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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 - Vacant
- Legislative Liaison - Vacant
- Amanda Owen
- Amy Luttrell
- Andrew Johnson
- Bill Bates
- Cora McNabb
- David Allgood
- Frank Huffman
- Gretta Hylton
- Jeff Edwards
- Jeff White
- Johnny Callebs
- Tal Curry
- Leslie Hoffmann
- Lori Norton
- Merry Reid Sheffer
- Rebecca Wilson
- Robert "Larry" Taylor
- Staci Cain
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.