Employment

Employment and community inclusion

Employment first

Our vision at the Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is to make sure all Utahns have fair and equitable opportunities to live safe and healthy lives. A person’s overall health includes not just their physical and mental health, but also their social wellbeing. The Employment First mission of the Division of Services for People with Disabilities (DSPD) furthers that vision by working to ensure services offered by DSPD emphasize, promote, and support Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) for people with disabilities.
Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) is:
    • Work in the community alongside people of all abilities
    • Work in a non-service provider setting or business
    • Work with pay at or above minimum wage, and at a wage similar to people without disabilities who work in the same place and do the same or similar work
    • Work with access to opportunities for advancement and benefits

Vision statement 

The Employment First vision is that every person who receives services from DSPD achieves their potential for real jobs at real wages.

Choices

You have the right to work at a job            that you choose. When you are doing something you want to do, it is more fun to go to work.

Independence and community

Working in the community can          help you build confidence, meet        new friends, and have money to          buy things you want and need.

Real pay

You have the right to get paid the    same as your co-workers who do            the same type of jobs as you.                      Everyone gets paid at least                minimum wage, $7.25 per hour.

Build new skills

You can work with your support      team to learn new things at work.      You can learn a new task,                       job-shadow, volunteer, visit a   business, or take a class.

Job coaching and supports

You can have a job coach and        support team that you are able to choose, to help you get and keep      your job. Your team can help you      with things you need to be       successful at work.

Click here to explore  success stories of how employment first    empowers people in    division services.