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Turning Diversity into Dollars

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

The Best Social Program is a

Job!

Wilson Resources, Inc.

Turning Diversity into Dollars

Introduction

Where would the world be without the contributions

• f people with disabilities?

Stephen Hawking

Sir Winston Churchill James Earl Jones Annie Sullivan Pythagoras

Turning Diversity into Dollars

Introduction

There are more than 18,000,000 Americans with disabilities of working age, 18 through 64. It is estimated that more than two-thirds of these potential workers are unemployed.

Source: U.S. Census American Community Survey 2008

Turning Diversity into Dollars

Introduction

In employment we have two customers and they are equally important:

• 1. Employers are the

Demand Side of your Business

• 2. Job Seekers are the

Supply Side of Your Business

Turning Diversity into Dollars

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

Florida’s Local Business Leadership Networks

Wilson Resources, Inc.

Turning Diversity into Dollars

Introduction

A 2002 Florida survey of 522 people with disabilities highlighted impediments to work:

• 1. Transportation
• 2. Employer Attitudes
• 3. Fear of Losing SSA Benefits

Survey conducted by Wilson Resources, Inc. for the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council

Turning Diversity into Dollars

Introduction

The 2007, 2008 and 2009 surveys of 351 Florida BLN employers found that the number one impediment to the employment of people with disabilities, at all corporate levels, was:

“Attitudes”

Survey conducted by Wilson Resources, Inc.

Turning Diversity into Dollars

Introduction

The 2008 and 2009Florida BLN surveys highlighted “hiring managers” &“front-line staff” as most concerned about hiring workers with disabilities.

Survey conducted by Wilson Resources, Inc.

Turning Diversity into Dollars

Introduction

Employers were asked what they would recommend to overcome the attitudinal barrier:

• 1. Training, Training, Training - internal & external
• 2. Exposure to people with disabilities in workplaces
• 3. Information on employer best practices

Survey conducted by Wilson Resources, Inc.

Turning Diversity into Dollars

Business Leadership Networks

Florida’s Local BLNs

Turning Diversity into Dollars

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

The purpose of the BLNs is to create awareness of the skills and abilities of workers with disabilities through the

• rganization of an

employer-to-employer network. Business Leadership Networks

Turning Diversity into Dollars

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

BLN Mission Statement

The Business Leadership Network educates and encourages employers to recruit, hire, train and retain employees with disabilities as part of promoting good business practices.

Business Leadership Networks

Turning Diversity into Dollars

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

WRI started the first 3 BLNs in 2006 with funding from the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council. Funding was shifted to the Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities through its MIG for 2 years and more BLNs were organized. Funding was also received from Workforce Florida. BLNs have been funded by WRI for more than 2 years.

Business Leadership Networks

Turning Diversity into Dollars

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

The BLNs are affiliated with The Able Trust’s Statewide Florida BLN and And The United States BLN Business Leadership Networks

Turning Diversity into Dollars

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

Staff support is provided by Wilson Resources, Inc. Business Leadership Networks

Turning Diversity into Dollars

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

BLN Members You Would Recognize:

We have more than 500 Local Florida BLN Members

• Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida – Statewide Champion
• Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta (Jacksonville)
• Steinmart
• CSX
• Holland and Knight Law Firm
• Home Depot
• Publix Grocery Stores
• Florida State University

Business Leadership Networks

Turning Diversity into Dollars

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

Local Florida BLN Awards & Recognition

• 2005 Miami Dade BLN Won the United States BLN Chapter of the Year Award
• 2005 EEOC named Florida’s local BLNs a model public/private partnership
• 2006 Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities won USBLN Partner of the Year for

Funding the Local BLNs

• 2006 Comcast Cable won USBLN Employer of the Year for its work with the Big

Bend BLN

• 2007 Big Bend BLN Won 2007 Florida BLN Chapter of the Year
• 2007 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Won Florida Employer of the Year for its

Work with the local BLNs

• 2007 Holland and Knight Law Firm Won USBLN Employer of the Year for its work

with the local BLNs2008 First Coast BLN Received the USBLN “Chapter of the Year Award”

• 2009 Wilson Resources, Inc. Received USBLN “Partner of the Year Award” for

Developing and Staffing Local Florida BLNs

Business Leadership Networks

Turning Diversity into Dollars

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

BLN Three-Part Initiative Based

• n Annual Survey Results:
• Educate BLN Employer Members
• Educate Other Employers in the

Community

• Encourage Employment, and Organize

Internships and Mentoring Opportunities

Business Leadership Networks

Turning Diversity into Dollars

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

BLN Activities to Achieve Goals:

• Quarterly Educational Meetings
• Workshops and Presentations, Including Best Practices
• Training Events with SHRM and Chambers of Commerce
• Customized Training at Employers’ Worksites
• Creating Mentoring Opportunities - DMD
• BLN’s Paid Internship Initiative – No Risk Opportunity
• Disability Friendly Business Certification Program

Business Leadership Networks

Turning Diversity into Dollars

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

BLN Activities to Achieve Goals: BLN’s Paid Internship Initiative Employers are reimbursed for 240 hours plus 7.65% payroll taxes when they hire an intern with a disability. BLN pays the employer; the employer pays the intern.

Program Funding: Able Trust, Workforce Florida, Private Fund Raising

Paid Internship Program

Turning Diversity into Dollars

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

BLN Activities to Achieve Goals: BLN’s Paid Internship Initiative If the employer has a hiring freeze, Kelly Services handles the payroll with a slight up charge. Kelly is active with the BLNs.

Program Funding: Able Trust, Workforce Florida, Private Fund Raising

Paid Internship Program

Turning Diversity into Dollars

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

BLN Activities to Achieve Goals: BLN’s Paid Internship Initiative Employer participation is very simple.

• The employer fills out a one page form with a brief description of

the job.

• The job opening is circulated to local service providers.
• The employer interviews the job seekers and makes a choice.
• Employer pays the intern between minimum wage and $15/hour
• Employer provides an evaluation and a one page invoice.
• Employer is reimbursed for 240 hours, plus 7.65% payroll taxes.

Paid Internship Program

Turning Diversity into Dollars

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

BLN Activities to Achieve Goals: BLN’s Paid Internship Initiative Interns benefit because now they have:

• PAID Work Experience in nontraditional

worksites – new opportunities

• A resume
• References
• Possibly a job at this workplace or another

Paid Internship Program

Turning Diversity into Dollars

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

BLN Activities to Achieve Goals:

BLN’s Paid Internship Initiative

• Statewide:

123 Interns

• Total Cost:

$ 283,445

• Average Cost Per Intern: $ 2,304*
• Number Interns Hired:

30 or 24.4%

* Does not include administrative costs.

Paid Internship Program

Turning Diversity into Dollars

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

BLN Activities to Achieve Goals:

BLN’s Paid Internship Initiative – Types of Jobs

• Office/Clerical/Document Imaging
• Magazine/Newspaper/Film Production Company
• Law Firms
• Retail
• Mechanical
• Hospital/Nursing Home/Charitable Organizations
• Restaurants
• Child Care/Camp Assistant

Paid Internship Program

Turning Diversity into Dollars

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

“The culture at BCBS is changing with every BLN intern we place. It is such a pleasure to know that we've been able to place quality, skilled individuals within many of our departments…”

BCBSF

2009 Internship program

….BCBSF Management

Turning Diversity into Dollars

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

“…We've placed individuals in our Membership & Billing Department; Human Resources; Finance; Shipping & Receiving; Contact/Customer Service; Delivery System; Worker's Compensation (OptaComp); Marketing Communication; and Service Training.”

• - BCBSF Management

BCBSF

2009 Internship program

Turning Diversity into Dollars

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

The Best Social Program is a Job

The Bottom Line

Turning Diversity into Dollars

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

BLN Activities to Achieve Goals: Disability Friendly Business Certification

By Business for Business – Website: www.nationalctc.com

Business Leadership Networks

Turning Diversity into Dollars

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

BLN Activities to Achieve Goals: Disability Friendly Business Certification

By Business for Business – Website: www.nationalctc.com, Supported by HR Florida State Council

Business Leadership Networks

Turning Diversity into Dollars

The 2009 BLN Survey found: Evaluation

Table 1. Knowledge About Hiring People with Disabilities Pre-BLN and Post-BLN Participation 6% 18% 32% 40% 4% 0% 1% 32% 12% 54% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

Very Poor Poor Fair Good Excellent

Prior to joining the BLN As a result of being a member of the BLN

Turning Diversity into Dollars

Are Employers Taking Desired Action?

The 2009 percentage was a cumulative 90% up from 46% in 2007, a 44% increase.

Evaluation

Table 2. As a Result of the BLNs I Have Done the Following:

12% 20% 21% 21% 24% 24% 25% 54% 61% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%

Other Donated funds or professional services Created new job opportunities Offered internship(s) Hired person(s) w ith a disability Provided mentoring opportunities Presented information on the BLN Referred a colleague to join the BLN Participated on the BLN

Turning Diversity into Dollars

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

BLNs Work!

The Bottom Line

Turning Diversity into Dollars

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

“I want to challenge every employer here to hire a person with disabilities this year -- and another one next year, and the year after that. This effort isn’t charity or good corporate citizenship – it’s just smart business.”

• - Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush

Conclusion

Turning Diversity into Dollars

Leslie Wilson President/CEO Wilson Resources, Inc.

1747 Amberwynd Circle West Palmetto, FL 34221 Phone: 941/729-9673 Email: lesliew@wilres.com Website: www.wilres.com Website: www.nationalctc.com

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