CRP Spring 2026 Bulletin

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The Lighter Side of Business

Spring is proof that growth takes time… and a solid plan.

Are you looking to grow your processes? SETP can help! We have Technical Assistance (TA) Facilitators ready to be invited into your agency, armed with metaphorical seeds of fresh ideas to help you execute your plan! Just reach out to Melanie Lybarger or Lisa Carrico to schedule a time.

No time for a TA visit? No worries! The Human Development Institute (HDI) Learning platform offers on-demand courses. Need help choosing which one? Reach out to Amanda Hutchison.

What is good Job Development?

Did you know most open positions are never posted online?

I used the word "most" because a quick Google search yields various numbers, but the key point is that you may never know about an open position if you are only doing Job Development by looking online.

Job development in supported employment is more than just asking employers if they are hiring. Job Development is about building meaningful, long-term relationships within the community. Effective Employment Specialists take time to network intentionally, using existing professional contacts, community partnerships, and even personal connections to open doors. When employers already know and trust you, conversations about hiring individuals with disabilities become more natural and productive. Networking also allows job developers to better understand local workforce needs and identify opportunities that may not be publicly posted.

Asked and Answered

How are you approaching Job Development in new ways?

Cooper Beck, the new Strategic Partnership and Corporate Liaison at Elevate, recently brought together networking and breakfast to plant the seeds for Job Development.

"The event, an employer breakfast, grew out of a recognition that meeting with employers monthly wasn’t fully maximizing our impact. Employers are busy, and when we have the chance to engage with them, that time needs to be practical, clear, and worth the investment of their time. This format allowed us to show what inclusive hiring looks like in practice, break down common misconceptions, and connect employers to real-world examples and professionals working in supported employment. By doing so, we created a clear and approachable point of entry for employers who may be curious but unsure where to start. We reached out to current employer partners to form a panel. The panel was intentionally designed to meet businesses where they are and provide a roadmap for what comes next. The employers we invited were able to ask the panel questions while enjoying breakfast. When inclusive hiring is made practical and accessible, employers are better positioned to say yes to success."

-Cooper Beck (he/him/his), Strategic Partnership & Corporate Liaison, Elevate Corporate & Career Services

Meet The Team

Margaret Lopresto, Masters Rehabilitation Counseling (MRC), Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC)

Margaret graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Eastern Kentucky University, earned a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Kentucky, and is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. She works at the University of Kentucky Human Development Institute as the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Assistant Director and State Trainer. Throughout the years, she has worked as a supported employment specialist, case manager, vocational rehabilitation counselor, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) supported employment consultant, community and workforce education facilitator, IPS Fidelity Reviewer, and IPS State Trainer. Margaret states, “What I love most about IPS-supported employment is seeing individuals succeed in competitive, integrated employment because someone believed in their potential and that never gets old.” Margaret lives on Herrington Lake with her husband and two dogs, Buzz and Benny. She enjoys spending time at the lake with family and friends, reading, traveling, and trying new restaurants.

New Kentucky Association of People Supporting Employment First (KY APSE) Board Members

Please join us in welcoming the new and returning KY APSE Board Members!

Thank you to everyone for participating in the election process!

Amber Johnson

Julian Adam

Jeff White

Maresa Foster

Lori Norton

Mardol Lorenz

Ashley Taylor

"We had our board member orientation earlier this season, and it went fantastic. What incredible energy our new board members bring!"

-Katie Wolf Whaley KY APSE President

Professional Learning Community (PLC) Application

The SETP team invites you to join our PLC!

Are you a Manager or Employment Specialist looking to grow in your role? Learn more about this opportunity and how it could be a game-changer for you!

We are excited to offer a one-of-a-kind opportunity to connect with peers, share ideas, and receive valuable mentorship in your field. Whether you're a seasoned pro or looking to grow in your role, this community is the perfect place to elevate your career!

Benefits of Joining:

Be Paired with a Mentor: Get personalized support and guidance for an entire year.
Quarterly Zoom Meetings July 2026-June 2027: Join fellow professionals to discuss challenges, share best practices, and explore new ideas.
Collaborate with Industry Experts: Gain fresh perspectives and strategies to make a bigger impact in your work.
Build Your Network: Connect with other managers and employment specialists in your cohort from across the state.

This program is designed to help you grow, expand your skills, and feel supported every step of the way. Plus, it’s a chance to stay ahead in the ever-evolving field of supported employment!

Interested? Apply to join the PLC today! Spots are limited.

Book Club

Sitting Pretty

Are you ready to dive into a book that will inspire, inform, and ignite meaningful conversations? We’re thrilled to invite you to join the Supported Employment Training Project (SETP) Virtual Book Club! Our next book club starts on May 5th, 2026, and we’ll meet once a week on Tuesdays at noon ET for nine weeks. Develop a deeper understanding of disability and inclusion to enhance supported employment practices and ensure effective representation of individuals to employers.

You may attend one or all of the nine book club chats. Each session will earn one continuing education unit (CEU).

Book Club Registration

What Else Are You Reading?

What have you read or listened to lately that has helped you in your job? Write a short review of the book or podcast and email it to Amanda at the Supported Employment Training Project Team. If we choose your review for next quarter's newsletter, we will send you a coffee gift card.

Human Development Institute (HDI) Spotlight

What is Universal Design?

Universal Design creates products and environments that are as usable as possible by as many people as possible. Principles of Universal Design are utilized to make products, systems, buildings, classrooms, and other environments that are accessible to everyone.

The principles of Universal Design and Universal Design for Learning are useful in a variety of degree programs and career fields, including education, design, architecture, engineering, social work, psychology, the arts, and more.

The University of Kentucky Human Development Institute (HDI), in collaboration with the College of Design, is proud to host an Undergraduate Certificate in Universal Design. This certificate program is designed to provide learners from a variety of disciplines, including education, design, social work, psychology, rehabilitation counseling, and others, with the skills to create spaces, learning environments, products, procedures, and policies usable by a broad array of people. Courses include content focused on the principles of Universal Design and Universal Design for Learning, and on their application across a variety of settings. Students will complete two core courses and two approved elective courses. The program is open to existing students from all disciplines, as well as professionals in any field. More information can be found at: Universal Design Certificate | College of Design

Autism Works

Autism Works Study Details

Funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (Grant #90DPEM0013), the Autism Works study adapts and evaluates the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model for autistic adults seeking competitive integrated employment in Kentucky through a three-year, mixed-method, randomized controlled trial. This project aims to enhance the inclusivity, effectiveness, and sustainability of employment supports for autistic individuals through a strong research-practice partnership.

Why does this matter?

Autistic adults want to work, yet 50-75% are unemployed. Early evidence suggests IPS may benefit autistic adults, but rigorous testing and adaptation are needed.

Why this matters for Kentucky

Kentucky has been a national leader in expanding Individual Placement and Support (IPS) and integrating disability services. This project aligns with state priorities to advance competitive integrated employment (CIE) and support compliance with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). It also strengthens the expansion of autism-informed services across the DBHDID and OVR systems. Notably, Kentucky is the only state participating in this landmark research initiative.

Project Goals

Adapt the IPS model for autistic adults through community input and structured testing.
Evaluate outcomes using a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with 190 adults across four IPS sites: Four Rivers Behavioral Health, Communicare, Kentucky River Community Care, and Pathways, Inc.
Develop a sustainable, autism informed IPS training and fidelity framework for statewide use.

Community Driven Approach

Stakeholders, including autistic individuals, families, providers, and policymakers, are involved at every stage.

Partnerships and Collaboration

Columbia Research Team leads the study design, Institutional Review Board (IRB), data collection and management, fidelity oversight, and analysis. They provide updates to state partners and ensure compliance.

UK Human Development Institute (HDI) delivers IPS-for-Autism training, ongoing Technical Assistance (TA), and fidelity reviews. They coordinate site-level implementation.

Partner Sites (Four Rivers, Communicare, Kentucky River Community Care (KRCC), Pathways) identify and refer participants, collaborate on data coordination, host staff for training, and participate in fidelity and TA processes.

Kentucky Department for Behavioral Health (DBHDID) provides state leadership, policy guidance, and facilitates coordination across systems.

Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) coordinates referrals and aligns IPS and Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) systems.

Autism Community and Stakeholders provide advisory input, share lived experience perspectives, and help refine adaptations and dissemination.

The study is led by the New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University, with Ana Florence, PhD, as Principal Investigator, in partnership with the University of Kentucky Human Development Institute, led by Lori Norton.

For more information about the Autism Works Study, please contact:

Study Team or Lori Norton, IPS Project Director, UK-HDI.

April is Autism Awareness Month

Want to learn more about Employment and Autism?

The Kentucky Employment First Council and Innovative Supports of Autistic Workers (ISAW) announce the 2026 Autism Informed Employers quick-hit video series. We will release a 2-minute video monthly and hold quarterly conversations on the topic.

Two Minute Videos

Episode 1 highlights a few reasons employers might want to consider hiring autistic workers. Episode 2 brings more tips about interviewing applicants.