January 23, 2018 – Kill Devil Hills, NC – Mandy K. Cohen, MD, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, will introduce the EveryBody Works NC campaign to local business and employment communities in an effort to close the 45-point unemployment gap between those working-age people with disabilities and those without disabilities. The secretary will be speaking on Thursday, February 1 at 8 AM at Captain George’s Seafood Restaurant in Kill Devil Hills.

As part of the event, a number of nonprofit organizations and governmental agencies will have the opportunity to introduce themselves to the business community and distribute information. Participating organizations will be representing workforce development, vocational rehabilitation, law enforcement, intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental health, substance abuse and service and care providers.

Organizers hope this forum encourages area businesses and employers to consider hiring people with disabilities of all kinds including those with intellectual and other developmental disabilities (I/DD), mental health and substance abuse. The EveryBody Works NC campaign is increasing awareness of the untapped pool of talent found in the disability community and working to create more jobs and job-oriented educational opportunities for people with disabilities.

In addition, Secretary Cohen will visit the Community Care Clinic, Social Services and Dare County Department of Health, the Outer Banks Hospital and Room in The Inn. The secretary’s visit is part of a health and human services community forum organized by local advocates and sponsored by the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities, EveryBody Works NC and The Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce.

All area business/community leaders interested in expanding their employment base or in social service/social justice issues are invited to attend the forum. Please RSVP by January 22 to The Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce by calling 252.441.8144 or emailing [email protected]

For more information, contact:

Renate Macchirole, Director of Operations
Room in The Inn
Cell 252.256.0347
[email protected]

Gordon O’Neill, Communications Contractor
NC Council on Developmental Disabilities
Cell: 404.310.6188, Office: 678.384.783
[email protected]