Purpose

The California Governor's Committee is a unique partnership that believes everyone should have the opportunity to work. The Governor's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities (GCEPD) works to eliminate the barriers that preclude equal consideration for employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The Governor's Committee is responsible for providing leadership to increase the numbers of people with disabilities in the California workforce. The volunteer membership of the committee is comprised of decision-makers and leaders from the private and public sectors whose expertise is essential in supporting and building systems that promote universal access, remove barriers to work and enable people with disabilities to gain independence and economic self-sufficiency.

Assembly Bill 925 (effective January 1, 2003) greatly expanded the responsibilities and authority of the Governor's Committee. The Governor's Committee is responsible for providing statewide leadership on disability and employment. It consults with and advises the Legislature and the Governor on all issues related to full inclusion in the workforce of people with disabilities. This includes the development of a sustainable, comprehensive strategy to do the following:

• Bring adults with disabilities into gainful employment at a rate that is as close as possible to that of the general adult population.
  
  
• Support goals of equal opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency.
  
  
• Ensure that State government is a model employer of individuals with disabilities.
  
  
• Support State coordination with, and participation in, benefits training and other projects supported by private foundations and federal grants.
  

In addition, when funding is available, the Committee works jointly with public agencies and private organizations to make grants available to counties and local workforce investment boards. The Governor's Committee also provides support to the State Workforce Investment Board and local One-Stop Career Centers to achieve full compliance with State and federal laws.

Background

The California Governor's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities was originally established in 1947 to assist disabled veterans to become employed. The Committee was created as the California affiliate of the former President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities. It is affiliated with the National Association of Governors' Committees on Employment of People with Disabilities (NAGC), At the local level, community mayors' committees are affiliated with the Governor's Committee to address the special employment needs of their communities. Effective January 1, 2003 the committee was reorganized with the implementation of Assembly Bill 925 (Chapter 1088).

How is the Committee structured and who are its members?