People with disabilities can work, want to work, and should be afforded every opportunity to work. Powered by Able SC and the South Carolina Disability Employment Coalition (SCDEC), a coalition formed to eliminate employment barriers for individuals with disabilities, Hire Me SC is a campaign that promotes a culture of inclusion across the state of South Carolina, one in which employment for every individual, disability or not, is the norm rather than the exception.
During our quarterly meeting on March 3, Jacob Chorey, Director of Planning & Program Evaluation with SC Vocational Rehabilitation Department, reviewed the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act State Plan, Title IV programs. Jacob shared information on primary indicators of performance and strategic planning updates in the modified state plan. In addition, SCVRD will be conducting its next Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment this fall, and Jacob also shared details on a new addendum that will increase data sharing between SCVRD and the Department of Education, with the hope of improving outcomes for students.
The state workforce development board executive committee met and voted to approve the modified state plan so that it can be submitted to the federal review panel. Each partner agency will now upload their portion of the plan into the federal portal, and then we wait for feedback or questions. You can view a copy of SC's state plan here.
Check out the PowerPoint Presentation
Legislative Updates
Employment First Initiative Act
This bill, H. 3244, passed both the senate and the house last session. It is currently in conference committee because there was an amendment that was added on the senate floor. The amendment has now been dropped because the House of Representatives did not want it included. Once the committee reconvenes, the bill will go over to the Governor’s office to be signed. We plan to have a signing ceremony and our Coalition partners will be invited as well those who will be members of the Employment First Task Force!
Subminimum Wage
This bill, S. 533, is in the Labor, Commerce, and Industry (LCI) Committee, that Representative Sandifer of Oconee County oversees. He was vocal about his opposition to this bill at first. Along with Senator Katrina Shealy, we have been providing additional education and resources to Rep. Sandifer and the House of Representatives. We are confident that we will be able to gain his support for this bill. There will be a committee meeting coming up later in March or April and we will keep the Coalition up to date on its progress.
Take action to support these bills by reaching out to your legislators using the action alerts below!
Take Action to support H. 3244!
Take Action to support S. 533!
SCDEC Workgroup Updates
It is not too late to join a workgroup! Please read more about our current workgroups below and reach out to the appropriate contact if you are interested or have questions.
Transition Workgroup: A transition workgroup has been established to address gaps and barriers identified by the group and through daily work as it pertains to youth with disabilities gaining competitive, integrated employment during and after high school that can be addressed with resource creation or advocacy. The group is currently focusing on Career and Technical Education (CTE).
- Meetings are the 3rd Wednesday of the month, from 2:30-3:30 PM via Google Meet. The next meeting will be Wednesday, April 20th, @ 2:30 PM.
- For more information, please contact Paige Winget at pwinget@able-sc.org.
Benefits Workshop Workgroup: The purpose of this workgroup will be to work on outreach for the Disability Benefits & Employment workshops and to review surveys to see if we need to make any changes to the events.
- Meetings are the 2nd Tuesday of the month, from 1:00-2:00 PM via Zoom. The next meeting will be Tuesday, April 12th, @ 1:00 PM.
- For more information, please contact Melissa Snyder at msnyder@able-sc.org.
Employment Myths Factsheet Workgroup: This group is working on a factsheet to dispel commonly held myths about working as a person with a disability. This fact sheet is from the perspective of people with disabilities designed for people with disabilities. Since the factsheet is being developed by people with disabilities, you must identify as a person with a disability to join this workgroup.
- Meetings are the 4th Thursday of the month, from 2:00-3:00 PM via Google Meet. The next meeting is Thursday, April 28, @ 2:00 PM.
- For more information, please contact Annie Foster at afoster@able-sc.org.
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