Increasing Competitive Integrated Employment: A Webinar Exploring a Statewide Collaboration
On September 14, 2022 from 3 to 4:30 pm ET, a webinar will be held on “Statewide Collaborative Efforts to Increase CIE (Collaborative Competitive Employment): Lessons from Colorado.” Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP)’s First Community of Practice, the program will highlight the efforts of state and local organizations working together to expand CIE throughout Colorado. The presenters, based in Colorado, will discuss partnerships and policies that have been developed and sustained, the roles of all involved, and the components needed to achieve success. For additional details and the registration link, visit the National Clearinghouse of Rehabilitation Medicine website description of Statewide Collaborative Efforts to Increase CIE: Lessons from Colorado.
Support Granted to Operate a Policy Center on Employment for People with Disabilities
An award of eight million dollars has been announced by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to support a four-year agreement with the National Disability Institute to run a policy development center focused on employment for people with disabilities. The center, funded under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), will complement the work of ODEP’s National Center on Leadership for the Employment and Economic Advancement of People with Disabilities. This initiative seeks to raise awareness about disability employment data collection and “’improve financial empowerment and career pathways. By doing so, we can help create more competitive integrated employment opportunities for people with disabilities,’” according to Assistant Secretary for Disability Employment Policy Taryn Williams. The National Disability Institute and Social Policy Research Associates, which provides evaluation, organizational development and other services, will set up and maintain the policy development center. This center will aim to foster increased and more equitable access to WIOA programs and services, competitive, integrated employment opportunities, and “economic advancement resulting in improved outcomes for individuals with disabilities.” Read more in the DOL news release entitled US Department of Labor Awards $8 Million to Support Policy Development Center for Equal, Inclusive Employment of People with Disabilities.
