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Raleigh -- April 28, 2022 A pilot program that will begin in July will give career coaching to help people succeed and develop in their careers was announced by Governor Roy Cooper. The pilot program will provide career coaching to state employees with ASD who need assistance applying for promotions or job changes within state government,
in honor of World Autism Month in North Carolina and to help people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) succeed in the workplace.
The Career Advancement Resources for Employees on the Spectrum (CARES) project, which is set to debut in July, will provide eligible employees with up to five hours of career coaching. The NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will fund the year-long pilot program, which will be delivered by UNC TEACCH Autism Center and the Autism Society of North Carolina. Governor Cooper's Executive Order 92: Employment First for North Carolinians with Disabilities, now in its third year, is supported by CARES.
“North Carolina’s workforce is made stronger by its diversity, and our talented employees on the autism spectrum offer valuable skills and perspectives,” Governor Cooper said. “This innovative program will help us support and retain these employees and better serve our state.”
“Individuals with ASD bring a unique perspective to the job and often offer exceptional problem-solving skills, focus and productivity,” said Barbara Gibson, North Carolina State Human Resources Director. “It is not unusual to hear from employers that individuals with ASD are dependable, loyal and have lower absenteeism rates than neurotypical workers.”
“People with ASD deserve an equal chance to experience the dignity of work in an environment that supports them,” said Kathie Trotter, Director of the DHHS Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services. “Employers noted little to no additional costs incurred when employing an adult with ASD above that associated with a new employee. Individuals with ASD diversify the workplace, offering organizations a competitive edge.”
Department of Health and Human Services' Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services. "Employers reported minimal to no additional expenditures beyond those involved with hiring a new employee when employing an adult with ASD." Individuals with ASD add variety to the workplace, giving businesses a competitive advantage."
Individualized sessions with CARES career counselors will support efforts to hone management and interpersonal skills to be more effective with supervisors and colleagues, establish new and attainable career goals, discover solutions to current employment obstacles, develop an employment action plan, provide support to make any necessary changes, advocate for the resources needed to succeed, empower the individual to work with current CARES developed out of the NC Business Committee for Education's Linking North Carolina with Innovative Talent (LiNC-IT) program (NCBCE). LiNC-IT offers internships to people with ASD who are just starting out in their careers and assists employers in developing neurodiversity initiatives.
According to the CDC's Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network, one out of every 44 children has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. North Carolina had the greatest proportion of children with ASD who had gotten a full examination by the age of three when compared to other areas in the United States that were monitored for ASD prevalence. In the community, however, just 23% of autistic individuals with normal or above-average intellectual abilities have a paid job.
Wnctimes by Marjorie Farrington
