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Community Resources


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Advocacy
Employment
Housing
Insurance and Funding
Transition


General Information

Americans with Disabilities Act – Information and technical assistance on the ADA.

Area Agency on Aging -- The Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan (AAAWM) exists to help older adults and persons with disabilities live in their community with independence and dignity.

Community Mental Health Providers -- List of Community Mental Health Providers in Michigan

Copeland Center for Wellness and Recovery -- Promotes wellness and empowerment through education, training, and research. 

Michigan Government Disability Resources -- Website devoted specially to the interests, concerns, and needs of individuals with disabilities in Michigan.

National Association of Peer Specialists 

National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare

National Research and Training Center (NRTC) provides a series of tools to advance self-determination and person-driven services for the individuals and family living with disabilities.


Advocacy

The Arc of Kent County – Advocacy group that is well-connected to parents and guardians. 

Disability Advocates of Kent County -- Volunteer opportunities, community groups and events, consultation and disability services

PACER Center -- (Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights) Community Resources.

R-Word Campaign – The campaign, led by Special Olympics and Best Buddies International, to eliminate usage of the “r-word” and replace it with “respect.” 
 

Employment

Work First -- Based out of Washtenaw County, Work First provides education and training services to recipients of Temporary Aide to Needy Families (TANF); State Family Assistance and Food Stamps.

Michigan Works! -- More than 100 centers fostering high-quality employment and training programs

Michigan Rehabilitation Services -- helps Michigan residents with disabilities achieve employment and self-sufficiency.
 

Housing

Grand Rapids Housing Commission -- provides housing assistance and affordable housing opportunities to lower-income families, the disabled and senior citizens in a manner that is fiscally sound and in ways that support families, neighborhoods and economic self-sufficiency.
 

Insurance and Funding

Michigan Department of Human Services -- Disability Assistance Programs

Michigan Community Mental Health, Medicaid -- What is Medicaid? Filling out your Medicaid Application...

Social Security and Disability Resource Center -- Information on the federal government's two disability benefit programs, title II SS disability benefits, and title 16 SSI disability benefits. Topics include disability applications, denial on claims, the filing of appeals, and disability claim evaluation process.
 

Transition

Michigan Alliance for Families -- Information, support, and education. Also provides information about family involvement and workshop opportunities in Michigan.

National Center on Secondary Education and Transition -- National resources, technical assistance, and info relating to secondary education and transition for youth with disabilities
 

   
Free Tax Preparation Services Available at Hope Network Education Center
1/26/2012
Hope Network Workforce Development has partnered with Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) through Davenport University, to be a host site for free tax preparation services. This service is available to all Hope Network staff, consumers and the public.

Income tax assistance is available on Fridays, beginning February 3rd, from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Education Center in Grand Rapids.
 
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The Book of Cake Debut
12/22/2011

Hope Network hosted a special book signing of the new book, 'The Book of Cake' a collection of Cake stories from the past year which feature Hope Network consumers, employees and volunteers. 

Award winning writer Tom Rademacher, who writes the stories for Hope Network,  addressed the crowd of employees, Board Members and many of the people featured in the stories. 

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United Way Small Business Challenge
12/20/2011
Heart of West Michigan United Way invites you to take on the Small Business Challenge, created through a generous matching grant of $100,000 from the Steelcase Foundation. Any new United Way gift of $1,000 or more from a workplace of 100 or less employees will be matched up to a total of $100,000 by the end of March 2012.
 
Small businesses are the heart of most communities, yet during the 2010 United Way Campaign small businesses of 100 employees or less made up only 11.5% of total campaign dollars. This campaign year, United Way is hoping to change that with the Small Business Challenge.