is just one example of the com-passion and devotion of workshops.

While we have the good news and opti-mism, we continue to face challenges at thestate and national levels. The ruling of theDepartment of Justice that facility-basedemployment violates ADA laws under theOlmstead Decision continues to be a sub-ject that we will monitor.

We will continue to see the details of theACA develop and try to interpret how thiswill affect workshops and their employees.Our legislative chair and consultant willalso continue to keep a close watch on any

legislation that may impact workshops.While we have a lot to be thankful for andlook forward to, we need to continue to bediligent in our efforts and have our legisla-tors in our shops and keep them informed,as this is as important as ever.

I am looking forward to seeing everyoneat the winter MASWM meeting January 21and 22 in Jefferson City.

Workshops Are Much More Than “Just” A Place to Work

Proposed changes to the Department ofElementary and Secondary Educationworkshop regulations have been approvedby the Board of Education and are in thehands of the Joint Commission onAdministrative Rules.

Fulvio Franzi, director of DESE’sSheltered Workshop Division, said thechanges include reduction of restrictionson workshop organizations. “It relieves the

restriction that a workshop corporation canonly operate a workshop,” he said. “Itallows a workshop board to operate otherservices, such as transportation.” Otherchanges concern reimbursement for abroader range of training programs andnumerous language edits.

Franzi said that if the rules are approvedby JCAR, they will be published. That isexpected to take from two to as much as six

months.MASWM President Bob Koch noted

that workshops had input into the proposedchanges, including two managers whoattended a DESE board meeting this fall,Susan Legaard and Larry Leek.

Leek, CEO for a workshop inSpringfield, said much of their presentationinvolved today’s economic challenges for

DESE Changes Move to Final Step

MASWMNewsletter

Winter 2014

Dignified and meaningful employment for people with disabilities...Quality services for Missouri.

Inside this Issue:Did you know? 22014 Meetings 2

14(c) Questions raised 3Empac Marks Busy Season 4Recycling Grows in Grandview 5Lamar, Joplin, Crowder and Kansas City 6

Station features Columbia Shop 7Monroe Receives Donation 7River Bluff Feature on TV 8Marshfield Remains Busy 8

MASWMwww.moworkshops.org

MASWM President Bob Koch sees theworkshop story as more than even jobs forover 7,000 people with disabilities.

(please continue on next page)

The MASWM January meeting is Jan.21 and 22 in Jefferson City.

The meeting includes a Board ofDirectors meeting Tuesday, Jan. 21 from 9a.m. to noon and an association meetingfrom 1 to 4 p.m.

On Wednesday, Jan. 22, the much-antic-ipated Legislative Breakfast is from 7:30 to9 a.m. in Hearing Room 2 of the Capitol

Building. Visits to legislators’ offices arescheduled from 9 a.m. to noon.

The meeting will be held at the TrumanHotel and Conference Center.

The complete 2014 meeting schedule isas follows:

• January 21 and 22 at the Truman Hoteland Conference Center in Jefferson City

• April 9, 10 and 11 at the Country ClubHotel in Lake Ozark

• October 6, 7 and 8 at the HiltonPromenade at Branson Landing in Branson

(Special thanks to Vice President BrentBlackwell for organizing the dates andlocations.)

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Missouri Association of Sheltered Workshop Managers

DESE Changes Move to Final Step

MASWM

OfficersPresident Bob Koch, Washington

(636) 239-2744 [email protected]

Vice President Brent Blackwell, Higginsville(660) 584-7232 [email protected]

Secretary Bob Engemann, Marthasville (636) 433-2335 [email protected]

Treasurer, Dee Froneyberger, St. Louis (314) 487-7200 [email protected]

Past President Stan Shurmantine, Independence(816) 796-7070 [email protected]

Board of DirectorsArea I Susan Legaard, Bethany

(660) 425-6300 [email protected]

Area II Aaron Martin, Independence (816) 796-7070 [email protected]

Area III Peggy Kutchback, Harrisonville (816) 380-7359 [email protected]

Area IV Judd Chesnut, Lamar(417) 682-3506 [email protected]

Area V Tom Thompson, Bowling Green(573) 324-2205 [email protected]

Area VI Bruce Young, Columbia (573) 442-6935 [email protected]

Area VII Lon Little, Fulton (573) 642-7333 [email protected]

Area VIII Sharon Tyger, Houston (417) 967-3608 [email protected]

Area IX Jim Guyre, Hazelwood (314) [email protected]

Area X Harvey Cooper, Sikeston (573) 472-0598 [email protected]

MissionSheltered Workshops in Missouri share a commonmission of providing dignified and meaningfulemployment opportunities for people with disabili-ties.If you have questions regarding the MissouriAssociation of Sheltered Workshop Managers, pleasecontact: Legislative Chair Randy Hylton at (816)781-6292 or e-mail [email protected]; orPresident Bob Koch, (636) 239-2744 or [email protected].

2014 Meetings Start With January Legislative Session

workshops.“Both of our messages concentrated on

how the economy has negatively impactedall workshops’ ability to identify and landwork and the growing competition fromfor-profit companies that are also seekingthe work we have traditionally received,”he said. “We stressed how nearly 70 to 80percent of our income is derived from oursubcontracting work and the growingimportance of developing our own busi-nesses. We tried to demonstrate what avalue workshops are to the state and what abenefit they are to those who utilize theirservices, both as an employee and as a cus-tomer.

The two managers also asked for anyassistance approaching the Department ofEconomic Development for tax incentivesfor launching new businesses.

“We strongly suggested that Missouri’sindustrial model be used as a nationalmodel for all workshops across the coun-try,” Leek noted. “We also attempted to

demonstrate the importance of our relation-ship with the Department of Education andthe value it brings to each of our shops,regardless of the size.”

The managers also related workshopevents that illustrated how workshopsimpact the lives of those with whom theywork. “I shared a story about a parent who,at a community meeting, publicly thankedour shop for ‘restoring his son’s dignity.’”They stressed the dignity for anyone doinga job and that workshop employees deservedignity, too. “We have not found a job theemployees cannot do when they have theright accommodations,” Leek said.

(continued from previous page)

• 7,040 people with disabilitiesemployed in workshops.

• 5,338 full time equivalent—30 hoursa week.

• Demographic breakdown—approxi-mately one-third urban, two-thirds rural.

• 60 percent of income from contractswith businesses.

• State support—approximately 20percent.

• County support—approximately 15percent.

• Other income, including fund rais-ing, contributions, etc.—five percent.

• Consumers average age is 41.2.

• As of Sept. 30 2013, JVS Workshopin Kansas City ceased operation whenthe number of consumers dropped to 18.On Dec. 15, a new workshop was certi-fied in Bolivar—Burrell WorkingSolutions, Inc.

• The total number of workshopsstatewide remains at 90, with an addi-tional seven satellite operations.

• The total number of hours workedwas 750,000 work hours per month,eight million man hours per year.

(Courtesy of Missouri Department ofElementary and Secondary Education,Department of Sheltered Workshops.)

Did You Know: Workshops in Missouri

Roger Garlich MournedLongtime disability advocate Roger

Garlich, 74, died Jan. 6 after a short ill-ness. Garlich helped create the Center forHuman Services in Sedalia. After retiringfrom the executive director position in2009, he served as a consultant and withthe Missouri Division of DevelopmentalDisabilities in Jefferson City.

One of the biggest challenges facing thenation’s sheltered workshops—includingthose that employ more than 7,000 peoplein Missouri—involves questions overSection 14(c) of the Fair Labor StandardsAct.

Some outside the workshop communityquestion paying some workers with dis-abilities below minimum wage. Thisincludes well-intentioned people who maylack experience in the business and fundingaspects of workshops. Higher wages wouldalways be desirable, but without massivestate and federal subsidies, they are impos-sible.

Workshops operate substantially onfunds generated by their business services.While county and state subsidies areimportant, business contract income repre-sents the single most important source—some 60 percent of workshops’ revenue.

In a competitive business world, addi-tional income to pay consumers higherwages would have to come from state andcounty taxpayers, something that is highly

unlikely. This scenario is often overlooked by sup-

porters of legislation such as HR 831, theso-called “Fair Wages for Workers withDisabilities Act of 2013.” It would directthe Secretary of Labor to discontinue spe-cial wage certificates that allow workerswith disabilities to be paid at less than min-imum wage.

While it sounds good, many believe thiswould have the opposite effect of its inten-tions. If workshops were required to meethigher pay levels without significant addi-tional funding, they would be forced toclose.

Workshops do support a “full array ofemployment options for people with dis-abilities.” In fact, workshops were amongthe first to pioneer community employmentprograms that offer options for workerswho can perform this level of work.Unfortunately, those who cannot work incompetitive, outside positions would beleft without any choice except to attendexpensive day programs or to sit at home.

MASWM joins with the organization,ACCSES, which represents 1,200 voca-tional organizations nationally. ACCSESrecognizes that work is a valued activityboth for the individual and society, provid-ing both tangible and intangible benefitssuch as independence, economic self-suffi-ciency, dignity, self-esteem and a sense ofaccomplishment. Individuals, includingindividuals with disabilities, should enjoyevery opportunity to pursue careers, partic-ipate in the workforce and engage activelyin the economic marketplace.

ACCSES supports a full array of com-munity-based employment opportunities,provided by qualified rehabilitation profes-sionals, for persons with the most signifi-cant disabilities. These include: supportedemployment and customized employmentopportunities provided in competitive, inte-grated settings; self-employment; andemployment opportunities in skill develop-ment centers and disability-focused non-profit businesses operated by accreditedcommunity rehabilitation programs(CRPs). ACCSES also supports federalpolicy that facilitates employment optionsfor all individuals, including those who donot meet productivity standards (without orwithout reasonable accommodations)through Section 14(c) of the Fair LaborStandards Act.

ACCSES believes public policy shouldencourage and facilitate efforts to findcompetitive, integrated employmentopportunities (at or above the minimum orprevailing wage) as the presumptive prior-ity outcome.

Eric Hinton is the new manager at BooneCenter, Inc. (BCI) in St. Peters. Hinton isformally chief executive officer. Contactinformation is [email protected],636-875-5205. The shop is at 200 TradeCenter Drive, St. Peters, 63376.

Frankie Hahn is now the director ofMadison County Sheltered Workshop inFredericktown. His contact information is573-783-4037, [email protected].

Kelly Polston is now general manager ofHandi-Shop, Inc. Contact information for

the shop in Mexico is 573-581-1191 or [email protected].

Manager Martha Nanneman at CharitonCounty Workshop in Keytesville has a newe-mail address to share:[email protected].

For years, over 200 people with intellec-tual and developmental disabilities inProvidence, Rhode Island, were employedin workshops run by an organization calledTraining Thru Placement.

In June, the United States Department ofLabor revoked Training Thru Placement’scertificate under the Fair Labor StandardsAct. Also in June, the US Department ofJustice reached a settlement with the stateof Rhode Island and the city of Providencethat seeks to ensure better employmentoptions for people with disabilities. Thesettlement was the result of an Americanswith Disabilities Act investigation thatstarted in January.

Critics pointed to “isolated” workingconditions and the sub-minimum wages

paid to workers, an average wage of $1.57per hour, with some people making as littleas $0.14. Several analyses, however,stressed that the biggest issue was the lackof options and “choice” available to theRhode Island workers.

In 2012, advocacy groups representingpeople with disabilities in Oregon filed aclass-action lawsuit against the state, say-ing that adults there were also workingmenial jobs for low pay, with no opportu-nity for integrated, competitive employ-ment. The governor issued an executiveorder that would reduce funding to shel-tered workshop programs and increase thenumber of people with developmental dis-abilities in the general workforce.

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Section 14(c): Numerous Questions and Challenges

Workshop Updates Include Contact Info Changes

Settlement Closes Rhode Island Workshops

In a competitive businessworld, additional income to

pay consumers higher wageswould have to come from

state and county taxpayers,something that is highly

unlikely.

Empac Group Earns CARF Certification

Empac Group in Washington isproud to announce that EmpacEmployment Resources has received athree-year CARF (Commission on theAccreditation of RehabilitationFacilities) accreditation.

This is a major milestone in thedevelopment of this program and isrequired by the division of VocationalRehabilitation (VR) to become aresource provider for job-seekingclients.

Empac notified VR and expects to beaccepting referrals under the JobOpsprogram. This is a significant step forthe program. The staff worked diligent-ly to prepare for this two-day survey,and they are extremely proud of thissuccess.Marshall’s Teams Up with Empac

As part of their grand opening, thenew Marshall’s Store in Washingtonawarded Empac Group a $5,000 dona-tion and the opportunity to work withthem on community employmentstrategies.

Empac looks forward to havingMissy Roth, store manager, join theCommunity Alliance Team and partnerwith them for employment opportuni-ties.Congressman Meets with Empac Group

Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyervisited the Empac Group location inSullivan in September. TheCongressman met with several mem-bers of the staff, board of directors andCommunity Alliance Team to discussemployment of individuals with dis-abilities in Franklin County.

During his visit, he learned about thenew organizational structure and ser-vice delivery model created by themerger of the two sheltered workshopslocated in Sullivan and Washington.Now called Empac Group, the organi-zation uses a new service deliverymodel to provide employment for peo-ple with disabilities in the workshopsetting, as well as in the community.

The tour included the Congressmanand his staff with members of theboard of directors, CommunityAlliance Team and co-workers.

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Empac Marks Busy Season with Visits, Certification and More

U.S. Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer visited Empac Group’s location in Sullivan andmet with consumers.

U.S. Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer (far right) met with staff members at EmpacGroup in Washington during a recent visit.

Empac Group joined the ribbon cutting at the new Marshall’s Store in Washington andreceived a $5,000 donation. Empac will also work with Marshall’s to develop communityemployment strategies for Empac’s workers with disabilities.

JobOne in metropolitan Kansas City cel-ebrated the opening of a larger drop-offrecycling center in Grandview inSeptember.

Formerly known as FoundationWorkshop Inc., JobOne had opened theoriginal recycling center in 2008. Therecent event drew 85 people, includingJobOne staff and board members, recyclingcenter workers, customers, vendors,Grandview city staff and aldermen,Grandview Chamber of Commerce staffand community members. Speakersincluded Missouri Sen. Jason Holsman,Missouri Rep. Joe Runions, Jake Jacobs,executive director of DevelopmentDisability Services of Jackson County andGrandview Public Works Director DennisRandolph. Holsman and Runions present-ed proclamation resolutions from theMissouri Senate and House ofRepresentatives to JobOne in honor of itswork in the community. GrandviewAldermen Annette Turnbaugh, Jim Crainand Brian Hochstein also attended theevent.

“This is one of those double-bonusendeavors where the activity here isimproving the environment, and it’s help-ing clean up our community, while provid-ing good jobs for those people who needthem to feel satisfied and a part of theworkforce,” Sen. Holsman told the crowd.

JobOne is a nonprofit agency that pro-vides jobs for adults with disabilities in theKansas City region through partnershipswith government organizations and thebusiness community. JobOne RecyclingServices operates the drop-off recyclingcenter largely with the help of adults whohave developmental disabilities. Theagency aims to expand communityemployment options for people with dis-abilities, while promoting sustainability inGrandview and providing valued servicesto local businesses and residents.

“By moving here, we’ve been able to gofrom an employment level of about five orsix employees up to 15 now,” said JobOneCEO Aaron Martin. “For every workerwe’ve been able to take out of our work-shop facility here in Grandview, theirwages are increasing significantly. And,they’re able to experience new types ofwork and have new opportunities here.”

Grandview doesn’t provide curbsiderecycling services, but instead partnerswith JobOne to operate the recycling cen-

ter. “We think it’s a nice model for ourcity,” said Public Works Director DennisRandolph. “It’s different than the model inthe rest of the cities around the area, but wethink it’s a good model for Grandview rightnow. And it will hopefully just keep bloom-ing.” At the open house, Randolphexplained that the city and JobOne areseeking grant funds to open another recy-cling center on the east side of the city.

The new building offers almost threetimes more space. JobOne added threebalers, for a total of six, to help compactrecyclables into blocks that can be stackedand transported. It also expanded the rangeof accepted recyclable plastics andinstalled a conveyor-system sorting line toprocess larger quantities of materials moreefficiently. During August alone, JobOnecollected approximately 113 tons of recy-clables, preventing these reusable materialsfrom ending up in area landfills.

In addition to operating a 24/7 drop-offrecycling center for residents, JobOne alsooffers pickup services for high-volumelocal businesses. And, it can handle wide-ranging disassembly and sorting projects.

“There’s a lot of industry right down thestreet, around the corner, all throughout thisarea,” said JobOne Recycling ServicesManager Mike Hatfield. “They’ve beenvery supportive of us and what we do. And,they are excellent customers.”

Hatfield really enjoys interacting withJobOne’s employees who have disabilities,and he thinks the community does too.“They’re very capable people, and not onlythat, they’re a lot of fun to work with.”

In November, the organization launchedan aluminum can buy-back program as away to collect a greater volume of thisreusable material. Several employees with

disabilities are developing new skills tohelp operate the program.

JobOne Recycling Services has beenfunded in part by the Missouri Departmentof Natural Resources, MARC Solid WasteManagement District, MissouriDepartment of Elementary and SecondaryEducation, and Developmental DisabilityServices of Jackson County–eitas.

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Community Helps Recycling Center Grow in Grandview

In September, JobOne in metropolitan Kansas City held a ribbon cutting for its newrecycling center. State elected officials made brief presentations at the event.

Some interesting people showed up inSeptember when JobOne held a ribboncutting for its new recycling center. Stateelected officials made brief presentations atthe event, which also appeared to include“The King” himself, Eco Elvis, a local per-former whose lyrics all deal with recyclingand environmental issues.

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Crowder Industries is the latestworkshop to access Senate Bill 40funding to help support employmentfor people with disabilities.

After hard work through 2013 andinitial rejection from Newton CountyCommissioners, Crowder Industrieswas successful in running a positiveSB40 levy campaign in November. The

workshop will now obtain county taxfunds, starting January 2015, to helpsupport people with disabilities in thatarea and help them experience mean-ingful employment in the workshop.

This places Crowder Industries onpar with all the other workshops inMissouri. Crowder had many volun-teers and much help from employees to

spread the important message that“work matters” to make this a success-ful campaign, especially in this difficulteconomic environment with foreigncompetition in the manufacturingfield. Thanks goes to the Crowderboard, staff and volunteers who didsuch a fantastic job!

Crowder Industries Obtains Tax Funding Through SB40

Lamar Workshop Receives Grant to Expand Recycling

Southeast Enterprises and its com-munity partners plan to build on thesuccess of last year’s drive and recycleover 34,000 pounds of holiday lightsbetween November and January 26,2014.

In addition to keeping holiday lightsout of the landfill, the effort providesemployment for more than 160

employees with developmental disabili-ties. The work takes place with morethan 165 participating schools, busi-nesses, recycling centers and communi-ty organizations.

Southeast crews collect the full con-tainers and exchange them for emptyones weekly. There is no fee or expenseto participate in the program, and 100

percent of the holiday lights they col-lect will be recycled.

After the first 23 days, they had col-lected 6,584 pounds of lights. The goalwas for another 27,416 pounds to helpmeet the 34,000-pound goal. Clickhere to read more about the drive andwatch the thermometer rise.

Holiday Light Recycling Builds on Kansas City Success

Joplin Workshops Inc. recentlyreceived three tornado shelters fromthe City of Joplin.

The workshop submitted a grant tothe city and was awarded the tornado

shelters, which will hold 34 people pershelter. JWI has submitted a grantrequest to the Joplin Tornado FirstResponse Fund for support to moveand install the shelters, reported Ron

Sampson, executive director. The shel-ters will give JWI peace of mind whenthe weather turns bad and provide saferplaces for the protection of employees.

Workshop Adds Tornado Shelters with Help from Community

Lamar Enterprises recently received a$45,176 grant from the Rural Development

division of the U.S. Department ofAgriculture in order to expand its recycling

effort.Officials from Rural Development joined

area leaders at the workshop in Novemberto formally award the grant and tour thefacility.

The workshop began as a small operationin Lamar but has grown to a large facility.Manager Judd Chesnut told the visitors thatthe workforce of 35 people are very enthu-siastic and love their work.

“It gives them a positive purpose in life,”Chesnut said. Additionally, many of theproducts produced at Lamar Industries areused by local industries.

The grant is being used to purchase aone-half ton Ford truck to transport recy-clable materials and two 16-foot KodiakRecycle Trailers and recycle bins for on-sitedrop off products.

State and local officials gathered at Lamar Enterprises in November to award a$45,176 grant to expand the workshop’s recycling program. Those present included (fromleft) Greg Bramwell, Rural Development; Steve McIntosh, representing U.S. Senator RoyBlunt; Carla McManis, workshop secretary; Judd Chesnut, Lamar manager; JanieDunning, state director of Rural Development; Keith Divine, Lamar mayor; DavidRausch, representing U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill; Lynn Calton, Lamar city adminis-trator; and Logan Powell, Lamar US Bank.

Kingdom Projects, Inc. in Columbia wasrecently featured by station KOMU.

Operations Manager Lon Little said thestory dealt with KPI’s efforts to revamp itscompany image. Little and organizationboard members decided to create a newlogo for the company, produce more attrac-tive signage, revamp their resale shop andmake the company more visible to thecommunity. The overall goal is to expandemployment opportunities for more than100 area residents with disabilities, whileproviding recycling services to the commu-nity.

“The goal is to attract more customers atthis point in time,” Little noted. He alsopointed out that the company has struggledover the years with getting the word out,and many residents are unaware of themany resources KPI provides.

KPI Public Relations board memberAllan Ensor said, “We realized that eventhough we’ve been in the community since1976, many people would not know orreally understand the organization, so itwas an opportunity to reintroduce our-

selves.”In order to get the project started in a

cost-effective way, Little found help from amarketing and business class at WilliamWoods University.

“In a tight economy, we’ve had to adjustfrom contracts that we don’t have any-more,” said Little. KPI board members andLittle brought their rebranding plan to Dr.Linda Duke, who created a project titled,“PR Campaign for KPI Recycling,” thatshe assigned to her students.

The board worked closely with Dr.Duke’s class and laid out its expectationsfor the students. Students were split intofour groups and had to choose two areas ofthe company’s rebranding to work on.

“It’s more of a give and take exchange;we are providing the students with a projectand real world experience, while they arecreating a new company logo for us,” saidLittle.

Students came up with slogans, createdcolor schemes and gave a lot of input toboard members on different things KPI cando to re-establish themselves in the com-

munity.Ashley McCaffrey a graphic design stu-

dent at William Woods who worked on thePR Campaign for KPI said, “I think it’s aunique perspective, and I really enjoy thehands-on work.”

KPI launched their new logo inNovember, and Ensor said he has alreadyseen progress since the project began inJanuary, “I’ve seen several things cometogether in that we have the new logo andthe new brochure, and we’ve got a plan togo forward with reintroducing our sales tothe community.” These are just the first fewsteps completed in the multi-step process.

The resale shop is the next step in therebranding process the company is current-ly addressing. KPI is working with Dr.Duke’s retail management class to reorga-nize and emphasize the resale shop. “Weare working on different things such asadvertising, store layout, marketing andthings of that nature to get the word outabout the resale shop to the Fulton commu-nity,” said McCaffrey.

The Monroe City Sheltered Workshopwas chosen by an area farmer as the recip-ient for the third annual America’s FarmersGrow Communities, Monsanto Fund, inMonroe County.

Tracy Morgan had the opportunity todirect the $2,500 donation to a nonprofitorganization in his county that the farmersorganization felt strengthens their commu-nity. This year, winning farmers from coun-ties that were declared natural disasterareas by the U.S.D.A. were able to directan additional $2,500 donation to a nonprof-it organization, allowing him to choose anadditional recipient. The check was pre-sented to representatives of the MonroeCity Sheltered Workshop at Madison HighSchool in March.

Morgan’s sister is a long time employeeof the workshop and was proud and excit-ed to be a part of the family’s presentation.

After receiving this money, the work-shop was able to take its employees bowl-ing at Pal Bowl in Palmyra and treat themto a meal at Golden Corral afterward. Theywere able to go to the Missouri State Fairand enjoy a meal on the way home. All ofthis occurred at no expense to the employ-ee. At the annual Christmas Party held Dec.

8th, everyone received a sweatshirt withtheir recycling logo and their name on it—also made possible by this donation.

The workshop is very blessed to havemany caring people like Tracy Morganlooking out for their “special employees.”The success of the Monroe City ShelteredWorkshop is a joint effort by many people

who care. The workshop thanks Monsanto for pro-

viding such funds to farmers to be distrib-uted to nonprofit organizations in MonroeCounty and a special thanks to TracyMorgan for providing it to the Monroe CitySheltered Workshop.

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Columbia Workshop Efforts Featured by KOMU

Monroe Workshop Receives Donation From Farmers, Monsanto

Workers at the Monroe City Sheltered Workshop had reasons to celebrate recently. Inaddition to funds from a farmers group, the workshop also received a grant for $19,435through Mark Twain Solid Waste Management and DNR to build a new recycling drop-off building at their facility in Monroe City. They would not have been able to build thenew site without the assistance of this grant.

KSDK News Channel 5 in St. Louisrecently featured a great story on RiverBluff Industries.

The segment noted the River Bluff’slocation, the picturesque town of Hermann,and stated, “ . . . there’s a place where thework being done inside is as beautiful asthe view outside.”

Muriel Brison, workshop director, isquoted as saying that River Bluff is the sec-ond oldest industry in Hermann. Since1979, employees at River Bluff Industries

have had a hand in creating countless prod-ucts, from packaging table legs to assem-bling cots for daycare centers. They alsooperate a thrift store and provide laundryservice for several local B&Bs.

This flexibility is critical to staying inbusiness and providing a purpose foremployees. “We like to concentrate onshowing people our capabilities, ratherthan our disabilities,” Brison says.

The workshop provides employment for22 residents from throughout Gasconade

County. The full video can be seen atwww.ksdk.com/story/news/2013/10/20/3138471/

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River Bluff Industries Featured on St. Louis Channel 5

DOL Calculators Available Online for Service Providers

WEB Co Custom Industries, Marshfield,has experienced a busy fall season.

General manager Mike Frazier said theshop has added new production businessand with product packing lines and sub-contracting kitting lines, the RecyclingDepartment is growing. The department isalso becoming more productive and effi-cient due to these improvements, which

have allowed the shop to increase its work-force.

The workshop also had a wonderfulThanksgiving dinner, and one of theservers was state Representative LyndalFraker, District 137. Due to some gra-cious donors, the shop was also able togive out hams to each employee for theThanksgiving holiday.

Busy Fall for Marshfield Workshop

Managers of at least two Missouri work-shops recently reported frustration with astate office responsible for grants that areoften used to purchase vehicles.

Diane Arnold of ManufacturersAssistance Group (MAG) and LauraJohnson of Pulaski County ShelteredWorkshop recently wrote that without thesupport, they would be forced to use trucksand busses that have outlived their servicelength.

“We applied for replacement vehicles inthe 2011 Section 5310 grant process,”Arnold said. “These vehicles should havebeen delivered in 2012.” The grants are atransportation program administered bythe Missouri Department of Transportation(MoDOT).

Arnold said that she has been involved inthe grant process for 25 years, and it hasbeen smooth until recently.“Transportation is vital to the success ofour sheltered workshop,” Arnold noted.“The vehicles we have asked them toreplace are eight and 10 years old. They areeligible for replacement after five years. Atthis point, we are unsure of whether weshould invest the time to apply for furtherreplacement vehicles.”

Johnson said Pulaski County has thesame problems. “We applied for new busesthis year or last and were told it would befour years. Unfortunately our buses are notgoing to last four years. Once they hit100,000 miles, they just started fallingapart.”

Delays Trouble Workshops

Minimum WageIncreases inMissouri

Missouri’s minimum wage rose to$7.50 an hour Jan. 1 due to an inflationadjustment built into state law.

In Kansas, the wage for coveredemployers and employees will stay at$7.25 an hour, the federal rate. Federallaw ultimately could impact both.Congress is considering the FairMinimum Wage Act of 2013 that wouldraise the national rate to $10.10 by 2015,with three increases of 95 cents each.

Missouri’s increase stems from avoter-approved initiative in 2006 thatcalls for annual rate adjustments reflect-ing cost-of-living increases. LikeMissouri, 10 other states have indexedtheir minimums to annual inflationchanges.

Council Offers InfoThe Governor’s Council website portal

offers a wide range of online resources forconsumers, parents and guardians and pro-fessionals serving those with disabilities.

Located at www.disability.mo.gov/gcd/,the site not only offers extensive materialsbut also educational seminars and on-sitetraining.

Also available are a legislative newslet-ter, a resource directory and informationalbrochures on topics relating to people withdisabilities.

As of Nov. 14, the U.S. Department ofLabor (DOL) is publishing calculators onits website to assist employers using Sec14(c). The calculators help in determiningprevailing rates, adjusting prevailing ratesfor increases in state minimum wages andestablishing commensurate hourly rates and

piece rates.These calculators do not change any rules

or regulations, but they may help ensureemployers that they have determined pre-vailing rates and commensurate wages in away that will meet DOL requirements. Thenotice and links can be found at:

www.dol.gov/whd/sec14c/calculators/The DOL Wage and Hour Division asked

ACCSES to identify providers for beta test-ing of the calculators. Thank you to thosewho assisted with the testing to help ensurethese calculators will be of assistance toproviders.

Documents

Dignified and meaningful employment for people with ... Newsletter Jan. 2014.pdf · hands of the Joint Commission on Administrative Rules. Fulvio Franzi, director of DESE’s Sheltered