Guest:  Dominique Johnson

Topic:  Ticket to Work benefits advisement information session

Host:  Welcome to Independent Perspective, a public affairs presentation of Western New York Independent Living (WNYIL). Our guest today is Dominique Johnson, Independent Living Specialist and Rapid Rehousing staffer with Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR), and your host is yours truly Ernie Churchwell. Welcome to the program, Dominique.

Guest:  Hello.

Host:  And you're here because you are the point person, perhaps facilitator of an exciting event that's coming up there in Batavia, for people that may be on the road to employment if at all possible. What can you tell us about the Ticket to Work and benefits advisement information session?

Guest:  So we're going to hold an information session, it's going to be myself and Leah McDonald who is a CRC. So, what we're trying to do is just get general information out to the public about their benefits and how they could return to work, while being on benefits.

Host:  And a quick question before we go farther, you said Leah is a CRC. What does that stand for?

Guest:  Certified Rehabilitation Counselor.

Host:  So the two of you will be offering your expertise. Who is this program aimed for?

Guest:  This program is aimed for Social Security recipients.

Guest:  When you say social you mean Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance people?

Guest:  Yes.

Host:  Very good. Is it only for people that are already enrolled in those programs?

Guest:  It's not only for those individuals, it could be for individuals that are in the process of applying for benefits, or are seeking questions about applying for benefits because I'm also a benefit advisor so that's why we split it up so we can talk about both elements.

Host:  I believe the Ticket to Work program is actually an entity unto itself provided by some level of government, who is behind that?

Guest:  Behind the Ticket to Work is Social Security. So how it's set up, to not get too technical, is it's one of the things we'll answer during the information session is, we will talk to you and explain how if you're interested to go back to work, how you can return to work without your benefits being completely shut off and things like that.

Host:  Could you tell us the when and the where of the information session?

Guest:  So, the session will be December 10. And we're going to have it from 5:30 to 6:30 pm at our ILGR our office which is located at 319, West Main Street, Batavia New York 14020.

Host:  Many Batavians know that as the former Pepsi distribution center I believe.

Guest:  Yes.

Host:  Terrific, and now, it's like the Crickler Executive Business Center or some such, I think. Do people need to pay anything or register in advance to participate?

Guest:  It is free, so no one has to pay for this event. We would like individuals to register and to register you can either contact Donna Becker at 585-815-8501 extension 411 or you can email her at dbecker@wnyil.org and that's just because we want to have kind of a number because we are providing light refreshments.

Host:  Have there been previous attempts to connect people up with the Ticket to Work program?

Guest:  I can say, not, maybe not through our center. We have, it had been in talk about trying to put together a presentation so now that we finally got the pieces in place, so we're going to start with the information session.

Host:  Very good. And then, after the information session then people will be working directly with ILGR and partner organizations to accomplish their goals?

Guest:  Yes.

Host:  Well, that sounds like an exciting opportunity for people, for whom their disabilities have been a bar to employment, and we certainly like to help people be more self-sufficient. If you could give a number that people can call for get more information.

Guest:  All right, so to reach me, you can call me at 585-815-8501 extension 405.

Host:  Thanks for being with us, Dominique.

Guest:  You're very welcome.

Host:  You've been listening to Independent Perspective, a public affairs presentation of WNYIL. My guest today was Dominique Johnson, Independent Living Specialist and Rapid Rehousing staffer at ILGR, and your host is yours truly, Ernie Churchwell.