Bridging the Workforce Gap - InvestAbility (chamber luncheon)

Bridging the Workforce Gap (BWG)
Focus on Disability Employment

Our July Chamber Luncheon program will explore success stories from employers, employees and community organizations such as Janus and the Mayor's Advisory Council of Disabilities. Our partners at INVEST Hamilton County will share information on InvestAbiilty and other creative and impactful programs aimed at enhancing the workforce options for all.

FEATURING A PANEL DISCUSSION WITH
Tim White, Janus Developmental Services, Jennifer Wiese, Founder/Owner of BeeFree & representing the Mayor's Advisory Council on Disabilities, Donna Kissel, Noblesville Schools, and Mike Thibideau, president & CEO of Invest Hamilton County

The program is made possible through our partnership with INVEST Hamilton County's InvestAbility program.

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Invest Hamilton County has launched a new initiative throughout Hamilton County called InvestAbility, which is aimed at delivering dynamic and inclusive career exploration services to students and adults who have disabilities. Through inter-governmental coordination between Indiana’s Family and Social Services Administration’s Bureau of Rehabilitation Services and Hamilton County, and through dynamic public private partnerships with the OneZone, Noblesville, and Westfield Chambers of Commerce and Hamilton County Leadership Academy, the InvestAbility program will expand in 2024 to encompass five community-based, paid trainings county wide. Locations will include three hotels, a senior living facility and a fifth site yet to be determined. The program’s goal is to ramp up to training more than130 participants per year.

InvestAbility will also facilitate one-on-one career discovery meetings for local students and adults with disabilities who are looking to learn more about a given career or occupation. This activity will occur in coordination with school-based and vocational rehabilitation service providers. InvestAbility was first launched as a pilot training in 2022 at the Hampton Inn in Fishers, in partnership with JANUS Developmental Services and with support from Hamilton County Tourism. More than 80% of project participants saw positive employment outcomes. “The careers a person is exposed to should not be dependent on their zip code or family connections,” said Mike Thibideau, president & CEO of Invest Hamilton County. “Our community
thrives because of the collaboration shown in initiatives like InvestAbility, and we are excited to help people build a more solid foundation for their dreams and aspirations. Dreams should not be limited by disabilities, and every person in our community is a great fit for the right role – we just need to help them discover it.” InvestAbility’s community-based, paid adult training opportunities will be managed by JANUS Developmental Services and supported through a partnership between the Hamilton County Commissioners, the Indiana FSSA’s Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, and investments by Invest Hamilton County, Hamilton County Tourism, and the Hamilton County Community Foundation. “The Bureau of Rehabilitation Services is pleased to collaborate with Hamilton County to connect job seekers with disabilities with career exploration and employment opportunities,” said Theresa Koleszar, director of the Indiana Bureau of Rehabilitation Services. “This partnership has excellent potential to become a model for increasing workforce participation of individuals with disabilities, while meeting business needs.”

To learn more about InvestAbility, please visit this website: https://investhamiltoncounty.com/initiatives/investability/