DSNWK
Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas’ Employment Connections Program signed a five year contact agreeing to the “End Dependence Kansas (EDK)” initiative through the Department of Children and Families, which aims to increase the employment of Kansans with disabilities. DSNWK is striving to increase the successful closures in competitive, integrated employment from 60-percent to 75-percent.
The contract began July 1 and will end June 30, 2021, and welcomes a new full-time employee, Jackie Sakil. Sakil serves as the marketing manager for Employment Connections, which serves 18 counties in northwest Kansas.
Sakil relocated to Hays from the Salt Lake City area. She spent 20 years volunteering in the deaf community and previously worked as a vocational counselor and job coach.
Sakil said she already feels very welcomed in the community.
In September, Sakil and everyone involved in the project will attend training for EDK to ensure that goals are met.
The goals of the contract include empowering disabled Kansans, building the capacity and infrastructure with community partners, decreasing the reliance of people on the public benefit system, developing effective support systems, and improving the employment outcomes of Kansans with disabilities.
Seventy-percent of Sakil’s time is spent meeting with community businesses and securing internships, and 30-percent is spent working with families, persons served and the Department of Children and Families’ benefit specialist. In addition, Sakil will collaborate with mental health agencies, the Department of Corrections and provide other support needed for successful employment closures and maintenance of long term support.
Starting an internship program is one of Sakil’s current focuses. The goal of the internship program is to help find good matches between the people DSNWK serves and businesses, and to help build resumes, she said.
Employment Connections encourages those interested in providing employment opportunities for persons with developmental disabilities to contact Sakil at 785-621-5255. The EDK initiative will serve Ellis, Russell, Trego, Graham, Norton, Rooks, Phillips, Smith and Sheridan Counties. As the project progresses, DSNWK may consider expansion to other counties in Northwest Kansas.
DSNWK is a 501(c) (3) non-profit and Community Service Provider that assures the provision of quality services and programs to approximately 500 individuals with mild to severe disabilities. These services are available through community based and outreach programs and interagency agreements with other service providers in the 18 northwestern most counties of Kansas.