Employment First Committee

PAR'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, Chair

Director, Intellectual Disability Services
Barber National Institute 
[email protected]

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.

 

Judy DotzmanJudy Dotzman, Chair

Executive Director
SPIN, Inc.
[email protected]

Judy Dotzman is the Executive Director at SPIN, providing inclusive lifespan services for children and adults with Intellectual Disability and Autism. SPIN provides supports and services to over 3500 people in Philadelphia, suburban and Lehigh counties and employs over 1200 people. SPIN has been named a Top Workplace for the past seven consecutive years. Judy began in the field in direct support as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. Within her 31 years at SPIN, Judy has dedicated herself to a career providing and ensuring the highest quality, best practice services and supports. Her commitment to innovative, inclusive community service development, partnership and collaboration and to achieving nationally recognized success in the area of workforce development has been a hallmark.