Full Life Hawai’i Mana I Ka Leo – Power of the Voice Award Recipient Announced!

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During the 9th Annual East Hawaii Island Disability Legislative Forum on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, Full Life and Abled Hawai‘i Artists presented the Mana I Ka Leo – Power of the Voice Award to Jesse Floyd, Program Specialist for the Hawai‘i State Council on Developmental Disabilities on Hawai‘i Island for the past 11 years. Presenting the award was Mar Ortaleza, Full Life Program Specialist and Benefits Counselor, and organizer of Abled Hawai‘i Artists. Auspiciously, Mar was the very first recipient of the Advocate of the Year Award, given to him by Jesse in 2017.

As Mar offered the plaque to Jesse, those in attendance roared in applause at Auntie Sally’s Luau Hale, expressing great appreciation, gratitude, and congratulations. Jesse expressed heartfelt surprise, and reciprocated appreciation to those who supported him as he lead with a strong voice of advocacy for persons with disabilities in Hawai‘i County. Mar also chuckled “Jesse doesn’t only have a strong voice but a long one…my last phone conversation with Jesse was 39 minutes…who talks on the phone that long anymore?”

Jesse’s long service to our East Hawai‘i Island disability community began in August, 2012 and will end on December 31, 2023- “That’s 11 years of talking out loud…I mean advocating”, said Mar Ortaleza, co-emcee for this year’s East Hawai‘i Legislative Forum. Some of Jesse’s accomplishments over the years include:

  • Coordinating the many years of Day at the Capitol for Hawai‘i Island
  • Establishing the East Hawai‘i Island Disability Legislative Forum in 2015, West Hawai‘i Island Disability Legislative Forum in 2016, and developing and incorporating the 5 important areas of living- Education, Healthcare, Employment, Transportation, and Housing- which is part of the State Council on Developmental Disabilities Five Year Plan.
  • One of his biggest accomplishments was to help with the implementation of accessible transportation in the Puna Community Development Plan. Another is supporting agencies to be more educated about Employment First, National Disability Employment Awareness Month(NDEAM), Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

What will Jesse miss most from 11 years of supporting our disabled community? Jesse responded succinctly “I will miss the people the most: front line staff and participants.”

Full Life and Abled Hawai‘i Artists congratulates Jesse Floyd, recipient of the Mana I Ka Leo – Power of the Voice Award. We will surely miss your strong voice of advocacy and long conversations!

To watch the event, click here:  9th Annual East Hawaii Island Disability Legislative Forum

Full Life Sponsors Abled Hawai’i Artists 16th Annual Art Festival- The Renaissance of Inclusion Continues!

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Hawai‘i County celebrates a renaissance of inclusion in the arts on Saturday, October 7th 2023, with Abled Hawai‘i Artists (AHA) 16th annual art festival, held at the Prince Kuhio Plaza in Hilo, 10am to 3pm!
AHA promotes disability awareness and pride by celebrating the spectrum of creativity, while promoting inclusive entrepreneurship in the arts.
 
AHA is the largest celebration of the Americans with Disabilities Act on Hawai’i Island, a celebration of the National Disability Employment Awareness Month- a meaningful community event that brings together more than 400 participants for a day of inclusive music, performing arts, visual arts, healing arts, hands on demonstrations, silent auction and more.
 
AHA is a FREE event also incorporates speeches by disability self advocates and important community leaders. Enjoy FREE healing arts demonstrations, express the artist in you with various FREE all-ages and abilities art making activities – fun for the entire `ohana. Saturday, October 7th 10am-3pm in Hilo, at the Prince Kuhio Plaza.
 
Contact: ahaarts808@gmail.com
#renaissanceofinclusion
#ahaarts808
#fulllifehi
 
AHA2023 Event Program- Page 1
AHA2023 Event Program- Page 2

Join the renaissance of inclusion on Hawai’i Island! Check out their Facebook event page! Contact: ahaarts808@gmail.com 

MAHALO NUI LOA AHA2023 SPONSORS:
Full Life Hawai’i – Empowering people with disabilities live self-determined happy lives.

Self Advocates Advisory Council– SAAC is an advocacy group that represents people with developmental disabilities. We support leadership, independence, and choice.

Kipaipai Art Foundation and School – to encourage and inspire creativity by providing inclusive art education, support and networking opportunities that cultivate community.

Generation 808 – Supporting Hawai’i Island Churches and 501(c) Nonprofits to creative fiscal resiliency. 

AHA 2023

Full Life Sponsors AHA Arts Halloween Themed Flashmob & Trick or Treating!

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Halloween Themed Flashmob Tutorial
Hawai‘i County celebrates a renaissance of inclusion in the arts on Saturday, October 29th 2022, with Abled Hawai‘i Artists (AHA) 15th annual art festival, held at the Puna Kai Shopping Center in Pahoa, 10am to 3pm! #renaissanceofinclusion
 
An “event within the event”, join us and celebrate creativity and dance through a Halloween themed FLASHMOB, while trick or treaters of all ages can visit our 13 community organizations that will be passing out treats!
 
FLASHMOB TUTORIAL:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=f1bdY7GO478
 
 
MAIN EVENT INFO:
https://fb.me/e/2RKBWB5eG
Join the renaissance of inclusion on Hawai’i Island!
 
Contact: ahaarts808@gmail.com 

 

MAHALO NUI LOA AHA2022 SPONSORS:
Full Life Hawai’i – Empowering people with disabilities live self-determined happy lives.

Self Advocates Advisory Council– SAAC is an advocacy group that represents people with developmental disabilities. We support leadership, independence, and choice.

Kipaipai Art Foundation and School – to encourage and inspire creativity by providing inclusive art education, support and networking opportunities that cultivate community.

Generation 808 – Supporting Hawai’i Island Churches and 501(c) Nonprofits to creative fiscal resiliency. 

Full Life Sponsors Abled Hawai’i Artists 14th Annual Art Festival

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Full Life Hawai’i sponsors the Abled Hawai’i Artists (AHA) 14th Annual Art Festival, celebrating the spectrum of creativity and promoting the exploration of inclusive entrepreneurship in the arts!

Saturday, December 4, 2021 10am-4pm, at Hawaiian Paradise Park 15-1963 4th Ave/Makuʻu, keaʻau 96749

Join us for a day of unique artists sharing their passion in showing and selling arts and crafts. There will be a variety of free art demonstrations and art making for the entire ‘ohana! Check out their Facebook event page!

This one-day event is part of the Paradise Studio Tours tow-day event on December 4th & 5th, Saturday & Sunday 10am-4pm. For more information on Paradise Studio Tours:   https://fb.me/e/2DHcoXTHW

Join the renaissance of inclusion on Hawai’i Island!

MAHALO NUI LOA AHA2021 SPONSORS:
Full Life Hawai’i – Empowering people with disabilities live self-determined happy lives.

Kipaipai Art Foundation and School – to encourage and inspire creativity by providing inclusive art education, support and networking opportunities that cultivate community.Paradise Studio Tours – show cases local artists and their studios within Hawaiian Paradise Park, located in Kea‘au on the Big Island of Hawai‘i.

Generation 808 – Supporting Hawai’i Island Churches and 501(c) Nonprofits to creative fiscal resiliency.

Full Life Supports Hawai’i Island 2021 Hilo and Kona Disability Legislative Forums

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Join Full Life as we support our participants, family and Direct Support Professionals meet with our local legislators!

2021 Hilo Legislative Forum  October 27th, 1pm – 3pm

AND

2021 Kona Legislative Forum  October 28th, 1pm – 3pm

Click on the event images below to go to the Facebook event page.
EHDLF- FB CoverWHDLF- FB CoverE&W DLF- PROMO

Full Life Hawai’i seeks Employment Service Coordinator- East Hawai’i Island

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Employment Service Coordinator – Disabilities (Hilo) 

Full Life is seeking a full-time Employment Specialists to join our dynamic team at a flourishing non-profit organization on Hawaii Island. The employment specialist will train and supervise staff and support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities with the following activities:

1) on-going job coaching services to include on-the-job work skills training and systematic instruction required to perform the job;
2) person-centered employment planning;
3) job development, carving, or customization;
4) negotiations with prospective employers;
5) assistance for self-employment including identifying potential business opportunities and developing a business plan;
6) worksite visits as needed by the individual or employer to assess for new needs and to proactively support the participant to address issues that arise;
7) ongoing evaluation of the individual’s job performance;
8) individualized problem-solving/advising with the participant about issues that could affect maintaining employment;
9) training in skills to communicate disability-related work support and accommodation needs;
10) assessing the need for basic job aids, facilitating referral through the participant’s DOH-DDD case manager for assistive technology assessment and acquisition of assistive technology from Division of Vocational Rehabilitation;
11) facilitating referral through the DOH-DDD case manager to a Discovery & Career Planning provider for financial literacy, money management and budgeting;
12) providing information and training (benefits counseling)
13) training in arranging and using transportation, such as fixed route public transportation or paratransit services to get to and from the participant’s place of employment;
14) career advancement services.

EDUCATION & WORK REQUIREMENTS: Certification in rehabilitation counseling OR a Bachelor’s Degree in any field and two (1) year of experience assisting job seekers with intellectual and developmental disabilities in acquiring competitive integrated employment. Two (2) years of supervisory experience preferred.

EMPLOYMENT CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicable background checks; HI State criminal check, TB clearance, CAN clearance, cpr & first aid, verification of education, driver’s license and insurance cards.

Please email a cover letter and resume to mar@fulllifehawaii.org with the subject line EMPLOYMENT SERVICE COORDINATOR.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Full Life Hawai’i seeks Program Coordinator- West Hawai’i Island

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Program Coordinator -Developmental Disabilities (Kona and West Hawaii)

Full Life is seeking one Full Time Program Coordinator/Service Supervisor responsible for supervision of Direct Support Workers who work one-on-one with individuals with developmental disabilities in their homes, communities and workplaces. The Program Coordinator ensures that service delivery meets standards of quality and all internal and external regulations.

Primary responsibilities are:

1. Assuring that Direct Support Workers have the skills and tools to provide personal assistance that helps each individual we support reach their goals and achieve their dreams.

2. Writing individual plans per Full Life policy, entering monthly supervision visit notes into a data base.

3. Creating data collection templates based on the individual plan.

4. Attending and participating in annual goal setting meetings for each person on your case load.

5. Reviewing time sheets, data collection and associated costs requests from Direct Support Workers twice a month to assure compliance with state regulations and Full Life policy.

6. Understanding and adhering to state regulations, high quality standards and Full Life policies.

7. Maintaining and building relationships with clients, Direct Support Workers, families and community stakeholders.  8. Supervision of staff, scheduling, hiring, coordinating schedules

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

1. Must have knowledge about developmental disabilities and/or be willing and able to gain that knowledge through experience, training and research.

2. Must have excellent computer knowledge and ability, and knowledge of MS Word and Outlook.

3. Must have effective verbal and written communication skills, including grammar and spelling proficiency.

4. Must have strong organizational and teamwork skills.

5. Must be able to give and receive information, prepare written materials, and create and carry out action plans.

6. Must be able to multi-task effectively

7. Must be able to meet deadlines under pressure

8. Must be able to represent Full Life in a professional manner

Other Requirements of this position:

1. Current Two Step TB clearance.

2. Current CPR and First Aid Certification.

3. Current Driver’s License with valid automobile insurance and reliable personal transportation (mileage reimbursement).

4. Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited school in a related field or a BA in a non-related field with at least one year of related DD experience.

Upon hire you will be required to pass a background check required by State Contract

Days/Hours of Work:  This position is essentially a Monday through Friday daytime position 40 hours a week.  However, to effectively supervise the Direct Service Workers some hours after 5:00 and weekend hours will be necessary in order to do on-site visits when the DSW is working.  This position also requires being On-call for after hours/weekend emergencies.

Communication Demands:  This position requires oral and written communication with supervisor, employees, co-workers, families, participants, and government agencies. Must have the ability to accept and give constructive criticism. Must keep communication open and clear between all parties (supervisor, participant, family, government agency, DSW).

Please email a cover letter and resume to nadeen@fulllifehawaii.org with the subject line PROGRAM COORDINATOR KONA.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

2020 Pua Na Pua Art Classes- Fall Session!

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GOT ART?  Pua Na Pua inclusive art classes continue from September 3rd to October 29th, with Danielle B., our fabulous art instructor!

Through a County of Hawai’i nonprofit grant, and continued collaboration with Donkey Mill Art Center, Full Life artists explore the spectrum of their creativity through various art mediums! For more information, contact us at (808) 322-9333 or mar@fulllifehawaii.org.

#fullifehi #dmac #renaissanceofinclusion

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1B7iOW1hdd1nJByGMQWaHB8By_YrM1lNg/view?usp=sharing

 

 

 

Full Life Awarded ‘Eleu Grant- Participants Emergency Preparedness Kit

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Through a generous grant from Hawai’i Island United Way (HIUW), Full Life was able to purchase emergency kits consisting of some or all of the following items (depending on need) for 47 people with developmental disabilities. Kits included Water Jugs, 14 day supply of non-perishable food, can opener, first aid kit, radio, flashlight, batteries, soap, toilet paper, masks, sunscreen, whistle, and other toiletries. This is significant because most of these beneficiaries cannot afford these extra supplies for emergencies. We are also assured they will have what is needed in case of an emergency.

A smaller portion of the funds were spent on 2 months of HIPAA compliant video (Zoom) and messaging software (Notifyd). This allowed Full Life Program Coordinators to check on several people with developmental disabilities remotely in order to limit face to face contact during the COVID Pandemic. Furthermore, Full Life used our zoom licenses to offer virtual activities so that people with developmental disabilities could stay connected with each other during the time when they were limiting their access to the community and not participating in group activities. Classes included weekly fitness classes, weekly art classes, weekly movie socials, and weekly music classes.

Full Life’s partnership with HIUW has greatly benefited the people Full Life Serves. The partnership ensured that the people who need emergency kits the most for future emergencies will have them in a safe location. Every person Full Life serves now has an emergency kit as recommended by the Hawaii State Department of Health. We are also able to keep connected with participants and their families during the pandemic.

When Full Life contacted all of our participants for the Emergency Preparedness Kits, the reaction from the family members and caregivers was amazing!  They really thanked us for thinking about their loved ones’ needs.  We know Hurricane season and the COVID-19 pandemic is upon us, so we wanted to make sure that all our participants were prepared in case of an emergency. Another heartwarming story, is all of our Virtual Classes are social time for our participants.  It’s so wonderful to watch their gleeful eyes as they see their friends on the tv or computer screen.  They laugh, smile, converse and say how much they miss each other.  Thank you HIUW for helping us with these virtual classes and meetings through Telehealth Video.

Mahalo nui loa to Hawai’i Island United Way, and to our Full Life staff who gathered, fill emergency kits and delivered them! Full life participants are ready for an emergency…are you?

 

#fullifehi #hiuw #renaissanceofinclusion