Employment First Central Oregon is a coalition of nonprofits and state agencies working together to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson counties. We link individuals to employment opportunities and ongoing job coaching, creating mutual success for employees and businesses alike. Supported employment is not charity; it is a service that finds and maximizes each person’s skills so that everyone they encounter sees the individual, not the disability. 

 Please take a moment to nominate an employer or an employee in your community who has exceeded expectations or otherwise deserves recognition. A designated committee will go over all nominations and inform the community of the recipient/s.  

Once recipients are decided, the person who nominated, along with their chosen team, will coordinate presentation details (time, place, etc.) and present the award to the winner.

The awards are locally crafted glass-blown plates custom made by Aaron with AD glass design, accompanied by a certificate of appreciation.

We will announce awards each month from April-September. In October we will host a larger event celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness month where we will again honor award recipients. 

We look forward to having a broad range of recipients in all three counties. So nominate away right here!