| The Central Oklahoma Workforce Innovation Board won DRS Workforce Partner of the Year award at People with Disabilities Awareness Day |
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Central Oklahoma Workforce Innovation Board was recognized last Tuesday by the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services as part of DRS’ 30th People with Disabilities Awareness Day.
More than 630 participants visited legislators at the State Capitol and attended a resource fair with 70 exhibitors followed by the award ceremony at the Oklahoma History Center.
Secretary of Education Nellie Tayloe Sanders was the keynote speaker at the awards ceremony.
Commission for Rehabilitation Services Vice Chair Theresa Flannery and Commissioner Janet Barresi presented the awards as DRS Executive Director Melinda Fruendt emceed the ceremony.
Central Oklahoma Workforce Innovation Board played an integral part in the BEST STEP summer employment programs provided by DRS Transition and OU Pre-Employment Transition Services for students with disabilities.
During BEST STEP, COWIB supported 12 counties, 68 participants and 166 employers. They provided onboarding orientation for parents, students, work skills trainers, DRS Vocational Rehabilitation and Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired counselors, Pre-ETS staff and others.
COWIB also operated the payment software system that tracked hours and paid student wages with funding provided by DRS.
BEST is a one-week training program that helps DRS clients and potentially eligible students, ages 16-21, explore career interests, job workplace readiness, education programs and self-advocacy skills.
The STEP part of the program provides 4-weeks of part-time, paid work experience for students with disabilities who complete BEST camp.
“Our People with Disabilities Awareness Day awards highlight the value of investing in Oklahomans with disabilities so they can overcome barriers to their educational and career goals,” Fruendt said after the event. “The individual services our clients receive level the playing field so qualified jobseekers who really want to work can become taxpaying citizens who no longer need government assistance.”
The Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services served 96,178 people through employment, education and independent living training programs as well as determination of medical eligibility for Social Security disability benefits in 2023.
For more information, visit www.okdrs.gov or phone 800-845-8476.
