The Employment First Position Paper represents a statewide initiative to promote the values and principles of Employment First which is a declaration of both philosophy and practice- this is North Carolina’s vision:
“Employment in the general workforce is the first and preferred outcome in the provision of publicly funded services for all citizens with disabilities regardless of level of disability, in a job of their choosing with supports and accommodations provided as necessary to achieve and maintain employment.”
– Get Inspired –
Download the North Carolina Employment First Success Stories Booklet
Yes, please!
Employment First is an “umbrella” term where states and programs align to emphasize the importance of employment services focusing on “ability” versus “disability.” It does not mean that employment is the only outcome for all; rather, that employment is the expectation, not the exception.
Some of the goals and guiding principles of Employment First include:
- Cross-disability effort
- Integrated Employment
- Individual choices
- Appropriate accommodations and supports
- Resources for youth in transition
- Resources for self-employment
- Employer education and awareness
- Employment-enhancing education and career advancement
- Asset development and overcoming poverty
Awareness Campaign: Distribute the paper- and share this webpage and Facebook page- to friends, families, coworkers, North Carolina state government agencies, school systems, councils, legislators, advocacy groups, committees, peer supporters, self-advocates, Local Managing Entities/Managed Care Organizations, community rehabilitation programs/employment service providers, behavioral health service providers, business networks/employers, and any other group that has a stake in the employment services continuum.
Endorsement: If your organization supports the values and principles of Employment First and wishes to endorse this document, email us at: ncapse@ncapse.org Provide a contact name, title, organization, phone number and email address. Your organization’s name will be added to our endorsement list at the end of this paper. As we move forward, we will also be seeking assistance for the implementation process.
Link to our Draft Employment First Resolution
Link to our Employment First Talking Points
North Carolina Employment Groups
- NCARF- NC Association of Rehabilitation Facilities
- NC Business Leadership Network
- State Rehabilitation Council
Employment Resources by Target Population
- Dartmouth IPS- Supported Employment
- NAMI on Supported Employment
- Peer Employment Support
- Recovery & Employment
- Supported Employment Center for Excellence- Oregon
- Supported Employment EBP Toolkit- SAMHSA
- American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
- Cross-System Focus to Improve Outcomes across the Lifespan for People with ID/DD: 2.3. Recommendations to Improve Employment Outcomes
- National Core Indicators: Data on Persons with IDD in NC
- NC Council on Developmental Disabilities
- TASH Disability Advocacy: Employment
General Employment Information
- Americans with Disabilities Act & Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
- Customized Employment from Griffin Hammis
- Institute for Community Inclusion, UMASS Boston
- Job Accommodations by Disability
- NC Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service
- NC Department of Commerce: Workforce Job Link centers
- Office of Disability Employment Policy, Department of Labor– Employment First
- Social Security Online: The Work Site
- Ticket to Work Employment Networks
- Work Incentives
- Southeast Technical Assistance & Continuing Education (TACE) Employment Training
- StateData.info: National and State Trends on Employment Outcomes for IDD and MH
- Think Beyond the Label
- US Business Leadership Network
- We Connect Now- Uniting college students with disabilities to higher education and employment
North Carolina State Government
- Division of MH/DD/SA Services
- Local Managing Entity/Managed Care Organizations Locator
- Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
- Community Rehabilitation Programs (CRPs)
- Division of Medical Assistance
- Health Coverage for Worker’s with Disabilities (Medicaid Buy-In)
- Department of Public Instruction Exceptional Children
- Department of Commerce: Workforce Development Job-seeker Solutions
- Division of Aging and Adult Services Employment
- NC Council on Developmental Disabilities
- NC Department of Health and Human Services
