From Collaboration to Action: State Initiatives Advancing Disability Employment

States are improving employment outcomes for Americans with disabilities by strengthening collaboration across workforce, education, human services, and community partners.  

The webinar focuses on innovative ways states are using partnerships, shared goals, and evidence-driven approaches to strengthen service delivery to job seekers with disabilities through the public workforce development system. Panelists highlight how initiatives were launched, how partners contributed to design and implementation, and how states are tracking progress and adjusting strategies to improve results. 

Hear directly from states as they share strategies—such as implementing a financial literacy train-the-trainer series to build statewide capacity and strengthening collaboration between experienced employment service providers and local businesses to expand employment opportunities. 

Participants:

• Learn how cross-agency partnerships were formed and sustained. 

• Explore strategies that align service delivery across systems. 

• Understand how states are measuring progress and outcomes. 

• Identify how lessons learned can inform similar efforts in other states.

This webinar is most relevant for state and local workforce development leaders, American Job Center staff and partners involved in service coordination, Vocational Rehabilitation professionals, education and human services agencies engaged in joint initiatives, community organizations supporting employment pathways, employer intermediaries, and Federal partners and technical assistance providers supporting cross-system collaboration. 

Featured speakers: 

• Yvonne Wright (Moderator), LEAD Center, National Disability Institute (NDI)

• Ben Cheriyan, Policy Advisor, Office of Disability Employment Policy, Department of Labor 

• Dallas Oberlee, LEAD Center SME, Social Policy Research Associates 

• Jason Bennington, Employment Support Services Specialist, Utah Department of Workforce Services, Rehabilitation Division 

• Stephanie Beckhorn, Director, Office of Employment and Training, Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity  
• Jeff La Montia, Job Development Unit Coordinator/Supervisor, Rehabilitation Services for the Blind, Missouri Department of Social Services