March 30, 4:06 PM click here to comment > 18
Thank you to our 60 supported employees
We’d like to share with you a video produced by the Seattle Channel about the City’s supported employee program. It features an interview with our office’s own Krista Leimbacher.
The City of Seattle has 60 employees with developmental disabilities (supported employees). We bundle small tasks and entry-level duties in various departments into full and part-time positions (real jobs!) for people with developmental disabilities.
Any employer can do this – job coaches are free of charge to any business who hires a supported employee. Supported employment is not only a way to include people who have traditionally been excluded from our workplaces; the program also benefits City-department budgets. We save taxpayer dollars by paying an affordable wage.
The program provides meaningful work for a population who is dedicated and eager to contribute their talents to the workplace. Our supported employment program is just one of the ways we’re working to create shared prosperity that is available to everyone in our community.
Posted by: April Thomas
Comments
Comment from Anja Post
Time April 3, 2012 at 12:01 pm
Dear Mayor McGinn, thank you so very much for supporting this program. It changes the lifes of not only the 60 plus employees at the City but also 100′s of people if not more that are directly and inderectly affected by it. One more reason what makes Seattle such a great city to live in.
Sincerely,
Anja Post
Comment from Marsha Threlkeld
Time April 3, 2012 at 12:14 pm
What a great program and what dedicted employees. Thanks for sharing this. I am pround to live in Seattle.
Comment from Janell Wight
Time April 3, 2012 at 12:30 pm
FABULOUS!! Thank you for posting this video. I came to SPU with a fairly extensive background in working with special needs folks at various times, and it has been my honor to be part of this truly wonderful program as a supervisor for over five years now. I currently supervise two supported employees (I believe I’m the only City employee who supports more than one supported employee), and I can honestly say that my life is enriched because of it. I’m not a very political person, and don’t usually toot my own horn — but being a part of this program on ANY level is something that anyone can and should be proud of. TOOT! TOOT!
Comment from Lynn
Time April 3, 2012 at 12:51 pm
Well said!!
Great Job City of Seattle. 
Comment from Julie Hegira
Time April 3, 2012 at 1:03 pm
Thank you so very much for your piece on supported employment at the City of Seattle.
I have been in the field for 19 years and still love my job.
One of my favorite clients works for the City of Seattle. He worked for 8 years as a cashier for Group Health before getting a job at the city with DoiT under Bill Shrier. He has been at the city over 12 years and loves his job!
Jason has made literally hundreds of friends at the city. He started in the Dexter Horton building and then moved to the 3rd and Main Bldg. and now is in the SMT.
He does many different things and does them very well.
He was thrilled to meet you during the celebration of supported employment.
THANKS Mayor McGinn!!! Here’s to many more jobs at the City of Seattle!
Comment from TODD NEWCOMBE
Time April 3, 2012 at 1:11 pm
Thank you, for such a great place to wrork, I don’t know where I’d be today if it weren’t for this great position that I now have after 11 years.
Comment from Joane O’Neill
Time April 3, 2012 at 2:08 pm
Mayor McGinn
Thank you so much for recognizing the value and importance of hiring people with Developmental Disabilities. As a parent of a young man with disabilities who has worked in integrated employment for 16 years I am so pleased to see you honor the work of these wonderful hardworking citizens.
Comment from Diane Denton
Time April 3, 2012 at 2:17 pm
I love my job! I feel independent. I get up in the morning and work, then go home. I like being around my coworkers. Thank you.
Comment from Alison McCormick
Time April 3, 2012 at 2:30 pm
Thank you Mayor McGinn for recognizing the accomplishments of the City’s Supported Employees! As a professional in this field, I can tell you the City of Seattle leads the country in this regard. By opening up employment opportunities for people with developmental disabilites –the City of Seattle is known nationwide as a leader for promoting inclusive lives for everyone who lives in our community. In this day, everyone understands the importance of employment in their life.
Comment from Tracy
Time April 3, 2012 at 2:58 pm
What a pleasure to see Seattle/King County continue to lead the nation in support of employing all our citizens. Thank you for valuing the abilities of those who recieve supported employment from wonderful providers who go the extra mile to insure employer/employee success.
Comment from Patty Fitzpatrick
Time April 3, 2012 at 3:43 pm
Thank you for supporting the opportunity for my daughter to experience life to it’s fullness by being employed within the City of Seattle’s supported employment program. Thank you Mayor McGinn, the City Council, Supt. Carrasco and Heather Weldon for shining a light on the value these individuals bring to the workforce.
Comment from Barbara Bilyeu
Time April 3, 2012 at 3:43 pm
Dear Mayor McGinn. Kori Fitzpatrick’s mother sent me a copy of the video of Kori and others working for the city. How wonderful. I have known Kori since she was a very young girl and her mother and I were advocating in the school district (they were buying band uniforms with special ed money, as I recall).
Thank you so much for your support of SE – it means more than you will ever know!
A Pierce County fan
Comment from Anne-Marie
Time April 3, 2012 at 5:52 pm
What a great video, and a terrific program. You really showed the harmony and strength that SE can bring to a workplace. This is helping make Seattle a great place to live!
Comment from scott richter
Time April 3, 2012 at 8:51 pm
I am glad I am a supported employee and I enjoy the job I have if it wasnt for the supported employement program I would not be where I am today.
Comment from Brian Fitzpatrick
Time April 4, 2012 at 5:51 pm
Mayor McGinn, just a word of thanks for your continued leadership in the supported employment initiative in the City of Seattle. Your support and vision has had a very poitive impact on countless individuals who now are able to contribute in a positive way to the City of Seattle. We appreciate you efforts and hope to see this program continue to grow in the future.
Sincerely
Brian Fitzpatrick
Comment from Carole Holleman
Time April 5, 2012 at 9:59 am
Kudos to the City of Seattle! Washington State is considered to have one of the best supported employment services in the nation, thanks to employers like the City of Seattle. Thank you for your committment and support of persons with disabilities in the workplace.
Comment from T.J. Maciel
Time April 5, 2012 at 1:39 pm
A big “THANK YOU” to Mayor McGinn and Heather Weldon for bringing attention to the Supported Employee Program, and to SCL for giving me such a great place to work for 11 years now!
T.J. Maciel- Proudly serving the Supt. of SCL since 2000!
Comment from Katie Peterson
Time April 3, 2012 at 11:55 am
Thank you to the City of Seattle for your continued commitment to promoting diversity in the workplace!