Training Opportunities & Information Updates

From the Kentucky Supported Employment Training Project
May 30^th, 2024

Information Updates

OVR Continuing Education Requirement

Every Employment Specialist, who bills OVR for Supported Employment or Employment & Retention, is required to complete 15 hours of continuing education, related to disability and employment, each year. Verification of these hours is due by July 1 with your agency OVR vendor contract. You can find the CRP Continued Education Units form here. Of these 15 hours, 4 must be in the topic area of serving consumers who are d/Deaf, blind or DeafBlind. This newsletter includes many options for continuing education. Recorded webinars can count even if you do not have a certificate of completion. Attach a screenshot of the webinar and a signed statement from your supervisor that you watched the number of hours for purpose of verification.

Supported Employment (SE) Core Training Series

July 2024 – June 2025 dates are posted. 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

Employment First Webinar Series

As previously noted, Kentucky was awarded technical assistance through the National Expansion of Employment Opportunities Network (Project NEON) to increase opportunities for competitive integrated employment in our state. The Employment First Council is holding a webinar series for Employment Specialists through this partnership.
Learn more about the Employment First webinar series and register.

Merge

Mental Health Matters. Merge strengthens mental health services and supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Catch up on the latest mental health news in Kentucky, listen to other people’s stories, and find resources.

Training Opportunities

Enhancing Employer Engagement: A 3-part webinar series

Presented by the Kentucky Employment First Council
June 20^th, July 18^th, August 15^th; 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ET
This series is designed to enhance Employer Engagement strategies for professionals working to secure competitive integrated employment for individuals with disabilities. Attendees will be equipped with tools and knowledge to speak the language of business, approach employers with confidence, and ultimately, convert opportunities into successful employment outcomes for job seekers with disabilities. The webinars should prove to be a solid resource for those committed to fostering inclusive workplaces and championing the talents of all individuals.

June 20^th, Session 1: Connection
July 18^th, Session 2: Consideration
August 15^th, Session 3: Conversion

Review detailed session descriptions and more.
Register for the Enhancing Employer Engagement webinar series.
Registration is free; all sessions will be recorded.

Kentucky APSE Conference 2024: Engage. Include. Amplify

September 9^th- 10^th, Lexington, in-person
Registration is now open for this annual conference on employment and disability. The conference will be in-person and will offer 8 hours of training and the annual Meet & Greet. It will begin at 1:00 p.m. ET on 9/9 and conclude by 4:00 p.m. ET on 9/10. This is a great chance to gather with Employment Specialists and Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors from across Kentucky!
Register for the 2024 Kentucky APSE Conference

An Inclusive Workforce: What It Is and Why it Matters to Kentucky

July 16^th, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. ET
Presented by the Kentucky Chamber.
In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, organizations that embrace inclusivity are better equipped to drive innovation, foster growth, and gain a competitive edge. We're excited to invite you to our exclusive FREE webinar where industry experts will demystify the concept of "inclusion" and unveil why it should be a top priority for forward-thinking leaders like yourself.
Register for this webinar

KY DB 101 Lunch & Learn – 5^th Mondays

July 29^th, September 30^th, 12:30 – 1:00 p.m. ET
Join Carolyn Wheeler, of the Supported Employment Training Project, for discussion on benefits, the impact of wages and using KY DB 101 as a tool with job seekers and families. (ky.db101.org)
No need to register, join at: https://uky.zoom.us/j/82562051944?pwd=SEpqTmR1QVZpcTRueEtvT0tlRmVmUT09

SETP Webinar Series on Working with d/deaf and Hard of Hearing Consumers: recordings available

Working with d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing Consumers: Strategies for Effective Communication; 1.5 hours
Working with d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing Consumers: Understanding Stereotypes, Discrimination & Respect; 1.5 hours
If you missed the live webinars, recordings are available at the links above. Each webinar is presented by Ashley Hadden and Amanda Friend of OVR.

Employment Discrimination and the ADA: Insights from the EEOC

ADALive! Episode 129
Each month, the 10 ADA Centers receive hundreds of calls and emails asking for disability-related information and guidance on their legal rights and responsibilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Many people ask about their employment rights or about an employer’s duty to an employee with a disability. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or the EEOC is responsible for enforcement of various employment rights laws. The EEOC handles complaints of employment discrimination that are based on issues such as a person’s disability, age, gender, race, or religion. In this episode, we will focus on the ADA and employment discrimination against people with disabilities.

Mississippi State University's National Technical Assistance Center on Blindness & Low Vision

Who Needs to Know?: When and How to Disclose Vision Impairment; 1 hour
Recorded webinar: Job seekers and employees with vision loss need to consider if and when to disclose their disability to their employer. What is the best time or way to go about disclosing? How can individuals prepare themselves for disclosure? Is it necessary to disclose? During this session, the benefits and implications of the disclosure will be explored. Panelists with different levels of vision loss will their disclosure strategies and experiences.

Accessibility, Advocacy & Allies in the Workplace: A Community Conversation

A Perkins School for the Blind recorded webinar: 1 hour
Recorded webinar: Brian Switzer, author, deafblind athlete, and Training & Technology Manager at Perkins, chatted with blogger and disability advocate Veronica Lewis (also known as Veronica With Four Eyes) about disability in the workplace, what it takes to be successful – and why it all matters. In addition to taking questions from attendees, they offered their unique insight on:

Accessibility in the workplace and how to advocate for what you need
How to convert materials to accessible formats that will help you work more efficiently and effectively
The tools you can use to get ahead and stay ahead in the workplace

Employment Related Webinars from UK-HDI in partnership with UK Healthcare

Employment First in Kentucky – 30 minutes, presented by Katie Wolf Whaley
Assistive Technology in the Workplace – 30 minutes, presented by Christina Espinosa
Strategies for Career Success for Students with Disabilities – 30 minutes, presented by Johnny Collett
Kentucky Disability Resources – 30 minutes, presented by Walt Bower

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 and find resources to share:

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.

How to Describe Supported Employment Services:

OVR & Supported Employment in Kentucky:

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:

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 129: Employment Discrimination and the ADA: Insights form the EEOC
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