Wise

11/21/2025

The Pierce County Interagency Leadership Collaborative launched last Friday!

Midlevel managers in human services thrive when they’re connected.

• Peer support reduces turnover and builds emotional resilience.
• Collaboration improves service delivery and client outcomes.

Committed to building stronger teams and better outcomes for our community.

Thank you Vadis for hosting this session!

[Image Description: A photo of a group of people at the Pierce County Interagency Leadership Collaborative event standing together and smiling at the camera.]

11/21/2025

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our colleague and friend, Joyce Dean, who was a respected member of the Wise team. Joyce’s warmth, dedication, and commitment to our mission positively influenced many people and left a meaningful legacy within our community.

With decades of expertise in supported employment and quality systems management, beginning at the University of Oregon’s Specialized Training Program, Joyce co-authored important publications and wrote Quality Improvement in Employment and Other Human Services: Managing for Quality through Change. Her leadership played a vital role during Wise’s collaboration with the State of Oregon on the Lane V. Brown settlement agreement, which led to the closure of sheltered workshops across Oregon. Joyce has always served as a guiding light for Wise, offering insights into data, grant writing, quality assurance, and much more. Most recently, she lent her expertise to our North Carolina project, helping to design evaluation and data tracking systems and making significant contributions as a member of the Wise Development Committee.

Joyce’s intelligence, strength, calm presence, rigor, and affection will continue to inspire us. She provided training and consultation across the United States and internationally, advocating for a shift toward competitive integrated employment. Her passion for innovation and commitment to quality assurance has molded Wise’s work and inspired countless professionals and families.

Please join us in keeping Joyce’s loved ones in your thoughts during this difficult time. We will share details about any memorial arrangements as they become available.

[Image Description: A photo of Joyce Dean holding a dog in a polaroid style frame. There is a blurred background with a teal overlay in the background. The text reads "In Memory of Joyce Dean."]

11/17/2025

Everyone deserves the power to choose.

This session will explore ways to support self-determination for people with developmental disabilities through practical tools, strategies, and guidance. Together, we’ll learn how to honor each person’s voice, perspective, and decisions.

Register here: www.gowise.org/home/training/webinars

[Image Description: A graphic with a teal to white gradient with an educational icon background below. David's photo is in a rounded rectangular frame. The Wise logo is in the top left with the Wise Webinar icon on the right, a laptop computer illustration with several people on screen attending a webinar and the Wise 'W' icon above. The text reads "The Dignity of Choice: Tools for Making your Own Decisions. Wednesday November 19, 2025 with David Murahashi. gowise.org/home/training/webinars"]

11/07/2025

Resumes list experiences. Storytelling shows who someone is. How can we bring the two together? Join us on Wednesday November 12th to discover creative ways to showcase skills and experiences beyond traditional resumes. Register at gowise.org/webinars

11/06/2025

Introducing our revised strategic plan. Our 2025–2029 strategic plan centers on leadership by people with disabilities, innovation, and community-driven change toward equitable employment for all.

[Image Description: 1: “Strategic Plan. 2025 - 202. Vision: People with disabilities are valued members of the community, recognized for their contributions. Mission. Equitable employment for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.​”

2: “Our Strategic Priorities: Hiring Leaders and Trainers with Disabilities​. Providing paid leadership, training and technical assistance opportunities for subject matter experts with disabilities. Employment for All requires the leadership and expertise of people with disabilities.

3. Increasing Innovation and Access. Ensuring innovation and access in everything we do. Wise serves as a catalyst for change.

4. Developing an Effective Board and Staff. A thriving board and staff innovates and delivers effective results. Wise invests in growth, personal strengths and balance to support a diverse, vibrant organization.

5. Delivering Effective Training & Technical Assistance. Expert training and tailored technical assistance for lasting success. Wise delivers quality learning and technical expertise that is grounded in lived experience, values and flexible in approach.

6. Meeting the Need of the Moment. Wise initiates growth and change by strategically meeting community needs. Possibility is infinite. How we move is intentional."]

11/05/2025

2025 EDDIE Awards 🏆 Launched in 2023, the EDDIE Awards are the first in the United States dedicated to spotlighting and honoring entrepreneurs with disabilities.

Learn more about Synergies Work and the EDDIE Awards: https://synergieswork.org/eddie-awards-2/

Synergies Work Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities

[Image Description: A photo of Wise staff, Ali DeYoung and Jim Corey, standing with Wendy Dean, Disability Advocate, Georgia Advocacy Office and Charlie Miller from the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities. They are all facing the camera in front of an Eddie Awards sign and smiling.]

11/04/2025

We’re seeking new-to-Wise presenters for our weekly Wise Webinar Series — and we offer competitive compensation!

We’re especially excited to feature presenters with lived experience and real-world examples on topics like assistive technology, AI in job development, workplace accommodations, and more.

Submit your proposal (one per topic — multiple welcome!) here: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=nA1N9BGQvU-WQRs26TdocKE8LIWXwipAlM5cZX3Lx89UQloxWEwxQkI3VTdOT1JIRUZaNjZINzhWRy4u

[Image Description: A graphic with a multi-shade lime green background and rounded stacked rectangles with text on top. The text reads. "Get Paid to Present! Wise Webinar Series. Share your expertise, stories and best practices - and get compensated! Priority for presenters with lived experience. Submit your proposal today!"]

11/04/2025

Join us Wednesday at 11am PST for a practical session on storytelling strategies that help people understand and navigate complex social rules.

In this workshop, you will:
• Explore a wide range of narrative tools, from the classic Social Story™ to innovative Power Cards and Comic Strip Conversations.
• Receive step-by-step guidance on how to craft and use two of the most powerful techniques: Social Stories and Power Cards.
• Learn the secrets to choosing effective visuals and teaching methods to bring your narratives to life.
• Discover how to responsibly leverage modern AI tools to generate stories and images, while navigating important ethical issues like privacy.

Hope to see you there!

[Image Description: A graphic with a teal to white gradient with an educational icon background below. Shaun's photo is in a rounded rectangular frame. The Wise logo is in the top left with the Wise Webinar icon on the right, a laptop computer illustration with several people on screen attending a webinar and the Wise 'W' icon above. The text reads "Unlock the Power of Storytelling: Using Social Narratives to Coach and Empower. Wednesday November 5, 2025 with Shaun Wood. gowise.org/home/training/webinars"]

10/29/2025

BenefitU News Update: SSA Announces 2026 Cost of Living (COLA) Increases

Starting January 2026, Social Security benefits—including SSI, SSDI, and CDB—will increase by 2.8% thanks to the annual Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA).

✅This means higher monthly payments to help keep pace with inflation.

For example:

SSI federal benefit rate for individuals will rise from $943 to about $969.
Average SSDI benefit will increase by roughly $44 per month.

Want to learn more? Check out the official SSA article here: https://blog.ssa.gov/social-security-announces-benefit-increase-for-2026/

If you have questions or challenges with your SSA cash or medical benefits, visit www.benefitu.org and schedule an intake appointment today!

Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments for 75 million Americans will increase 2.8 percent in 2026. On average, Social Security retirement benefits will increase by…

10/22/2025

Check out the great work happening in Kansas! We’re so grateful for the partnership with KUCD - Kansas University Center on Disabilities.

🌻 KUCD is building partnerships to support competitive, integrated employment in Kansas through the Kansas Employment First Project!

Education Program Coordinator Doug Berryman and Robyn Slocum with Wise along with three of the Kansas Employment First Grant Pilot Providers, Amanda Myers (Down Syndrome Innovations), Brindilyn Stables (Starkey, Inc.), and Kendra Krier (OCCK Inc.) presented a panel discussion at the Interhab Power Up! Conference in Manhattan, Kansas.

In the session, attendees heard from KUCD and pilot site participants about their experiences with the Kansas Employment First pilot project. The project goal was for the pilot participants to help 20 individuals with disabilities to obtain employment by December 31, 2025. As of September 2025, 184 individuals have obtained employment which is an increase of 920% of the projected outcomes!

At the end of the session, Doug announced to the audience that the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services (KDADS), in partnership with KUCD and WISE, will be starting the next phase of the project with Pilot Project 2 beginning 2026. This next phase of the project will include assisting seven more participant organizations to enhance their employment programs for individuals with disabilities.

🌻 Learn more about Kansas Employment First here: https://kucd.ku.edu/employment-first

📷 Pictured left to right: Kendra Krier (OCCK), Amanda Meyers (DSI), Brindi Stables (Starkey), Doug Berryman (KUCD), Robyn Slocom (WISE)

10/21/2025

Before we reach for new tools or advanced strategies, it’s essential to return to the basics. This webinar explores the foundational practices in job development that often get overlooked. You’ll examine the expectations you set—spoiler: it starts with you—and learn practical ways to deeply understand the clients, communities, and employers you work with. By strengthening these fundamentals, you set the stage for meaningful, lasting employment outcomes.

Join us on Wednesday at 11am PST! www.gowise.org/home/training/webinars

[Image Description: A graphic with a teal to white gradient with an educational icon background below. Emily's photo is in a rounded rectangular frame. The Wise logo is in the top left with the Wise Webinar icon on the right, a laptop computer illustration with several people on screen attending a webinar and the Wise 'W' icon above. The text reads "Groundwork for Greatness: Setting the Stage for Employment Success. Wednesday October 22, 2025 with Emily Harris. gowise.org/home/training/webinars"]

10/11/2025

Wise is hiring! We’re looking for an Accounts Payable and Payroll Coordinator to join our team.

This role is key to maintaining Wise’s financial integrity and operational efficiency, managing payroll, processing vendor payments, supporting audits, and contributing to budgeting and analysis alongside the Finance Director.

• To apply, send your resume and cover letter to jobs@gowise.org by October 19th.
• See the full job description: www.indeed.com/job/accounts-payable-and-payroll-coordinator-8d5714eb315971b8

Image description: A teal background graphic with the Wise logo at the top, followed by large white text that says “We Are Hiring.” Below that, there’s an orange rounded rectangle button with the job title “Accounts Payable and Payroll Coordinator” written in white text.