LSU Health New Orleans-UMC Partnership Wins Gold

The 2017 Governor’s Outstanding Leadership in Disabilities (GOLD) Awards were a win-win for LSU Health New Orleans and University Medical Center (UMC). UMC, nominated by LSU Health New Orleans Human Development Center, was recognized as Employer of the Year for its disability-employment initiative in partnership with LSU Health New Orleans’ Post-secondary Apprenticeship Pilot for Youth, or PAY Check, Program.

The PAY Check pilot is an innovative collaboration between LSU Health New Orleans Human Development Center (HDC), Louisiana Rehabilitation Services, Delgado Community College, two public school systems, one public charter school association and University Medical Center. PAY Check prepares post-secondary students with disabilities who are eligible for vocational rehabilitation services for employment. It is a three-to-five semester program. PAY Check participants select courses at Delgado Community College related to UMC-targeted apprenticeship areas, participate in professional career-development activities, learn community and work skills, and gain employment experience through a paid apprenticeship at University Medical Center.

“The disability hiring initiative is strengthened through the hiring commitment of our community employers as evidenced by University Medical Center,” said Susan Killam, M.Ed., CWIC, CESP, LSU Health New Orleans PAY Check Program Director.

GOLD Awards honor people who have shown leadership to improve quality of life for people with disabilities.

LSU Health New Orleans School of Allied Health Professions’ Human Development Center provides leadership and innovation in interdisciplinary education, community service, and research and disseminates information to strengthen and increase the capacity of local communities to support and include individuals with developmental disabilities and their families in all aspects of life in the community.