Employment First Philosophy
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Employment First Alliance | Employment resources | Person Centered Employment Resources | Federal and state considerations | Helpful links
The S.D. Department of Human Services Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) is engaged in bringing integrated employment supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities into greater focus. Through funds granted by the Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities, DDD initiated membership in the State Employment Leadership Network (SELN) in 2013. As we continue to learn about the best ways to approach necessary system change, we celebrate the significant progress already achieved.
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S.D. Employment First Alliance
The South Dakota Employment First Alliance (SDEFA) was formed in 2010 with the intent to develop strategies to increase employment outcomes for people with developmental disabilities in South Dakota. The Employment First Alliance is comprised of self-advocates, family members, providers, state agencies, and various other interested stakeholder groups. Membership is voluntary and open to those with an interest in increasing integrated employment for people with developmental disabilities. Meetings are held approximately every other month via video-conferencing; once each year a face-to-face meeting is held in a location central to all members (view member list). If you'd like more information about SDEFA, contact Julie Hand.
Employment Resources
Annually, SDEFA identifies priorities that align with DDD efforts as well as topics on the national forefront – and most recently the SD Work Plan. Subcommittees are utilized to focus on specific areas such as person-centered employment planning, messaging and outreach, and effective employment supports. Results of past subcommittee work include the following resources:
- S.D. Work Plan
- Achieving Dreams Through Employment
- Person Centered Employment Planning report (South Dakota)
- Top Ten S.D. Resources
Person Centered Employment Resources
- Charting a Person Centered Path to Employment
- VIDEO: Michael Smull Person Centered Planning Session
- VIDEO: "The Doughnut" as a person-centered planning tool
- VIDEO: "Matching Support" as a person-centered planning tool
VIDEO (below): Michael Smull Person Centered Planning Session (using gifts to build connections)
VIDEO (below): "The Doughnut" as a person-centered planning tool
VIDEO (below): "Matching Support" as a person-centered planning tool
Federal and State Considerations
In addition to state government, DDD’s efforts are also influenced by federal regulations and expectations. Consider the following federal resources and information:
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services employment bulletin
- Home and Community Based Service Non-Residential Settings Q&A document
- Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act letter from commissioner
- Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act: S.D. impact document
- Employment Works Task Force: Recommendations for Employing People with Disabilities (South Dakota)
- Employment Works Task Force: 2014 Annual Report
- Cost-share policy memorandum with S.D. Community Support Providers
Helpful Links
The following links to other websites and resources may be helpful:
- Freedom to Work
- Think Beyond the Label
- Social Security Administration Red Book
- S.D. RehabAction
- StateData: The National Report on Employment Services and Outcomes
- State Employment Leadership Network
- Social Security Administration work incentives
- U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration: Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act