Increased Value for Businesses: An Example of an Revitalized Advisory Committee December 13 th, 2011 Robert Mendes M.Ed., Director, JVS Boston

JVS Boston Boston, MA Community Based Organization Over 71 years in existence Area’s Largest Workforce Development Our mission is to empower individuals from diverse communities to find employment and build careers, and to partner with employers to hire, develop, and retain productive workforces.

My Role at JVS Director of Disability and Support Services Oversee, manage, and coordinate: Intake, Assessment, Skills Training, Job Search/Job Readiness, Job Development, Placement and Follow Along Supports Vendor to State Vocational Rehabilitation Commission, Mass. Commission for the Blind, and Department of Developmental Services 2 Programs that serve the Jewish Community: Youth Transitions to Work (18-30) and Connections (adults all ages) Individual Financial Development Acoounts CVS Learning Center Training program Over 500 individuals with disabilities served annually (agency-wide)

Our Philosophy Number One: Employers are the customer-show them value Speak their language, help them with their needs, don’t be too much of an advocate for your programmatic/agency needs Employers are the gateway to participant and program success Employers have the need to hire, promote, and retain skilled & successful employees Employers value a venue to network with each other Employers value a forum where they can learn and openly ask questions around disabilities/persons with barriers and hiring Employers have personal, professional, legal, and public relations interests in hiring persons with disabilities and/or doing the right thing in general

WHY DO WE DO THIS? Increase agency presence in business community Knowledge of business mindset, needs, trends, and markets Create Connections to other businesses Identify employment possibilities and skills required Identify the skills necessary to perform the jobs and careers identified and find ways to prepare participants Programmatic and client specific advice/guidance, mock/informational interviews, etc. Market agency participants and services MORE PLACEMENTS!

WHY WE ALSO DO THIS- - Education of employers: Culture/Attitude change-Dispel Myths Opportunity to change the workplace culture around hiring persons w/ disabilities Introduce concepts of accommodations and job carving/sharing Disability Education/Etiquette Let them ask questions they’re afraid to ask

BAC HISTORY Created as a requirement of Projects with Industry Grant Disability Employment Program (Federal Dept. of Ed. and Rehab. Services) I became program coordinator in 2009 Program and BAC struggling Failure to meet goal of 44 placement/retentions BAC not vibrant/active, attendance down, membership low, mostly CBO’s

REVITALIZATION GOALS Create value for members Increase member participation/attendance Increase contribution of members Increase number of Business/Employer members Increase visibility of JVS programs Increase awareness of disability hiring laws, incentives, and best practices Change business culture around hiring persons living with disabilities

ACTION STEPS Increase member value by: Offering more networking time Providing large and small scale educational seminars and trainings Increase program participant interaction Increase entire program team participation Solicit advice rather than report on program

ACTION STEPS II Make meetings meaningful Solicit and act on member feedback Deliver value and FOLLOW UP Invite them to visit agency Introduce them to the clients Give them something meaningful to do Ask them to recruit colleagues

Examples: Small scale, member led, members only trainings (social media, disability etiquette, criminal background checks) Meetings devoted to sharing hiring practices (background checks, resume/cover, online apps, etc.) Yearly large scale events open to public, then only employers (hiring law changes, background checks) Use all events to promote new BAC membership & Agency Use all events to promote workplace culture change regarding job seekers w/ disabilities or barriers

RESULTS: REVITALIZED BAC Increased member participation & attendance Increased number of business members 30% Series of educational seminars and trainings increases agency visibility and attracts new members

RESULTS and UPDATE Program defunded, members want to carry on New program for youth employer based Businesses approaching agency to increase disability hiring New model being developed to grow with changing business and program funding climate