Inclusive post-secondary education programs, commonly shortened to IPSE, are popping up throughout the country and the state of Georgia. In this episode of Pinpoint, we zoom in on one specific IPSE program, the EXCEL program at the Georgia Institute of Technology. EXCEL stands for Expanding Career, Education and Leadership and has an impressive track record among its graduates, with 92% of them gaining and maintaining meaningful employment. In this episode, we highlight voices of students, graduates, faculty and staff, talking about everything from the impact of internships, post-graduation dream jobs, and the structure that makes the program successful.

Internships and their impact: 1:57
Student spotlight: Itzel 3:40
Student spotlight: Martha: 7:13
Graduate spotlight: Sam: 9:23
Program structure: 14:15
Conclusion: 19:43
Student insight and advice: 22:41

The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) is driven by its Five Year Plan (2017-2021) goals of education; employment; self-advocacy; Real Communities; and formal and informal supports. The Council, charged with creating systems change for individuals with developmental disabilities and family members, will work through various advocacy and capacity building activities to build a more interdependent, self-sufficient, and integrated and included disability community across Georgia.

This project was supported, in part by grant number 2001GASCDD-03, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects with government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official ACL policy.

It’s a new year, which means a new season for ADVOCACY! The 2024 legislative session is upon us, so GCDD has made sure that this Pinpoint episode has everything you need to know to feel prepared to advocate to your community and legislators. This year, GCDD has three legislative priorities. These include increasing waivers and DSP wages, employment opportunities and fair pay for people with disabilities, and to fully fund inclusive post-secondary education (IPSE) scholarships. In this episode, GCDD turns to its internal talent and subject matter experts, Charlie Miller, Legislative Advocacy Director, and Charlotte Densmore, Public Policy Director, to detail the proposed legislation and to share why each one is so important.

Guests

Charlie Miller, Legislative Advocacy Director

Charlotte Densmore, Public Policy Director

Resources

2024 Advocacy Days calendar and event registration

GCDD full events calendar

Topics and Timestamps

3:38 Summary of 2024 legislative priorities

4:16 Georgia as a Model Employer (GAME)

5:16 DSPs and HCBS waivers

13:57 Importance of IPSE

30:23 Ending 14C Certificates

31:15 Real Jobs for Real Wages

37:39 Key messages and takeaways

42:28 How to get involved

42:40 Advocacy Days schedule

The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) is driven by its Five Year Plan (2017-2021) goals of education; employment; self-advocacy; Real Communities; and formal and informal supports. The Council, charged with creating systems change for individuals with developmental disabilities and family members, will work through various advocacy and capacity building activities to build a more interdependent, self-sufficient, and integrated and included disability community across Georgia.

This project was supported, in part by grant number 2001GASCDD-03, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects with government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official ACL policy.

What is it like to be a Direct Support Professional in Georgia? With crisis that was existing even before the pandemic - and accelerated due to it - the lack of staff and low wages are impacting individuals with DD across Georgia and their families.

Pinpoint shares the stories of DSPs and caregivers in Georgia and why we all need to advocate for better wages for those who support people with disabilities to live in the community of their choosing.

The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) is driven by its Five Year Plan (2017-2021) goals of education; employment; self-advocacy; Real Communities; and formal and informal supports. The Council, charged with creating systems change for individuals with developmental disabilities and family members, will work through various advocacy and capacity building activities to build a more interdependent, self-sufficient, and integrated and included disability community across Georgia.

This project was supported, in part by grant number 2001GASCDD-03, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects with government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official ACL policy.