Employment First Oversight Commission
Chronic unemployment and underemployment of persons with disabilities have huge social costs. According to a June 2015 news release of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2014 17.1 percent of persons with a disability were employed; in contrast, the employment-population ratio for those without a disability was 64.6 percent. (http://www.bls.gov/news.release/disabl.nr0.htm) Shocking? Yes, shocking — and unnecessary.
➤”Employment First, means that employment in the general workforce should be the first and preferred option for individuals with disabilities receiving assistance from publicly funded systems. Simply put, Employment First means real jobs, real wages.”
A traditional mental model assumes that persons with disabilities need to be prepared for employment. Employment First turns that assumption around by promoting—and demonstrating—that almost everyone is ready for competitive employment, with the help of job accommodations that are often surprisingly simple and inexpensive to implement. According to APSE External LinkImage showing link is an External Link, Delaware is one of 32 states with a formal policy action on Employment First in the form of a Policy Directive, Executive Order or Legislation. Well over half the states that have enacted an Employment First policy have done since 2011.
The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) is there to help providing services for the Job Seeker, Employers and Vendors.
Employment First is a philosophy and public policy in Delaware and many other states. Employment First means that competitive employment - the same kind of employment that most people have - should be the first choice for persons with disabilities. The Employment First Oversight Commission exists for the purpose of making that happen.
What You'll Find Here
About the Employment First Commission
Need to include “Oversight” in title. This page contains a brief history of the Employment First Oversight Commission (EFOC) and information on the EFOC’s Annual Reports, Goals & Objectives, Initiatives, Membership, Mission, & Legislation.
Employment First Feedback
Access to the Employment First Feedback form that permits members of the public to provide feedback on how ell the public policy is working among other things. [NO, we do not want users to use the form anonymously as the Commission needs contact information to respond to the public and provide a direct answer.
Employment First Resources
This page provides links to other employment first organizations, Delaware and Federal Resources, Research Organizations. A list of the States with Employment First Policy Directives, Executive Orders, or Policy Statements, a list of states who are working on Employment First Efforts & Initiatives, and states with employment first legislation is provided. A link to a Disability Employment First Planning Tool and a Guide for Employers in Recruiting, Hiring, Retaining, and Promoting People with Disabilities is also provided.
Employment First Success Stories
The SCPD Employment First Oversight Commission is excited to share personal success stories from Delaware residents who are successfully competing in the job market.
