Cotati City Council
Agenda Staff Report
Item type: REGULAR CALENDAR (ACTION)
To: City Council
Subject: RECOGNITION OF WALGREENS AND GRAYSON CHU,
RECIPENT OF THE EMPLOYERS BEST PRACTICES AWARD
AND EMPLOYEE INITIATIVE AWARD FOR PEOPLE WITH
DISABILITIES
Date: November 26, 2024
Written by: Damien O'Bid, City Manager
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council authorize the Mayor by motion to send a letter from the City to Walgreens and Greyson Chu, congratulating and recognizing them for their awards and the employment practices and initiative that led to their recognition.
Background
At the City Council meeting on October 8, 2024, the City Council recognized October as ”National Disability Employment Awareness Month” with a proclamation that was received by staff from Becoming Independent, a local nonprofit community benefit organization supporting the full spectrum of needs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in the North Bay.
On October 30, 2024, the local office of the State Department of Rehabilitation with Becoming Independent, hosted an annual awards event recognizing "individuals employed, community advocated for individuals with disabilities and employers who provide employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.“ Mayors Sparks and other Sonoma County mayors were invited to the awards event.
Analysis/Discussion
Financial Considerations
At the October 30. 2024 awards event, Walgreens in Cotati, represented by the store manager Candice White, was awarded the ”Employer Best Practices Award” for being an excellent employer for people with disabilities. In addition, one of the employees at our local Walgreens, Grayson Chu, was also recognized with the ”Employee Initiative Award”.
As cited in the awards nomination (attached), ”Walgreens has been outstanding in supporting participants from the Student Services Program. Over the year, Walgreens has welcomed 10 participants into work experiences and hired one. Participants have enjoyed working at Walgreens and have successfully performed the tasks. Much of that success has been that Candice White, Store Manager, has been an excellent support and advocate for young people with disabilities. She is very tuned in to their strengths, abilities, and makes appropriate adjustments to accommodate their disabilities and learning styles. The training is presented in tiers allowing for independence and individual growth and scales back on tasks returning the participant to basic tasks and repetition to allow more time for learning and mastering the task.
Participants are also provided with opportunity to learn leadership and teamwork skills.” Environmental Issues
Not applicable.