ICSPS NEWSLETTER
May 2022
2022 WIOA SUMMIT - WRAP-UP
"It's so nice to see everyone again!"
Economic Recovery and the Future of Work

After one cancellation (2020) and one all online summit (2021), the 2022 WIOA Summit was presented in a hybrid format, allowing attendance either in person or online via the Whova app. Nearly 400 people attended the 1 1/2 day event, with an almost 50-50 split between virtual and in-person attendees. Steps such as social distancing, "handshake comfort level stickers", and readily available masks helped to create a safe environment for in-person attendees, while online attendees had the convenience of being able to attend remotely from the "COVID-safe" location of their choice!

Following the opening session featuring a video welcome from Governor JB Pritzker and in person greetings from DCEO, DHS, IDES, IWIB, and ICCB leadership, attendees received an update on the Illinois Governor's Commission on Workforce Equity and Access. The Commission, tasked with creating a vision for an equitable, accessible, and effective future-state workforce system, launched late last year and is slated to present a final report to the Illinois General Assembly later this spring. Following the opening sessions, attendees had over 25 breakout sessions to choose from, with topics all geared toward helping Illinois' workforce and employers bounce back from impacts of COVID.

Still need to complete the evaluation? If you attended the Summit, either in person or online, and haven't completed the evaluation - please take a moment to tell us what you thought. We'd love to hear from you! Complete the 2022 WIOA Summit Evaluation.

Couldn't make it to all the sessions you wanted to? Beginning May 23rd, you can view all of the 2022 WIOA Summit presentations and resources.
SAVE THE DATE: SEPTEMBER 22 - 23, 2022
FORUM FOR EXCELLENCE - CULTIVATING COLLABORATION THROUGH CONVERSATION
It's back...it's live...and it's IN PERSON (or virtually, if you prefer!) The 2022 Forum for Excellence will be held on September 22 - 23, 2022 in Bloomington/Normal. This year's theme is "Cultivating Collaboration through Conversation." The committee is planning to hold this event in-person, paired with virtual components for those who prefer to attend online. Please know the safety of our attendees is our top priority, and we will continue to monitor our environment to ensure a healthy and safe conference for all attendees.

Look for registration information in the July ICSPS Newsletter!
REQUEST FOR PRESENTATIONS
2022 Forum for Excellence - Cultivating Collaboration through Conversation
Submission Deadline - June 30

Have a great idea for the Forum? We'd sure like to hear about it!! Click here to submit your RFP by June 30!!
MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has many helpful resources to amplify their 2022 message for Mental Health Awareness Month "Together for Mental Health." Consider downloading their 2022 Partner Guide for information on events and activities. NAMI also has affiliates throughout Illinois that offer a variety of support groups and resources.

According to data collected by Mental Health America (MHA) on Adult Prevalence of Mental Illness for 2022, nearly 50 million American adults are experiencing a mental illness, with 4.91% of those cases considered severe. Illinois was rated #10 in MHA's ranking of states that had the lowest prevalence of mental illness and the highest access to mental health care.
EVALUATION TOOLKIT GOES LIVE!
The Evaluation Workgroup of the IWIB Continuous Improvement Committee has launched an Evaluation Framework Toolkit. This toolkit is adapted from the 2020 Department of Labor Evaluation Toolkit: “Key Elements for State Workforce Agencies.”

Program evaluation is a required component of WIOA and this toolkit is designed to make the evaluation process easy. This toolkit provides a framework and tools for effective evaluation for statewide workforce programs, policies, and processes across the Titles. This online toolkit infuses an equity lens and is designed to support local areas in evaluating their performance, ensuring continuous improvement.

The Evaluation Toolkit consists of the following sections:
  •  Executive Summary
  • Introduction to the Framework and Overview of Equity
  •  Introduction to Evaluation
  • Logic Models
  •  Evaluation Planning
  • Selecting an Evaluator
  • Implementing Evaluation
  • Request for Data Information
  • Glossary, Key Terms & Acronym List
  • DOL Framework
  • Resources

The Evaluation Toolkit was presented at the 2022 WIOA Summit. A recording of the presentation can will be made available in the coming weeks. The Evaluation Toolkit is live here, and the Evaluation Workgroup encourages feedback on the Toolkit here.
UPCOMING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
WIOA PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Introduction to Grant Writing

This session will provide an overview of successful strategies and steps to effective grant writing. Join presenters and hear from your peers as they explore tips and tricks that have yielded success for grant writers and MOU development.

Introduction to Grant Writing
May 10, 2022 - 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Learn more about this webinar and register here.
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Illinois Performance Accountability & Transparency System (IPATS) for Performance & Case Management & Program Implementation
Illinois Performance Accountability & Transparency System (IPATS) provides state of Illinois workforce development professionals with a whole new set of advanced tools and data displays to use in their day-to-day work to provide transparency on performance and accountability as it relates to case management and program implementation.
This statewide webinar can provide information to an array of users, such as:
  • State Level OET Staff
  • Regional Managers
  • Monitoring Staff
  • Title IB Administrators
  • Local Performance Representatives
  • Career Planners, Case Managers, & Front Line Staff

IPATS for Performance & Case Management & Program Implementation
May 11, 2022 - 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Learn more about this webinar and register here.
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ATTA MONTHLY WEBINAR SERIES
Coaching Model for Students with Disabilities at the Postsecondary Level
Postsecondary coaches can provide support and assist students to become confident, independent learners while developing relevant skills for school, home, and work, such as organization, time management, communication, and prioritization. This introductory webinar will discuss the nuts and bolts of a coaching model for postsecondary institutions. This webinar will be facilitated by Linsay DeMartino, Assistant Professor in Educational Administration and Foundations (EAF) at Illinois State University.

Coaching Model for Students with Disabilities at the Postsecondary Level
May 10, 2022 - 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Learn more about this webinar and register here.

For more postsecondary resources for students with autism, click here.
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The ROI Benefits of Hiring Talented Autistic People in the Workplace
Up to 90% of autistic adults today in the U.S. are either unemployed or underemployed. Companies often don’t know that autistic adults are often more likely to stay at a job longer and have lower absentee rates. In this presentation, you will hear from an autistic adult who went from non-speaking to full-time professional speaker. Among the topics discussed will include onboarding best practices, disclosure, case studies of companies currently hiring autistic adults today and much more!

The ROI Benefits of Hiring Talented Autistic People in the Workplace
June 14, 2022 - 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Learn more about this webinar and register here.

For more resources on people with autism in the workplace, click here.
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Culturally Responsive Pedagogy and Advocacy for Individuals with Disabilities
Marginalized students, including students of color, disabled students, and students who experience multiple oppressions (e.g., disabled students of color) struggle with equitable opportunities in our educational systems. As a result, multiply marginalized students are at a disadvantage with traditional measures of success (e.g., grades, test scores, graduation) and are overrepresented in remedy-seeking spaces (e.g., special education, school discipline, prison) (Annamma & Handy, 2021). This introductory webinar will explore the possibilities of culturally responsive pedagogy and advocacy for multiply marginalized students in U.S. educational systems.

Culturally Responsive Pedagogy and Advocacy for Individuals with Disabilities
July 12, 2022 - 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Learn more about this webinar and register here.
ANXIETY & MENTAL HEALTH IN THE CLASSROOM:
BUILDING KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS TO COPE
As educators, we recognize the integral role of mental health in our students' learning and wellbeing. The ongoing pandemic, related economic challenges, and deep-rooted social issues can all contribute to anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns for students and educators alike. Join us for a three-part series as we discuss evidence-based practices to alleviate classroom anxiety and increase resilience. 
Session 3: Thursday, May 19, 2022, from 11-12 PM 
Instructional Practices to Help Cope with Anxiety and Increase Learning

Mental health is an inextricable component of any learning situation. Fortunately, learners can tap their inner resilience with support from informed instructors who bolster mental health by doing what they do best: building skills and knowledge. Join us as we examine instructional practices to support the personal competency-building of both instructors and learners. We will promote health and wellness with considerations that go beyond a simple prescription of self-care.

Session 3: Instructional Practices to Help Cope with Anxiety and Increase Learning
May 19, 2022 - 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Learn more about this webinar and register here.

You can view recordings of the first two sessions: Anxiety, Depression, Resilience, and Motivation - An Overview and Anxiety and Mental Health Awareness in Today's Context here.
Meet the Presenter
Shanna Shipman is an experienced educator who works with national, state, and local education systems to create comprehensive systems of learning supports as part of their continuous improvement processes. She has focused her work on trauma, resilience, and mental health in education, driven by a deep care for the wellbeing and efficacy of all learners and the educators who serve them.
MEET OUR NEW ICSPS TEAM MEMBERS!!
Sarah Blalock - Workforce Innovation Coordinator - supporting IWIB (Career Pathway Targeted Populations, Service Integration, and Eligible Training Provider List)
Sarah Blalock joined ICSPS in April, while in the final stages of completing her master’s degree in Social Service Administration at the University of Illinois, Springfield. Sarah worked closely with the ICSPS team throughout her Graduate Public Service Intern (GPSI) position she held with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Office of Employment and Training and is excited to leverage her knowledge of the workforce system in her new role as a Workforce Innovation Coordinator. Her experience with federal and statewide grant programs yields a strong foundation to build upon for her upcoming roles. Sarah lives in Springfield with her partner, Dan, and their five-year old daughter, Lyla. Aside from cheering Lyla on during her various activities, Sarah enjoys anything with sunshine and friends. Borrowing from one of her favorites, Amy Poehler, Sarah deeply believes we should all, “Do work you are proud of with your talented friends.” and is excited to do just that.
Tanner Crawford - Workforce Innovation Coordinator - supporting Apprenticeship Illinois
Tanner Crawford joined ICSPS as a Workforce Innovation Coordinator in March. He works closely with Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunities Office of Employment and Training on work-based learning projects, apprenticeship, and workforce development. Prior to joining the ICSPS team, Tanner worked with SIUC’s Illinois workNet team in Chatham, Illinois. Tanner is from Springfield, Illinois but currently resides in Normal, Illinois with his girlfriend Aly and their three dogs (Rizzo, Trix, and Atlas) and two cats (Sirius and Malukey). Tanner’s hobbies include running, boxing, and reading. His favorite book presently is The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk. Tanner has been passionate about workforce development since his introduction to the field several years ago. His favorite thing about his work is that he has the opportunity to collaborate with incredible people to make this state a better place to work every single day.
WE'LL BE BACK IN JULY!
The ICSPS Newsletter will be taking a little break in June, but we'll be back in July with more information about the Forum for Excellence (September 22 - 23), useful resources, and many more professional development opportunities!