Florida Executive Order 13-284: Reaffirming commitment to employment for Floridians with disabilities

“‘Employment’” for purposes of this Executive Order is defined as integrated employment, including supported employment, customized employment, and self-employment, where an individual is paid by an employer at minimum wage or greater or receives earnings through one’s self-employment business, fully integrated in the community workforce, with a goal of maximum self-sufficiency. Employment outcomes shall be based on each individual’s measureable vocational goals, skills, and abilities, with the intent to also meet the expectations and hiring needs of the employer… The interagency cooperative agreement shall formalize the efforts that have been accomplished to improve employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.”

Links:

Florida Employment First EO 11-161

Mississippi Executive Order 1335

“Whereas, my administration is committed to supporting policies under which agencies that provide services to persons with disabilities and/or provide employment, economic development, or other related services explore employment in an integrated setting as the first priority option for persons with disabilities who are of working age. Now, Therefore, I, Phil Bryant, Governor of the State of Mississippi, pursuant to the Constitution and laws of the State of Mississippi, do hereby order as follows:

State agencies that provide services to persons with disabilities, and state agencies which provide employment, economic development, or other related services, shall coordinate efforts and collaborate to ensure that state programs, policies, and procedures support employment in integrated settings as the first priority option, to the extent feasible, for persons with disabilities who are of working age.

The same state agencies shall, whenever feasible, share data and information across systems and adopt measurable goals and objectives to track progress toward the achievement of the goals of this Executive Order. The Mississippi Disability Resource Commission, Miss. Code Ann. § 43-30-1, is authorized to monitor implementation of this Executive Order.”

Links:

Mississippi EO 1335: Text (PDF)

Illinois Executive Order 14-08: Employment First

“WHEREAS, the Illinois Employment First Act (20 ILCS 40 et. seq) requires that State agencies follow and implement the State’s policy of competitive and integrated employment as the first option when serving persons with disabilities of working age, regardless of level of disability, (the ‘Employment First Policy’)…An Employment First Liaison (the “Liaison”) shall be appointed within the Office of the Governor to implement Illinois’ Employment First Policy, in conjunction with the Task Force and State Agencies, as defined below…The Liaison’s goal and purpose shall be the implementation of the Employment First Policy, which seeks to facilitate the full inclusion and integration of individuals with disabilities in the workplace. The Liaison shall work with the following entities (together the ‘Parties’) to develop a preliminary five-year plan (the ‘Preliminary Plan’) and a final plan (the ‘Final Plan’) to improve community integrated private employment outcomes for people with disabilities.”

Links:

Illinois EO 14-08: Text

Virginia Executive Order 55 (2012): Supporting Virginians with Disabilities…

“The last United States Census concluded that out of 3.6 million Virginia residents who were employed, 154,985 Virginians with disabilities were included in that total. These numbers indicate an under representation of people with disabilities among the gainfully employed. The Commonwealth of Virginia should work to provide a Commonwealth of Opportunity for all Virginians; therefore it is appropriate to initiate steps in order to expand employment opportunities for its citizens who are disabled….”

“By virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor by Article V of the Constitution of Virginia and under the laws of the Commonwealth…and in conjunction with… the Code of Virginia which states that it is the policy of the Commonwealth to encourage and enable persons with disabilities, including our wounded soldiers, to participate fully and equally in the social and economic life of the Commonwealth and to engage in remunerative employment, with the goal of enhancing the employment opportunities for Virginians with disabilities.”

Links:

Virginia EO 55 (2012): Text

Minnesota Executive Order 13-01: Olmstead

A Sub-Cabinet, appointed by the Governor, consisting of the Commissioner, or Commissioner’s designees, of the following State agencies, shall develop and implement a comprehensive Minnesota Olmstead Plan: (i) that uses measurable goals to increase the number of people with disabilities receiving services that best meet their individual needs and in the most integrated setting, and (ii) that is consistent and in accord with the U.S. Supreme Comi’s decision in Olmstead v. L. C., 527 U.S. 581 (1999):

a) Department of Human Services;

b) Minnesota Housing Finance Agency;

c) Department of Employment and Economic Development;

d) Department of Transportation;

e) Department of Corrections;

f) Department of Health;

g) Department of Human Rights; and

h) Department of Education.

Links:

Minnesota EO 13-01: Text (PDF)

Washington Executive Order 13-02: Disability Employment

Executive Order 13-02 includes several directives including a Disability Employment Challenge that establishes a goal of five percent of Washington state government’s workforce being comprised of persons living with a disability. A Disability Employment Task Force has been established to help state agencies with the recruitment and retention of persons with disabilities.

Links:

Washington EO 13-02: Text (PDF)

Tennessee Executive Order 28: Employment First

“NOW, THEREFORE, I, Bill Haslam, Governor of the State of Tennessee… do hereby order and direct the following:

1. State agencies coordinate efforts to increase opportunities for integrated and competitive employment for Tennesseans with intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental illnesses, substance abuse disorders and other disabilities.
2. The Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities convene an Employment First Taskforce (“Taskforce”).
3 The Taskforce shall consist of representatives from the agencies administering disability services, family members of persons receiving employment services, vocational rehabilitation, workforce services and education, as well as consumer advocates and third party disability services providers.”

Links:

Tennessee Executive Order 28: Text (PDF)

Nevada Executive Order 2014-16: Establishing the Governor’s Taskforce on Integrated Employment

“By the authority vested in me as Governor by the Constitution and laws of the State of Nevada, I hereby direct and order:

The Governor’s Taskforce on Integrated Employment (“Taskforce”) is here by established.
The Taskforce shall be responsible for examining and evaluating current employment programs, resources, funding, available training and employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities, and shall provide a report to the Governor, on or before July 1, 2015, setting forth their findings as well as a three, five and ten-year strategic plan for creating a more integrated workforce and expanding competitive employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities…”

Links:

Nevada EO 2014-16: Text (PDF)

Minnesota Executive Order 14-14: Providing for Increased State Employment of Individuals with Disabilities

The Governor’s Executive Order instructs Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) and the State Director for Equal Opportunity to develop a model for recruitment and hiring strategies to increase the employment of people with disabilities. It also requires all state agencies to develop plans for promoting employment opportunities for Minnesotans with disabilities, and to begin reporting their progress on a quarterly basis. The Order also directs MMB to develop ways to help employees to more easily update their disability status with their employer.

Executive Order 14-14 is the latest initiative enacted by Dayton’s Administration to demonstrate its commitment to help Minnesotans with disabilities live more independently and improve the quality of their lives. Other initiatives include:

-Creating Equitable Policies – The Department of Transportation updated its policies and implemented new trainings to help ensure that all employees with disabilities receive proper accommodations.

-Improving Life and Work Opportunities – Governor Dayton and the Department of Human Services launched Reform 2020, which will make it easier for people to understand and access services and support for Minnesotans with disabilities, while also redesigning and improving services and increasing service coordination and integration.

-Increasing Options and Independence – The Department of Employment and Economic Development’s Vocational Rehabilitation program helps those with disabilities prepare for, find and keep a job, and live as independently as possible. In 2013, the program assisted more than 19,500 people with disabilities.

-Supporting Stable Employment – The Department of Human Services began funding a new initiative to help individuals with disabilities find and maintain employment – helping Minnesotans with disabilities live more independently, and decreasing their need for other state aid.

-Encouraging Diverse Hiring – The Department of Human Rights held a statewide video conference in December to highlight the strategic advantages of hiring people with disabilities.

-Increasing Access to Work Opportunities – The budget signed by Governor Dayton increased funding for State Services for the Blind to help people with disabilities secure and maintain meaningful employment.

Links:

Minnesota EO 14-14: Text (PDF)

New York Executive Order Number 136: Employment First (2014)

New York Executive Order Number 136: Establishing the New York Employment First Initiative to Increase Employment of New Yorkers with Disabilities

”NOW, THEREFORE, I, ANDREW M. CUOMO, Governor of the State of New York, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of New York, do hereby order as follows: …

B. Employment First Commission

1. There is hereby established the Employment First Commission (the “Commission”) to provide guidance and advice to the Governor regarding the competitive integrated employment of individuals with disabilities.

2. The members of the Commission shall be the Governor’s Deputy Secretary for Health; the Governor’s Deputy Secretary for Civil Rights; the Governor’s Deputy Secretary for Human Services; the Chief Diversity Officer; the Counsel to the Governor; the Director of the Budget; the Commissioner for Developmental Disabilities; the Commissioner of Health; the Commissioner of Mental Health; the Commissioner of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services; the Commissioner of Children and Family Services; the Commissioner of Labor; the Commissioner of Economic Development; the Commissioner of Transportation; the Commissioner of Temporary and Disability Assistance; the Director of Veterans’ Affairs; the Director of the State Office for Aging; and the Executive Director of the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs. Additional members may be appointed to the Commission at the discretion of the Governor.”

Links:

New York EO 136: Text (PDF)