SUPRA State Use Programs Association

05/15/2024

This month in Albany, New York, the NGA Center convened leaders from Maryland, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, and Vermont to explore best practices and advance their disability inclusive workforce policy agenda.

04/19/2024

Check your email inbox for all the SUPRA news that's fit to print.

April 19, 2024 April 19, 2024 RESPECT of Florida Participates in Developmental Disabilities Day at the Capitol RESPECT was honored to participate in the annual Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day

02/01/2024

Continued thanks to our 2024 conference sponsors, including The DPI Group.

Lisa first came to DPI in 1999 as a newly single mom looking for work. The temporary positions she got through DPI helped her to land a job with the state of Oregon, which has led to a 23-year career. Her daughter was also able to leverage experience with DPI with a great position at the state. Read Lisa’s story at
https://thedpigroup.com/impact/success-story-lisa/

02/01/2024

Fun fact: every SUPRA member state was represented at the 2024 conference!

01/26/2024

What’s new in the world of staffing and recruiting professionals with disabilities?

Find out more from 2024 Conference Sponsor Peak Performers. https://www.peakperformers.org/

01/26/2024

Our 2024 sponsors have helped make the 2024 conference a great success.

Lighthouse Works’ supply chain team combines high quality service and an impressive, award-winning track record to back it up:

- Single and bulk fulfillment services
- Custom kitting and packaging
- Assembly and sub-assembly services
- RFID production and shipping
- Fulfillment contact center services
- 100% on-time and on-budget delivery

Empower your business with Lighthouse – call 888.238.6026 or visit www.lighthouseworks.org/supply-chain

01/26/2024

Day 2 focused on more best practices, including contracting/subcontracting and leveraging the benefits of state associations. We always look forward to the annual products and services review and CEO/Operations skull sessions.

01/26/2024

Thank you, LighthouseWorks, for supporting the SUPRA 2024 conference!

Struggling with digital accessibility challenges? Lighthouse Works' unique software development solutions are designed to help you overcome those obstacles while transforming your workforce.

- Drive Job Creation
- Enhance Upward Mobility
- Boost Productivity
- Foster Independence for All Abilities

Empower your business with Lighthouse. Get started today – call 888.238.6026 or visit www.lighthouseworks.org/tech

01/26/2024

Thank you to Peak Performers for being a 2024 SUPRA Conference Sponsor!

We appreciate the opportunity to work together on employment challenges and solutions for people with disabilities.

01/25/2024

The Spirit of State Use Award is annually presented to an individual who embodies the impact of our association in securing meaningful employment in our respective states.

Congratulations to our 2024 recipient, Kyle Radford of WorkQuest. Kyle is known for his enthusiasm for expanding WorkQuest's business on behalf of Texans with disabilities, as well as his "artistry" for SUPRA products and services.

In Kyle's words, "I'm incredibly grateful to join this group of previous award winners, individuals I look up to and am honored to call my colleagues."

01/25/2024

What can be said about a colleague who served the disability community for 58 years AND the SUPRA organization for 26 years?

We are honored to recognize Jim Hammond, a true champion for individuals with disabilities in Indiana and beyond, with the second annual Floyd Nesse Advocacy Award.

We'll miss his passion for state use and insightful legislative knowledge, as we extend Jim warmest wishes for a well deserved full retirement.

01/25/2024

In fiscal year 2023, The DPI Group employed 680 individuals with disabilities across the country. Learn more at https://thedpigroup.com/impact/

01/24/2024

Day 1 kicked off with an interactive keynote Nawlins-style, then delved into best practices on government affairs, compliance, and ratios, concluding with the always popular "speed dating" business roundtables. Looking forward to day 2 together.

01/24/2024

Let the best practices begin! Thank you to The DPI Group for supporting SUPRA as a conference sponsor.

Since 1971, The DPI Group has been identifying and creating job opportunities for individuals with employment barriers. Learn more at www.thedpigroup.com.

12/27/2023

Please enjoy this thoughtful report on the inestimable value of those who support American with disabilities.

The nearly five million direct care workers who support older adults and people with disabilities are the largest workforce in the U.S. But despite high demand, many are paid little more than minimum wage. A longstanding workforce shortage means people with disabilities who depend on those workers a...

10/02/2023

What does mean to you? Drop it in the comments.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month or (NDEAM), is observed throughout the month of October. This year’s theme, “Advancing Access and Equity: Then...

09/26/2023

What are you doing in four months?

2024 Annual Conference January 23 – 26, 2024NOPSI Hotel, New Orleans, LA Mark your calendars and make plans to join your SUPRA colleagues in the Big Easy! SUPRA members will convene in the iconic and historical NOPSI Hotel nestled in the Central Business District. Registration Information: Early b...

09/12/2023

"People with disabilities want to live in their own communities and make their own choices about their lives—just like everyone else. For millions, Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) like Betty Davis make that independence possible."

09/01/2023

There's always something going on at SUPRA: check your email for the latest News & Views. 2024 conference news coming in the next issue!

07/12/2023

It's all month long...share your stories!

takes place every year in July. This is a time to honor the history, achievements, experiences, and struggles of the disability community. It’s a time to show what disability pride means and what people with disabilities are proud of.

Why is this celebration so important? Because it challenges the outdated stereotypes and stigma that too often surround disabilities. Disability Pride Month reminds us that disability is not something to be ashamed of but rather a vital part of our rich human tapestry.

By promoting disability pride, we hope to create a world where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued—no matter their abilities. We want to break down barriers, foster understanding, and build a society that embraces and supports every individual, regardless of their differences.

As we share stories throughout the month, add your comments, like, and share the posts. The more people who join the conversation, the more we can raise awareness about what is possible for people with disabilities.

06/23/2023

Who's up for a summer road trip to one of our state chapters?

New Hope of Indiana’s Cheese and Thank You food truck is the only-mission driven food mobile in the state to have such a staff prepare, serve and market their product. Starting in 2019, it did so to give disabled adults an opportunity for employment — overcoming statistics and stigma.

04/26/2023

NYSID's tenth assistive technology program year concluded with a demonstration of the innovations created by tomorrow's engineers.

These students have truly made a difference in the employability of individuals with disabilities at NYSID Member Agencies.

04/12/2023

Meanwhile in PA, some for all of us who have a stake in bettering lives for individuals with disabilities. Pass it on! 💜

Dave Urban at Lowe’s built parallel bars so that boy, five, who has quadriplegic spastic cerebral palsy could practice walking

04/05/2023

Unique Source invites all SUPRA state chapters to Re!magine with them!

The 2023 UniqueSource Achievement Awards and Member conference will be held May 8, 9, 10 at the Harrisburg Hilton. The theme of Re!magine is to center around the unlimited possibilities for individuals with disabilities and our Member agencies.

01/31/2023

Warmest congratulations to our colleague Matt Loehman for personifying the importance of rewarding employment for all.

Matt Loehman is executive director of Horizons of New Mexico.

01/27/2023

Day Two: Our plenary discussions and team sessions shared best practices and relevant challenges & results throughout the day. We also heard about national disability employment from ACCSES and APSE leaders. The day capped off with the always popular rotating roundtables that covered five topics, from working smarter with technology to expanding beyond the state. Work hard, play hard!

01/27/2023

It wouldn't be SUPRA without the annual golf challenge/bragging rights. Kudos to Shawn Pursley and Susie Miduri for their prize-winning moves and to the Texas team for slaying first place in an impressive field of competitors.

01/27/2023

We are so proud to introduce the Floyd Nesse Oustanding Advocacy Award, in memory of our colleague from New Jersey. This inaugural award will be presented to Floyd's family.

May his positivity and impact live on as we continue our important work on behalf of those with disabilities. 🇺🇸

01/27/2023

Heartfelt congratulations to Lindsey Boyington, the newest recipient of the Larry Barker Spirit of State Use Award.

"I'm so honored and thankful to receive this award. SUPRA means so much to me and I'm so happy to be able to call so many SUPRA members my colleagues and friends."

Well played, Lindsey.

01/25/2023

"25 Years of Evolution" Day One: SUPRA founders, annual attendees and new faces.

From a warm welcome by SUPRA board chair Lisa Biggica to our four sessions, we heard about integrative thinking, legislative trends, and emerging products and services. The day concluded by reviewing the impact of SUPRA's 25 years, featuring returning Spirit of State Use awardees.

The common theme throughout the day was maximizing our relationships for the thousands of individuals with disabilities collectively served by our state chapter partners. On to Day Two!