Alison S. Levy Departmental Disability Employment Manager Diversity, Recruitment and Work/Life

1. The National Employment Conference December 6, 2012 Arlington, VA Alison S. Levy Departmental Disability Employment Manager Diversity, Recruitment and Work/Life Office of Human Resources Management National Employment Conference Dec. 2012

2. Overview Executive Order/USDA Goals USDA as an Employer of People with Disabilities Benefits of CSAVR/CANAR Partnerships The People’s Department

3. Executive Order 13548 The People’s Department Federal Hiring Goal: 100,000 people with disabilities over 5 years, including individuals with targeted disabilities. Mandatory training of human resources personnel and hiring managers on hiring people with disabilities. Agency specific plans for implementing the E.O. Designated Senior Level Official at each agency

4. Targeted Disabilities • Targeted disabilities are the most severe disabilities • People with targeted disabilities have the lowest participation rate in Federal service. • There are nine categories including: • Deafness - Blindness • Missing extremities - Partial paralysis • Complete paralysis - Convulsive disorders • Psychiatric disabilities- Intellectual disabilities • Distortion of limb and/or spine

5. USDA Plan to Increase Employment of Individuals with Disabilities Qualified individuals with disabilities may be hired without competition using the Schedule A Hiring Authority. Hiring Goals • Student interns with disabilities • 3% of our interns will be students with targeted disabilities • Permanent employees • 3% of our employees will be individuals with targeted disabilities

6. A WholisticApproach to Federal Careers

7. Potential to AchieveFour Executive Orders/Hire Helpful in Marketing to Senior Leadership • Employment of Individuals With Disabilities (13548) • Employment of Veterans (13518) • Diversity and Inclusion (13583) • Hiring Reform (Presidential Memorandum) The People’s Department

8. CSAVR MOU (Renewal -December 2012 Establishes a partnership to collaborate and share information, resources, and services that will lead to increased USDA employment and retention of individuals with disabilities into internships, recent graduates programs, and permanent employment. The People’s Department

9. CANAR MOU (Signed August 2012) Establishes a partnership to collaborate and exchange information, services, and support to increase employment of Native Americans and Alaskan Natives with disabilities into USDA student internships and permanent employment. The People’s Department

10. Vocational Rehabilitation Partnership Benefits • Recruitment • Strong referrals • Outreach/education to Federal partners • Hiring • Schedule A Letter • Interviewing Preparation/Etiquette • Employment • Reasonable Accommodation Support • Self Advocacy • Advancement • Networking • Individual Development Plan • Retention • Assistance as disabilities change or are acquired

11. On the Job Trainee c/oVocational Rehabilitation Opportunity for manager to work with a person with a disability, provide training, and transition to permanent employment. Trainee receives stipend from state vocational rehabilitation (VR) Part time or full time for up to six months Reasonable accommodations provided by VR Job coaching and training courses may be provided by VR Contact State/Local Vocational Rehabilitation for Candidates

12. Agency Points of Contact • Disability Employment Program Manager • Helps with overall program • Selective Placement Program Manager • Helps with recruitment, hiring, and on boarding • Reasonable Accommodation Specialist • Helps with needs assessments and guidance on providing effective accommodations. • Student Employment Coordinator • Helps recruit students into internship opportunities • USDA Office of Tribal Relations The People’s Department