49-9-2.1. Employment First Policy; operation.

The board shall advise the Governor, General Assembly, and state agencies as to the adoption and integration of a policy that recognizes that competitive integrated employment is the first and preferred option of all state funded services provided to working age individuals with disabilities. Such policy shall be known as the Employment First Policy or Employment First.#

The board shall have the following powers, duties, and responsibilities with respect to the Employment First Policy provided for in subsection (a) of this Code section:#

1. (1)

   Develop an Employment First training plan for providers of services to individuals with disabilities;#

2. (2)

   Conduct educational activities to increase awareness of the Employment First Policy;#

3. (3)

   Evaluate the funding mechanism for services in this state for individuals with disabilities and for students attending inclusive postsecondary institutions; and#

4. (4)

   Make recommendations in a biannual report to the Governor and the General Assembly with regard to issues and necessary steps surrounding the adoption and implementation of the Employment First Policy, including, but not limited to:#

   1. (A)

      Proposed legislative or administrative changes to policies and programs that are integral to the full implementation of the Employment First Policy;#

   2. (B)

      Proposed changes to or creation of funding mechanisms and other initiatives for services in this state for individuals with disabilities and for students attending inclusive postsecondary institutions; and#

   3. (C)

      State-wide best practices to ensure that providers of services in this state for individuals with disabilities are facilitating competitive integrated employment in the workforce.#