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.

 

Judy DotzmanAndrea Consigny, Co-Chair

Division Director of Employment Services and Community Connections
SPIN, Inc.
[email protected]

Andrea Consigny is the Division Director of Employment Services and Community Connections at SPIN serving the Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley regions.  Andrea holds a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership from Arcadia University, CESP and ACRE Certification.  She is an active board member of PA APSE and enjoys the opportunity to connect with other professionals, share strategies, and implement practices for advancing the mission of Employment First. SPIN has a successful record of providing transition, employment, and benefit counseling services to adolescents and adults with a variety of intellectual, developmental, and autism spectrum disabilities.  Andrea currently leads a highly effective and dynamic team to support over 300 individuals as they achieve their personal goals, develop meaningful relationships, obtain employment, and enjoy a life of possibilities. Andrea launched SPIN's People First Technology initiative which provides technology, training, and resources needed to enhance digital literacy skills and create opportunities for people to engage in meaningful activities more independently in their home and community. SPIN is deeply committed to engaging families through family-first experiences and opportunities as their voices and perspectives enhance the services we provide. Andrea leads SPIN Family Connections, gatherings that provide an opportunity for families to connect, share resources, and build a community together.

 

Gabriella Egan, CESP, WIP-C, Co-Chair

Director of Employment Services
Altec - A Division of Access Services
[email protected]

Gabriella is the Director of Employment Services at Access Services, providing employment supports to individuals with disabilities throughout Montgomery, Bucks, and Lehigh counties. She has worked in employment services since 2013 and has become an active participant in the Employment Coalitions in Lehigh and Bucks Counties. She helped to create and now oversees Access’ Employment Transition Program, which aims to bridge the gap between day programs and employment services. In 2019, Gabriella joined the board for The Arc Alliance. She is the current Board Secretary. She is a Certified Employment Support Professional (CESP) and a Work Incentive Practitioner (WIP). Prior to working in this field, Gabriella earned her bachelor’s degree from Ithaca College and served two years as an Americorps volunteer.