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Local vocational services provider describes state‑funded employment supports for people with disabilities
Summary
Willie Johnson, a vocational services consultant, told the Lamar County Commission about state‑funded programs that provide evaluations, training, job development and job coaches for people with disabilities and said services are paid with state and federal funds so individuals do not pay out of pocket.
A provider for vocational employment services spoke to the Lamar County Commission on Jan. 8 about programs that help people with disabilities transition to work.
"Once you get into our program, we pay for everything," Willie Johnson said, describing services that can cover training from career certificates up to bachelor’s degrees, transportation, assistance obtaining identification and job‑coaching supports. Johnson said the program serves multiple counties including Lamar and uses state and federal funding so participants do not have to pay out of pocket.
Commissioners asked whether participants could be placed in county positions such as custodial or maintenance roles. Johnson said the agency provides job coaches and will work with the county to match candidates to job duties and to provide accommodations; he noted the agency performs evaluations and can involve engineers to assess workplace accommodations when needed.
Commissioners expressed interest and suggested the agency return to present more details to county departments that may hire participants.
