Employment First CommitteePAR's Employment First Committee is composed of providers and state agencies who oversee Employment First initiatives. Members work together to address how people with intellectual disability and autism can gain and hold onto employment in integrated settings at or above the minimum wage. The committee is also involved with promoting PA Employment First legislation and public policy, including encouraging the state and its contractors to achieve 7% employment goals of people with disabilities within its own ranks. Maggie Dimitriadis, ChairDirector, Intellectual Disability Services Maggie has worked supporting individuals with Intellectual Disabilities at the Barber National Institute since 1988 and has held numerous positions over the past 33 years. For the past 14 years, Maggie has held Director and Associate Director positions. In these positions she has been heavily involved in programs related to Community Integrated Employment. Currently, she holds a Director position of Intellectual Disability Services supervising the Supported Employment Service program, the Small Group Employment Transition Program, the Club Erie (100% Community Participation) Program, and a Licensed CPS facility in Girard, PA. Prior to this, she held an Associate Director position and supervised Supported Employment Services, Small Group Employment Transition Programs, Club Erie (100% Community Participation) Programs, a Licensed CPS facility in Girard, PA, the Lifesharing Program, and the Supported Living Program. In these positions Maggie has led the development of agreements with funding sources, participated in various provider employment coalitions, and submitted public comment on new policies or services whether from the Office of Vocation Rehabilitation or the Office of Developmental Programs. Most recently, she submitted unique transportation assessment services to OVR, contracted with OVR to provide Pre-ETS Independent and Group Services and the Project SEARCH program, and partnered with Erie County, OVR, the Erie School District and Saint Vincent Hospital. Maggie is a strong advocate for the Small Group Employment Transition to Work program; Community Participation Services, which have employment goals as well as wrap around services for those who are employed; and Barber's highly successful Supported Employment Program.
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