SOLVING THE PUZZLE : A GR A BILITY N ETWORKING R ESOURCES C OLLABORATING WITH THE A RTHRITIS F OUNDATION AND G OODWILL I NDUSTRIES TO P ROVIDE B EST S ERVICES FOR A GR A BILITY C LIENTS The vision of AgrAbility is to enable a high quality lifestyle for farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural workers with disabilities. The Arthritis Foundation's vision is to create a world free of arthritis pain. Goodwill’s vision is that every person has the opportunity to achieve his/her fullest potential and participate in and contribute to all aspects of life. Three visions. One common goal: Solving the Puzzle of Disability Assistance

SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIPS: ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION > GOODWILL GW Staff attended AARL Conference (2011) AF provided materials and resources for GW AgrAbility trainings Oregon (April 2010) and New York (May 2012) couldn’t attend to speak, but sent presentations Alabama A&A Workshops (2012) Eric Olsen and GW staff at AL stakeholder meeting promoted the A&A consumer workshops 2 weeks after their meeting

SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIPS: ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION > STATE AND REGIONAL AGRABILITY PROGRAMS (SRAP’ S ) Arthritis and Agriculture Consumer Workshops Vermont, Maryland, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas Arthritis and Ag Professional Trainings Illinois, North Carolina, Georgia Speaker/Display at Professional Conferences Nebraska, Kentucky, Minnesota, Arkansas Media Submissions (magazines, TV, radio) Michigan, Nebraska, Illinois, Wyoming

SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIPS: ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION > NATIONAL AGRABILITY (NAP) Alabama Montana North Carolina Minnesota Ashley Driste, guest speaker

POTENTIAL PARTNERSHIPS: ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION > GOODWILL Arthritis and Ag Professional Trainings For GW staff 2015 National Arthritis Conference Author magazine and newsletter articles AF “Growing Pains” Newsletter GW “Working!” Jobs Magazine Resource sharing Event partnerships and sponsorships Website links, Facebook posts

POTENTIAL PARTNERSHIPS: ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION > STATE AND REGIONAL AGRABILITY PROGRAMS (SRAP’ S ) Arthritis and Agriculture Consumer Workshops For general public Arthritis and Ag Professional Trainings For AgrAbility and AF staff Media Submissions (magazines, TV, radio)

G OODWILL AND A GR A BILITY Goodwill joined the National AgrAbility Project in the 2008 project year For the initial four years, this role was assumed by Eric Olson, a member of the Goodwill Industries International Team Beginning with the 2012 Project Year, the role has been assumed by Goodwill of the Finger Lakes, one of the Goodwill Affiliate Members

G OODWILL AND A GR A BILITY Goodwill staff are members of SRAPs in Colorado and Maine. Goodwill teams in Alabama, Arizona and New York have hosted informational meetings for stakeholders, as well as regional conferences to introduce AgrAbility to non-AgrAbility States. The Oregon Goodwill Affiliates established a stakeholder group and secured foundation funding for an affiliate AgrAbility Project. Work will continue to connect Goodwill affiliates to the AgrAbility mission.

T HE G OODWILL N ETWORK Goodwill itself is a complex networking machine. While lead from administrative offices at Goodwill Industries International, Goodwill is not a single entity. There are 165 independent, community-based Goodwill agencies in the United States. While Goodwill’s mission is to put people to work, and keep people working, each affiliate may have their own focus areas within their communities. Goodwill regions may include a few counties, or a few states. In many cases, each SRAP has multiple Goodwill Affiliates within their state. Each affiliate shares the common mission of getting people to work, and helping individuals remain at work, however, each may provide this mission differently. Some Goodwill organizations have focused programs for particular barriers such as: Vision Impairments, Hearing Impairments, Traumatic Brain Injury, Chronic Illness, Mental Health Concerns or Developmental Disabilities.

G OODWILL AND A GR A BILITY As Goodwill works to leverage our affiliate networks, we are also charged with facilitating the Networking team to get AgrAbility connected to local service providers and relevant organizations where it makes sense. Goodwill team members will represent the National AgrAbility Project at several conferences and events, building the networks that will assist in making each project stronger and more connected to the service providers and referral sources in their regions. Through our own Goodwill and other affiliates, one way to leverage the network will be through training opportunities in core competency areas.

C ONNECTING TO AND T HROUGH G OODWILL The easiest thing to do is ask us! We have access to all of the Goodwill organizations and can get you the right people in the right place. The reference document made available today also lists Goodwill organizations by state. (many overlap state lines, and states may have multiple Goodwills) We can help you get your information in the Goodwill job centers across the country, a place where individuals go when they can no longer do the work they once did, or cannot connect to employment. Your local Goodwill may be connected with or be the area Vocational Rehabilitation team and other valuable providers that help you help your clients.

C ONNECTING TO AND T HROUGH G OODWILL The saying goes, if you have seen one Goodwill, you have seen one Goodwill. An example of connecting with just one Goodwill could lead to: Inclusion in your region’s listing as a resource for individuals who may be calling for services, AND, a number to provide to clients who may be in need of assistance and supports. Connection to a Crisis Center for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline accredited by the American Association of Suicidology, with a team that specializes in emotional health and mental illness. On call 24/7 for our region, with connections to similar services in yours! Access to Vision Serve Alliance, National Industries for the Blind and Vocational Rehabilitation for the Visually Handicapped, which are a part of our organization. Let us help connect you to your local providers, or guide you in the most effective ways to work together.

Q UESTIONS ? Amber Wolfe JoBeth Rath