Training Opportunities & Information Updates
From the Kentucky Supported Employment Training Project
January 14, 2026
Information Updates
Social Security Updates 2026
The Social Security Administration has posted updated numbers for 2026, including SGA and SSI amounts. You can find additional 2026 updated Fact Sheets on SETP’s Resource page; click on the "Impact of Working on SSI/SSDI" heading. Watch for a new page dedicated to this information, currently under construction on SETP’s website. Want to learn more? Check out the upcoming training opportunities below!
Training Opportunities
SSI/SSDI and STABLE Kentucky 2026 Updates
Date: Friday, January 23rd, 12:30 – 1:30 ET
Location: Zoom; registration is free but required
Presented by: SETP; Speakers include Carolyn Wheeler, SETP/UK – HDI and Jordyn Pennington, Director of STABLE Kentucky
Description: Happy New Year! What if you could tell a job seeker, consumer, or employee they could earn $1,689 gross/month and still maintain a cash payment if receiving either Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)? Come learn about the 2026 cost-of-living updates to SSI and SSDI payments, as well as the increase to the Trial Work Period and Substantial Gainful Activity for SSDI beneficiaries. The age for a person to open a STABLE Kentucky account has increased to 46, and the contribution limit is $20,000/year. And more if the person is working!
Kentucky Disability Benefits 101: 5th Thursday Coffee/Tea Break
Date: 5th Thursdays in 2026: January 29, April 30, July 30, October 29
Time: 3:15 – 3:45 presentation and 3:45 – 4:15 open Q&A (Eastern Time)
Location: Zoom; registration is free but required
Presented by: SETP; Speakers include Carolyn Wheeler, SETP/UK – HDI, and Jeff White, DDID
Description: At the end of the 30 minutes, you will be able to use the Kentucky Disability Benefits 101 website to show the positive financial impact of employment while still maintaining a person’s eligibility for Medicaid or Medicare.
SE Roundtable Discussions
The SETP hosts an ongoing series of roundtable discussions intended for those who have attended the Core Training Series in the previous year, but they are open to anyone interested in participating. This allows new (and experienced) Employment Specialists to continue learning and gain practical strategies to assist with their everyday work. This is a valuable opportunity to connect with colleagues and share your experiences, questions, and insights.
Learn more about the Roundtables and find upcoming dates. These are held throughout the year, so if the topic you wanted has passed, more will be posted!
SETP 101: Traditional Supported Employment Overview Refresher Online Course
Location: SETP 101 Traditional
Supported Employment Overview Refresher in HDI’s learning management system
Presented by: SETP
Description: This is the same online SETP 101 course taken during the Core Training Series, but as a refresher for those interested. It guides you through the basics of supported employment, including the phases of service and documentation required for OVR.
Supported Employment Documentation & Descriptive Writing Online Course (SETP 204)
Location: SETP 204 Documentation & Descriptive Writing in HDI’s learning management system
Presented by: SETP
Description: This training is designed to help you sharpen an essential skill in our work: documentation. Strong writing doesn’t just check a compliance box — it helps us tell the real story of the people we serve, communicate clearly with our partners at OVR, and ensure the delivery of quality services across the state. Throughout this course, you’ll gain strategies to make your writing more accurate, objective, and impactful. You’ll review real-life examples, rewrite vague or subjective notes, and practice using descriptive language to reflect the skills and growth of those you support. Certificate for proof of training hours provided upon completion.
SETP 202: Supported Employment: The Nuts & Bolts of the Work Online Course
Location: SETP 202: SE: The Nuts & Bolts of the Work in HDI’s Learning Management System
Presented by: SETP
Description: Katie Wolf Whaley and Zac Sappenfield presented a 5-part webinar series digging into practical tips for offering quality supported employment services. Topics include logistics and tools, Discovery, Job Development, On-the-Job Supports, and Values and Disability Rights as Part of Our Work.
SETP 105: Employment and Retention (E&R) Online Course
Location: SETP 105: Employment and Retention in HDI's Learning Management System
Audience: Those who provide or supervise the OVR service of Employment & Retention
Presented by: SETP
Description: This course is designed specifically to equip employment specialists with the knowledge and skills needed to support individuals in obtaining and maintaining competitive, integrated employment. As a Community Rehabilitation Program (CRP) provider, this course will guide you through the aspects of the E&R process, including the roles and responsibilities of CRPs, with an emphasis on collaboration, documentation, and compliance with E&R requirements.
Looking for Additional Training Topics?
Scroll to the bottom of our Training page to find recorded options for training hours.
Visit the Job Accommodation Networks calendar of webcasts. Click on the arrow for those previously held to find recordings and materials of the live event.
Resources
Kentucky is an Employment First state.
It is the policy of the Commonwealth of Kentucky that competitive integrated employment in the community shall be considered the first and primary option for persons with disabilities of working age who desire to become employed. Learn more and find resources to share:
How to Get Help Finding a Job
Share this How to Get Help Finding a Job flyer with people looking to go to work and are not sure where to start.
Universal Employment Competencies
In 2019, the Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE) updated the Universal Employment Competencies. This is a valuable tool for understanding best practices in our field, measuring how your agency aligns, utilizing it in employee reviews, and more.
Impact of Wages on Benefits
- Disability Benefits 101 – Kentucky
- SETP’s Benefits Fact Sheets and Additional Resources (scroll to the Impact of Working on SSI/SSDI heading)
Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
How to Describe Supported Employment Services
Employment Files
The Employment Files YouTube Channel has lots of stories to share! This can be a valuable tool in helping job seekers, family members, or other support staff consider employment opportunities.
Short Videos about OVR, Supported Employment, and Pre-ETS
Seeking ways to share information about OVR, Supported Employment, and Pre-ETS with those unfamiliar with the agency or its services? The Human Development Institute (HDI) and OVR have partnered to create 3 short videos:
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Disability Webinars shares upcoming and archived events held by the Southeast ADA Center, covering a wide range of ADA-related topics
ADALive! is a free monthly show/podcast broadcast nationally about the Americans with Disabilities Act. Moderated by the Southeast ADA Center.
Questions about the Americans with Disabilities Act? Call the Southeast ADA Center at 1-800-949-4232 for expert guidance.
Questions?
Please don’t hesitate to reach out! The Supported Employment Training Project is here to offer training and technical assistance to providers across Kentucky. We are available to bring training to your agency and for individual conversations. Contact Katie Wolf Whaley at kwolf@uky.edu (or reply to this email).
You can always find past newsletters, as well as the CRP Quarterly Bulletins, on our webpage.
Thank you for all you do to move Employment First forward and help people find successful employment.
Katie
