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RESPECT of Florida is the central non-profit agency for the State of Florida that helps employ more than 1,250 Floridians with disabilities through the production of commodities and contractual services that are sold to government entities. If you would like to learn more about us or browse our catalog, visit us at:
respectofflorida.org.
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A Message from Executive Director Ryland Musick
The Florida Department of Management Services, Division of State Purchasing created the Guidebook to Public Procurement to provide direction in the purchase of commodities and contractual services pursuant to Section 287.057, F.S.The guidebook integrates statutes and rules that govern public procurement with best practices in procurement and provides a unified, holistic approach. The guidebook is revised twice per year to reflect the most current procurement practices.
How does RESPECT fit into the overall picture of Public Procurement? There are seven stages of public procurement explained in the guidebook. RESPECT's role is in stage one, the Need Identification Process.
As the guidebook explains, before an agency does anything else (e-Quote, RFP, ITB, etc.), they should first consult RESPECT to determine if the product or service they are seeking is on the Procurement List. If so, that agency can save the time and money required to issue a bid and contract directly with RESPECT.
To summarize, if you are a governmental entity in Florida, before you procure any product or service, look to RESPECT first! You will receive competitively priced, high quality goods and services and help employ individuals with disabilities.
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Facebook is one more way RESPECT wants to connect with you. Click above to like our page.
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Meetings, Training, and Events
June 22 - Persons with Disabilities Workgroup, Tallahassee
June 28- July 1 - FL Association of Counties Trade Show, Orlando
July 26 - Anniversary of ADA
August 18-20 - FL League of Cities, Hollywood
September 1 - 14(c) Wage Requirements Seminar, Marietta, GA
October - Disability Employment Awareness Month
October 8 - Exceptional Employer Awards, Tallahassee
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Featured Commodity
RESPECT's
American Flags are 100% made in the USA! All components including grommets, thread, dye, etc. are made in the USA; even the cotton for the red, white, and blue material is grown in America.
Do your civic duty and retire your faded flag this month!
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RESPECT is in the process of adding several new commodities to the Procurement List, including new 2015 ANSI approved First Aid kits and refill items, Incontinence Products, Barrier Gowns, and LED Lighting. The Commodity Team's goal is to be responsive to our customers' needs and requests. As procurement needs are identified, call RESPECT to determine if the item can be offered through this program.
Services
The RESPECT Services Team has recently secured several new contracts with Lawn Care services at Cecil Field and Camp Blanding, and Janitorial services at Department of Children and Families. The Services Team expects to renew almost every current contract this year.
Communications
In addition to the
Respectfully Yours newsletter, RESPECT has a new Facebook page. A link to "like us" an be found on the left column in this newsletter. Over the past several months, RESPECT's Communications and IT Departments have worked to enhance the website with updated information and a refreshed look. Work will continue throughout the next several months. RESPECT appreciates feedback. Let us know how we can improve communication with you!
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The Family Café and RESPECT Microenterprise Connection
The 18th Annual Family Café was held in Orlando, June 10 through 12. The event annually attracts thousands of people with disabilities, their families, providers, and advocates and provides opportunities to network and learn to navigate in the disability world.
This year's event included keynote speakers, many exhibitors, and more than 160 breakout sessions. One breakout session specifically, was Moira Rossi, RESPECT of Florida 2015 Microenterprise Grant winner. She spoke about starting her business, Moira's Ventures, and also about the importance of having a job. Rossi has a long history of advocacy. Over the years, she has made several presentations to discuss the diverse capabilities of individuals with disabilities.
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Nancy DoVale has been a RESPECT Project Manager in Southeast Florida for 18 years. DoVale provides seasoned expertise on all things janitorial to RESPECT customers. Prior to joining the RESPECT Services Team, she served as an Account Executive for a commercial janitorial company in New York for 15 years.
DoVale currently manages almost $7 million worth of RESPECT contracts including Miami-Dade County and Division of Blind Services. "Regardless of contract size, Nancy provides exceptional oversight and customer service. RESPECT customers enjoy working with her," reported Service Contracts Director John McBride. Her enthusiasm and passion for what she does is contagious. "I love my job because it's interesting, challenging, and rewarding! No day is ever the same," said DoVale.
In her spare time, DoVale enjoys hunting, fishing, diving, and spending time with her family. She also spends time volunteering in her local community. She has traveled to several international destinations like Thailand and Nepal through her work with Habitat for Humanity.
Keep up the good work, Nancy. You are a true asset to the RESPECT program.
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Did you know RESPECT holds the State Contract for
Hemoglobin Testing and Supplies? When you purchase your starter kit from RESPECT, you will receive a free HemoPoint H2 meter for the price of 200 micro-cuvettes. Additionally, RESPECT can coordinate training and any other resources you need to become proficient on this meter.
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| Florida ARF Operations Director John Bruntlett |
The Ban the Box movement is spreading across the country, but do you know what it is? Ban the Box is a movement that would make it illegal to require job applicants to check a box or answer questions regarding prior arrests or convictions on employment applications. The theory is driven by a belief that if an applicant checks the box they are less likely to get an interview, much less a job offer. There are currently 24 states and more than 100 cities and/or counties that have Ban the Box statues.
Florida has not adopted this status yet. The restrictions vary, but most of them require an employer to wait to perform criminal background checks until after an offer of employment. The theory is that, people with arrest records and/or convictions will have a better chance of re-entering society and living productive lives. A noble movement, but there are things that cannot be swept aside and avoided.
Let us review a few examples to make the point. What will happen if an employer discovers the new hire has a criminal background? The truth is, the course of action would depend greatly on the job, as well as the nature of conviction. Having said that, many employers would terminate quickly once the criminal background is discovered. There are employers who simply do not want convicted felons in their workforce; however, there are also employers who would still make the employment offer even if the box is checked.
Most human resources departments that do run criminal background checks do so after interviews have narrowed the field to one or two top candidates. If a candidate does have a record, there will be some employers who will not make the hire, but there are employers who will look at the record and determine it is not a problem and make the hire.
Doing the records search before an offer of employment actually saves the employer time and money. It also saves embarrassment to the new hire who did not have to check a box and now finds himself/herself being escorted out the door.
Does the Ban the Box movement really work? Will it lead to more convicted felons getting and retaining jobs? Will it lengthen the hiring process for employers by possibly having to return to the recruiting process? In the meantime, Florida will keep the box!
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