Meet Ackeem! Partners Health Plan Member, Ackeem, has been employed by the New York City Police Department for five years in downtown Manhattan.

The best part of his job, he stated, “is working with New York’s finest and I enjoy working for the Chief of Community of Affairs Bureaus of the New York City Police Department.”  As the department’s Director of Community Affairs Bureau, he has an important role to fill and his boss motivates him to stay focused and help the community in every possible way he can.   His motto for life is inspiring, “Stay focused and be strong.  Always have a good attitude.”

Meet Jessica! Partners Health Plan Member, Jessica, has always been a busy person, with two part-time jobs she is very passionate about.

One of which is working for the Self Advocacy Association of NY, better known as 'SANYS', the Long Island chapter.Her role there is that of "Grassroots Presenter & Field Assistant." Her favorite task is facilitating discussion groups with self-advocates and families on topics such as dignity of risk, enhancing your technology skills, and ending police violence against people with disabilities. She even speaks to parents of younger children with disabilities to provide them with her perspective on growing up with a disability

Meet Margaret! Partners Health Plan Member, Margaret, began working for the Department of Labor during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, after working for the Department of Transportation for many years.  This is her employment story told by her dedicated Care Manager, Barbara!

What can I tell you about Margaret?  She is joy personified and she lives her best life every day.  Margaret recently turned 70 but she is evergreen.  Margaret works 3 days a week at the NYS Department of Labor (DOL), where she does a fantastic job.  Margaret was brave enough to start her job at the DOL during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

She was not worried.  In fact, she was excited to work more hours and have a set schedule. Margaret is proud of her job and has a phenomenal work ethic and independence.  She doesn’t allow herself to be held back and always exceeds expectations.  Margaret enthusiastically approaches each task with a spring in her step and a smile on her face.   

Prior to COVID, Margaret worked with an entire crew at the Department of Transportation (DOT) in Garden City for many years, so when she began at the DOL, she had to learn new skills, including how to maneuver a commercial Rubbermaid cleaners’ cart in and out of a small elevator before the door shuts, and in and out of small office doors.  Margaret also had to learn what products and supplies were necessary to do the job.  Once her job coach shadowed her throughout the day, now she only meets with him at the end of her shift to go home.  Margaret has a big smile every day that reflects the pride and sense of accomplishment she feels about herself and the job.   

Margaret also knows that her job is important and that she needs to maintain her focus throughout the day.  She is well aware of her need to continually practice COVID protocols while she is at work.  She understands the importance of remaining safe while she cleans high-touch surfaces, in high-traffic areas.  No matter what, Margaret is unfailingly friendly and polite.  She knows to always knock on doors when entering offices and conference rooms.  Margaret appreciates the other employees and has stated that they are always nice to her.  However, she enjoys when she can work alone, where she can be found cleaning while she sings and dances to her theme song, the Donna Summer classic, “She Works Hard for the Money” and if you ask her about her job, she’ll tell you:  “I don’t just like my job, I Iove my job.” 

Partners Health Plan was a featured MediSked Podcast guest on January 4, 2023,. The podcast entitled, “Inclusion Benefits All-- The Case for Employing Neurodiverse Individuals” delivered important information on the benefits of hiring individuals with disabilities. Karleen Haines, Chief of Member Relations & Advocacy in the podcast’s Q&A delivered key points on the value of eliminating barriers and diversifying the workforce, especially if the hiring goals are embedded in the organization’s mission.

Listeners are asked thought provoking questions such as, “What type of support do I need to provide individuals, so they are successful? What are the positive outcomes when employing people with a disability? How are we writing the job descriptions and recruiting to ensure we have a diverse candidate pool?”

PHP Member, Ackeem Duggan, shared his personal employment journey. We learn about his challenges and ultimate rewards of financial gain, stability, independence, professional, and personal growth, community inclusion and belonging, making new friends, and experiencing improved mental health and personal well-being.

The program emphasizes that successful employment outcomes are rooted in advocacy. This episode is a testament to effective care management and coordination to assist individuals with disabilities live their best lives. Care Managers, who are fierce advocates for the individuals they support, ensure the necessary supports and services are in place. Does an individual have a job coach who can help them make meaningful connections and provide training and onboarding support?

Ackeem describes how those pieces and previous successes were in place for him. Today, he is happy and successful working for the NYPD Director of Community Affairs.

 Listen to this episode and let us know what you think! Ep. 10: Inclusion Benefits All – The Case for Employing Neurodiverse Individuals - MediSked, LLC