What is Employment First?
Employment First is a state-level approach to disability services. It means that employment is considered the option of choice for citizens with disabilities, rather than placement in a sheltered workshop, a day habilitation program, or another segregated or non-inclusive setting.
Facts and Resources
Employment First State Resource List (December 2024)APSE Factsheet on Employment First
States with an Employment First policy offer employment services to people with disabilities, and only look at other options in the event that the person or their guardian does not wish integrated employment to happen.
Who is Working
ICI StateData: The National Report on Employment Services and Outcomes
Success Stories
There are many people with disabilities working in the community. Through the use of innovative, front-line employment support practices, these individuals are earning money, forming networks, and contributing to their communities. Learn about individual success stories from the Real People, Real Jobs project managed by our partners at ThinkWork.
Employment First Activity in Member States
This list is not exhaustive. Please download the resource list above for details and additional links.
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
- AZ Employment First Executive Order
- AZ Legislative Resolution
- AZ UCEDD Employment First Web Page
- AZ DDPC Employment First Information
Connecticut
- Connecticut Employment First Policy
- Connecticut Statement Regarding Employment as a Priority
- Connecticut DDS Employment First Overview
Delaware
- Delaware Employment First Legislation
- Delaware Employment First Statement
- Delaware Employment First Oversight Commission Website
Georgia
- Georgia Employment First Legislation (passed)
- Georgia Legislature Report
- Georgia Legislation Establishing Study Committee
- Georgia Employment First Council Website
Hawaii
- Hawaii Employment First Legislation (passed)
- Hawaii Governor’s Proclamation
- Hawaii DDS Statement on Employment First
Indiana
- Indiana Employment First Bill (passed)
- Indiana APSE Employment First information
- Indiana Employment First Plan
Louisiana
Maryland
Massachusetts
- Massachusetts Employment First Policy (#2010-2)
- MA Employment Blueprint Update 2014
- Massachusetts Employment Blueprint 2.0
- Massachusetts Employment First Website
Michigan
- Michigan Employment First Executive Order
- Michigan Heath and Human Services Employment First Website
- Employment Works! Policy
Minnesota
- Minnesota Employment First Legislation
- Minnesota Employment First Policy
- Minnesota DHS Information on Employment First
- Putting the Promise of Olmstead into Practice - Minnesota’s 2013 Olmstead Plan
- Myths and Realities of Olmstead Employment First
- MN Department of Human Services Information on Employment First
Missouri
- Missouri DDD Employment First Policy
- Missouri Legislation (passed)
- Missouri DDD Employment Website
- Employment First Missouri Website
New Jersey
- New Jersey DHS Employment First Policy
- New Jersey DDD Employment First Information
- New Jersey DD Council Statement
- Advancing New Jersey’s Employment First Practices and Policies, A Comprehensive Review and Analysis
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
- Oregon Employment First Legislation
- Oregon DDS Employment Policy
- OR Executive Orders: Oregon Governor’s Executive Orders on increasing employment of individuals with IDD: April 2013 order (13-04) - Feb. 2015 order (15-01)
- Oregon Employment First Initiative Website
Rhode Island
- Rhode Island BHDDH Employment First Policy
- USDOJ Consent Decree Mandating Employment First
- Rhode Island DESE Employment First Policy
- Rhode Island 1115 Waiver Group Report
South Dakota
Texas
- Texas Legislation (passed)
- Texas Workforce Commission Employment First Policy
- Texas HHS Employment First Website
Utah
- Utah 2011 Legislation (passed)
- UT 2012 Legislation (passed)
- Utah Employment First Strategic Plan
- Utah Employment First website
Virginia
- Virginia DBHDS Employment First Policy
- Virginia Employment First Legislation (passed)
- Virginia DBHDS Strategic Plan for Employment First
- USDOJ Settlement Agreement Mandating Employment First Policy
