Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
Raleigh, North Carolina, June 29, 2022. State employees with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have a new ally in preparing for career advancement or a change in their current job. The NC Career Advancement Resources for Employees on the Spectrum (NCCARES) pilot program is accepting applications from employees with ASD who need support to achieve goals in the workplace.
Governor Roy Cooper announced the NCCARES initiative in April, when he also proclaimed North Carolina World Autism Month . Crediting state employees with ASD for bringing valuable skills and perspective to state government workplaces, Governor Cooper said the innovative program will help agencies “support and retain these employees and better serve our state.”
NCCARES reflects an expansion of support services available to state employees through Governor Cooper’s Executive Order 92: Employment First for North Carolinians with Disabilities , which most recently marked its third anniversary in March.
Interested employees can apply for support by completing an online application form for NCCARES, found on the North Carolina State Office of Human Resources website. State Talent Acquisition Manager Kristin Siemek will refer eligible employees to training to be provided by the UNC TEACCH Autism Center and the North Carolina Autism Society .
NCCARES career counselors will work in one-on-one sessions supporting efforts to hone interpersonal and management skills to be more effective with supervisors and colleagues, set new and achievable career goals, discover solutions to current job obstacles, develop an action plan providing support to make any needed changes, creating a more equitable culture, advocating for the resources needed to succeed, empowering the individual to work with current management and future teams, and facilitating change and understanding.
NCCARES was developed in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, which will fund the one-year pilot program. The initiative grew out of Linking North Carolina with Innovative Talent (LiNC-IT), a collaborative program of the North Carolina Business Committee for Education (NCBCE). LiNC-IT offers internships for people with ASD starting their careers and helps employers develop neurodiversity programs.
