Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) today announced the launch of a new program through its Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), leveraging a $14 million federal grant to assist Pennsylvanians with disabilities earning a subminimum wage obtain competitive, integrated employment (CIE).

The new Integrated Vocational Engagement & Support Team (InVEST) program builds on PA’s commitment to uphold and advance Employment First. InVEST aims to eliminate some of the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities working in sheltered workshops, which typically pay people with disabilities subminimum wage and are often segregated from the greater community. InVEST will empower participants to pursue competitive wages through economically stable career paths by facilitating the transition from subminimum wage positions to CIE.

From OVR:

Hello SE Providers!

• Compensated at or above minimum wage and comparable to the customary rate paid by the employer to employees without disabilities performing similar duties and with similar training and experience.
• The Individual receives the same level of benefits provided to other employees without disabilities in similar positions; at a location where the employee interacts with other individuals without disabilities; and presents opportunities for advancement similar to other employees without disabilities in other positions.

Please see the attached informational flyer for several upcoming ACRE Basic Training sessions.  All are welcome to join!  Please direct all questions to the contact listed on the flyer.

Below is the information from the September Provider Supported Employment Office Hours.  This email includes:

• Office Hours PowerPoint
• Ticket to Work EN Opportunity PowerPoint
• Links that were provided in the Chat
• Request for Application (RFA) | The Work Site | SSA
• 2021 Payments at a Glance (ssa.gov)
• Becoming an EN | Ticket to Work (ssa.gov)
• Find Help - Search Results - Ticket to Work - Social Security (ssa.gov)
• Employer Identification Number (EIN):
• Obtain from the Internal Revenue Service. Call 800-829-4933 or
• Visit www.irs.gov.
• System for Award Management (SAM) registration:
• Register for free at www.sam.gov
• Brittany Boyd email [email protected]
• [email protected]

Please see the informational flyer for ACRE Basic Training sessions that can be scheduled with Bucks IU. Please direct all questions to the contact listed on the flyer.

The October class will be October 16-18, and it is in person or virtual.  Bucks IU is also able to schedule in your agency location if you have 5 or more participants.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy recognizes National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) every October to celebrate and highlight contributions people with disabilities make to America’s workplaces. 

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is pleased to announce the release of the 2022-2023 Employment First report. ODP believes that all people with an intellectual disability and/or autism must be encouraged to pursue their vision for an everyday life, which may include working in competitive integrated employment. Competitive integrated employment offers a person an opportunity to achieve economic independence, build self-confidence, enhance self-determination, and meet new people while building new skills. The Everyday Lives: Values in Action publication, developed by the ODP Information Sharing and Advisory Committee (ISAC) which includes self-advocates, reads, “Employment is a centerpiece of adulthood and must be available for every person. The benefits of employment for people with disabilities are significant and are the same as for people without disabilities.” This report serves as an update to all stakeholders on the progress that has been made to support individuals served by ODP on finding and maintaining competitive integrated employment.

Access the 2022-2023 Employment First report by clicking here. This document can also be found by visiting the MyODP Employment Home page.

Message from OVR:

As you all know, OVR has resumed their Supported Employment Office Hours. They are held once per month for the providers, and then also once per month for OVR staff.