Employment 1st Georgia is in the process of identifying personnel and leadership to function as an Institute for Innovation and promote full access, participation and inclusion for all citizens of Georgia.  The four Best Practice Centers described below represent the priority areas for advancing an Employment First agenda over the next year.  Although some technical assistance is currently available through the continuation of a Workforce Action Grant supported by the SILC and IHDD, January 1, 2007 is the target for a more fully operational Employment First Georgia Resource Center.

I. Administration and Management Center –
The “incubator” concept is essential to short term sustainability for the continued use of customized approaches / best practices.  This component of the Institute will establish, train and support a statewide sub-contractor to manage the funds and resources on behalf of individuals and families interested in continuing their current customized employment work plan or for those requiring support to negotiate the service system to establish new plans.  Early implementation will include funding stipends to the current contingent of Employment Navigators who have only a “symbolic” role within the One Stop Centers in the state.  This Division will work closely with the DOL leadership in Georgia to covert the symbolic role to a formal, integral component of the fifty three (current count) Employment Navigators’ job descriptions, a potential safeguard for continued sustainability.  The Statewide Independent Living Center is a well positioned advocacy organization likely to serve in this role. 

II. Leadership Center on Access and Participation in Employment –
This Center represents the staff development component of the Institute.  Ongoing training, technical assistance and outreach throughout the state to existing Employment Navigators, Regional Employment Liaisons and newly established Resource Specialists.  This will be supported by the establishment of a Training and Technical Assistance Center staffed by nationally recognized experts on inclusion through employment. The Georgia Employment Access Initiative has been promoting this concept as a volunteer, collaborative of agencies in the state with education about access and participation as a priority function.  The University Center for Excellence will likely serve as the training and technical assistance center.

III. Youth and Transition Service Center –
Effective Systems’ Change must not only address offering options to persons currently in the system wanting to escape segregation and establish a role or identity in society through work, but must close the door to segregation, limit the waiting lists and assist individuals, families and school systems to effectively transition young people from school to work and creative customized employment opportunities.  The emphasis on this work support center has the potential to save the system significant dollars in the future.  It will be an investment that will enhance and augment existing expenditures in the state community support system and potentially increase the effectiveness.  This initiative will be supported by active collaboration with Georgia’s Parent Leadership Coalition, a network of individuals and families trained as advocates for inclusion and quality transition planning, and the Georgia Department of Education.  The Georgia Advocacy Office (Protection and Advocacy), Governor’s Council on Disability and Institute on Human Development will likely lead the collaboration with the state’s educational system.

IV. Resource Analysis, Research and Development Center –
Sustainability requires documentation specific to the experience in Georgia to foster the support of legislators and future policy planners.  This Center will continue the efforts of the Workforce Action Grant Oversight Committee to build a strong administrative and legislative commitment to the “Employment First” policy statement and employment innovation consistent with the best practice techniques associated with customized employment.  The University Center for Excellence and the Governor’s Council will likely lead this important systems’ change initiative within the Employment First Georgia Resource Center.