Training Opportunities & Information Updates
From the Kentucky Supported Employment Training Project
November 11, 2025
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Information Updates
Employment First FAQs
The Employment First Council has created an FAQ document on Employment First and what it means to you. You can find the full document or separate documents for each audience.
SETP Updates
SETP has two Technical Assistance Facilitators on staff! Do you have questions about providing services? Documentation? Invoicing? Planning for job seekers? Knowing what to say to employers? Schedule time with one of us for an individual conversation!
Email setraining@uky.edu to request a meeting.
SETP has updated our website, making it easier for you to find what you need. We have revised the Materials and Resources pages. We have created a new page for Job Seekers, Families, and Supporters. Please check out the information and share!
Commonwealth of Kentucky’s Virtual Job Fair
Please share! The Commonwealth of Kentucky is hosting a monthly virtual job fair on the 3rd Wednesday of the month. It targets veterans but is open to all Kentuckians.
Next offering: November 19 from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm ET (10–11 for Veterans and Military Families and 11–1 open to all job candidates). This event is completely free for both employers and job seekers, providing an excellent opportunity to connect and explore career opportunities. This is a great opportunity to share information with job seekers and/or help them register. Encourage job seekers to upload their information ahead of time. The October event will be open for 25 hours after the start time, so they can communicate with employers outside the 3-hour window.
Social Security Updates 2026
The Social Security Administration has posted updated numbers for 2026, including SGA and SSI amounts. The SETP website will have all the 2026 Fact Sheets updated by January 1, when they go into effect.
Order of Selection and Kentucky OVR
Kentucky OVR has begun an Order of Selection, effective May 14, 2025. You can find more information at OVR’s Order of Selection webpage, including the Letter of Implementation and Understanding Order of Selection.
Kentucky APSE has put out information on OOS in plain language that aligns with what you will find on the OVR webpage, including points around impact.
- If you know people interested in services, OVR is encouraging people to continue to apply.
- Order of Selection impacts OVR services only. If your agency or a consumer has access to other funding (private dollars, Medicaid waiver, etc.), then employment services may continue in that system.
- Medicaid waiver funds may be used to begin supported employment at this time, for those consumers with an active Medicaid Waiver that covers this service. A Coordination of Funding for Supported Employment form should be sent to DDID.SupportedEmployment@ky.gov to begin the process.
Training Opportunities
2025 Conference of Kentucky APSE: Engage. Include. Amplify.
Date/Time: December 8 from 12:30 - 4:45 pm ET and December 9 from 9:00 - 4:30 pm ET
Location: Hardin County Extension Office Conference Center in Elizabethtown, KY
Presented by: Kentucky APSE (Association of People Supporting Employment First)
Description: This is an in-person state-wide conference focusing on employment for people with disabilities. It will offer 9.5 hours of continuing education, including 4 hours that will count toward the OVR requirement for training on supporting people who are Deaf/DeafBlind/Low Vision. The days will be a mix of plenary sessions (everyone in one room) and concurrent sessions where you can pick your topic. December 8th will include the annual Meet & Greet for anyone interested in additional, casual networking.
Note: the conference is nearing capacity, so don't wait to register!
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.
SETP 204: Supported Employment Documentation & Descriptive Writing Online Course
Location: SETP 204: Documentation & Descriptive
Writing for supported employment 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 & 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 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 useful tool for understanding best practices in our field, measuring how your agency lines up, using it as a tool 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 useful tool in helping job seekers, family members, or other support staff think about employment possibilities.
Short Videos about OVR, Supported Employment, and Pre-ETS
Looking for ways to share information about OVR, Supported Employment, and Pre-ETS to those not familiar with the agency or supports? 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 trainings to your agency and for individual conversations. Contact Katie Wolf Whaley at kwolf@uky.edu (or reply to this email).
Thank you for all you do to move Employment First forward and help people find successful employment.
Katie
