The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is stepping forward with an initiative designed to provide crucial resources for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). In a move that aims to empower this population with better job opportunities, the NCDHHS has announced an event titled "Ignite Your Future: A Project Spark Event." The department's initiative, Project Spark, focuses on helping those with I/DD to find and retain community-based employment, shedding the constraints often associated with subminimum wage work.
Slated for September 9, this resource fair will offer a platform for one-on-one benefits counseling with certified counselors, and opportunities for attendees to connect with a range of vocational and support services. These include independent living supports, assistive technology resources, and healthcare services, among others. A key feature of the day will be an open-table networking event and the inclusion of a peer mentor panel discussion during lunch, as noted by the NCDHHS.
Registration for the event is open to the public and free of charge. Interested participants are encouraged to pre-register to take advantage of the complimentary lunch that will be provided. Walk-ins, however, are welcome at any time during the fair's scheduled hours.
The project aims to enhance economic opportunities and promote independence for North Carolinians living with I/DD. Project Spark is comprehensive in its support, offering personalized guidance, job placement, job coaching, and even the assistance from a trained IDD peer mentor. Post-employment follow-up services are also a part of the package. This initiative echoes a broader commitment to enable individuals with I/DD not only to earn competitive wages but also to foster relationships and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
The event will take place at the Carolina Pines Community Center, located at 2305 Lake Wheeler Road in Raleigh, NC, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Credentialed media wishing to cover the event should direct their RSVP to [email protected].
