RESPECT of Florida is the central non-profit agency for the State of Florida that helps employ about 1,200 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 RESPECT of Florida
RESPECT is pleased to announce its
Jobs-to-You initiative. The intent of the new model is to transition adults with significant disabilities from facility-based, day programs to integrated, competitive jobs paying minimum wages or better. The model is unique in that individuals with significant disabilities and limited work experiences will earn minimum wages or above while receiving individualized, enhanced supports at the job site that will ensure their success. RESPECT seeks to partner with its Employment Centers, ADTs, disability providers, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, private businesses, and governmental entities to develop an employment model that features a robust overlay of supported employment services for adults with disabilities who can earn competitive wages at integrated work sites when adequate supports are available. Individual client placements will be for up to 24 months but may be extended if warranted. More information will be forthcoming.
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Spotlight on Success:
RESPECT would like to give a shout out to Colin Leonard and recognize him as one of our Outstanding Employees of 2017.
Nominated by Inez Ramirez of Brevard Achievement Center (BAC), Colin has make incredible personal and professional progress in a short amount of time. Colin began his employment at BAC as an extremely shy person who had trouble interacting with his peers. He was apprehensive about trying new things and the thought of work was daunting to him.
With time and patience, Colin surprised himself with his ability to get his tasks accomplished. He learned to set goals for himself and beat his own production records. This made Colin's confidence and self-worth soar! Now, Colin sets the standard for what a quality employee should be and serves as an excellent motivator and example to his fellow employees. Great job Colin!
"Nothing is impossible. The word itself says I'M POSSIBLE," Audrey Hepburn
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Commodity Line of the Month
RESPECT carries four types of clocks: standard 12-hour, 24-hour, state seal, and custom printed with your logo.
PS: How can you tell if a clock is hungry? It will go back four seconds!
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Like RESPECT, many other states have similar programs with the same mission of assisting individuals who are blind or have other disabilities to become more independent through employment.
Each year, RESPECT joins about 20 other states to collaborate and discuss their activities. Though the laws governing each state program vary slightly, all face similar challenges and opportunities.
RESPECT staff attended the 2018 conference January 23-26 in St. Petersburg, and also made an IT presentation during one of the sessions. Other topics of discussion included current legislation, new commodities and services, training, and much more.
Each year, staff leave with new inspiration and motivation for the year to come, and this year was no exception!
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PARC: A Fixture in the St. Petersburg Community
RESPECT partner PARC is celebrating 63 years of service in the community. PARC's story starts with the birth of a beautiful baby girl.
In 1948, Edythe Ibold gave birth to daughter Midge, who was diagnosed as mongoloid (now known as Down syndrome). In 1952, Mrs. Ibold placed a small notice in The St. Petersburg Times inviting parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities to a meeting in the St. Petersburg City Hall. Twenty six people attended this initial meeting.
From that first group of concerned parents PARC was formed. The group obtained its charter as the Pinellas Association for Retarded Children in April 1953. Mrs. Ibold served as its first President and charter member. The first project successfully tackled by the group was the opening in 1953 of a pilot class for children.
From these beginnings, PARC has grown to be a leader in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities. With over 40 programs, PARC offers many choices to the individuals it serves.
As a RESPECT partner, PARC fulfills the orders of Skilcraft air dusters and pens. The air duster is very popular and helps to keep dust, dirt, and lint from hard-to-clean places, like computer keyboards. PARC also assembles the gel-like pens and flexible security pens that Florida Department of Corrections uses.
PARC's primary services include early intervention and therapy for infants and toddlers with disabilities and developmental delays. In 2017, an art exhibit showcased the artwork done by people with disabilities. This exhibit traveled around the state of Florida. An annual art show, Art in the PARC, happens in November in St Petersburg, FL where the client art is exhibited and sold.
PARC's mission is to provide opportunities for children and adults with developmental disabilities to exercise their independence and experience life to the fullest. Their vision is a community where all individuals live with dignity and are treated with respect.
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Cyber Space
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HR & Compliance Manager, Dayna Lenk |
Before the Internet, criminals had to dig through the trash or intercept mail to steal your information. The internet, which has revolutionized the way we live life, has also made modern crime easier to perpetrate. Now criminals can find the needed information online enabling them to perpetrate thousands of attacks at once, and avoid the tell-tale trash smell associated with digging through your garbage. C
yber-crime has quickly become one of the fastest rising forms of crime. According to cyber experts, approximately 1 million potential cyber-attacks are attempted per day. With the evolution of mobile and cloud technologies, this number is likely to increase.
Criminals take the path of least resistance. Unfortunately, the weakest link at any business is the employee. Data breaches typically are the result of employee error, lack of training or an inside job. After all, employees are hired for their skill in a chosen field, not for cyber security background. So, unwittingly companies are often leaving their business wide open for attack.
Threats are much more cunning today; the easily recognizable phishing emails of yesterday have become much more sophisticated and believable. Modern cybercriminals try to infiltrate an organization by using social engineering tactics to gain employee trust. Or they might just leave around infected USB flash drives, hoping someone picks one up and plugs it into their computer. One new practice is the business email compromise in which scammers target employees who have access to company finances to fool them into sending wire transfers to fake bank accounts.
Every organization has a security culture, what varies is if that culture can be defined as weak or strong. To develop a strong cyber defense the business must create and foster a culture of cyber security and build a robust cyber security program that employees follow. Each
organization will create their own policies and procedures that will suit their security needs, but those policies and procedures are useless unless you ensure that your employees are ready and able to follow them. Listed below are four strategies every employee needs to follow to build a strong cyber security culture:
1. Communication- Keeping the flow of communication open and engaging with employees. This will make your team feel involved and more likely to contribute to upholding a culture of security. Mistakes occur more often when employees are unmotivated, untrained, or do not know the reasoning behind new policies and procedures they are asked to follow. To promote the culture you want, be transparent in your communication with them and open to correcting without punishment when mistakes occur.
2. Recognize that the Treat is Real - Employees need to recognize that they are the integral part of maintaining security. In a strong culture of cyber security, employees recognize that their internet is a direct link to the confidential data about your company, employees and customers, and that criminals will attempt to use the them, even unknowingly, to gain access to that data. Train your staff to be suspicious and encourage employees to speak up if strange things are happening on the computer. A savvy and alert employee can be the reason why an attack is prevented.
3. Train - Giving your employees the tools to succeed is essential. Employees can be your protective front-line defense in a strong cyber security system, so long as they have the necessary knowledge to follow proper protocol and recognize any signs that a breach has occurred. Training should be held on a regular basis to keep knowledge fresh and to update the team on any changes to the system. Do not forget to ask your team for input, and adjust your procedures when needed.
4. T
each Good Security Hygiene -
This is not the same hygiene that was taught in gym class, but it will keep your computer clean. Cyber hygiene is the daily routine and behaviors that affect the health and security of your online presence. By following simple security protocols, like the ones listed below, you can assist your internal Information Technology (IT) department in keeping the organization cyber safe.
- Use complex passwords that make it more difficult for cybercriminals to break in
- Do not use the same password for all your applications
- Do not write your password on a sticky note and stick it to your device
- Log off your applications when they are not in use
- Install a passcode to open a device, and remember that 1,2,3,4 is never an acceptable passcode
- Do not download data or programs without approval from IT
- Delete or report suspicious emails to IT
- If you receive an email even from someone you know that looks suspect, call the person directly to ensure that they sent it
- Back up your work to a drive not located on your computer based on the policies set by your company
All employers and employees need to be mindful of the importance of cybersecurity. A strong culture of cybersecurity is directly related to the employees' understanding of security issues and how their behavior increases or reduces security risks to the institution. Serious breaches to security can incapacitate your business, cost you customers, and even put you out of business. The threat is real and it is not going away; take steps to prepare your organization before the criminals are able to find your weak link and breech your data.
The information contained in this article is intended to provide useful information on the topic covered, but should not be construed as legal advice or a legal opinion.
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