Inclusion Works to publish final strategic plan Aug. 31, officials say stronger transportation focus will follow

State officials leading the Inclusion Works initiative told advisory‑committee members that the program’s strategic plan, updated after a public comment period that closed in June, will be published on Aug. 31.

"You will see things in this plan now that demonstrate that," said Claire Colligan, IDD employment lead at the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services. Colligan said the plan reflects a landscape assessment and stakeholder feedback and will prioritize areas including transportation, workforce development and employer engagement to expand competitive integrated employment (CIE).

Colligan outlined five core goals for Inclusion Works: creating opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to pursue CIE if they choose; improving service options and removing barriers; boosting workforce capacity for employment services; increasing proactive community communication; and building employer capacity. She said the state will rely on community partners, people with lived experience and providers as strategies move into implementation.

Colligan also said staff are experimenting with provider funding approaches and plan targeted community update meetings at different hours to increase participation. The advisory committee was told calendar invites for fall meetings will be sent and that the Inclusion Works website will host the final plan and continuing updates.

Next steps: the presenters said they will post the final plan on Aug. 31 and continue outreach through recorded ‘lunch and learn’ sessions and community updates; participants were encouraged to submit feedback and questions via the program’s contact channels.