HomeMy WebLinkAboutCACD Minutes 07.09.24
CARMEL, INDIANA 46032
Carmel Advisory Committee on Disability
Tuesday, July 9, 2024 – 9:30 a.m.
Carmel Clay Public Library, Board Room, 425 E Main St.
Present
CACD Members: Melissa Keyes, Shannon Penaflor, Nikita Ford, Kelvin Solares, Mindy
Cameron, David Littlejohn
Others: Dana Goodrich, Mike Thibideau
Introductions
Those present briefly introduced themselves.
Minutes of Previous meeting
Minutes for April 10th meeting were approved.
Guest Speaker - Mike Thibideau, President & CEO, Invest Hamilton County
Invest Hamilton County focus on workforce development. Plans to engage with disability
community to help companies hire people with disabilities and help develop carrier paths
for people with disabilities.
Invest Hamilton County is working with hotels to
28 businesses in community are willing to host cohort-based training with a trainer on site.
This project is still a work in progress. They are working with state programs to receive more
funding for the program. Invest Hamilton County is currently working with two hotels. For
next two years IHC is planning to work hard on promoting the program, hosting events, and
on public education. At the same time they will investigate barriers to hiring people with
disabilities to work with employers on what can be done to help them hire people with
disabilities.
There are many barriers to employment opportunities that were discussed by the group.
One requirement is that employers must be located in Hamilton County. Employees can be
from anywhere as long as they are able to get to their job. More barriers were discussed.
How can the CACD use community engagement to better understand the needs of
community members that would/could participate in these programs?
Mike offered to help promote and host events and programs as a partnership with the
CACD.
CACD could start educating people about how a disabled adult with health care can have
Medicaid as secondary health care as a back up so if they lose their job they are still
covered.
CARMEL, INDIANA 46032
Action Item updates from last meeting
The transportation survey was discussed. The city is working with Transpro, a public
transportation consulting firm, to create a Transit Implementation Study and the survey will
be used as part of that. David noted that the survey will be a general survey, not just to
people with disabilities, but questions about accessibility for people with disabilities will be
included.
David updated the group on his request to the city’s Marketing and Community Relations
department to include money in their budget for the CACD.
Mike Thibideau offered to have IHC pay for any job fair expenses.
Niki discussed the opportunity to offer a condensed one day training for families on SSI
The City will be hosting a sensory skate at the Carter Green every Wednesday from January
through February. Previously there were only two sensory skates offered for those two
months.
October – Disability Employment Awareness Month plans
Discussed reverse job fair and potentially SSI education. The next transition fair is being
hosted in Carmel in March. Niki noted that Carmel and Fishers are now planning to work
with Noblesville and Westfield to host the event so it will be in Carmel every 4 years rather
than every other year.
David will contact OneZone and include Invest Hamilton County about partnering on a job
fair event in October.
Future events/promotions - March – Disabilities Awareness Month plans
We will plan to host the Disability Awareness Month kickoff event art show again next year.
OneZone Luncheon could be an opportunity to include a job fair as part of the event.
Carmel will be hosting the high school transition fair in March.
Next meeting October 8th, 2024
Adjournment