"These amazing honorees demonstrate that Illinoisans who overcome patterns of failure or challenges such as disability are not only highly qualified employees, but frequently they demonstrate remarkable work ethic and loyalty." Honoree Lee Tewell adds his own words of encouragement to Illinois employers: "Just know that we are normal people, and we have as much right to work as anybody else. "Illinois is celebrating a new kind of hero," says Horn. Kyle Horn, founder and director of America's Job Honor Awards, congratulated this year's honorees. Illinois Division of Rehabilitation Services - Vocational Rehabilitation Success Stories Department of Education's Rehabilitation Services Administration (Federal Vocational Rehabilitation) Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy - Employment First State Leadership Mentoring Program To increase community-based, integrated employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
Providing mentoring, technical assistance and training via subject matter experts.Through this work, Illinois will work directly with state agency staff, provider agencies, direct support professionals, and advocates to identify ways to better serve individuals with disabilities or mental illness who utilize supported employment services. Illinois participated as a core state in the Program for FY 2015 and was recently announced as a participant for FY 2016 as well.
In order to help states invest in systems change efforts, ODEP developed the Employment First State Leadership Mentoring Program (EFSLMP). Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). Employment First State Leadership Mentoring ProgramĮmployment First has become a critical priority for the U.S. The Order requires the above agencies to look at everything from policies to funding to partnerships all focused around the goal of integrated employment for individuals with disabilities. The state agencies include: the Department of Human Services, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Department of Employment Security, the Department of Central Management Services, the Department of Labor, the Department of Veterans' Affairs, the State Board of Education, the Board of Higher Education, the Community College Board, and the Council on Developmental Disabilities. This law states that "competitive and integrated employment shall be considered the first option when serving persons with disabilities of working age" and requires all State agencies to follow the policy as well as ensure its effective implementation within their programs and services.Īdditionally, Illinois has an Executive Order (14-08) that requires the participation of multiple state agencies to fully implement Employment First across the State. Illinois has adopted an Employment First policy via the Employment First Act ( 20 ILCS 40) in 2013.
#BEST PRACTICES IN VR SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT FULL#
The idea is that all Illinois citizens, regardless of disability, are capable of full participation and integration in their communities and that includes employment. Illinois Employment First is supported by Illinois State Law, Executive Order and policies that promote community-based, integrated employment as the first option for employment-related services for individuals with disabilities, physical, intellectual, or behavioral.
0 kommentar(er)
