Carol Blessing Extension Faculty
Address:	201 Dolgen Hall	Phone: (518) 283-4408
	Cornell University	Fax: (607) 255-2763
	Ithaca, NY 14853	Email: cjb39@cornell.edu

Carol Blessing, LMSW currently serves on the faculty with Cornell University's Employment and Disability Institute. As a faculty member she serves as Project Director for the New York State Office of Mental Health Career Development Initiative, a project working within New York State psychiatric centers developed to enhance the system's ability to facilitate community employment and individualized recovery-oriented services with people who have been diagnosed with a mental illness. Additionally, Ms. Blessing directs a systems change initiative on behalf of the New York State Developmental Disabilities Planning Council project Integrating Person-Centered Planning Practices into Program Development, Rehabilitation and Release Planning for Inmates with Developmental Disabilities. Each of these initiatives places a spotlight on integrating person-centered practices within the infrastructure of service organizations as a fundamental means for supporting the inclusion of all people in community living, learning and earning.

Ms. Blessing is a current member of the National Association for Persons in Supported Employment (APSE) and sits as a consultant on the New York State Mental Health Association of New York State (MHANYS) business advisory council.

In addition to her work with the University, Ms. Blessing has established the Blessing Consulting Group, a private consulting firm whose mission is to provide resources, support and assistance to organizations, families and people who are living with disabilities to promote, build and live within inclusive natural communities. Currently Carol is working with a village in Uganda. The focus of the project, "Cultivating a World of Difference," is to forge business alliances between a women's group from the village of Bigodi with people with disabilities interested in pursuing self-employment that promote self-determination and sustainable income for each of the partners.

Education

• LMSW (Licensed Master of Social Work) 1990 - SUNY Albany