In 2013, the Employment First Act to Expand Opportunities for People with Disabilities was signed into law in Illinois.  The Employment First Act states that competitive and integrated employment in the community shall be considered the first option when serving persons with disabilities of working age.​

Community Choices ​and Developmental Services Center (DSC) are collaborating through the creation of LEAP (Leaders in Employing All People) to advance the Employment First initiative. The informational meetings will share the progress of the Employment First Initiative in Champaign County and how it will influences services in the future. These meetings are open to individuals with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities residing in Champaign County, families, friends, and anyone who is interested in supporting this initiative. For more details and topics of the meetings taking place monthly, please click HERE.

In working to make Champaign County an even more disability-inclusive community, LEADERS IN EMPLOYING ALL PEOPLE provides an opportunity area businesses to become LEAP-certified employers.  To learn how your business can become LEAP certified, please contact Ashley Withers at (217)417-6997 or via email at ashleycchoices@gmail.com.

LEAP EMPLOYER TRAINING INCLUDES:

• 1-Hour individual or group training
• YOU PAY NOTHING - The training is funded through the Champaign County Developmental Disabilities Board
• Receive reproducible materials to utilize for future staff trainings or reference
• Practical & hands-on tips from experts in the field, including other Champaign County employers
• History of employment of people disabilities and the Federal Employment First legislation
• Important things to know as a Champaign County employer
• Opportunities to network with other employers of people with developmental disabilities
• Recognition on our websites and social media
• An article in our newsletters
• Receive an official framed certificate
• Inclusion in a list of LEAP Certified Employers

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​CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING LEAP-CERTIFIED AREA BUSINESSES:

GOLD LEVEL
(These employers have completed the training and HAVE taken the "LEAP" by hiring employees with developmental disabilities)

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION​
PLANET FITNESS (CHAMPAIGN)
WALGREENS (MAHOMET, IL)
LOVING PAWS PET CLINIC
STEPHENS FAMILY YMCA
SCHNUCKS (SAVOY)
CLARK LINDSEY VILLAGE
COUNTY MARKET - KIRBY & DUNCAN​
HOME DEPOT (CHAMPAIGN)
BEST BUY (CHAMPAIGN)
WALGREENS- PHILO RD.
WALGREENS- GREEN ST
WORLD HARVEST/STRAWBERRY FIELDS CAFE
DASH MANAGEMENT (MCDONALD'S)
PLANET FITNESS (URBANA)
BIG GROVE TAVERN
URBANA PARK DISTRICT

OTHER LEAP-CERTIFIED BUSINESSES

​COMPLETE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS
​MIGA RESTAURANT
VOLITION
PETER PAN TOO
PEPSI COLA (CHAMPAIGN)
TEN THOUSAND VILLAGES
​SEE YOU CD & VINYL
FOR THE LOVE OF HAIR
CHEMICAL MAINTENANCE, INC.
THE VINEYARD CHURCH
JUPITER'S AT THE CROSSING
JPE, INC. JANITORIAL
TODD JACOBS, STATE FARM INSURANCE
FARM CREDIT ILLINOIS
MAHOMET CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
MAHOMET SEYMOUR SCHOOLS