Training Opportunities & Information Updates
From the Kentucky Supported Employment Training Project
August 13, 2026
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Information Updates
SETP offers Technical Assistance and training to individuals, agencies, and regions. Need info on a topic? You can find additional information, materials, and resources on our website. Below you will find some in-person events throughout the state. Let us know if you want a topic brought to your region, your agency, or yourself. Reach out to SETP staff or reply to this email.
Are you offering Supported Employment through 1915(c) Waiver or 1915(i) RISE Medicaid funding? Check out the corresponding Materials and Resources pages on our website to find the documentation and process information to help you do so.
Training Opportunities
The following training opportunities are presented in person.
Supported Employment: Updates on Process & Practice
Date/Time: August 20, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm CT
Location: Paducah – CFSB located at 2550 Irvin Cobb Dr.
Presented by: Supported Employment Training Project
Description:
10:00 am – 12:00 pm: OVR Counselors & Supported Employment Providers
Supported employment processes, common challenges, planning activities, and strategies for meeting the needs of job seekers and local employers, plus a quick KY DB101 How-To.
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm: Case Managers & Supported Employment Providers
Using Medicaid waiver funds for supported employment, adding services to the Plan, the referral/request process, coordination between case managers and providers, OVR/Medicaid funding, Medicaid-funded SE phases.
Register: Send email to Lisa Carrico to register for morning, afternoon or both
Planning Effective Discovery & Job Development Activities to Learn What You Need to Know
Date/Time: The same event will be offered 3 times; 10:00 am - 3:00 pm ET
- Lexington - September 3, Eastside Public Library
- Somerset - September 21, Pulaski County Public Library
- Hazard - September 23, UK Center for Excellence
Presented by: Supported Employment Training Project
Description: Join us to discuss, share strategies, and learn skills to plan for effective and efficient ways to spend our time in supported employment. We will dig into the who/what/where/how of planning for Discovery/PCEP/Career Profile activities and Job Development to learn what we really need to know to help people find good jobs. We will talk about ways to connect discovery to employer contacts. Plus, we will explore how to learn about your local business community and hiring opportunities in general, so you are better prepared for new job seekers in the future. It’s all about relationships & learning!
Register: Register for any of the 3 dates/locations to attend the in-person training
Services Available from Vocational Rehabilitation to Support Businesses and Employees: A TIP Learn at Lunch
Location: Register for this TIP Learn at Lunch event
Presented by: Training Innovation Project (TIP), in partnership with Kentucky Employment First Council
Description: To learn about specific benefits and services provided to Employers and Employees through working with the Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation and the Employer Services Branch.
Supported Employment Drop-In Discussions
Date/Time/Registration:
- Discovery Drop-In – September 8; 10-10:30 am ET
- Job Development Drop-In – September 15; 1-1:30 pm ET
- Supported Employment & Extended Services Drop-In – September 23; 10-10:30 am ET
- Impact of Wages on Benefits Drop-In – September 30; 10-10:30 am ET
Presented
by: Supported Employment Training Project
Description: The SETP hosts an ongoing series of virtual drop-in discussions, geared toward new Employment Specialists but open to all. These allow new Employment Specialists to continue learning and gain practical strategies to assist with their everyday work. Learn more about the Drop-In Discussions.
How a Paycheck Can Work With a Government Check
Date/Time: September 24 and October 30, 10:00 am - 10:30 am ET
Location: Register for How a Paycheck Can Work with a Government Check
Presented by: Supported Employment Training Project
Description: Learn how to use the Kentucky Disability Benefits 101 website to see how having a job in high school means having more money now and when you graduate!
Workforce & Employer Engagement Summit
Date/Time: September 22, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm ET
Location: Register for this Summit
Presented by: Training Innovation Project (TIP)
Description: The Training Innovation Project (TIP) Inaugural Workforce & Employer Engagement Summit will bring partners together to share lessons learned, strengthen employer partnerships, and explore practical tools that can be adapted across settings.
IPS Supported Education Overview
Date/Time: August 27, September 24, October 22, November 19, and December 17. This is a repeated event offering the same content each time at 10:00 am ET.
Location: Join the Zoom event at this link; no registration is required
Presented by: Lori Norton and Margaret Lopresto of IPS Supported Employment, UK – HDI
Description: This Supported Education training is designed primarily for those involved in a 1915(i) RISE program and is open to others interested in learning more about Supported Education services. Contact Margaret Lopresto for more information.
Autism Informed Employer (AIE) Quick Video Series & Discussion
Location: Episodes 1 – 8 are posted and cover information on hiring and the interview process plus different types of needs on the job. Check out the short videos, share with employers, and join the quarterly discussion.
Description: This AIE quick video series is presented by the Kentucky Employment First Council and Innovative Supports for Autistic Workers (ISAW). Quarterly conversations build on the short videos shared monthly to learn more and engage in discussions with other employers and employment support providers on topics related to increasing employment opportunities for Autistic Kentuckians.
Next Live Discussion: September 24, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm ET; Register for the September 24 Quarterly Discussion
The following training opportunities are available online.
SETP 101: Traditional Supported Employment Overview Refresher Online Course
Location: SETP 101 Traditional Supported Employment Overview Refresher in HDI’s learning management system
SETP 204: Supported Employment Documentation & Descriptive Writing Online Course
Location: SETP 204 Documentation & Descriptive Writing for supported employment in HDI’s learning management system
SETP 202: Supported Employment: The Nuts & Bolts of the Work Online Course
Location: SETP 202 Supported Employment: The Nuts & Bolts of the Work in HDI’s learning management system
SETP 105: Employment and Retention (E&R) Online Course
Location: SETP 105 E&R Training in HDI’s online learning management system
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:
Understanding Supported Employment & Seeking Services
- SETP has a webpage designed specifically for job seekers and those with a personal connection to them. This webpage is here to support job seekers by providing helpful information for people considering Supported Employment, as well as for those already receiving services who would like more details.
- The How to Get Help Finding a Job flyer is available to share with people looking to work who are not sure where to start.
- Transition Planning Resources
Impact of Wages on Benefits
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.
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:
The Americans with Disabilities Act Resources
Disability Webinars shares upcoming and archived events held by the Southeast ADA Center, covering a wide range of ADA-related topics
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 training to your agency and for individual conversations. Let us know how we can help and support you in this work. 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
