Training Opportunities & Information Updates

From the Kentucky Supported Employment Training Project
September 13^th, 2024

Information Updates

Supported Employment OVR Service Fee Memo Changes

CRP Quarterly Meeting, Thursday, September 19^th,10:30 am Eastern
CRP Branch Manager Ron O’Hair will discuss the upcoming SE changes and will take questions. You can find the slides OVR shared and an additional resource, from the August 29^th training (they were sent, as attachments, in an email by Erin Gwin this morning.) Watch for additional information to be shared by Erin Gwin prior to September 19^th.

No registration is required. You can join the meeting at: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81850640391?pwd=SP1uetedNfONq4buKeWSTKMbnYkjd1.1

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.
Please Note: due to the timing of the changes in the SE Service Fee Memo, there will be no October SE Core Training Series. We expect the November training to be held as planned.

Register for the Supported Employment Core Training Series

Training Opportunities

Employment issues facing workers with disabilities with criminal justice system involvement

September 25^th, 2024, 12:00 pm Eastern, virtual
Presented by Employment First and RETAIN Kentucky
Join us to hear Dr. Phil Rumrill and Dr. Chelsea Brehmer share their expertise on employment issues facing workers with disabilities with criminal justice system involvement.
Register

How a Paycheck Can Work with a Government Check

September 17^th, October 15^th, and November 19^th: 10 – 10:30 am Eastern
Presented by the Supported Employment Training Project
For students, family members, school staff & employment specialists. At the end of the 30 minutes, you will be able to use ky.db101.org to see how having a job in high school means you have more money now and when you graduate. No registration is required: You can join at: https://uky.zoom.us/j/83949416280?pwd=fAjAxKniSgfW3aAXc2nSA3bhvSCbvT.1

Inclusive Workforce Summit

September 30^th, in-person, Lexington
Hosted by the Kentucky Chamber and presented by RETAIN Kentucky and Kentucky Career Center
The Inclusive Workforce Summit will convene business leaders, civic organizations, and educators to explore strategies for cultivating a workforce of the future that is united in its inclusion and accessibility efforts. By promoting truly inclusive practices, companies can tap into the full talent pool and empower every Kentuckian to contribute. This must-attend event will examine the key components needed to shape an equitable workforce ecosystem:

People with Disabilities – identifying and utilizing an often-overlooked component of the workforce talent pool.
Criminal Justice - Removing unfair barriers to employment.
Economic Empowerment - Creating equal access to opportunities.
Education Equity - Developing the potential of all students.
Inclusive Business Cultures - Fostering diversity and belonging

Learn more and register

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

As a lead up to the above mentioned Inclusive Workforce Summit, watch the recorded 1 hour webinar here

The Pitfalls and Benefits of AI in Employment of People with Disabilities Panel Discussion

September 20^th, 1:00 – 3:00 pm Eastern
Presented by the University of Kentucky – Human Development Institute
Panelists: Dr. Trey Conatser, Director, Center for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching at University of Kentucky; Dr. DJ Hendricks, Director, Center for Disability Inclusion at West Virginia University. This panel discussion will explore the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the recruitment, hiring, and employment of people with disabilities. As this exciting new technology becomes both more advanced and more widely available, there are both positives and negatives to its impact on people with disabilities and their ability to achieve and maintain employment. The panelists will address the nature and progress of AI technologies and focus on issues of bias, (in)accuracy, and potential discrimination through AI as well as how it can be used successfully to improve employment outcomes for people with disabilities.

No registration is required, you can join at: https://uky.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwod-ioqTsvG9GLfE7laomeKyVCWa2_h9b0
Contact Walt.bower@uky.edu with any questions about this event

Enhancing Employer Engagement: A 3-part webinar series
recordings now available

Presented by the Kentucky Employment First Council

Enhancing Employer Engagement Part 1 – Connection (YouTube) (PowerPoint)
Enhancing Employer Engagement Part 2 – Consideration (YouTube) (PowerPoint)
Enhancing Employer Engagement Part 3 – Conversion (YouTube) (PowerPoint)

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.

Impact of Wages on Benefits

Disability Benefits 101 – Kentucky
SETP’s Benefits Fact Sheets and additional resources (scroll to bottom 2 headings)

Job Accommodation Network (JAN):

JAN Workplace Accommodation Toolkit
JAN upcoming & recorded trainings

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.
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.)

We will continue to share avenues to learn about the upcoming OVR Supported Employment changes as this moves forward.

Thank you for all you do to move Employment First forward and help people find successful employment.

Katie