The Spokane City Council adopts a resolution in support of the City's new Supported Employment Program.
Jake Fraley, 509.625.6715
Wednesday, March 6, 2019 at 9:40 a.m.
The Spokane City Council voted 7-0 on Monday night to adopt a resolution in support of the City and the Civil Service Commission’s new Supported Employment Program. The program, which the Mayor announced in January, will expand City employment opportunities for people with disabilities. As part of the program, the Civil Service Commission, in consultation with the City’s Human Resources Department, is amending its rules and hiring processes to allow for supported employment opportunities. Specifically, the Commission’s testing process for potential applicants will be amended to ensure fairness for those with disabilities applying for certain City positions.
“I initially approached our Human Resources Department last year to advocate for the creation of a supported employment program at the City,” said Council Member Lori Kinnear, who sponsored the resolution. “I was greatly gratified to know that discussion contributed to the creation of this program,” she said, “because every citizen willing to use his or her unique skills in service to our community should have a fair opportunity to find public employment.”
With the unemployment rate for people with disabilities being historically higher than that for non-disabled persons, the Supportive Employment Program aims to create a model for increasing supported employment opportunities throughout the Spokane community. Those eligible for the program who submit a completed City employment application will be added to an applicant pool until an appropriate vacancy opens.
All Supported Employment Program employees will have a job coach. This coach will provide support for the employee as needed. In addition, Civil Services will provide training to City supervisors and employees in the work group the employee will be entering.
