Council Membership Information

Are you interested in serving on the Employment First Council?

​​Apply now!


Boards and Commissions Website - Online Application at the Kentucky Boards and Commissions page or you can complete the Boards and Commissions PDF Application and send to: Nanci Howard​ or Anu Kumari

Council Composition
In accordance with KRS 151B.211-214, the membership must include representatives from the following:

  • One (1) representative from the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation;
  • One (1) representative from the Kentucky Workforce Innovation Board;
  • One (1) representative from the Department of Education;
  • One (1) representative from the Office of Career and Technical Education;
  • One (1) representative from the Department for Medicaid Services;
  • One (1) representative from the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities;
  • One (1) representative from the Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities;
  • One (1) representative from Kentucky Protection and Advocacy;
  • One (1) representative from the Department for Income Support, Disability Determination Services;
  • One (1) representative from the Division of Behavioral Health;
  • One (1) representative from the Kentucky Autism Training Center;
  • One (1) representative from the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities, Office of Autism;
  • One (1) representative from the University of Kentucky Human Development Institute;
  • Two (2) representatives from a state vocational rehabilitation provider agency; 
  • One (1) representative from the Statewide Council for Vocational Rehabilitation; 
  • One (1) representative from the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce; 
  • One (1) representative from the Council of State Governments; 
  • Four (4) representatives each having at least one (1) of the following qualifications: 
    • 1. A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one (1) or more major life activity; 
    • 2. A history or record of such an impairment; or 
    • 3. A person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment; 
  • Two (2) representatives who have an immediate family member with a disability; and 
  • Four (4) representatives of business, industry, and labor.
Additionally, KRS 151B.211-214, states “after the initial appointments, members of the Employment First Council shall serve terms of three (3) years”. 

Information About the Council: 
​Under Employment First legislation, a 28-member​ council was created. The role of the council is to:
  • ​Identify state policies that create disincentives for the employment of people with disabilities and develop recommendations to address and eliminate those disincentives.
  • Develop training resources on the benefits of competitive integrated employment of workers with a disability. 
  • Recommend the development and implementation of policies and effective practices for providers of supported employment services that increase employment opportunities for workers with a disability. 
  • Utilize appropriate metrics to assess progress of efforts. 
  • Lastly, submit an annual report by December 1st to the Legislative Research Commission, the secretary of the Education and Labor Cabinet, and the Governor, summarizing its findings and recommendations.

Council Members ​
  • ​Council Chair - Katie Wolf Whaley
  • Council Vice-Chair - Morgan Turner
  • Legislative Liaison - Vacant
  • Amanda Friend
  • Amanda Owen
  • Amy Luttrell
  • Andrew Johnson
  • Annette Jett
  • Bill Bates
  • Dawn Gardner
  • Cora McNabb
  • David Allgood
  • Frank Huffman
  • Gretta Hylton
  • Jeff Edwards
  • Jeff White
  • Jessica Beaven
  • Tal Curry
  • Leslie Hoffmann
  • Lori Norton
  • Merry Reid Sheffer
  • Morgan Turner
  • Rebecca Wilson
  • Robert "Larry" Taylor
  • Staci Cain
  • ​Todd Coffey​​
  • Johnny Calleb

If you are interested in learning more about the Employment First Council and how to apply to become a member of the council, please contact:

Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
Mayp-Underwood Building
500 Mero Street
1st Floor SE
Frankfort, KY 40601​


Employment First Timeline

Kentucky became an Employment First state on May 15th, 2018.


Senate Bill 104, signed March 24th, 2022.​

​​

​​​​​​​​​Need​ more help? Contact us

Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
Central Office
Mayo-Underwood Building
500 Mero Street 1st Floor SE
Frankfort, KY 40601
502-564-4440
800-372-7172 (V/TTY)

​More Information