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Sen. Kirt and Rep. Hefner participate in national working group focused on improving career opportunities for youth with disabilities

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, participated in the National Working Group on Youth Transitions hosted by the Center for Advancing Policy on Employment for Youth (CAPE-Youth). The meeting was held on June 22-23 in Chicago and was funded by the U.S. Department of Labor.

“We came together with policy makers from across the country to improve career opportunities for youth with disabilities,” Kirt said. “The urgency to intervene earlier is clear. An estimated 40% of working-aged Oklahomans with disabilities are employed, compared to 79% of persons without disabilities. The working group helped us focus on programs for youth and young adults transitioning into the workforce and adult life so that more Oklahomans can benefit from meaningful employment.”

Kirt was joined by Rep. Ellyn Hefner, D-Oklahoma City.

“Now is the time to help our Oklahoma youth who have a disability transition to the workforce. The national working group highlighted career preparation, youth development and leadership, connecting to wrap-around supports and family engagement from experts across the states. I appreciate the community made and technical help and am ready to implement policy improvements for our Oklahoma youth,” said Hefner.

CAPE-Youth is a collaboration between The Council of State Governments and the K. Lisa Yang and Hock E. Tan Institute on Employment and Disability at Cornell University. The Center works to improve employment outcomes for youth and young adults with disabilities by helping states build capacity in their youth service delivery and workforce systems.

Kirt and Hefner submitted a related interim study to further explore future legislation.

-END-

For more information, contact:

Sen. Julia Kirt at 405-521-5636 or Julia.Kirt@oksenate.gov

Cutline: Sen. Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, with fellow National Working Group on Youth Transitions participant Rep. Ellyn Hefner, D-Oklahoma City.