Promoting Employment for Youth with an Intellectual Disability in BC
The British Columbia Employment Network (BCEN) is a consortium of local and regional service providers delivering services to people with intellectual disabilities. Since the inception of the BCEN in 2007, the primary goal has been to increase employment outcomes for youth and adults with intellectual disabilities.
Historically, the BC government has not invested in youth employment for people with intellectual disabilities. In 2020, the BCEN in partnership with the Canadian Institute for Inclusion and Citizenship at the University of British Columbia embarked upon a 6-year research project (two, three year- phases) to engage youth with intellectual disabilities to explore the world of work. The project aims to demonstrate the value of early employment engagement for youth with the goal of demonstrating the importance of sustainable, long-term funding for youth employment. Over the course of the 6-year project, 10 separate agencies and over 600 youth with an intellectual disability will participate in the project.
Research findings for the first phase of the project (2020-2022) were published in January 2023 by the University of British Columbia in partnership with the BCEN. The second phase is well underway. In this workshop presenters will share research findings from the first four years of the project. Participants in the workshop will learn about evidence-based employment interventions that have been successful in supporting youth to obtain and maintain employment.
Collaboration: The BC Experience
In the last 17 years, two important, productive and influential networks that have developed in BC. The British Columbia Employment Network (BCEN) is a consortium of local and regional service providers delivering services to people with intellectual disabilities. Since the inception of the BCEN in 2007, the primary goal has been to increase employment outcomes for youth and adults with intellectual disabilities.
The BC CEO Network (BCCEO) is a federation of agency leaders from across the province. The Network’s main purpose is to facilitate a collective voice, promote effective business practices and support leadership development and promote mutual support in the Community Living sector.
The BC Employment Network and the BC CEO Network have helped to shape services for people with an intellectual disability across the province, influence government decisions, and maximize limited resources.
The presenters will share the history, benefits and tangible outcomes of these unique networks.
Presenter’s Bios
Dan Collins
Dan is presently the Chief Executive Officer of the Inclusion Langley Society, a position he has held since 1990. Dan has been actively supporting inclusion since he started his community living career in 1978 and has appreciated the opportunity to work in communities across the country.
Inclusion Langley Society provides services across the lifespan from infants to seniors, supporting more than 2000 individuals each year. ILS is funded by a variety of government Ministries and Community Living British Columbia, a crown agency. ILS has 400 employees and 250 Contracted Home Share and Respite providers. The organization’s employees are members of the BCGEU and HAS.
In addition to his work at ILS, Dan actively supports a number of allied organizations and presently serves as the Chair of the advisory board for the Canadian Institute for Inclusion and Citizenship at UBC, is a founding member of the BC Employment Network, Board Chair of Resilient Communities Resource Society of Canada (BC Centre for Social Enterprise), Co-Chair of the Ministries RCI Employment Working Group and a Director with the Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce. Dan has also completed several terms as a Director on the Board of the BC CEO Network and highly values the Networks support of its members.