Friday, October 15, 2010

Small-business training for the disabled

The following email was received from an employee of the State of Illinois:

Many persons with psychiatric and with other disabilities express a desire to explore the option of starting a small business. Often those interests are
frustrated by a lack of knowledge of the options, supports, and sources of funding available throughout Illinois to support self-employment goals and dreams.

The Internet age and other technological advances have allowed persons in the most isolated areas of Illinois to have the possibility of reaching a global market. Federal, state, and other funders have made self-employment options for persons with disabilities a priority. The Division of Rehabilitation Services launched a pilot on October 1, 2010 designed to offer expert mentor services to people with disabilities interested in contemplating, choosing, acting upon, succeeding in, and adapting a small business.

The Self Employment Resource Network (SERN) has served as a leader in training and education about the ability of people with disabilities to become successful entrepreneurs for over nine years. SERN developed the Business Mentor concept.

The SERN group will offer trainings in each Region on exciting new possibilities for accessing small business development assistance in our state. The dates and
training locations are (9 a.m. start and 3 p.m. end times at all sites):

November 3 - Division of Rehabilitation Services Office, 606 West St. Louis
Avenue, East Alton. 618 258-9996.

November 16 - Downers Grove area (location to be announced)

November 30 - Madden Mental Health Center auditorium, 1200 South First St.,
Hines 708 338-7166

December 14 - Mental Health Centers of Central Illinois, 710 North 8th St.,
Springfield 217 525-1064

December 15 - Robert Young Center CSP Theater, 4600 3rd Street, Moline 309
779-2051

Contact Gene Oulvey by phone (217 785-7771)or e-mail (Gene.Oulvey@illinois.gov), if you wish to register for the training.

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