Give a shout for Elaine…..

Over a year ago, Job Squad began working with Elaine to find employment.  Through the “Discovery” process, we found that she likes keeping her immediate environment neat and clean.  She enjoys household tasks that many people take for granted.  After completing an Informational Interview at the Holiday Inn, Elaine was hired as a Laundry Assistant.  We did a Job Analysis of the laundry room position and determined which tasks Elaine was able to perform.  We were able to customize the position in areas where Elaine could do parts of tasks which ultimately assisted current staff to move on to other duties that were not getting completed.  


The middle of April 2013, Elaine was honored by the Management team and her co-workers at Holiday Inn for her one year of service.  She received a pin and recognition of her quality work.  Elaine stated that this is the first time she has worked this long in any position that she’s held. Her supervisors say that Elaine is a big help in the laundry room and because of her skills and interests in other areas of the hotel, she has begun to branch out in additional job duties. Over the past year, it has not always been an easy road for Elaine to maintain employment, but through the support of her employer, service providers, and family and friends, she has made this significant accomplishment. Elaine’s family and friends have confirmed that Elaine has developed self-confidence and independence because of her employment over the past year.  Elaine’s experience is proof that employment works for individuals with disabilities and can be a positive change in a person’s life. 
 

Kansas Employment First Bill Passes With All Provisions!

House Bill No 2336_Kansas Employment First Bill

The Kansas Employment First Initiative Act (HB 2336) passed on May 12, 2011 and will be signed by the Governor today!

The bill can be viewed above (click on the pages individually to view) and also here.

APSE's Executive Board Approves Statement on Employment First!

In an effort to ensure that the "Employment First" concept is utilized and applied in a consistent fashion, APSE's Executive Board approved APSE's Statement on Employment First on October 11, 2010. A link to the statement will be included to this post once it is available.

Here is the Statement in its entirety:

APSE STATEMENT ON EMPLOYMENT FIRST

Employment in the general workforce is the first and preferred outcome in the provision of publicly funded services for all working age citizens with disabilities, regardless of level of disability.

UNDERLYING PRINCIPLES
· The current low participation rate of citizens with disabilities in the workforce is unacceptable.

· Access to “real jobs with real wages” is essential if citizens with disabilities are to avoid lives of poverty, dependence, and isolation.

· It is presumed that all working age adults and youths with disabilities can work in jobs fully integrated within the general workforce, working side-by-side with co-workers without disabilities, earning minimum wage or higher.

· As with all other individuals, employees with disabilities require assistance and support to ensure job success and should have access to those supports necessary to succeed in the workplace.

· All citizens, regardless of disability, have the right to pursue the full range of available employment opportunities, and to earn a living wage in a job of their choosing, based on their talents, skills, and interests.

· Implementation of Employment First principles must be based on clear public policies and practices that ensure employment of citizens with disabilities within the general workforce is the priority for public funding and service delivery.

· Inclusion or exclusion of the specific term “Employment First” does not determine whether a public system or agency has adopted Employment First principles. Such a determination can only be made in examining whether the underlying policies, procedures and infrastructure are designed for and ultimately result in increased integrated employment in the general workforce for citizens with disabilities.

CHARACTERISTICS OF SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF EMPLOYMENT FIRST
· There are measurable increases in employment of citizens with disabilities within the general workforce, earning minimum wage or higher with benefits.

· Greater opportunities exist for citizens with disabilities to pursue self-employment and the development of microenterprises.

· Employment is the first and preferred option when exploring goals and a life path for citizens with disabilities.

· Citizens with disabilities are employed within the general workforce, regardless of the severity of disability and assistance required.

· Young people with disabilities have work experiences that are typical of other teenagers and young adults.

· Employers universally value individuals with disabilities as an integral part of their workforce, and include people with disabilities within general recruitment and hiring efforts as standard practice.

· Individuals with disabilities have increased incomes, financial assets, and economic wealth.

· Citizens with disabilities have greater opportunities to advance in their careers, by taking full advantage of their individual strengths and talents.

· Funding is sufficient so that quality services and supports are available as needed for long-term employment success.

· A decision not to consider employment in the community for an individual is re-evaluated on a regular basis; the reasons and rationale for this decision are fully documented and addressed in service provision.

APSE Releases White Paper on Establishing a National Employment First Agenda

Employment First means making employment in competitive-wage, integrated, community businesses the priority, or first option, for individuals receiving taxpayer funded services.

Click here to read it.