Training Opportunities & Information Updates

From the Kentucky Supported Employment Training Project
July 24^th, 2024

Information Updates

Supported Employment Training Project is Hiring

The SETP is seeking 4 new positions to increase our ability to better provide training and technical assistance to providers in Kentucky! Applications must be submitted by July 29^th. You can learn more about each, and apply, at the links below. All positions are listed as Louisville BUT will be fully remote and DO NOT need to be in the Louisville area. Some travel required. Questions about the nature of the positions? Contact kwolf@uky.edu. Questions about working for the University of Kentucky (UK)? Visit the UK Human Resources website.

Training and Curriculum Developer: https://ukjobs.uky.edu/postings/539201
Training Facilitator: https://ukjobs.uky.edu/postings/539232
Technical Assistance Associate: https://ukjobs.uky.edu/postings/539210
Technical Assistance Associate: https://ukjobs.uky.edu/postings/539225

July is Disability Pride Month

This is a time to honor and celebrate people whose identities include the demographic of disability. This month, the University of Kentucky’s Human Development Institute (HDI) is sharing the story of one Kentuckian who has spent his life advocating for others with disability.

HDI will host an online screening of the documentary “If I Can’t Do It, It Ain’t Worth Doing” at 1 pm Eastern on Friday, July 26^th. It’s the story of Arthur Campbell Jr., who fought for accessible public transportation in Louisville in the 80's and continues to be an activist for disability rights. Campbell was born with cerebral palsy in a cabin in Kentucky and lived “in virtual isolation” for the first 38 years of his life. He is a wheelchair user and is open about the challenges he’s faced navigating the world around him. After the screening, there will be a discussion with Campbell.

Friday, July 26^th, 1:00 - 2:30 pm Eastern
Anyone interested in attending is asked to register online.

25^th Anniversary of the Olmstead Decision – Why it Matters in Kentucky

On June 22^nd, 1999, the United States Supreme Court held in Olmstead v. L.C. (Olmstead) that unjustified segregation of persons with disabilities constitutes discrimination in violation of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

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

Training Opportunities

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

Enhancing Employer Engagement: A 3-part webinar series

Presented by the Kentucky Employment First Council
Part 3: August 15^th; 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Eastern
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 commit-ted to fostering inclusive workplaces and championing the talents of all individuals.

Session 1: Connection: Link to recording & slides
Session 2: Consideration: Link to recording (soon to post) & slides
August 15^th, Session 3: Conversion; still time to register for the live event!

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
This will be an in-person conference and will offer 8 hours of training and the annual Meet & Greet. It will begin at 1:00 pm Eastern on 9/9 and conclude by 4:00 pm Eastern on 9/10. This is a great chance to gather with Employment Specialists and VR Counselors from across Kentucky!
Registration is open for this annual conference on employment & disability!

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.

Register and learn more information.

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

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.

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)

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

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