Texas Workforce Commission
Meeting
May 23, 2023
10:00 AM
101 East 15th Street, Room 244
Austin, Texas 78701
In honor of Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month, Governor Abbott issued a formal proclamation recognizing the importance of autism awareness and acceptance. In it, Governor Abbott recognizes the unique talents and perspectives of Texans with Autism, and the invaluable contributions they make to our state. According to the CDC, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) occurs in all racial, ethnic, and socio-economic groups. Because of this, Governor Abbott stresses the need for early diagnoses and intervention and further research on ASD. He also called for the celebration of the important role Texans with autism have here in Texas.
Jacquie Benestante, Executive Director of the Autism Society of Texas (AST) offered this statement: “The Autism Society of Texas is proud to celebrate Autism Acceptance Month throughout April. Every day, we work to create connections empowering everyone in the Autism community to live fully. We believe that acceptance is creating a world where everyone in the Autism community is connected to the support they need, when they need it. We connect families and Autistic adults to support, education, and resources across Texas. Get connected at TexasAutismSociety.org.”
The Autism Society further states, “Everyone’s story is different. The experience of Autism is not one thing. It is many things. It’s dreams, talents, relationships, victories, hurdles, and everything in between. The connection between those experiences is you. You break the mold. No matter who you are, the person you are is infinite – and you are the only you there is.”
Governor's Proclamation
Join WorkQuest in recognizing March as National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and celebrating the integral role that individuals with developmental disabilities play in the workforce.
Resources & Information:
March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month – TCDD (texas.gov)
Governor’s Proclamation:
Proclamation for Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (texas.gov)
Texas Workforce Commission
Purchasing from People with Disabilities Advisory Committee Meeting
March 2, 2023
2:00 p.m.
101 E. 15th Street, Room 244
Austin, Texas 78701
Toyotetsu Texas, Inc. (TTTX), in partnership with the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), celebrates its inaugural internship class participating in a state-wide fee-for-service contract to purchase and deliver services to pay wages and associated taxes and fees (wage services) for Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) participants placed in paid work experience (PWE).
Work-based learning is defined as participation in work activities in real work settings to help individuals with disabilities learn about possible fields of interest and gain soft and hard skills through hands-on exposure. The objective of PWE is to increase work-based learning opportunities through Texas’ integrated workforce system for VR participants who are students with disabilities, thereby providing them with foundational employment skills and better preparing them for successful transition to postsecondary education and employment.
Read More
AUSTIN, Texas — Financial independence and success are two things we all strive for. But career opportunities shouldn’t be limited for those who are blind or visually impaired.
Austin Lighthouse, a nonprofit in Austin, hopes to break that cycle.
Read MoreAUSTIN – Gov. Greg Abbott has appointed Alberto “Albert” Treviño, III as the Texas Workforce Commission’s new Commissioner Representing Labor.
“I am honored to serve the interests of 14 million Texans as the Commissioner Representing Labor,” said Commissioner Treviño. “I look forward to working with staff and my fellow Commissioners to continue making Texas the best place to live and work.”
Read MoreAUSTIN – TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez announced he will depart from the Texas Workforce Commission effective December 15, 2022. Commissioner Alvarez was appointed as Commissioner Representing Labor by Governor Abbott in February 2016, and reappointed in March 2017, to represent the interests of Texas workers.
“It has been a pleasure to serve as the Commissioner Representing Labor of the Texas Workforce Commission for two terms. I am truly humbled and honored to have been given the opportunity to serve you and this great state of Texas,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez. “I truly have enjoyed the opportunity to develop impactful and innovative initiatives benefitting both our constituents and employers.”
Read MoreThe Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) announces the kickoff of this year’s Summer Earn and Learn (SEAL) program for students with disabilities aged 14-22. Through work-based learning, youth earn a paycheck while learning new skills and gaining professional experience. Employers participating in SEAL benefit from the addition of engaged and enthusiastic team members.
SEAL, a partnership between TWC, Workforce Solutions Boards and Texas Workforce Solutions-Vocational Rehabilitation Services (TWS-VRS), works with local employers who partner to create meaningful work opportunities. Students participating in SEAL attend work readiness training to prepare them for successful employment. During their work-based learning, students earn a paycheck while acquiring new skills and professional experiences.
WorkQuest and its annual Artie Lee Hinds Awards Dinner recently received coverage on East Texas ABC affiliate KLTV 7, showcasing an award recipient from the East Texas Lighthouse for the Blind.
Here’s a transcript from the story below. To view the video segment, CLICK HERE.
An East Texas man is showing us the value of perseverance and knowing your capabilities. Ronald Jordan was one of 6,000 people who was awarded the WorkQuest Artie Lee Hinds Employee of the Year award last week in Austin.
