The Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment and Minister Responsible for Persons with Disabilities, recently joined the Newfoundland and Labrador Association for Community Living (NLACL), community-based supported employment agencies, families, and self-advocates to proclaim February as Supported Employment Awareness Month.

"This month�s theme Making It Work highlights the message that in Newfoundland and Labrador, persons with developmental disabilities with support from community and Provincial Government, are making supported employment work in our province," said Minister Skinner. "The Provincial Government has an allocation of $4.5 million this year for the job trainer component of the Supported Employment Program."

The Supported Employment Program assists individuals with developmental disabilities acquire supports to pursue, obtain and maintain paid employment in the private and public sectors. Throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, 20 community-based supported employment agencies provide support on an ongoing basis to persons with developmental disabilities. In addition to mainstream employment, many individuals are supported to own and operate businesses, and in turn employ many other individuals in the community.

"In Newfoundland and Labrador, community and business leaders have pioneered the development of a groundbreaking employment program that provides meaningful employment opportunities for persons with disabilities," said Melanie Thomas, Executive Director, Newfoundland and Labrador Association for Community Living (NLACL). "Employment is critically important in promoting economic and social independence. Having a job is an important part of being a citizen. Simply put, when people work they can�t help but feel a part of community."

Making It Work is also the title of the provincial Supported Employment Program. The NLACL, with financial support from the Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, has created a landmark training tool designed to meet the needs of those working in the Supported Employment field. The new values-based training program is intended for a variety of audiences, including individuals with developmental disabilities, employment corporation staff, board members, employers, educators, as well as, provincial and federal government employees. The training provides an overview and introduction to community living values, and outlines concrete strategies to strengthen supported employment and encourage inclusive communities.

A total of six regionally-based teams of trainers are currently involved in delivering the program in their respective communities. Flo Paul, Chairperson of the Provincial Advisory Committee on Supported Employment commented, "To date, the training has been a tremendous success with over 85 trainers trained province-wide. We look forward to working alongside local communities in raising awareness and support for the values and meaningful employment opportunities provided by the supported employment program."

"Government is firmly committed to ensuring that every citizen is afforded the opportunity to find and secure meaningful employment, achieve greater self-reliance and contribute to their community," said Minister Skinner. "Supported Employment Awareness Month is an appropriate occasion to celebrate the success and achievements of close to 1,400 persons with developmental disabilities actively engaged in this worthwhile employment model."

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