DPHHS Hosts Disability Employment Summit
The Department of Public Health and Human Services recently hosted its fourth annual Disability Employment Summit in an effort to increase job access for Montanans.
DPHHS reported there are around 79,000 Montanans with disabilities aged 18 to 64. There are about 41,000 Montanans with disabilities in the workforce and an additional 3,000 that are in the labor force but are currently unemployed. “The summit is an excellent opportunity for Montana businesses to learn from experts about the value of employing individuals with disabilities,” Montana Lt. Gov. Kristen Juras said in a press release. “Across Montana, people with disabilities are already contributing in numerous ways, and many more are ready and eager to put their talents to work for employers.”
More than 35 organizations signed up for the conference. which connected business leaders with ways to navigate workplace accommodations.
The event also fit in with an effort by Gov. Greg Gianforte, the 406 JOBS initiative, which seeks to modernize the state’s workforce.
DPHHS has a Disability Employment and Transitions Division, which helps to connect businesses with people with disabilities who are seeking employment.
“We support businesses with a wide array of services, resources, and solutions related to disability employment,” Chanda Hermanson, a DPHHS administrator in that program, said in a press release. “Our team provides no-cost assistance to help employers recruit skilled candidates, retain quality staff, improve workplace accessibility, and access tools that save time and money.”
