RESEED

Each year the project selects four community-based rehabilitation agencies nationally or Native American Rehabilitation Programs (Section 121) located in towns no larger than 15,000 population (20 total sites). Each site will receive a sub-contract averaging $14,000 to build self-employment capacity in replaceable ways. Over the 5 year cycle, $280,000 in capacity building funds will be provided. Intensive on-site technical training and consultation will focus on entrepreneurship, business planning, financing/alternative funding, and supports for individuals with developmental disabilities, psychiatric disabilities, sensory impairments, cerebral palsy, various physical disabilities, Traumatic Brain Injury, etc.

RESEED will specifically address:

· Capacity-building in rural/remote areas through a competitive grant process. Each site will be eligible for $14,000 for one year to build local capacity and to assist in the self-employment of at least 4 consumers;

· The formation of Self-employment Development Team(s) for each of the 80 self-employment candidates, including CRP staff, Section 121 staff, families, local business mentors, Vocational Rehabilitation and One-Stop personnel, Small Business Development Center representatives, etc., to provide guidance and supports that increase earnings and independence;

· Self-Directed Business and Career development for 80 individuals with severe and multiple disabilities utilizing Person-Centered Career Planning techniques;

· The use of alternative and collaborative funding strategies, including Social Security Work Incentives, Individual Training Accounts, microloans, CRP resources, VR funds, Work Force Investment dollars, and local business support to expand and enhance self-employment;

· The maintenance of an active RESEED Advisory Council (including an External Evaluator) that monitors project quality and outcomes; selects development sites; is ethnically, geographically, system, and disability diverse; and recommends Policy and Practice that expands individual control in rural self-employment;

· Intensive, community-centered on-site technical consultation and competency-based training resulting in the development of replicable, innovative approaches to self-employment for individuals with severe and multiple disabilities and/or challenging behaviors.

Project Duration
Start Date: October 1, 2000
End Date: September 31, 2005

Funding Source
Rehabilitation Service Administration at the US Dept of Education/RSA
600 Independence Ave SW, Rm 3314
Washington, DC 20202-2650

Project Sites
Year One Sites:
Sitka, Alaska
Albemarle, North Carolina
Riverton, Wyoming
Harlem, Montana

Year Two Sites:
Browning, Montana
Montrose, Colorado
Allegan, Michigan
Jemez, Pueblo, New Mexico

Year Three Sites:
Kitsap County, Washington
Parsons, Kansas
Littleton, New Hampshire
Hamilton, Montana

Year 4 Sites:
Confederated Salish-Kootenai VR, Pablo, MT
Hoopa Valley Tribe Renewal VR, Hoopa, CA
Columbia Community Mental Health Services, St. Helens, OR
Threshhold Services, Kodiak, AK

Year 5 Sites:
Arc of New Mexico, Socorro, NM
Northeastern MT Workforce, Glasgow, MT
Western Maine Community Action/Career Center, East Wilton, Maine
Northstar Services, Bloomfield, Nebraska


Partners
Rehabilitation Service Administration at the US Department of Education

Rural Institute Staff
Marsha Katz, Project Director
Roger Shelley, Organizational Consultant
Mike Flaherty, Organizational Consultant

Additional staff in Year One and Year Two:
Cary Griffin, Director of Special Projects
David Hammis, Organizational Consultant
Chuck Sperry, Organizational Consultant