1(1) 2SHORT TITLE.4-5This section may be cited as the “Employment First Act.”
15(2) 16LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT.20-21The Legislature finds that employment is the most direct and cost-effective means to assist an individual in achieving independence and fulfillment; however, individuals with disabilities are confronted by unique barriers to employment which inhibit their opportunities to compete fairly in the labor force. It is the intent of the Legislature to provide a framework for a long-term commitment to improving employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities in this state through the implementation of this act.
96(3) 97PURPOSE.98-99The purpose of this act is to prioritize employment of individuals with disabilities and to change the employment system to better integrate individuals with disabilities into the workforce. This act encourages a collaborative effort between state agencies and organizations to achieve better employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
147(4) 148INTERAGENCY COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT.151-152The following state agencies and organizations, and others, as appropriate, shall develop an interagency cooperative agreement to implement this act:172(a) 173The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation of the Department of Education.
183(b) 184The Division of Blind Services of the Department of Education.
194(c) 195The Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services of the Department of Education.
208(d) 209The Agency for Persons with Disabilities.
215(e) 216The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Program Office of the Department of Children and Families.
231(f) 232The Department of Economic Opportunity.
237(g) 238CareerSource Florida, Inc.
241(h) 242The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council.
247(i) 248The Florida Association of Rehabilitation Facilities.
254(j) 255Other appropriate organizations.
258(5) 259ROLES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND OBJECTIVES.263-264The interagency cooperative agreement must identify the roles and responsibilities of the state agencies and organizations identified in subsection (4) and the objectives of the interagency cooperative agreement, which must include all of the following:299(a) 300Establishing a commitment by leadership of the state agencies and organizations to maximize resources and coordination to improve employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities who seek publicly funded services.
329(b) 330Developing strategic goals and benchmarks to assist the state agencies and organizations in the implementation of this agreement.
348(c) 349Identifying financing and contracting methods that will help to prioritize employment for individuals with disabilities by state agencies and organizations.
369(d) 370Establishing training methods to better integrate individuals with disabilities into the workforce.
382(e) 383Ensuring collaborative efforts between multiple agencies to achieve the purposes of this act.
396(f) 397Promoting service innovations to better assist individuals with disabilities in the workplace.
409(g) 410Identifying accountability measures to ensure the sustainability of this agreement.
