Employment First Kentucky

Employment First is the philosophy that everyone, including people with significant disabilities, can work in integrated employment. In Kentucky, competitive and integrated employment in the community is the first and primary option for persons with disabilities of working age who have communicated a desire to become employed. Kentucky became an Employment First state on May 15, 2018. HDI is the administrative home for Employment First in Kentucky. Executive director, Kathy Sheppard-Jones, is the lead administrator for Employment First. Katie Wolf Whaley co-chairs Kentucky’s Employment First Council.

Project Director:

Project Website: https://kcc.ky.gov/Vocational-Rehabilitation/boards-and-councils/Employment-First/Pages/default.aspx

 

Latest Updates

Governor Andy Beshear with a large group of people behind the podium at the signing ceremony

Governor Beshear declares March Developmental Disabilities Month

It’s officially Developmental Disabilities Month in Kentucky, as per a proclamation signed by Governor Andy Beshear March 12. Beshear was …

HDI CATS Storefront Photo

HDI CATS Expands Independence Through Assistive Technology Across Kentucky

The goal of HDI CATS (Center for Assistive Technology Services) is to help increase people’s independence using Assistive Technology (AT) …

Photo of Dinah Miller

Dinah Miller receives 2026 Shouse Award

It’s not common that Dinah Miller is left at a loss for words, but hearing that she’d won the Shouse …