Foundation urges Miami Lakes to hire supported‑employment position; advisory board asks council to consider

A nonprofit that helps place young adults with developmental disabilities urged the Town of Miami Lakes on Wednesday to create a municipal position as a pilot for supported employment services, and the town advisory board voted to request that the Town Council discuss the proposal.

The representative of the Devonna Foundation told the Special Needs Advisory Board that the group matches candidates who have autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury and other developmental disabilities with employers across South Florida and provides on‑the‑job coaching. “Our goal at the Devonna Foundation is to focus on creating employment opportunities for young adults with unique abilities,” the speaker said.

The presenter described the foundation’s job‑coaching model, which she said includes daily coaching during the first three weeks (about 20 hours per week) and disability‑ and sensitivity‑training for coworkers. She said the foundation has an 85% retention rate for placements, works with about 85 employer…