Neighbor News
Town of Cortlandt Honored for Championing Inclusive Employment
Deputy Town Supervisor James Creighton Receives Award at National Disability Employment Awareness Summit
The Hudson Valley Service Providers, a coalition of 22 agencies supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, hosted the National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) Employer Recognition Summit at the Powelton Club in Newburgh. The event also commemorated the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), celebrating decades of progress toward inclusion and equal opportunity.
Among the honorees was the Town of Cortlandt, recognized by Community Based Services (CBS) for its long-standing commitment to inclusive hiring practices. The town currently employs 15–20 individuals through CBS’s supported employment program, primarily in street cleaning and maintenance roles.
“They understand and include our workers as part of the crew,” said CBS’s Vocational Services Manager Kultumi Davies. “Whether it’s cleaning streets or working in the town garage, they are valued team members.”
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Deputy Town Supervisor of Cortlandt attended the event to accept the award on behalf of Town Supervisor Dr. Richard Becker and the Town’s Department of Environmental Services.
“I had the great honor recently of attending the Celebrating Champions of Inclusion event for the Hudson Valley region recognizing some wonderful employers who create inclusive workplaces and opportunities for people of all abilities,” the Deputy Supervisor said. “This year, I was thrilled to hear that HVSP honored the Town of Cortlandt along with Target and Resorts World Catskills and others for helping open doors, create possibilities, and champion inclusion.”
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“It was my pleasure to represent the Town of Cortlandt and accept the National Disability Employer Recognition Award for our commitment to creating meaningful employment opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. At the Town of Cortlandt, we have a long history of hiring individuals with different abilities and have found it so enriching to have a workforce that highlights the gifts every individual brings to the workplace.”
The Deputy Supervisor also noted that Cortlandt has been recognized as one of the “Best Places to Work” in Westchester by 914Inc Magazine, and emphasized the town’s dedication to fostering a dynamic, inclusive, and supportive work environment.
“This award is really a thank you to our amazing workers who share our dedication to our core values of community, collaboration, and excellence. The Town embraces its motto of being a place ‘Where Life Works’ and we remain committed to creating a positive and engaging workplace culture that empowers employees of all abilities and enriches the broader community while helping to make the Hudson Valley a more inclusive place to live and work.”
Employment First Initiative
The summit also featured keynote speaker Lynne Thibdeau, Project Manager for the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities, who introduced the state’s Employment First initiative. Launched in 2020, the program aims to close the employment gap between individuals with and without disabilities.
“Employment is the ultimate inclusion,” Thibdeau said. “We believe people with disabilities bring unique skills and talents that meet real business needs.”
CBS has long championed the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to work. In 2009, the organization launched Good Reasons Dog Treat Bakery to provide employment for people of all abilities. CBS provides prevocational training and supported employment opportunities, and is preparing to launch the Impact Center for Learning—an innovative space designed to equip people with disabilities with essential soft skills and job readiness training, empowering them to thrive as valued members of the workforce.
“Employment gives people purpose, dignity, and independence,” said Community Engagement Manager Joseph Conti. “We’re proud to work alongside community partners like the Town of Cortlandt to make that vision a reality.”
About Community Based Services
Community Based Services has been a leader in providing innovative services for people with disabilities across the Hudson Valley. The agency has been enriching lives, providing jobs, and cultivating dreams for people with disabilities since 1981. For more information, visit https://commbasedservices.org/.
