By Jennifer Saint Louis, PhD
Autism Awareness Month in April is an opportunity to shine a light on the contributions of hospitals and other health care facilities that are leading the way for workforce inclusion. In partnership with organizations like Arc Broward, they are opening doors to meaningful careers for individuals with autism and other disabilities. At the same time, there are almost limitless untapped opportunities for health care workplaces to solve critical shortages and diversify their workforce by opening their minds to employing adults with intellectual disabilities who have much to contribute.
Through its Workforce Services Division, Arc Broward has been fostering inclusive workplaces by providing high-quality education and intensive workforce supports, ensuring that individuals with disabilities and other life challenges can thrive on career paths that promote self-sufficiency. From post-secondary certificate programs that provide career training and credentialing for animal care, culinary arts, and material handling to the School of Hire, which prepares eligible students ages 18 to 22 for a career after high school, both job seekers and employers stand to benefit from the range of programs and services currently available.
With an anticipated September launch, Arc Broward’s newest post-secondary certificate will focus specifically on health care operations in response to the industry’s critical need for trained employees across a variety of roles. Students already are earning entry-level culinary arts and material handling certificates that make them well-suited to fill food service and distribution roles in a variety of workplace settings.
Curriculum and training for the health care operations certificate program is carefully designed to address some of the most pressing employment needs for which program participants are a good match including: dietary and nutrition aides, food porters, café workers, cashiers and other food service roles; supply chain and material distribution. Additionally, environmental services education will train workers to properly clean and sanitize health care spaces. Students will also be trained for patient experience roles at hospital and assisted living facilities, including wheelchair transitioning, customer service and clerical work using basic office software. They will get trained in CPR/AED and first aid to be able to respond in emergency situations, if necessary.
Past experiences have shown that program graduates shine in health care settings and are appreciated and valued by Arc Broward’s partners. Arc Broward is fortunate to have health care partners who understand the mutual benefits of inclusive hiring. Memorial Healthcare System, which serves as an important training site for School of Hire students, was recognized as the 2024 Transition Program Training Site of the Year for providing School of Hire students with valuable exposure to health care careers. Broward Health and HCA will join Memorial to host students for externships as part of the new certificate program later this year.
There are a variety of ways in which health care employers can engage with Arc Broward’s Workforce Services, from providing site visits and tours for students across programs to serving as externship sites for certificate program students, providing community-based instruction for the School of Hire, hiring Arc Works job seekers and more. Another way to get involved is to join other business leaders in identifying synergies between employers and graduates as a member of the Arc Works Business Advisory Council.
Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities represent a largely untapped pool of talent that can drive innovation, enhance productivity and strengthen workplace culture. Yet, misconceptions persist that hiring people with disabilities is costly or burdensome. In reality, the opposite is true – creating inclusive workplaces benefits individuals as well as the businesses and communities they serve. Working together, we can foster meaningful collaboration between South Florida’s health care employers and Arc Broward’s Workforce Services to lead to a better understanding of the mutual benefits of a diverse workforce that includes individuals with disabilities.
Dr. Jennifer Saint Louis, vice president, workforce services for Arc Broward, can be reached at jsaintlouis@arcbroward.com. For general information about Arc Broward’s Workforce Services please call (954) 746-9400 or visit https://arcbroward.com/arc-works-employer/.
