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Training Opportunities & Information Updates
From the Kentucky Supported Employment Training Project
March 27, 2024
Information Updates
Employment First
The Employment Subcommittee of the HB144 Commission has released a short video providing an overview of Employment First and resources around disability & employment. This was created to be shared with those interested in learning more – whether thinking about going to work, supporting a loved one interested in work, contemplating adding employment supports to your agency’s services, or hiring someone with a disability. Share it!
YouTube link (easier to embed in presentations you may lead)
Vimeo link (no commercials for quick shares)
Supported Employment (SE) Core Training Series
July 2024 – June 2025 dates have been added. The Supported Employment Core Training Series is required of all new Employment Specialists but is open to anyone wanting a refresher. It continues to be virtual and free of charge.
Register for the Supported Employment Core Training Series
Learn more about the Supported Employment Training Project
Recognize Someone on your Team – KY ASPE Kimi’s Kudos Award Nomination
The Kimi's Kudos is to recognize those who show extra innovation, effort, kindness, and/or collaboration in ensuring that those in our field – people with disabilities, agency providers, VR, employers – get what they need to WORK TOGETHER for good in the world. The winner will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card. The winner does not have to be an APSE member. The winner will be announced in April 2024.
The deadline to submit for this quarter is March 31st, 2024.
Complete the Nomination Form
Training Opportunities
SAVE THE DATES: two upcoming webinars on supporting people who are d/Deaf or hard of hearing.
April 19th and May 3rd, 10:00 – 11:30 am ET
The Supported Employment Training Project will host two free webinars, exact descriptions TBA, that will count toward the deaf/hard of hearing CEU requirement for supported employment providers. Recordings will be available after the live events.
KY DB 101 Lunch & Learn – 5th Mondays
April 29th, July 29th, September 30th, 12:30 – 1:00 pm ET
Join Carolyn Wheeler of the Supported Employment Training Project for a discussion on benefits, the impact of wages, and using KY DB 101 as a tool with job seekers and families.
No need to register; join at: https://uky.zoom.us/j/82562051944?pwd=SEpqTmR1QVZpcTRueEtvT0tlRmVmUT09
SAVE THE DATE - 2024 Conference of KY APSE: Engage. Include. Amplify.
September 9th - 10th in Lexington, Kentucky
Watch for details and registration to come. This will be an in-person conference offering 8 hours of training and the annual Meet & Greet. It will begin at 1:00 pm ET on 9/9 and conclude by 4:00 pm ET on 9/10. This is a great chance to gather with Employment Specialists and VR Counselors from across Kentucky!
Fourth Thursday ADA Talk: Supported Decision Making, Guardianship & Alternatives
March 28th, 10:00 – 11:00 am ET
The Fourth Thursday ADA Talks are hosted by the University of Kentucky Human Development Institute (UK HDI), Southeast ADA Center, and Burton Blatt Institute (BBI) at Syracuse University. Special Guests: Laura Butler, Disability Program Administrator, University of Kentucky Human Development Institute, and Jason Harris, Disability Advocate.
Register for the Fourth Thursday ADA Talk
Navigating Employer Responsibilities under ADA Title 1
April 23rd, 12:00 – 12:45 pm ET
Presented by RETAIN Kentucky and Employment First Kentucky
Join to learn more and invite employers you know who may be interested! This is an employer-focused seminar series. Barry Whaley and Pam Williamson from Southeast ADA will share their expertise and field questions about trending topics like ADA protections for individuals with substance use disorder and how ADA impacts collective bargaining agreements.
Register for Navigating Employer Responsibilities under ADA Title 1
National APSE Conference 2024: Navigating Tomorrow Together
June 17th - 20th, Charlotte, North Carolina
EARLY BIRD FEE ENDS MARCH 31st
Learn more about this national conference on disability and employment.
Autism Informed Employers
Online, self-paced course; certificate for 3 hours of training issued upon completion. Innovative Supports for Autistic Workers (ISAW) recently announced a new online course, Autism Informed
Employers. This course allows employers, Employment Specialists, and other support persons to access ISAW training at their convenience. This course is offered at no cost to anyone interested in learning to hire, supervise, support, and retain autistic employees.
Learn more about the course content
Access the course through HDI’s Learning Management System (LMS). If you’ve taken the SE Core Training Series in recent years, you can log in to your account and easily access this course. (EMP 235: Autism-Informed Employers)
Introduction to Social Security Disability Benefits, Work Incentives, and Employment Support Programs
Online course, self-paced over 2 weeks
This web course offers an introduction to Social Security disability benefits and associated work incentives, as well as an overview of the field of work incentives planning. Offered through VCU’s Work Incentives Planning & Assistance National Training Center.
Learn more about course content and layout
Find monthly course dates, registration deadlines and registration information
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 about Kentucky’s Employment First Council
- Infographic to share about Employment First
- Employment First Episode on the State of HDI Podcast (under 10 min listen)
- Employment First video with overview and resources on employment supports (11 min)
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 compares, using it in employee reviews, and more.
Job Accommodation Network (JAN):
JAN Workplace Accommodation Toolkit
How to Describe Supported Employment Services:
OVR & Supported Employment in Kentucky:
- OVR Service Fee Memo for Supported Employment
- Applying to Become an OVR Vendor (CRP)
- Traditional Supported Employment Process & Documentation to Turn into OVR
- IPS Supported Employment Process & Documentation to Turn Into VR Counselor
Process of Supported Employment Transitioning from OVR to Waiver Funding
Plain Language:
Think College and AUCD developed a plain language flyer explaining the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 (WIOA) and Competitive Integrative Employment (CIE).
Check out the WIOA flyer in plain language.
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.
Employment Files YouTube video series.
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:
- Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation: An Overview
- Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation: Supported Employment
- Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation: Pre-Employment Transition Services
- Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (all 3 videos)
Transportation:
If you're looking for transportation options, check out HDI’s Transportation Initiative.
ADA:
ADALive! is a free monthly show/podcast broadcast nationally about the Americans with Disabilities Act. Moderated by the Southeast ADA Center.
Check out Episode 43: ADA and Employment: Disclosure and Reasonable Accommodations
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
