Employment First

Congratulations to the 16 recipients of the Employment First Partner Grants

The Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities awarded Employment First Partner grants to 16 community organizations, including: schools, employment providers, long term care providers, and advocacy organizations.  These organizations will work in their local communities to expand employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.  Activities will include:  legislative breakfasts, Take Your Legislator to Work visits, Read the full article…

Apply for an Employment First Partner Grant

Do you believe that providing opportunities for integrated employment should be given the highest priority for working age individuals with developmental disabilities? Are you interested in helping to increase integrated employment options for individuals with disabilities? If yes, than apply for a WI Employment First Partner grant!    The Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Read the full article…

Employment First Partner: The Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District

Check out the work of one of BPDD’s Employment First Partners: The Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District partners with businesses to provide valuable job skills training for youth with disabilities. Teachers at Chi-Hi identify students with special needs who could benefit from certain training opportunities. The program helps those students secure an internship with Read the full article…

Excellent Training Opportunities Available!

·  Job Development Boot Camp 2015: Meeting the Needs of Employers.  June 15th-19th at Edgewood College, sponsored by Edgewood College, Innovations Now and APSE-WI.  This is a one week intensive training experience designed for job developers, teachers and employment professionals. Registration fee includes business tours and seminar materials, and meals. Registration is limited to 20 Read the full article…

Let Your Voice Be Heard!

Rep. Born proposes motion to remove Family Care, IRIS, and ADRC changes from the 2015-17 Biennial Budget ·       Rep. Mark Born (R, Beaver Dam) has submitted a motion to the Joint Finance committee to remove Family Care, IRIS and ADRC changes from the 2015-17 Biennial Budget.  ·       This motion would have to be approved by Read the full article…

Kwik Trip Recognized for Employment Efforts

Kwik Trip Recognized for Employment Efforts

On March 5, 2015 Kwik Trip of New Berlin located on Moreland and Grange was recognized for opening their doors to employment for persons with disabilities. Waukesha Independent Network (WIN) (Employment for All) is working with local businesses to create opportunities of employment for a people with developmental disabilities. Austin Kutchera began this placement as Read the full article…

Advocacy Efforts Needed!

• If you support the idea that youth with disabilities should have more opportunities to be employed and schools should be focused on and have the resources to help children do that, contact your legislator about supporting Rep. Rob Brooks’ Better Bottom Line Initiative budget motion. This budget motion provides incentives to schools to make Read the full article…

Fry Out to Build Organization Relationships

Fry Out to Build Organization Relationships

Step’nStones Community Fry Out to Build Organization Relationships is an event coordinated by David Koenig in Manitowoc to develop relationships with organizations and give students hands-on experience running a licensed retail food business. The group takes food orders from local organizations and then prepares and processes the orders including delivery. Koenig is involved with BPDD’s Read the full article…

Engine Power Recognized for Hiring Students with Disabilities

Engine Power Recognized for Hiring Students with Disabilities

  BPDD’s Employment First Community Action Team in Waukesha WI held an event to recognize Engine Power, a manufacturer in Oconomowoc, for hiring students with disabilities. Engine Power has been working with students with disabilities for years and testifies to the benefits that they have seen of working with these students.  

EF Conference Session Descriptions Now Available!

The EF Conference Sessions and Presenter Bios have been finalized! For a complete listing of all the sessions and biographical information for the presenters see, Conference Session Briefs. Registration for the April 9th 2015 Employment First Conference is Now Open! Employment First: Because Community Equals Opportunity Register Now