“Impacting Employment Outcomes” Employer Campaign and Job Development in Washington State Cathy Sacco Monica McDaniels Washington Initiative for Supported Employment (WiSe ) (206)

Promoting employment through a Statewide Employer Initiative

Charting our Future  Campaign/ Marketing committee  Research outside of Social Service Arena  Feedback  Link to National Efforts

Our Direction  Further Development and Design  Implementation outline for each Region in State  State wide Job Developer Coalition  Expanding our connections  GSI, Priority Spokane, ASTD, Leadership Connection  Evolving best practice  Hire Ability Day, Business Advisory Committee, Employer recognition awards, tool kit for business, state-wide trained supported employment professionals

Our Direction...  Diversifying our customers  Businesses are our customers, Training and CEU  Linking with Organizations  Portal to Businesses, Employer Website, WISE connected to local Business community

 2004 committee  – 12 months of prep work  Hired a PR firm  Internship > long term commitment  Message to Impact Business  Event – logo- define terminology-marketing materials “business to business”  Promotion/Sponsorship  On going funding  Evolution/Future Design

Key Components :  Yearly development  Outreach/Marketing/Sponsorship  Businesses promoting our message  Annual Event Day – (7 th Annual)  Follow up connection * Speakers Bureau pilot

Event Day  October  – National Disability Awareness month  Keynote  Business that employs people with Developmental Disabilities  Honorary Co chairs  2 year commitment – rotation  A large business  A small Business  Success Stories  Individuals with developmental Disabilities  Morning on the Job  New employers  Individuals looking for work  Vendor/provider agency support

Media  Hire Ability Day Website:   HAD video – CM-TV 

National Campaign “Think Beyond the Label”  ODEP Connecting – statewide effort  Messaging  Consistency  State specific outreach  Local communities  Local businesses  State Trained Professional  Job Developers and Coaches 

Pilot: Local Speakers Bureau  Who:  Major Bank  Insurance Brokerage Firm  Hospital/Health System  Digital Imaging Firm  Major Grocery Business  Local Small Business  Local Hair Salon

We Are Bridging the Gap ….  GSI breakfast meetings  GSI – quarterly topic sessions  Leadership Spokane  – annual business meeting  Priority Spokane  Leadership Connection  Cooperative with 4 area Universities  Outreach with Information/Education opportunities  Topic Breakfast mini trainings  Kiwanis  Rotary  ASTD  Downtown Leadership CORE