Disability Employment – Page 2 – Disability Employment Policy

September 23, 2019May 6, 2020

State Medicaid Buy-In Programs for Workers with Disabilities

By Sydney Geiger

Fear of losing Medicaid coverage can deter people with disabilities from entering the labor market. Medicaid buy-in programs allow workers with disabilities to purchase Medicaid coverage that enables them to participate in the workforce without losing health care benefits. A large majority of states such as Colorado, Illinois and Ohio, amongst others, are participating in or pursuing these kinds of programs.

September 9, 2019May 6, 2020

Washington Pilot Program Helps Individuals with Disabilities Return to the Workforce

By Trent Patrick

The focus on helping individuals with mid-career disabilities stay in or return to the workforce is emerging in the economic and health sectors of the public policy arena. This focus comes from the drive to retain good employees in the workforce, which benefits state governments, employees and employers.

March 28, 2019March 7, 2023

CSG Webinar Explores Stay-at-Work/Return-to-Work Strategies

By Shawntaye Hopkins

The Council of State Governments’ recent Stay-at-Work/Return-to-Work webinar explored policies that help people in the workforce following disability or injury incurred on or off the job. The webinar also reviewed ways in which policymakers can use the CSG Stay-at-Work/Return-to-Work Toolkit as a resource.

January 10, 2019July 25, 2022

States Launch Pilot Projects to Retain Workers with Disabilities

By Sydney Geiger

Eight states have launched projects aiming to provide opportunities for people who experience mid-career disabilities to remain in and return to the workforce. After a competitive selection process, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy in partnership with DOL’s Employment and Training Administration and the Social Security Administration awarded eight states with funding for RETAIN Demonstration Projects.

December 18, 2018May 6, 2020

Hawaii Hosts “Reverse” Job Fair for People with Disabilities

By Sierra Hatfield

State legislators and government agencies from Hawaii hosted an “Empowering All Abilities” Job Fair for persons with developmental disabilities on Oct. 30 at the Hawaii Capitol. During the fair, each job seeker had a table set up with a presentation board that showcased their interests, strengths and abilities. Prospective employers visited each job seeker’s booth. The idea came from Hawaii state Reps. John Mizuno and Lynn DeCoite, who wanted to create an environment where employers had the responsibility of appealing to potential employees – a “reverse” job fair.

November 9, 2018May 6, 2020

CSG to Launch Workforce Development Toolkit

By Sydney Geiger

During the 2018 National Conference, CSG will release the Stay-at-Work/Return-to-Work (SAT/RTW) Toolkit. The U.S. Department of Labor and the Office of Disability Employment Policy’s State Exchange on Employment and Disability collaborated on the toolkit. It was designed to provide states with policy options, best practices and implementation strategies to aid efforts in increasing employment retention and labor force participation of employees who acquire, or are at risk of developing, work disabilities.

October 16, 2018May 6, 2020

National Disability Employment Awareness Month

By Sydney Geiger

Oct. 1 marks the start of the National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). The U.S. Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy began celebrating NDEAM in 1945. People with disabilities continually face unemployment rates much higher than the national average. Each year, October is designated to highlight the importance of developing an inclusive workforce of individuals with a variety of abilities.

October 10, 2018March 7, 2023

Oregon Workgroup Aims to Improve Employment Outcomes for People with Disabilities

By Matthew Shafer

The Council of State Governments, in partnership with the National Conference of State Legislators, or NCSL, and the State Exchange on Employment and Disability, or SEED, provided technical assistance to Oregon’s House Workgroup on Workforce Development for People with Disabilities. The workgroup is made up of representatives from Oregon’s House Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee chaired by Rep. Jeff Reardon. Other members include Rep. Gene Whisnant, the vice chair, and Rep. Janeen Sollman.

May 17, 2018May 6, 2020

Question of the Month: What policies are in place in the Midwest to increase the number of state contracts going to minority- and female-owned businesses?

By Tim Anderson

No state in the Midwest requires that a certain percentage of contracts be given to minority- or women-owned businesses. (Outside the region, Connecticut requires that 6.25 percent of the value of state and local government contracts go to companies owned by women, minorities or disabled individuals.) However, at least three states have specific goals set in statute: Illinois, Ohio and Wisconsin.

September 18, 2017May 6, 2020

Kentucky Work Matters Task Force Meeting Resources

By Trevor Freeman

On September 27^th, 2017, the Kentucky Work Matters Task Force will convene once again to discuss disability employment policies. This task force was convened by Governor Matt Bevin in June of 2017. The mission of the Kentucky Work Matters Task Force is “to address barriers to employment and promote workforce inclusion among people with disabilities, foster children, disabled veterans, individuals with substance abuse issues and individuals with criminal records”. This committee is working to develop recommendations for disability employment policies and will provide a report to Governor Bevin by the end of 2017. The Kentucky Work Matters Task Force is part of CSG’s continued disability employment policy initiative and an outgrowth of the National Task Force on Workforce Development for People with Disabilities.