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As the nation prepared to recognize National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October, Assemblyman Chris Burdick, a member of the Assembly’s People with Disabilities Committee, visited Community Based Services, Inc. (CBS) on September 25 to see firsthand how the organization is preparing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities for meaningful employment.
The visit highlighted Assemblyman Burdick’s continued advocacy for people with disabilities and his commitment to advancing inclusive employment opportunities. During the visit, he met with program participants, families, staff members, and organizational leaders and toured CBS’s renovated Impact Center for Learning.
The Impact Center for Learning is a workforce-development and employment-training hub that combines customized instruction, virtual-reality job simulations, hands-on learning, and community-based employment exploration. These experiences help participants strengthen workplace skills, build confidence, increase independence, and prepare for success in today’s workforce.
CBS expressed its gratitude to Assemblyman Burdick for securing $25,000 to strengthen the organization’s information-technology infrastructure, cybersecurity protections, and operational-continuity capabilities. This investment will help CBS maintain reliable and secure systems that support its programs, employees, and services for people with disabilities.
Strong technology infrastructure is essential to modern disability services and workforce-development programs. Secure and dependable systems allow CBS to protect sensitive information, support staff, maintain continuity during emergencies or technology disruptions, and ensure that employment training and other essential services remain available to the people and families who depend on them.
Disability Employment in Action
A highlight of the visit was Good Reasons Dog Treats, CBS’s social enterprise where individuals with disabilities gain practical workplace experience by baking, packaging, and distributing all-natural dog treats. Assemblyman Burdick observed participants managing production activities while developing essential employment skills, including teamwork, communication, quality control, time management, and problem-solving.
“This is near and dear to my heart. Here you are providing a pathway to the workforce. We are working very hard to help employers understand that neurodiverse individuals not only can do the work, but are often among the most loyal, dependable, and long-serving employees. I applaud CBS for the important work you do every day.”
The visit demonstrated how employment preparation can connect skill development with authentic workplace experiences. Through initiatives such as the Impact Center for Learning and Good Reasons Dog Treats, participants have opportunities to practice job responsibilities, explore their interests, and demonstrate their abilities in supportive and inclusive settings.
Advocacy that Strengthens Opportunity
Assemblyman Burdick’s visit underscored the importance of collaboration among government, nonprofit organizations, businesses, families, and local communities in removing barriers to employment.
By advocating for people with disabilities and supporting the infrastructure behind essential programs, Assemblyman Burdick is helping organizations such as CBS create stronger and more sustainable pathways to employment. His support recognizes that employment inclusion depends not only on effective training, but also on the secure, reliable, and resilient systems needed to deliver services without interruption.
“With the right supports, individuals with disabilities can learn, work, contribute, and thrive. We are deeply grateful to Assemblyman Burdick for his advocacy and for taking the time to see our workforce-development programs in action. The funding he secured will help strengthen the technology, cybersecurity, and operational systems that allow us to provide dependable services and create meaningful opportunities for the people we support.”
Looking Ahead
CBS will continue expanding workforce-development opportunities through:
- Customized employment-readiness instruction and hands-on skills training.
- Virtual-reality job simulations and other interactive learning tools.
- Social enterprises that provide practical workplace experience.
- Partnerships with employers and community organizations committed to inclusive hiring.
- Secure and reliable technology systems that protect information and support uninterrupted program operations.
- The planned launch of Good Reasons Roast, a coffee-roasting and brewing social enterprise designed to provide training in customer service, hospitality, food handling, and small-business operations.
“National Disability Employment Awareness Month reminds us that people with disabilities are ready, willing, and able to contribute their talents in workplaces across our communities. With advocates like Assemblyman Burdick working alongside service providers, employers, and families, we can continue breaking down barriers and building inclusive pathways to employment.”
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