Following the State of the State session, the second session of the morning was the refreshing Washington Initiative, a model supported employment program which implemented the Working Age Adult Training Policy for all persons ages 21 to 62. Washington State was the first state to implement such a work initiative and was among 3 other states that began practicing supported employment in 1980, six years prior to the inaugural federal legislation regarding the subject.

The basic premise of the Washington Initiative is to provide “supports to pursue and maintain gainful employment in integrated settings” (more…)

Today’s opening session “State of the State: Where We are and Where We are Going!” was presented by Bill Palmer (Vocational Rehabilitation - VR), Jane Johnson (President of APD), and Joyce Lubbers (Program Director of the Florida Department of Education). Palmer spoke first, giving an update of VR in Florida and where they are headed. He said that a major goal for their upcoming strategic plan would be to increase the percentage of people with disabilities successfully employed. Currently, only 6.65% of this population and only 23.1% of persons with mental health disabilities are employed.

The next speaker was Jane Johnson, Director of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) in Florida. (more…)

The 2007 Florida Association for Persons in Supported Employment (APSE) Conference kicks off today, and Assistant Director Jenny Lee and I are attending as representatives of Creative Clay.

So why are we at this conference? Creative Clay has been looking to expand into the field of supported employment for its members. This would mean that member artists at Creative Clay would have the opportunity to receive vocational training and support in finding and maintaining employment in the community. This conference will serve as a “jumping off point” for Creative Clay staff to begin working on an implementation strategy for this revolutionary service. In the coming months, Creative Clay anticipates having 12 or more members involved in supported employment services, thanks to a generous employment grant from the Able Trust, and we have many eager candidates, ready to embark on this new endeavor with us!

The opening keynote speaker was Mr. Dale Dileo. (more…)