REAL LIVES, REAL SUCCESSES

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APSE-MO Employment Summit AUGUST 5TH 7TH, 2009

• REAL LIVES, REAL SUCCESSES
• MISSOURI EMPLOYMENT SUMMIT
• DMH-DDD Employment Initiative Update
• Presented by Darla Wilkerson
• Darla.wilkerson_at_dmh.mo.gov

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DMH-DDD Employment Initiative

• The 5 Ws
• Who is involved in the initiative ?
• What do we mean by employment?
• Where are the funds coming from ?
• When can we expect changes?
• Why employment ?

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DMH-DDD Employment Initiative

• Who is involved?
• State Employment Leadership Network (SELN)
• DMH-DDD staff
• Community Partners
• Individuals who receive services/supports
• Parents/family members
• Community providers
• Vocational Rehabilitation
• DESE local school districts

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DMH-DDD Employment Initiative

• What do we mean?
• Employment means. We strongly believe in an
  employment first philosophy, where employment is
  the priority option provided prior to any other
  day service option. Our expectation is if someone
  is of working age they are expected to explore
  work options, build on career planning and engage
  in work that makes sense to them.

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DMH-DDD Employment Initiative

• What do we mean?
• Our Employment Mission - To expand the Division
  of Developmental Disabilities system for people
  to have increased community integrated employment
  options.
•  
• Our Employment Vision Employment is a viable
  option for all people with developmental
  disabilities.
•  
• Our Beliefs We believe
• People who want to work can work
• People that are of working age are expected to
  work
• People have the right to achieve their career
  goals
• People should earn prevailing wage and
• People should have the opportunity to realize
  economic self-sufficiency.

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DMH-DDD Employment Initiative

• What do we mean?
• When we say employment we mean, integrated
  community employment, at or above minimum wage,
  full or part time with the potential for
  employment benefits.
• Individuals with disabilities have the right to
  live above poverty!

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DMH-DDD Employment Initiative

• Wheres the ?
• Show me the money

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DMH-DDD Employment Initiative

• When can we expect changes?

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DMH-DDD Employment Initiative

• Why Employment?
• National averages show that 23 of people with DD
  are working in integrated employment.
• Missouri rates at 9
• Why not employment?

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DMH-DDD Employment Initiative

• For more information go to.
• http//www.dmh.mo.gov/mrdd/employteam/employment.h
  tm
• Thank you!