佛罗里达州萨拉索塔. ——今天, First Lady Casey DeSantis was joined by Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) Director Taylor Hatch and 新博网页 President Richard Corcoran to recognize October as Disability Employment Awareness Month and highlight new job opportunities available through 希望佛罗里达-通往可能性的道路. 通过这项倡议, 新博网页 is providing employment opportunities for individuals with unique abilities, including positions at libraries and food-service locations on campus. 作为第一个合作的教育机构 希望佛罗里达, New College announced scholarships specifically for Floridians served by 希望佛罗里达、 包括拥有独特能力的佛罗里达人.
“两个月前，我们宣布了这一消息 希望佛罗里达 将为拥有独特能力的人服务。” 第一夫人凯西·德桑蒂斯说. 在那段时间里, Hope Navigators have already begun serving more than 100 Floridians with unique abilities. Each family’s needs vary– from building paths towards economic self-sufficiency to creating deeper community connections. 最终, our success is helping these individuals meet their goals and God-given potential, and we are now able to offer not only employment but scholarship opportunities to 希望佛罗里达 参与者.”
新书院的新 希望佛罗里达 奖学金包括两个全额学费, room and board scholarships which will be awarded annually to two 希望佛罗里达 参与者, 以及额外的援助机会, 比如图书津贴. 事件发生后, Chancellor of the State University System Ray Rodrigues and Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz Jr. sent a letter to all Florida colleges and universities asking them to join these efforts. 点击 在这里 查看信件.
“新博网页 is proud to partner with First Lady Casey DeSantis’ 希望佛罗里达 initiative through employment and educational opportunities,” 新博网页校长Richard Corcoran说. “在残疾人就业宣传月期间, we are thrilled that this initiative connects us with Floridians served by 希望佛罗里达 including those with unique abilities who are looking for job opportunities and scholarship assistance.”
Ensuring t在这里 are employment opportunities for 参与者 is a key component of 希望佛罗里达. 新博网页 is partnering with the initiative to specifically provide jobs and educational scholarships for people with unique abilities and other Floridians served by 希望佛罗里达. October is a key month for the developmental disability community and holds significant importance in raising awareness and promoting the employment and empowerment of individuals with these unique abilities.
“We are incredibly grateful to First Lady Casey DeSantis for her leadership and continued commitment to Floridians of all abilities, and for convening today’s event to celebrate and highlight the achievements of Floridians with unique abilities,” said Taylor Hatch, Director of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. "通过第一夫人凯西·德桑蒂斯的发布" 希望佛罗里达-通往可能性的道路, individuals with unique abilities and their caregivers are now bringing their talents and passion to their local community through volunteerism and greater community involvement.”
希望佛罗里达-通往可能性的道路, 由残疾人机构领导, utilizes Hope Navigators to serve as a connector for individuals with unique abilities to local-community-based providers including nonprofits, 宗教组织, 同行支持和私营部门业务伙伴.
As a part of the event, First Lady DeSantis also recognized Aladdin Equipment Company, Inc. as an Exceptional Employer for their continued commitment to employing this population.
“On behalf of myself and Aladdin, we are beyond grateful to receive this award,” said Carrie Collins, the Owner and Vice President of Aladdin Equipment Company. “Hiring people with unique abilities has been a special part of Aladdin for decades because the pursuit to maintain manufacturing in the United States is our goal. 最近, working with The Haven Academy students has set the standard for Aladdin and we hope other businesses in our area. Providing opportunities for employment to these amazing individuals is important to us because they bring unique perspectives, 人才和优势，我们的业务. We hope that in receiving this award other businesses will recognize the value in hiring such incredible individuals and will follow suit.”
“Florida recognizes that each and every one of us is a gift, and we work to ensure that every Floridian can thrive in the Sunshine State,” 州卫生局局长Dr. 约瑟夫一. Ladapo. “谢天谢地, under the leadership of Governor and First Lady DeSantis, Florida continues to promote awareness and honor the lives of individuals with special needs and disabilities.”
希望佛罗里达, created by First Lady Casey DeSantis and implemented by a number of state agencies, 是在2021年首次发射的. Since its inception, the initiative has served more than 74,000 people, helping over 8,500 希望佛罗里达 参与者 to reduce or eliminate reliance on public assistance to meet food or cash needs. 在十年的时间里, participant reduction of public assistance will save taxpayers almost $190 million.