DESE, Workshops Cooperate To Keep Employees Connected

The links between Missouri workshops and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education have never been stronger than during the pandemic.

Since the crisis began, DESE has allowed rule changes, administered critical grant funds and more to help shops keep people with disabilities employed, connected and healthy.

A major step occurred early in the crisis when DESE removed the 20 percent training maximum and other limitations for workers with disabilities. This allowed workshops to continue training employees even if they were quarantined in a group home. This also allowed employees to stay involved and, especially, retain a level of workplace skills often critical to their long-term successes.

“They remained part of the working community,” MASWM President Rob Libera noted. “Many times, that is the only activity they have been able to participate in.”

MASWM Secretary Natalie Couch agreed. “This was very helpful to keep our employees busy during the stay-at-home orders, lack of transportation due to limited group size restrictions and DMH recommendations keeping our employees at home,” she said. “We had a lot of employees taking advantage of the at-home training. Once they were able to come back to work, they did! It was a nice effort from DESE to help us keep everyone going during this crazy time!”