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Last updated on Wednesday, July 19, 2017
(INDIANAPOLIS) - Senator Mark Stoops (D-Bloomington) received the Public Policy Advocate of the Year Award on June 20, 2017 at the APSE (Association of People Supporting Employment First) 2017 National Conference:
"Employment First: The Bridge to Inclusive Communities", which took place at the Marriott Downtown Waterfront Hotel in Portland, OR. He was presented the award by Allison Wohl, Executive Director and Derek Nord, President of APSE. Nearly 1,000 people from across the country and around the world participated in the event.
Stoops was nominated by the Indiana chapter, IN-APSE, for his partnership with several organizations to promote competitive, integrated employment opportunities for all individuals with disabilities, which resulted in Employment First legislation passage in this year's Indiana General Assembly. The Employment First Act requires Indiana state agencies to work together to make employment for people with disabilities a priority and will help combat the 62 percent unemployment rate which this population faces.
"We are thrilled Sen. Stoops' leadership in furthering employment opportunities for people through the Employment First Act has been acknowledged nationally. This effort took some heavy lifting, taking several years to pass and requiring bi-partisan, cross disability organization, governmental and business consensus. He never gave up on the importance of this legislation and its impact on people who have disabilities," said Tina Skeel, IN-APSE's Chapter President.
About APSE
Since its founding in 1988, APSE has served as the primary resource on inclusive employment for individuals with disabilities, through high quality, cutting-edge training, technical assistance, and resource dissemination. APSE has 38 chapters nationally and is the driving force for the implementation of Employment First policies and practices across the United States. Employment First advances employment and self-sufficiency for all people with disabilities through advocacy and education. Learn more at www.apse.org.
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