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Imagine Enterprises Program Staff We believe we have the most talented and knowledgeable group of experts in the field of supported employment available in the whole State of Texas! Although our staff is small, they are available for training assignments anywhere in the State. For more information, see Services and Hire Imagine. Norine Jaloway, Executive Director Ms. Jaloway is Imagine Enterprises’ executive director, providing leadership in development of new and innovative approaches to employment services for people with disabilities, people receiving public assistance and others working to establish themselves as productive, contributing members of society. She works in many capacities within Imagine Enterprises, providing training and technical assistance, self-directed planning, advocacy and other services for the Gulf Coast area and other regions of Texas. She can be found almost anywhere in the US providing training and testimony on disability issues. Ms. Jaloway coordinates training for the Gulf Coast Business Leadership Network and contracts with the Gulf Coast workforce board to improve Career Center services for people with disabilities. Ms. Jaloway provides
consultant services in numerous communities and schools across Texas.
She has been a member of The Arc for more than 20 years, serving
on numerous local and state committees. Additional advocate and
professional organizations include: Alliance for the Mentally Ill-Gulf
Coast, Texas Association on Mental Retardation, Association for
Persons in Supported Employment, and TASH. Sandy Hardy has more than 25 years experience assisting people with disabilities, including 15 years focusing on employment services. Ms. Hardy joined the team of Imagine Enterprises in 1999. Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) selected Ms. Hardy as one of ten experts to offer training and technical assistance on Social Security work incentives to benefits planners throughout the nation. In addition, through a VCU grant, she serves as the Region IX Technical Assistance Liaison for all BPAO projects in California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, Guam and American Samoa. Ms. Hardy was lead benefits planning specialist for a Social Security Benefits Training/Technical Assistance contract with the Texas PASS Network, a project promoting the use of Social Security Work Incentives for persons with disabilities where she provided training to more than 150 people and technical assistance to over 75 beneficiaries/recipients throughout the State. When the Texas PASS Network ended, Ms. Hardy continued to offer her knowledge and expertise through individual contracts with Texas organizations and agencies. Previously, Ms. Hardy served as project director
for the statewide School-to-Careers Project funded through the Texas
Workforce Commission. In this capacity she developed a user-friendly
resource guide and coordinated statewide training and technical
assistance to ensure students with disabilities were included in
job exploration, career training, and a smooth transition to the
adult world of work and support services. Ms. Hardy continues to
offer training sessions throughout the state on behalf of transitioning
students with disabilities. She also worked with the Texas Employment
Project, a five-year grant project of the Texas Council for Developmental
Disabilities. She is a long-term member of the Association of Person
in Supported Employment (APSE). Stacey Sparks, Benefits Planner Stacey Sparks has more than 15 years experience assisting people with disabilities to become a part of their communities. Mrs. Sparks spent several years assisting people with mental health concerns secure safe affordable housing as well as educating them to access various community resources. The majority of her experience has focused on developing community employment opportunities and assistance for people with a wide range of disabilities. Mrs. Sparks joined the Imagine Enterprises team
in October 2001. She is a benefits planner in the West Texas Benefits
Planning, Assistance and Outreach (BPAO) Project, a five-year cooperative
agreement with the Social Security Administration (SSA). The grant
is a product of the Ticket to Work and Work Improvement Act of 1999.
As the West Texas Benefits Planner, Mrs. Sparks travels throughout
a 41-county region in West Texas explaining Social Security Work
Incentives that promote employment for individuals who are receiving
disability benefits. Her audience ranges from beneficiaries/recipients,
professionals, family members, and anyone else interested in learning
more about work incentives. Mrs. Sparks provides free and accurate
information on how employment will affect Social Security cash benefits
and medical coverage. She assists individuals to identify, request
and submit the appropriate work incentives with the SSA, as well
as providing long and short-term support and follow-up services.
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