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Cover Letter
To Whom It May Concern:
I am looking for a position in the independent sector, as either an employee or a contractor. I have created our own small business, D & L Consultants LLC, and we have been able to work on several significant projects that have not only helped persons with disabilities be as independent as their disabilities would allow them to be, but were able to help change Connecticut's infrastructure.
For 2 1/2 years, I was working for the Department of Social Service, Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (DSS/BRS), Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicaid Infrastructure Grant to implement the Community Bridging Pilot Project (CBP). The goal of the CBP was to identify gaps in disability-related services within the community and assist people with significant disabilities to live independently, integrate into their communities, and gain higher life satisfaction through gainful employment. Unfortunately, the Medicaid Infrastructure Grant has run out and although the DSS/BRS are working on a three-year contract, it does not seem that the contract would be in place by May 31, 2006 the last day of my job.
I have been successful in finding funding from different foundations to purchase equipment and locate free Assistive Technology, which will help my consumer's to be more independent in their day-to-day living activities. I was able to help a young woman to be placed on the ABI Waiver program after several different attempts. Now with a different social worker, and being on the waiver, she is working on her goals that she had set for herself when we had first started to work together.
I have been successful in assisting people to move out of nursing homes into their own apartments. I have been working as a conservator/personal manager for persons with disabilities through the Probate Court system. I also have been able to help several people to receive their social security benefits after they had been denied several times.
As a court appointed conservator, I had the opportunity to work with people with physical and/or intellectual disabilities. My duties as Conservator of Estate are to collect the consumer income to pay for their living expenses. Although the Probate Court regulation frowns on allowing the Consumer to have a hand in this process, I was able to let my consumers have some input into the process. With online banking, I was able to allow my consumers to have an ATM/Debit card with their weekly/monthly allowance automatically deposited. I was able to monitor their spending habits and to assist them when needed. I feel that involving the consumer with a say in their finances gives them a better feeling about themselves. Not all consumers are able to assist in this matter. In this case, I would do what was best for the consumer. As a Conservator of Person, I had specific duties, in which I was expected to carry out to the letter of the law. Although this caused concern from different advocacy groups, sometimes this caused great conflicts within my own better judgment.
Being a student in the 50's, with a disability, we had no laws to protect us against discrimination in the school system. My parents forced the Massachusetts school system to mainstream me in with the general population. As an adult, I have come to realize that even with Rehabilitation Act 504, IDEA and the ADA school systems around the country are still trying to discriminate against children with disabilities. I have become an advocate for consumers in the school system. Educating the parents on what services should actually be supplied. By educating the parents, and the children, they would be guaranteed the proper education from the school system. With the vast knowledge from the internet and publications from state and federal government one could actually put a booklet down in front of the members of the PPT and refer to the book if need be in order to get the school system on the right track. Without this knowledge, the parents would be unable to protect their children's rights under these regulations. I do not know everything there is to know. Whoever says they do, actually does not know enough. Before I even go into PPT, I sit down with the child and their parents to be informed of past history. Once I know what was provided, we can create a strategy to obtain the right services with no cost to them.
Please feel free to contacting me at (860) 643-5575 if you have any questions. I look forward to meeting with you to discuss your needs and my qualifications.
Sincerely,
Donald L. James
Cover Letter-Resume
Cover Letter
Resume
To Whom It May Concern:
I am looking for a position in the independent sector, as either an employee or a contractor. I have created our own small business, D & L Consultants LLC, and we have been able to work on several significant projects that have not only helped persons with disabilities be as independent as their disabilities would allow them to be, but were able to help change Connecticut's infrastructure.
For 2 1/2 years, I was working for the Department of Social Service, Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (DSS/BRS), Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicaid Infrastructure Grant to implement the Community Bridging Pilot Project (CBP). The goal of the CBP was to identify gaps in disability-related services within the community and assist people with significant disabilities to live independently, integrate into their communities, and gain higher life satisfaction through gainful employment. Unfortunately, the Medicaid Infrastructure Grant has run out and although the DSS/BRS are working on a three-year contract, it does not seem that the contract would be in place by May 31, 2006 the last day of my job.
I have been successful in finding funding from different foundations to purchase equipment and locate free Assistive Technology, which will help my consumer's to be more independent in their day-to-day living activities. I was able to help a young woman to be placed on the ABI Waiver program after several different attempts. Now with a different social worker, and being on the waiver, she is working on her goals that she had set for herself when we had first started to work together.
I have been successful in assisting people to move out of nursing homes into their own apartments. I have been working as a conservator/personal manager for persons with disabilities through the Probate Court system. I also have been able to help several people to receive their social security benefits after they had been denied several times.
As a court appointed conservator, I had the opportunity to work with people with physical and/or intellectual disabilities. My duties as Conservator of Estate are to collect the consumer income to pay for their living expenses. Although the Probate Court regulation frowns on allowing the Consumer to have a hand in this process, I was able to let my consumers have some input into the process. With online banking, I was able to allow my consumers to have an ATM/Debit card with their weekly/monthly allowance automatically deposited. I was able to monitor their spending habits and to assist them when needed. I feel that involving the consumer with a say in their finances gives them a better feeling about themselves. Not all consumers are able to assist in this matter. In this case, I would do what was best for the consumer. As a Conservator of Person, I had specific duties, in which I was expected to carry out to the letter of the law. Although this caused concern from different advocacy groups, sometimes this caused great conflicts within my own better judgment.
Being a student in the 50's, with a disability, we had no laws to protect us against discrimination in the school system. My parents forced the Massachusetts school system to mainstream me in with the general population. As an adult, I have come to realize that even with Rehabilitation Act 504, IDEA and the ADA school systems around the country are still trying to discriminate against children with disabilities. I have become an advocate for consumers in the school system. Educating the parents on what services should actually be supplied. By educating the parents, and the children, they would be guaranteed the proper education from the school system. With the vast knowledge from the internet and publications from state and federal government one could actually put a booklet down in front of the members of the PPT and refer to the book if need be in order to get the school system on the right track. Without this knowledge, the parents would be unable to protect their children's rights under these regulations. I do not know everything there is to know. Whoever says they do, actually does not know enough. Before I even go into PPT, I sit down with the child and their parents to be informed of past history. Once I know what was provided, we can create a strategy to obtain the right services with no cost to them.
Please feel free to contacting me at (860) 643-5575 if you have any questions. I look forward to meeting with you to discuss your needs and my qualifications.
Sincerely,
Donald L. James
RESUME
Cover Letter
Resume
Donald L. James
231 North Main Street
Manchester CT. 06042
(860) –643-5575
E-mail: donald.jamess_yahoo.com
www.outlawsonwheels.com
OBJECTIVE
I am looking for a position in the independent living sector, as either an employee or a contractor. Highly organized, multi disciplined, and innovative. Takes initiative to obtain goal, excellent trouble shooting skills, which allow me to contribute to any endeavor.
EXPERIENCE
D & L Consultants LLC, Manchester, CT 6/1999 to present
Resource Coordinator (Community Bridging Project) Connect to Work Center, 11/2003 to 5/2006
Bureau of Rehabilitation Services Independent Living Consultant, preparing individuals with disabilities
for work. Conservator with Probate Court/Personal Manager to help people with disabilities live as
independently as their disabilities would allow.
Office Max, Manchester, CT 6/1998 to 5/2002
Electronics/Computer Salesman
Greeting customers and helping them to buy the right equipment for their needs
CT Union of Disability Action Groups, Wethersfield, CT 12/1993 to 6/1996
Community Organizer
Working with groups of individuals with disabilities on issues such as Transportation,
Personal Care Assistants and legislation.
James Family Care Home, Norwich, CT 1/1980 to 1/1992
Owner and Operator, State licensed
Work with up to five individuals with psychological and emotional disorders, providing shelter, food,
arranging medical appointments and monitoring their medication and daily activities.
Al’s Uptown Deli. Norwich, CT 1/1972 to 1/1985
Banquet Preparations/Food Delivery
Buy food from Massachusetts and New York and transport it back to the restaurant. Pick up banquet
equipment from local rental stores and set up banquet halls, deliver prepared food to party locations.
James Electronics, Niantic, CT 4/1972 to 1/2000
Owner and Operator
Sales and servicing of TV and small appliances.
SKILLS
Supervisory, Management, Electronics sales/repairs, Community Organizer, Lobbyist, Personal Manager,
Conservator of Person/Estate, Assistive Technology, PC/MAC, Office XP, MS Works, MS Money 2007
EDUCATION
Mohegan Community College, Norwich CT
Associate in Human Service Studies May 1992
Associate in General Studies May 1991
Office of Protection and Advocacy, Hartford, CT
Certificate of knowledge in Americans with Disabilities Act November 1993
Ward School of Electronics, University of Hartford
Certificate of Electronics May 1971
