Regional Business Initiatives
Let VESID find the right person for your job opening! Using VESID can save your business money in the hiring/training process through our popular financial incentive programs.
Contact your Regional Marketing Representatives for employers and service providers.
Learn more about the specific services VESID can provide employers.
The Long Island Working Partnership, a VESID consortium celebrated its 24th National Disability Employment Awareness Month event at the beautiful Carlyle on-the-Green Bethpage State Park. The main sponsors of the event Rosicki, Rosicki, and Associates, p.c., Telephonics, and CVS/Parmacy have strong connection to the rehabilitation community.
Sixteen businesses from Long Island and Queens were nominated as having exemplary hiring track record. Many of the employees with disabilities working at these businesses have been there on average of 4 - 7 years. Many have been promoted. Many do not require any additional on the job supports due to excellent natural supports in the workplace. Five regional runner ups include: Talecris Biotherapeutics, Inc., North Shore/LIJ Health System, Taco Bell, Goodman Marks Association, and PJ's Court House Cafe.
Susan Somerville, Executive Director, North Shore University Hospital keynoted the event. As Executive Director, she is responsible for the daily operations of an 859-bed facility that supports approximately 2700 specialist and sub-specialist physicians, clinical service lines and corresponding support staff. In her speech Ms. Somerville liked a hospital to a city with its vast array of jobs and many opportunities for growth. Disability is a familiar concept to Ms. Somerville who has a child with cerebral palsy. The keynote address came from the heart and was extremely well received.
Joan Fennel, the owner of Bella Limousine spoke about her many challenges over the years. Due to unforeseen events Joan had to change course many times in her professional life. She talked about the value of work and how it felt to have VESID believe in her ability and support her goal.
The message for the nominees was to continue with their involvement with community rehabilitation agencies by becoming active members of Long Island Working Partnership. The partnership facilitates flow of information between business, community agencies, and government.
Pictures from the National Disability Employment Awareness Month event
Long Island Working Partnership
Business, Government and Community Agencies Working Together to Enhance Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities
"The
Most Qualified Workers for Employers"
"The Highest
Quality Careers for Consumers"
History
The Long Island Working Partnership was established in 1992. VESID, working with business leaders, government partners, and stakeholding community service providers joined to systematically assess the needs and growth patterns of the business community and match them with an otherwise underutilized resource: qualified individuals with disabilities.
Workforce Development
The focus was on planning to access the emerging needs of business and industry with a workforce of qualified workers with disabilities. These individuals have the highest unemployment rate of any minority group, due to both attitudinal and architectural barriers to employment. The mission/challenge is to assist these workers to prepare for and access the opportunities presented by the emerging needs of business. This is accomplished by simplifying the access of business to the resources they need, linking them to community partners and one stop service initiatives.
As such it was developed as, and still is, a human service initiative, a workforce development initiative and an economic development initiative.
Stakeholders
- The founding government agencies were Vocational and Eductional Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID), Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped (CBVH), Empire State Development (ESD) and Department of Labor (DOL). Many others joined from federal, state and local entities.
- Business partners include representatives of key industries on the region such as aerospace, healthcare, pharmaceutical, law, retail, and staffing agencies.
- Community stakeholders include representatives of community vocational rehabilitation agencies and independent living centers.
- The partnership functions as a resource for the rehabilitation community and business. The rehabilitation community builds on its awareness of industry needs and business receives up to date information on incentives, technical assistance, and on the job support.
Economic Outcomes
- On average 2,000 qualified new workers enter the Long Island labor market each year
- Since 1992 over 17,000 Long Islanders with disabilities have entered the labor market!
- Each year these individuals earn well over $20,000,000 and reduce public assistance by over $2,000,000.
- Over the past three years over 100 employers have been awarded and recognized by the Long Island Community for their success in hiring workers for disabilities.