National AgrAbility Project
Plan of Work
2008 - 2012
With Accomplishments for 9/1/09 - 8/31/09
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Overview / Objective 1: Education / Objective 2: Networking / Objective 3: Assistance / Objective 4: Marketing / Objective 5: Accountability
* Accomplishments are displayed by hovering over the note icon with your mouse
Program Priority 2 – Networking: Improve the integration of NAP collaborative partners and complementary services to more efficiently share resources and expand the effectiveness of the agricultural disability network of services.
Effective networking among the diverse rehabilitation service providers is part of the fundamental strategy to provide the most effective and efficient resources to the agriculture community. Effective networking allows for the collective program to share “best practice” resources as well as capture and expand innovative approaches developed or enhanced by individual practitioners. By partnering with like-minded organizations and individuals, financial resources, human capital, and geographic advantages can be leveraged. Networking also involves peer support activities in which agricultural workers with disabilities can provide mutual encouragement and practical tips.
Objective 2.1: Information Sharing, Capacity Building, and Finance Leveraging with NAP-affiliated Organizations and External Organizations.
The proposed NAP team brings numerous opportunities to expand AgrAbility’s reach through relationships within their organizational families and with external groups. Increased service capacity, expanded awareness of AgrAbility, and funding opportunities are all realistic outcomes of these interactions.
Activities
2.1.1 Networking with Goodwill affiliates.
The GII National Office will provide the avenue to network with the 161 GII affiliates. PD, PM, GII.
Year 1: GII will supply each SRAP with resources on the services provided by GII affiliates in their respective states and information on how these services can be accessed.
- Goodwill Working Magazine sent to all SRAP staff
- Goodwill AgrAbility Flyer sent to all SRAP staff
Years 1-4: The NAP will participate in regional and national Goodwill staff development events to increase Goodwill staff awareness of the training and support needs of workers in production agriculture and related fields and to increase Goodwill’s capacity to provide services to AgrAbility customers.
- Goodwill Spring Learning Event – April 09 – scheduled panel presenters;
- USDA staff participation
- NAP Staff participation
- SRAP staff participation
- NAP Staff scheduled for professional development training in OR, ME, and AZ
Expected Outcomes: Each SRAP will receive relevant Goodwill materials. Knowledge gains concerning AgrAbility will be measured by Goodwill conference evaluations.
2.1.2 Capitalizing on the Arthritis Foundation chapter network.
Like Goodwill, the Arthritis Foundation has many affiliates that are not directly involved with AgrAbility, so networking activities would be efficacious. AFIC.
Years 1-4: AFIC will promote the AgrAbility Project and services to all Arthritis Foundation chapters nationally through events and conferences. AFIC will serve as the NAP liaison with the Arthritis Foundation National Office regarding AgrAbility programs and services. AFIC will act as the primary distributer of AgrAbility-related arthritis materials to all Arthritis Foundation chapters.
AFIC has sent informational folders to every chapter of the Arthritis Foundation, and has begun regular email updates.
All information is available to all AF staff nationwide through the SharePoint website, and sets of materials have been mailed to any who have requested them.
A scholarship opportunity for AF staff was offered nationally for the 2009 NTW.
Expected Outcomes: Networking effectiveness will be measured qualitatively. Distribution of AgrAbility materials will be tracked by AFIC.
2.1.3 Linking with rural centers for independent living (CILs).
APRIL’s membership of 220+ rural CILs provides valuable information and services to potential AgrAbility customers and can serve as valuable referral sources for the NAP and SRAPs. In turn, AgrAbility can refer customers to CILs belonging to APRIL for a variety of disability services that the SRAPs may not be equipped to provide. PD, PM, APRIL.
Year 1: The NAP and APRIL will cross-link websites so that networking capacity increases. A NAP staff member will attend the annual APRIL conference to foster collaboration.
Years 1-4: The NAP and APRIL will engage in joint promotion of both the annual APRIL conference and the NTW, and the NAP will exhibit and participate at the APRIL conference. APRIL staff will be invited to participate on AgrAbility all-staff calls and webinars to expand networking and information sharing.
Expected Outcomes: APRIL participation in AgrAbility activities will be measured by NTW, teleconference, and webinar attendance. Overall networking will be evaluated qualitatively.
2.1.4 Enhancing RESNA and RTC: Rural relationships.
Both of these non-funded collaborators are potentially valuable assets to AgrAbility, and their services and resources should be more widely known to SRAPs. RTC: Rural’s specialized work with Native Americans offers a unique opportunity for AgrAbility to expand its services to this population. PM, RESNA, RTC.
Year 1: The NAP will cross-link websites with RESNA and RTC: Rural, including RTC: Rural’s American Indian Disability Technical Assistance website.
CEO of RESNA will present at the 2009 NTW and NAP staffed an AgrAbility exhibit at the 2009 Annual RESNA Conference in New Orleans, LA.
Years 1-4: The NAP will promote RESNA and RTC: Rural conferences and activities, and those organizations will promote the NTW and other AgrAbility activities.
Expected Outcomes: The NAP will monitor RESNA and RTC: Rural participation in AgrAbility activities and will query SRAPs about their participation in activities of those organizations through the annual needs assessment. The number of SRAP staff members who become RESNA-certified assistive technology practitioners will be tracked.
2.1.5 Networking within the Extension system.
As part of CSREES, AgrAbility has valuable partners in the form of county-level Extension offices. BNG’s recent distribution of The Toolbox CD to all Extension offices nationwide was a valuable networking step, but surveys from the effort also
revealed that many Extension offices continue to have limited awareness of AgrAbility. PM.
Years 1-4: Using the database BNG developed for The Toolbox distribution, the NAP will distribute AgrAbility materials to county Extension office across the country in states not served by SRAPs through email (Years 1 & 3) and standard mail (Years 2 & 4). It is believed that this multifaceted distribution approach will be more effective that one method alone. In addition, the NAP will have an exhibit at the national Extension Galaxy Conference scheduled for the Fall of 2008.
Expected Outcomes: Increased awareness of AgrAbility will be measured through a survey to Extension personnel once during the grant period.
2.1.6 New networking initiatives with external groups.
AgrAbility has yet to realize the seemingly limitless networking possibilities with other organizations that specialize in such areas as agriculture, disability issues, assistive technology, and government relations. Outreach efforts to such groups promise to enhance the AgrAbility mission. PM, ITS, Networking Committee.
Discussions were held with Farm Bureau staff concerning continued legislative support for AgrAbility.
Goodwill Project Coordinator has convened the first AgrAbility Networking Standing Committee meeting.
Goodwill staff have held initial meeting with the Farmer Veterans Coalition to explore networking opportunities.
Year 1: The NAP will convene an AgrAbility Networking Standing Committee and charge them with developing a list of potential AgrAbility collaborators and initiating contact to determine areas of common interests. The NAP will utilize the services of Farmer Liaison, Ed Bell, to target specific agricultural organizations such as Farm Bureau and the Grange.
Years 2-4: The networking committee will continue to expand its list of potential collaborators and its outreach contacts. The committee will extend invitations for them Years 2-4: The networking committee will continue to expand its list of potential collaborators and its outreach contacts. The committee will extend invitations for them to participate in or attend the NTW. The Farmer Liaison will continue to serve.
Year 3: The committee will develop a web-based directory of organizations and agencies with an interest in the AgrAbility mission.
Expected Outcomes: A minimum of 10 external organizations will participate in each NTW. The success of the web directory will be measured by web traffic statistics.
2.1.7 Youth-focused networking initiatives.
The NAP staff have extensive experience in networking with and developing resources for national youth organizations, such as 4-H and FFA. Two notable outcomes are the Perfect Fit and Bridging Horizons materials for involving youth with disabilities in 4-H and FFA activities, respectively. PD, PM, FFA, 4-H.
Discussions have been held with Purdue’s Department of Youth Development and Agricultural Education to explore a major revision of The Perfect Fit resources designed to encourage greater participation in 4-H Programs by youth with disabilities.
The National FFA Organization has been working with the NAP to review the new curriculum resources on assistive technology for secondary agricultural education programs. They provided up-to-date mailing labels to conduct the national mailing of The Toolbox.
A NAP exhibit was staffed at the 2008 National FFA Convention attended by over 50,000 FFA members and teachers.
Year 1: The NAP will meet with representatives of Purdue’s Youth Development and Agricultural Education Department and the National FFA Foundation, located in Indianapolis, to explore the possibility of updating the above-listed resources. This effort will compliment a project with the NEC Foundation of America for developing and disseminating disability awareness.
Years 2-4: The NAP will collaborate with FFA, 4-H, or both to update one or both of the aforementioned resources.
Years 1-4: The NAP will have an exhibit at each annual National FFA Convention and explore other avenues to reach FFA members and advisors with AgrAbility-related resources.
Expected Outcomes: At least one of the resources will be updated and distributed during the grant cycle. The NEC Foundation of America project will be completed, if funded, providing AgrAbility-related materials to every FFA chapter in the U.S.
2.1.8 Partnering with state vocational rehabilitation agencies (VR).
VR is one of the largest providers of assistive technology and home modifications for AgrAbility customers nationwide. However, past experience suggests that few SRAPs are tapping into VR’s network as fully as they could be. VRS.
Year 1: The NAP VR Specialist (a former VR counselor) will contact each SRAP to explore its current relationship with VR and suggest possible improvements. The VRS will also begin researching each state VR system represented by the SRAPs to gain better understanding of their systems. Findings will be made available at the NTW and in print.
Year 3: The VRS will produce a web-based resource guide for SRAPs on working with VR.
Years 1-4: The VRS will be available to consult with SRAPs and VR agencies on issues of mutual concern. The VRS will conduct training on working with VR at each NTW. Clients in non-AgrAbility served states will be referred to VR for services, if eligible.
Expected Outcomes: VR-related activities will be evaluated via the annual needs assessment. The VR web resource will be evaluated by web traffic statistics.
2.1.9 Strengthening AgrAbility through external funding.
BNG has received over $2.5 million from external non-AgrAbility funding sources, including Deere and Company, NEC Foundation of America, and NIDRR to enhance the AgrAbility mission. Future efforts could yield additional funding to advance the AgrAbility mission. PD, PM.
Two large proposals were submitted during 2009 that, if funded, would directly benefit all SRAPs. Both were submitted to NIDRR.
Formal discussions were held with FSA to encourage direct support to SRAPs. This has resulted in direct funding for the NTW and individual SRAP.
Years 1-4: The NAP will make at least one significant application for funding each year.
Expected Outcomes: Success in this area will be measured by the amount of funding provided to benefit AgrAbility.
2.1.10 Networking with Hispanic/Latino agricultural workers.
Hispanics/Latinos are the fastest growing ethnic subculture in America, and they have special needs, such as language and cultural issues, that must be considered. A significant percentage of this group work in agriculture, so the NAP will make special efforts to connect with them. Indiana AgrAbility is already subcontracting with Telamon Corporation, a provider of services to farmworkers east of the Mississippi, and the NAP plans to explore further collaborations with this and similar groups. PM.
Years 1-4: The NAP will participate and exhibit at a minimum of one national farmworker event, such as one of the Migrant Stream Forums that are sponsored by the National Center for Farmworker Health. The NAP will explore collaborations with Telamon to further network with this community.
Expected Outcomes: Outcomes will be measured qualitatively by NAP staff.
Objective 2.2: Enhancing Peer Interactions to Support AgrAbility Customers.
Though professionals can supply many essential services and resources, few can relate to AgrAbility customers like a peer with a similar background. BNG recognized the need for and potential impact of AgrAbility peer supporters when it started the Barn Builders Peer Support Network in 1992, during its time as the NAP lead organization. Since then, many SRAPs and the current NAP have initiated peer support activities, thus reinforcing the importance of investing time and resources to develop these important human resources.
Activities
2.2.1 Expanding and empowering the Barn Builders Peer Support Network.
Barn Builders is a national network of farmers, ranchers, other agricultural workers, and caregivers who have been impacted by disability and who are willing to share encouragement and advice with others in similar circumstances. The Barn Builders directory currently includes over 100 individuals and families. VRS.
Years 1 & 3: The NAP will contact current Barn Builders to update their information and contact SRAPs to elicit new Barn Builder applicants, who will in turn be screened by the NAP.
Years 2 & 4: An updated Barn Builders directory will be printed and posted on the website.
Years 1-4: The NAP will send a brief, semiannual news update to all Barn Builders. Efforts will be made to raise scholarship funds to assist Barn Builders in attending the NTW.
Expected Outcomes: A minimum of 200 individuals and families will participate in Barn Builders by the end of the project period (a nearly 100% increase over present number). The NAP will survey Barn Builders annually on issues related to their participation.
2.2.2 Capitalizing on peer support initiatives started by the current NAP.
The current NAP has expended significant effort developing peer support activities. An assessment of these resources will be conducted. PM, SRAP Peer Support Special Interest Group.
Year 1: The NAP will convene a peer support special interest group at the NTW to help assess the current state of peer support among the SRAPs, examine needs, and determine the best course of action in regard to continuing existing initiatives. A workgroup composed of NAP and SRAP staff will work to develop a four-year plan for enhancing AgrAbility peer support.
Years 2-4: A peer support special interest group will meet at each NTW, and a peer support breakout session will be conducted at a minimum of two NTWs during the grant period.
Expected Outcomes: Effective peer support activities and resources will continue and be enhanced.
2.2.3: Supporting the caregivers of AgrAbility customers.
BNG’s commitment to rural caregivers is evidenced by its award-winning resource kit, To Everything There is a Season, produced during its tenure as the NAP lead organization. Since then BNG has continued to validate the importance of caregivers by conducting 19 caregiver workshops and developing the www.ruralcare.info website for rural caregivers. PD, PM, ITS.
Goodwill is promoting Family Strengthening with in all AgrAbility efforts.
The www.ruralcare.info was reviewed and areas in need of updating and enhancement were identified.
Years 1-4: The NAP will continue to update and expand the www.ruralcare.info site and make its caregiver materials
available to SRAPs. Sessions on serving caregivers will be conducted at two of the four NTWs during the grant period.
Expected Outcomes: The website will be evaluated via web traffic statistics, and the NTW sessions will be assessed through NTW evaluations.
