Colorado Office of Employment First

CO-JFK Partners/University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, UCEDD/LEND
Program Type	LEND,UCEDD	Fiscal Year	2020
Contact	Patricia Henke, MS, CRC
Email	[email protected]
Phone	303-318-8580
Project Description
Employment First is a philosophy that individuals with significant disabilities have the right to engage in employment at or above minimum wage in an integrated environment, which allows for meaningful interaction with co-workers without disabilities. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) definies Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE), which is the foundation of the Employment First movement. CIE is the first and preferred employment option for people with disabilities, including those with significant intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Office of Employment First (OEF) is the lead organization in Colorado to provide training, technical assistance, communication, coordination and evaluation/monitoring on Employment First initiatives in Colorado. The OEF is excited to begin this important, cross-disability and person-centered work in Colorado under Colorados UCEDD, JFK Partners, CU School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, and in collaboration with Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and the Employment First Advisory Partnership. The OEF is the primary training entity on Employment First philosophy, programs, policy and practices for community partners, employers, educators, state agencies, people with disabilities and their families. Training curricula is being developed in specialty areas that include, but not limited to, Benefits Planning, Individual Placement and Support Supported Employment Service Delivery Model, Discovery Services, Customized Employment, and Employer Supports. These evidenced based and evidenced informed practices will assist advancing opportunities for CIE to be the first and preferred option for persons with disabilities in Colorado. OEF is committed to monitoring and evaluation of implemented service delivery models and rate structures to ensure the growth of Employment First as a philosophy and policy in Colorado. With its establishment, the state is now receiving technical assistance from the U.S. Department of Labors Office of Disability Employment Policy and no-cost consultation from a network of national experts.