About the Project
Texas Workforce Commission Vocational Rehabilitation (TWC-VR) Services, in partnership with the University of North Texas (UNT) Workplace Inclusion and Sustainable Employment (WISE), has been awarded a 5-year grant for $13.3 million from the U.S. Department of Education’s Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA). These funds will support individuals with disabilities in moving from Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment, known nationally as the SWTCIE projects. The SWTCIE projects will implement innovative model demonstration projects to learn the most effective strategies to increase competitive integrated employment for individuals with disabilities. RSA recognizes that models to obtain competitive integrated employment (CIE) are needed for students and youth with disabilities when they first begin seeking employment, along with individuals with disabilities who are already employed or contemplating employment at entities holding specific 14(c) certificates by the Department of Labor that pay subminimum wages. The SWTCIE project will provide Texans with disabilities an alternative path away from subminimum pay and toward a competitive workforce.
The Texas SWTCIE model demonstration sites will be known as Texas Beacons of Excellence (TBE) and will establish a prototype that will ultimately increase access to good wages for people with disabilities across the state. The goals of this project are to develop a replicable model and scalable plan to eventually be implemented beyond SWTCIE demonstration sites, and to move at least 10 percent of Texans with disabilities currently receiving subminimum wages into CIE over the next 5 years. An intended outcome of the project is to reduce the number of workers with disabilities receiving subminimum wages in the State of Texas.
As the second most populous state in the nation with extensive education, human services, and workforce development systems, TWC-VR will employ its network of partners to support SWTCIE participants in obtaining quality employment in career fields of their choice. These efforts will include enlisting the support of public schools, postsecondary educational institutions, 14(c) entities, supported and customized employment providers, job development and placement specialists, assistive technology and accommodation resources, and employers. Specifically, TWC-VR will partner with UNT WISE, UNT Rehabilitation Health and Services Department, Texas A&M University, Texas Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE), Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Texas Education Agency, Imagine Enterprises, Virginia Commonwealth University Rehabilitation Research and Training Center, the Job Accommodation Network, The ARC of Texas, the Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities, and organizations representing businesses in industries who wish to hire SWTCIE participants. Our demand-side approach requires active involvement from the business community.
Given the geographic, demographic, and economic diversity across the urban, suburban, and rural areas of Texas, this project has been carefully devised to reflect a statewide effort to move Texans with significant disabilities from sub-minimum wage jobs into CIE.
“The contents of this grant announcement were developed under grant number H421D220004 from the Department of Education. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. §§ 1221e-3 and 3474)”
About the Staff
University of North Texas (UNT) Workplace Inclusion & Sustainable Employment (WISE) staff members come from various backgrounds and educations, providing a wide variety of insights to the project based on field experiences.
Lucy Gafford, M.S., CRC, CESP
- Principal Investigator / UNT WISE Director
- lucy.gafford@unt.edu
- 940-891-6769
With over 17 years of direct experience, including previously working for VR creating business-facing programs to improve disability hiring initiatives, Lucy has also served as a transition counselor and has extensive experience coordinating across agencies to improve employment outcomes for youth with disabilities. She has served as an adjunct faculty member at UNT for over 10 years training and mentoring others to develop the skills necessary to be successful rehabilitation professionals. In her role at UNT WISE, Lucy manages multiple programs including pre-employment transition services (Pre-ETS) programming to serve transition-age students, Community Rehabilitation Provider Training to help increase employment specialists’ competencies and the UNT Neurodiversity Initiative to improve post-secondary outcomes for neurodivergent students.
Ryan Cole, M.S., CRC, CESP
- TBE Project Director
- ryan.cole@unt.edu
- 940-565-4422
Ryan has been working directly with people with disabilities for over 15 years now. He strives to make a difference in other people’s lives and is motivated and knowledgeable in helping people with disabilities achieve their vocational needs based off of their needs, skills, abilities, and interests. Ryan has a strong background assisting individuals with disabilities with employment services. He was previously a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) and he is well versed when it comes to networking with employers, developing partnerships with businesses, and providing disability training. He has previously provided job placement and supported employment services for Quest Employment Services and Easter Seals North Texas. Ryan has also developed and implemented several training programs for people with disabilities such as the Walgreens REDI program and Project Search. He looks forward to serving his community and assisting others in the pursuit of empowerment and independence.
Sonia Martinez
- TBE Sr. Program Project Coordinator
- sonia.martinez@unt.edu
- 940-369-5795
Sonia's background as an experienced Employment Specialist and Job Coach, with prior employment at organizations like My Possibilities and Best Buddies, showcases her commitment to serving individuals with different abilities. Her emphasis on placing participants in meaningful careers rather than just finding jobs reflects a dedication to enhancing their overall quality of life. Having a wealth of experience in the employment world, Sonia brings a valuable skill set to her role at UNT. Her expertise in job development and established relationships with employers in the community demonstrate her effectiveness in connecting individuals with diverse abilities to suitable employment opportunities. This not only helps individuals find work but contributes to their long-term success and fulfillment. Sonia's passion for serving special populations aligns well with the inclusive values of UNT. Her commitment to improving the lives of those she works with is a commendable aspect of her professional ethos.
Ticcara Cassell, M.A.
- TBE Sr. Program Project Coordinator
- ticcara.cassell@unt.edu
- 940-369-7515
Ticcara has 14 years teaching experience of implementing tailored academic/vocational programming for neurodivergent and under-represented populations. She was previously an Academic and Vocational Educator for Denton Independent School District. She has also served on the Campus Leadership Team as the Special Education representative for the Diversity and Equity committee. Ticcara will be utilizing her unique perspective on education to create innovative and collaborative ways for instructional and vocational programming to encompass an inclusive environment for competitive integrated employment. She is to be a catalyst for positive change in the arena of vocational rehabilitation.
Karina Saucedo, M.A.
- TBE Program Project Coordinator
- karina.saucedo@unt.edu
- 940-891-6769
Karina graduated from the University of North Texas with a master’s degree in Women’s and Gender Studies and has 6 years of professional work experience serving their community. They are passionate about supporting historically under-represented individuals and are eager to engage with Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) in this programmatic role to maximize the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. They have experience working closely with Denton’s Opening Doors International Services providing legal services to immigrant and refugee populations. The majority of Karina’s time was spent accompanying clients before United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and assisting Department of Justice (DOJ) Accredited staff with technical reviews for USCIS applications. They have also worked overseeing event planning with Texas Women’s University (TWU) Housing and Residence Life and transitioned to administrative coordination during their time with UNT’s Toulouse Graduate School before joining the UNT WISE team. Karina looks forward to serving their community and improving the lives of people with disabilities.