Wilson Resources, Inc. The Best Social Program is a Job! SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T Turning Diversity into Dollars
Introduction Where would the world be without the contributions of people with disabilities? Sir Winston Churchill Annie Sullivan Pythagoras James Earl Jones Stephen Hawking 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
Wilson Resources, Inc. Florida’s Local Business Leadership Networks SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T 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
Business Leadership Networks The purpose of the BLNs is to create awareness of the skills and abilities of workers with disabilities through the organization of an SI SINGLE employer-to-employer FACE OF network. GOV’T Turning Diversity into Dollars
Business Leadership Networks BLN Mission Statement The Business Leadership Network educates and encourages employers to recruit, hire, train and retain employees with disabilities SI SINGLE as part of promoting good business practices. FACE OF GOV’T Turning Diversity into Dollars
Business Leadership Networks 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 SI SINGLE and more BLNs were organized. Funding FACE OF was also received from Workforce Florida. GOV’T BLNs have been funded by WRI for more than 2 years. Turning Diversity into Dollars
Business Leadership Networks The BLNs are affiliated with The Able Trust’s Statewide Florida BLN and And The United States BLN SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T Turning Diversity into Dollars
Business Leadership Networks Staff support is provided by Wilson Resources, Inc. SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T Turning Diversity into Dollars
Business Leadership Networks 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) SINGLE SI Steinmart FACE OF CSX Holland and Knight Law Firm GOV’T Home Depot Publix Grocery Stores Florida State University Turning Diversity into Dollars
Business Leadership Networks 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 SINGLE SI 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 FACE OF Work with the local BLNs 2007 Holland and Knight Law Firm Won USBLN Employer of the Year for its work GOV’T 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 Turning Diversity into Dollars
Business Leadership Networks BLN Three-Part Initiative Based on Annual Survey Results: Educate BLN Employer Members Educate Other Employers in the SI SINGLE FACE OF Community GOV’T Encourage Employment, and Organize Internships and Mentoring Opportunities Turning Diversity into Dollars
Business Leadership Networks BLN Activities to Achieve Goals: Quarterly Educational Meetings Workshops and Presentations, Including Best Practices Training Events with SHRM and Chambers of Commerce SINGLE SI Customized Training at Employers’ Worksites FACE OF Creating Mentoring Opportunities - DMD GOV’T BLN’s Paid Internship Initiative – No Risk Opportunity Disability Friendly Business Certification Program Turning Diversity into Dollars
Paid Internship Program 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 SI SINGLE with a disability. BLN pays the employer; FACE OF the employer pays the intern. GOV’T Program Funding: Able Trust, Workforce Florida, Private Fund Raising Turning Diversity into Dollars
Paid Internship Program BLN Activities to Achieve Goals: BLN’s Paid Internship Initiative If the employer has a hiring freeze, Kelly Services handles the payroll with a SI SINGLE slight up charge. FACE OF Kelly is active with the BLNs. GOV’T Program Funding: Able Trust, Workforce Florida, Private Fund Raising Turning Diversity into Dollars
Paid Internship Program 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. SI SINGLE The employer interviews the job seekers and makes a choice. FACE OF Employer pays the intern between minimum wage and $15/hour GOV’T Employer provides an evaluation and a one page invoice. Employer is reimbursed for 240 hours, plus 7.65% payroll taxes. Turning Diversity into Dollars
Paid Internship Program BLN Activities to Achieve Goals: BLN’s Paid Internship Initiative Interns benefit because now they have: PAID Work Experience in nontraditional SI SINGLE worksites – new opportunities FACE OF A resume GOV’T References Possibly a job at this workplace or another Turning Diversity into Dollars
Paid Internship Program BLN Activities to Achieve Goals: BLN’s Paid Internship Initiative Statewide: 123 Interns Total Cost: $ 283,445 SI SINGLE Average Cost Per Intern: $ 2,304* FACE OF GOV’T Number Interns Hired: 30 or 24.4% * Does not include administrative costs. Turning Diversity into Dollars
Paid Internship Program BLN Activities to Achieve Goals: BLN’s Paid Internship Initiative – Types of Jobs Office/Clerical/Document Imaging Magazine/Newspaper/Film Production Company SINGLE SI Law Firms FACE OF Retail Mechanical GOV’T Hospital/Nursing Home/Charitable Organizations Restaurants Child Care/Camp Assistant Turning Diversity into Dollars
BCBSF 2009 Internship program “The culture at BCBS is changing with every SI SINGLE BLN intern we place. It is such a pleasure to FACE OF know that we've been able to place quality, GOV’T skilled individuals within many of our departments…” ….BCBSF Management Turning Diversity into Dollars
BCBSF 2009 Internship program “…We've placed individuals in our Membership & Billing Department; Human Resources; Finance; Shipping & Receiving; Contact/Customer Service; SI SINGLE Delivery System; Worker's Compensation (OptaComp); Marketing Communication; FACE OF and Service Training.” GOV’T -- BCBSF Management Turning Diversity into Dollars
The Bottom Line The Best Social Program is a Job SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T Turning Diversity into Dollars
Business Leadership Networks BLN Activities to Achieve Goals: Disability Friendly Business Certification By Business for Business – Website: www.nationalctc.com SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T Turning Diversity into Dollars
Business Leadership Networks BLN Activities to Achieve Goals: Disability Friendly Business Certification By Business for Business – Website: www.nationalctc.com, Supported by HR Florida State Council SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T Turning Diversity into Dollars
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