"The Employment First Council shall elect a chair, a vice chair, and a legislative liaison from its council members. The elected chair, vice chair and legislative lisaison shall serve 3-year terms or until replaced. Officers may serve consecutive terms."
Executive Committee
Chair Katie Wolf Whaley
Executive Committee shall consist of the Council Chair, Vice Chair, Legislative Liaison amd Chairs of standing committees. The Executive Committee shall include a representative of a person with a disability. Acts as an advisor to the Chair and approves appointments of standin committees and ad hoc work groups. The committee conducts the affairs of the council between regularly scheduled quarterly meetings, on issues that cannot wait for the next meeting. Such actions shall be reported at the next scheduled meeting. The OVR Administrator assigned to the Council shall attend all meetings.
Advocacy and Education Committee
Chair Amanda Owen
This commmittee shall focus on the main charges of the Council around sharing information with Kentuckians with disabilities, their families, and the public at large as it pertains to employment.
Employer Education and Engagement Committee
Chair Merry Reid Sheffer
This committee shall focus on the main charges of the council around business/employer/workforce/hiring side of the Employment First issue.
Provider Capacity Committee
Chair Jeff White
The committee shall focus on the main charges of the council around issues of developing capacity within the service system to meet the needs of Kentuckians with disabilities who seek help finding employment.
Public Policy Committee
Chair - Vacant
This committee shall focus on communication, collaboration, and alignement of state policy and regulation regarding Employment First.
Transition Committee
Chair Tal Curry
This committee shall focus on the main charges of the Council around the issues of school to work transition services. School to work transition includes times in the school system, Individualized Education Plans and relevant vocational goals, Pre-Employment Transition Services, summer jobs, internships, and may include transition to post-secondary education, etc. The committee includes issues around exiting the school system and entering the adult service system - OVR and other relevant disability support systems/programs/agencies.
Upcoming Committee Meetings:
Executive Committee
Advocacy and Education Committee
November 7, 2025
9:00am - 10:00am EST, via Zoom
Employer Education and Engagement Committee
November 12, 2025
1:00pm - 2:00pm EST, via Zoom
Provider Capacity Committee
October 14, 2025
2:00pm - 3:00pm EST, via Zoom
Public Policy Committee
October 16, 2025
9:00am - 10:00am EST, via Zoom
Transition Committee
November 27, 2025
9:30am - 10:30am EST, via Zoom
Should you wish to attend a committee meeting, please contact:
Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
Mayo-Underwood Building
500 Mero Street
1st Floor SE
Frankfort, KY 40601