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MDCH to Host Town Hall Meetings on Employment Services for the Disabled

September 13, 2010

LANSING - The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) and the Employment Services Leadership Council comprised of 14 consumers, advocates, business leaders and individuals representing state agencies are hosting a series of six town hall meetings across the state to gather input on a proposed strategic plan to coordinate employment services for people with disabilities.

"The goal of the strategic plan is to reduce barriers and improve employment opportunities for persons with disabilities," said MDCH Director Janet Olszewski. "The Employment Services Leadership Council has been working on this proposed plan for several months and now we are asking the public to share their thoughts and ideas on the plan."

The draft strategic plan proposes a series of activities that will help address five priorities to increase employment for people with disabilities. The five priorities include:

- Engaging employers/employer awareness;

- Improving employment outcomes for school-to-work transitions;

- Improving training for all stakeholder groups;

- Improving data services for tracking employment outcomes; and

- Improving transportation services.

The first town hall meeting will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 16 at the Hyatt Place Utica located at 45400 Park Avenue in Utica. Future locations include Detroit, Saginaw, Grand Rapids, Marquette and Lansing. Members of the general public interested in the strategic plan including community leaders, advocacy groups, education experts, mental health groups and rehabilitation and human services agencies are invited to review the plan and attend the meetings.