First Coast Business Leadership Network (FCBLN) Promoting the Employment of People with Disabilities

2 The FCBLN is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization formed in Business Leadership Networks throughout the nation use a business-to-business strategy to promote the employment of people with disabilities. The FCBLN’s Establishment FCBLN: Promoting the Employment of People with Disabilities

3 The FCBLN is led by employers like Florida Blue, CSX, Jacksonville Aviation Authority, the Mayo Clinic, and the Federal Reserve Bank – Jacksonville Branch. Participation is limited to employers, with the service provider community represented by the Job Opportunities Consortium. The FCBLN’s Background FCBLN: Promoting the Employment of People with Disabilities

4 People with disabilities are one of Florida’s largest minority groups. There are thousands of prospective employees with disabilities looking for jobs in the greater Jacksonville area. Organizations need talent. The FCBLN: Why? It’s Simple Really... FCBLN: Promoting the Employment of People with Disabilities

5 The FCBLN works to raise awareness and remove barriers to employing people with disabilities through training and technical assistance to employers. This is consistent with the mission of the United States Business Leadership Network (USBLN) which is to embrace the full inclusion of people with disabilities in the labor force and marketplace. The FCBLN’s Role FCBLN: Promoting the Employment of People with Disabilities

6 Vision The USBLN ® works toward a world in which the US business community recognizes the contributions of people with disabilities and as a result includes them in their workplaces, supply chains, and marketplaces. USBLN ® Mission The USBLN ® mission is to help business drive performance by leveraging disability inclusion in the workplace, supply chain, and marketplace. Value Proposition The USBLN ® is a trusted advisor and the leading voice of business to business, government and the media regarding disability inclusion in the workplace, supply chain and marketplace. Values The USBLN ® bases its decisions, operations and behavior on the following core values.  Business to business collaboration. The USBLN ® executes its mission by enabling businesses to share promising and successful practices, and work with and learn from each other to create disabilities inclusive cultures in their workplaces, supply chains, and marketplaces.  Quality. The USBLN ® provides consistently high quality solutions and support that result in customer satisfaction and success. The USBLN ® selects the best people for its work, employs the best available practices, and continually pursues improvement through innovation, strategic planning, collaboration and teamwork.  Transparency. The USBLN ® operates with openness and accountability. It communicates clearly with, listens to, and encourages dialog among its members, affiliates, and other stakeholders. The USBLN ® 's finances are independently audited.  Integrity. The USBLN ® operates with honesty, ethical behavior, and responsible stewardship of all resources entrusted to it. The USBLN ® does not tolerate conflicts of interest.  Local relevance. The USBLN ® enables member companies to leverage disability inclusion at the local level.

7 USBLN Affiliates Directory For more information on the USBLN, go to

8 Education: The FCBLN has grown to over 50 member organizations whose representatives enjoy educational and interactive quarterly meetings. Part of the FCBLN’s strategy is to feature business best practices at its meetings. A sample of our educational programs includes: Understanding the ADAAA Disability Etiquette in the Workplace Assistive Technology and Accommodations Mental Health First Aid for Employers/Employees The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) The FCBLN Today: FCBLN: Promoting the Employment of People with Disabilities

9 Placement: We have also been successful in obtaining grants to fund internships for people with disabilities. For example, the FCBLN was awarded an internship grant which enabled individuals with disabilities an opportunity to gain work experience to increase their value to prospective employers and gave employers a no-risk opportunity to engage talented people with disabilities in their workplaces. Another grant focused on internships specifically for those with mental disabilities. The FCBLN Today: FCBLN: Promoting the Employment of People with Disabilities

10 Improving the “Employment Supply Chain: FCBLN employers have also served on Corporate Dialogue panels. The panels assist DVR staff and private service providers, whose mission is to help people with disabilities become employed, better understand the demand side of their business – employers. The panelists focused on explaining what employers need from service providers and candidates to create a successful employment relationship and provided candid feedback to audience questions. The FCBLN Today: FCBLN: Promoting the Employment of People with Disabilities

11 Organized with a Board of Directors composed of area business executives/representatives and a paid Strategic coordinator. Membership is no cost with various in-kind donations solicited. The FCBLN’s Structure FCBLN: Promoting the Employment of People with Disabilities

12 More recently Board and other volunteers have led the organization with no paid staff. However, this is unusual among BLN Affiliates and growth, especially as the economy improves and companies increase hiring, may drive a strategic decision to utilize paid professionals. The FCBLN’s Structure FCBLN: Promoting the Employment of People with Disabilities

13 The FCBLN holds an annual strategic planning meeting. Plans are likely to include an increased emphasis on expanding membership to include a greater number of government contractors and helping them comply with Section 503. The FCBLN’s Future FCBLN: Promoting the Employment of People with Disabilities

14 Further, as the economy improves and area employers increase hiring, an even greater emphasis may be put on facilitating and measuring the employment and retention of people with disabilities, in addition to employer education. The FCBLN’s Future FCBLN: Promoting the Employment of People with Disabilities

15 The FCBLN is eager to work with others who want to become part of our BLN Affiliate. Key Contacts: The FCBLN: Contact Us President: Bryan Long Customer Service Manager Jacksonville Aviation Authority Vice President: Esther Bullard Sr. Business Development Mgr. Kelly Services Treasurer: Rosemary McMullen Director, Consulting Staff Services Human Resources Mayo Clinic Immediate Past Pres.: Chris Oakley Vice President & Regional Executive Federal Reserve Bank-Jacksonville Br FCBLN: Promoting the Employment of People with Disabilities

Board of Directors John Wagner (Past President) Walgreens Mark Aston Mission Critical Systems Kathleen Miller Florida Blue Angela Pracher Florida Blue Kara Tucker UNF Chris Stampfli Convergys John Barry Florida Blue Strategic Support Barb Klingler