DPHHS, Businesses To Recognize Disability Mentoring Week

This year’s theme, “Access to Good Jobs for All,” underscores the Department of Public Health and Human Services’ commitment to ensuring individuals with disabilities have equal opportunities to succeed in their chosen careers.

To celebrate NDEAM, DPHHS will be hosting Disability Mentoring Week Oct. 14-18. This event serves as an ideal opportunity for Montana businesses to partner with DPHHS to provide career exploration and mentoring opportunities to youth with disabilities.

“This week-long event highlights the work our Disability Employment and Transitions Division carries out every day of the year,” DPHHS director Charlie Brereton said. “We’re thankful for all of the local businesses who join us in celebrating the value and talent that people with disabilities bring to the workplace.”

Components of Disability Mentoring Week include: Work-based Learning Experiences: Participants will be paired with experienced professionals in their field of interest for one-on-one mentoring sessions and hands-on learning experiences.

Career Workshops: Interactive workshops will cover resume building, interview skills, and job search strategies.

Panel Discussions: Industry leaders and advocates will discuss the importance of including persons with disabilities in the workplace.

Awareness and Training: Employers will learn about disability awareness and inclusion. Many of these activities will take place within the schools attended by participating students. Approximately 95 students have signed up to take part in this year’s events thus far. They come from communities throughout Montana, including Alberton, Baker, Belt, Butte, East Helena, Frenchtown, Great Falls, Hamilton, Lockwood, and Missoula.

“During last summer’s work-based learning experience, I learned a lot about information technology,” said Alex King, a Libby High School student who received hands-on learning through the Libby School District’s Technology Department.

Anjle Cobler, another work-based learner, has been working at Paw Paw Dog Grooming in Missoula. She said she especially enjoys “helping and learning entrepreneurship while grooming and making dogs look brandnew.”

Disability Mentoring Week is not the only opportunity for professionals and businesses to provide mentoring and work-based learning experiences for students. DETD works year-round to pair youth and adults with job exploration opportunities and invites anyone interested in hosting a student to contact them for more information. There are about 81,600 Montanans aged 18-64 with disabilities.

This population is split among 35,000 Montanans with disabilities who are not in the labor force and 45,000 who are in the labor force and working.

For more information about Disability Mentoring Week and how to get involved, visit Disability Mentoring Week Form or contact Andrew Lowney 406-2102201, alowney@mt.gov; Jacob Kuntz 406-890-5624, jkuntz3@mt.gov; or Cheri Reed-Anderson 406-2028830, creed@mt.gov.