CHD Self-Employment Services
Goals:
To expand community awareness of supported self-employment as an option for people with disabilities.
To provide self-employment technical assistance to individuals with disabilities on a fee for service basis.
To collaborate with the Workforce Development System and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation to increase the use of self-employment for Alaskans with disabilities
To increase use of existing resources such as the UAA Small Business Development Center, YWCA, Women's Fund, SBA. etc. by Alaskans with disabilities.
To help micro entrepreneurs identify capital resources for business start up
To address barriers to employment, such as the potential loss of Social Security Benefits, by linking with certified Benefits Analysts
Why Self-employment?
Self-employment or micro-business ownership, has the potential to reduce poverty and to improve the standard of living for our nation’s largest minority group – people with disabilities. While the unemployment rate for people with disabilities remains above 70%, self-employment is booming. Twenty million Americans work in home based businesses. The self-employment rate is growing at a rate of 20% annually.
Low expectations and stereotypes regarding the self-employment potential of people with disabilities has limited the use of this option. Additional barriers are the fear of benefits loss, lack of technical assistance, and limited access to capital. Demonstration projects in other states have shown that when resources and training were directed toward these barriers, micro-business success rates followed. When the business matches the owner's preferences, interests, and talents, the result has been sustained and personally rewarding employment.
If you have business ideas, plans, or suggestions that we can use to help motivated individuals move into self-employment and financial independence, we would love to hear from you.
Resources
Self-Employment for One Stop Customers Booklets
These booklets are in PDF format and require Adobe Acrobat. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat, you can download the FREE Adobe Reader to view the booklets.
Disability Benefits & Self-Employment
What We Mean by Self-Employment: "I Want to be my Own Boss"
Marketing & Sales: How to Market Your Small Business
An Overview of Self-Employment
Self-Employment: The Business Plan
Web Links
Start Up Alaska
The purpose of START-Up/Alaska is to support the vision of the Alaska Works Initiative which is that:
Alaskans who experience disabilities are employed at a rate as close as possible to that of the general population.
U.S. Small Business Administration
U.S. Small Business Administration web page with general information, links, success stories, etc.
Considering Self-Employment
Good site with lots of general information.
Business Owner's Toolkit
Many useful links. Good site for Business Plan writing info. Click on "Starting Your Business" and "Planning Your Business".
Small Business and Self-Employment Service (SBSES) Resources
Extensive network of links. Click on "Getting Down to Business" and Publications List. Excellent resource site.
The Finance Project
Welfare Information Network. Extensive list of publications with links to most… some current, some not so current, but lots to look at.
Idea Cafe
Lots of information, profiles of successful business owners, bulletin boards & discussions.
SCORE - Counselor's to America's Small Business
Service Corps of Retired Executives offers no-charge, on line counseling and training in small business. May be possible to get information on your particular business from an experienced person in that business.
For more information contact:
Ken Hamrick in Anchorage at 907-264-6235 or 1-800-243-2199