News and notes from Imagine! and the Imagine! Foundation.

Employment First Series: Part 1 of 3

Jul-13-2021

Services

This week we are joined by Kim Cortes, Imagine!'s Director of Community and Employment Services. In this article, she breaks down what Employment First is and where it began.

Employment First legislation was passed in Colorado in 2014, and Employment First efforts have been underway nationally since the early 2000s, with many states passing legislation as early as 2009. It’s been seven years, but we are still in the early phases of the cultural transition necessary to fully embrace Employment First as a state. I thought I would take some time over the coming months to talk to you all about Employment First: what it means, why it matters, and how we’re working to build an Employment First culture at Imagine!. In Part 1, we’re focusing on the basics.

What is “Employment First”?

The term “Employment First” is a statement that employment is the first and preferred outcome for all individuals, regardless of level of disabilities. It is meant to reflect the belief & value that everyone is capable of full inclusion in the workforce and of working in Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE). As a policy, it represents the commitment to engage in the systems and cultural changes necessary to achieve this vision.

What is Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE)?

CIE is the foundation of Employment First. It refers to work that:

Is compensated at or above minimum wage and at a rate comparable to the customary rate paid by the employer to employees without disabilities performing similar duties and with similar training and experience;
Provides the same level of benefits provided to other employees without disabilities in similar positions. This could include anything from an in-store discount to health insurance to stock options and profit share (For real! I once knew a participant who was set to retire as a millionaire);
Takes place at a location where the employee interacts with other individuals without disabilities to the same extent that someone in the same or similar position would have the opportunity to engage with others; and
Presents opportunities for advancement similar to other employees without disabilities in similar positions.