Florida is an Employment First state. The Employment First Act became law in January 2016. It defined employment as:
Integrated employment…where an individual is paid by an employer at minimum wage or greater or receives earnings through one’s self-employment business, fully integrated in the community workforce, with a goal of maximum self-sufficiency.
Valerie Breen, executive director of the FDDC, joined Employment First Florida on July 28, 20202 presentation to highlight the collaborative work being done to support the Employment First Florida initiative.
The initiative grew out of the council’s seven year commitment to improve employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. From 2013 until present, the council’s investment in time and dollars has resulted in many returns. Listen to Valerie’s recording to learn more.
Holly joined Employment First Florida at our July 28, 20202 presentation to provide us with updates on the work FDDC has been doing to support Employment First in Florida.
Kathy joined Employment First Florida at our July 28, 20202 presentation to provide us with updates on the work Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation has been doing to support Employment First in Florida.
Jan joined Employment First Florida at our July 28, 20202 presentation to provide us with updates on the work Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation has been doing to support Employment First in Florida.
Brandi joined Employment First Florida at our July 28, 20202 presentation to provide us with updates on the work Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation has been doing to support Employment First in Florida.
In August 2020, the Orlando Sentinel published an article by FDDC member Sarah Goldman. In it Sarah provides an eye-opening perspective on accessibility and how society should consider accommodating needs for all abilities. Read Sarah’s inspiring message by clicking here.
If you are having trouble reading the article on the website, click here for a PDF version.
On July 28, Employment First Florida interviewed staff from the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Inc. and the Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation These conversations were the second in an online series profiling the Employment First Florida Interagency Collaborative Team. The series provides people with an update on the progress being made by the agencies who signed the Employment First Florida Interagency Collaborative Agreement. Watch the recording to learn about the projects, initiatives, and experiences both organizations have had since the signing.
Watch the presenter interviews:
Valerie Breen
Holly Hohmeister
Jan Pearce
Brandi Boyer-Rutherford
Kathy Davis
Save-the-Date
Our final session is scheduled for Tuesday, October 27, from 3-4pm ET. Registration is now available at employmentfirstflorida.org.
Check out this video from the RTC Media Youtube channel. They share documentary films, educational and training video programs, organizational profiles, and interviews, all developed through the Research and Training Center on Community Living (RTC/CL) at the University of Minnesota’s Institute on Community Integration.
There are many different ways to answer this question. Check out our latest Fast Facts featuring data from the sources below!
One way is to look at data from the United States Government. It collects information through the United States Census. This survey is called the American Community Survey (ACS).
Indicator 14: Post-School Outcomes measures the percent of youth with disabilities who are no longer in high school, had Individualized Education Plans when they left school, and were enrolled in higher education or working in the community within one year of leaving high school.
Data from the National Core Indicators (NCI) Project can help us understand what percentage of people are working and what percentage of people want to work.
Florida’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation reports data every year to the Rehabilitation Services Administration, which is part of the US government.The report shares the outcomes of the services Florida VR gave to job seekers with disabilities.
Florida reports data on individuals who got behavioral health services that are funded through grants from the national Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Behavioral health services are ways of helping people with mental illnesses or substance use disorders.
