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Training Opportunities & Information Updates
From the Kentucky Supported Employment Training Project
May 12, 2025
Information Updates
Proposed Order of Selection and Kentucky OVR
Kentucky OVR has posted the presentation given on the proposed Order of Selection (OOS) and the responses to all questions submitted during the public hearings and comment period. Note that it has not yet begun. Please read through the proposal and responses.
- As of now, OVR operates as normal.
- You should continue to provide services according to your authorizations and consumers’ IPEs.
- They will post the date when OOS will begin.
- Once OOS begins, consumers with a signed IPE (Individual Plan for Employment) will continue to receive services.
- Consumers without a signed IPE will be put on a waiting list.
After OOS begins: OVR will continue to take new referrals and determine eligibility and priority category; eligible consumers may receive assessment and then be placed on a wait list. Please see OVR’s website for more information and to watch for a start date.
NEW! SETP Professional Learning Community – applications open
Are you a Manager or Employment Specialist looking to grow in your role? This opportunity could be a game-changer for you! The Supported Employment Training Project (SETP) is excited to offer a one-of-a-kind opportunity to connect with peers, share ideas, and receive valuable mentorship in your field. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or looking to grow in your role, this Professional Learning
Community (PLC) is the perfect place to elevate your career! Applications will be accepted through June 15.
Commonwealth of Kentucky’s Virtual Job Fair
Please share! The Commonwealth of Kentucky is hosting a monthly virtual job fair on the 3rd Wednesday of the month. Last month, 48 incredible employers—including, but not limited to, Humana, Jabil, Norton Healthcare, Nucor Tubular Products, Secretariat Center, Starbucks, the University of Kentucky, the University of Louisville, UPS, and the U.S. Postal Service—participated across multiple industries. It is targeting Veterans but is open to all Kentuckians.
Next offering: May 21 from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm ET (10–11 for Veterans and Military Families and 11–1 open to all job candidates). This event is completely free for both employers and job seekers, providing an excellent opportunity to connect and explore career opportunities.
New Resource on Transition for Students and Families
The Kentucky Advisory Council on Autism, with help from statewide partners, created a Transition Resource Sheet for Students with Disabilities. You can find the web-based version of this resource on the Kentucky Advisory Council on Autism website. Knowing that this is a complex issue and messaging can always be improved, there is a Transition Planning Resources Survey seeking input on the effectiveness of this resource.
Training Opportunities
Supported Employment: The Nuts & Bolts of the Work
Date: First Thursday of the month (February - June 2025)
Time: 10:00 - 11:30 am ET
Presented by: SETP
Description: Katie Wolf Whaley and Zac Sappenfield will present a 5-part webinar series digging into practical tips for offering quality supported employment services. Topics include:
- Logistics & Tools, Discovery, Job Development, and On-the-Job Supports - recordings now available
- Big Picture: Values and Disability Rights as Part of Our Work - June 5
Sessions are being recorded and made available as SETP 202 in our online learning system. You will need to log in to your HDI Learning account or create a new account to view.
Kentucky Disability Benefits 101 Lunch & Learn
Date: Ongoing on a 5th Friday - next one is May 30
Time: 12:30 - 1:00 pm ET / Q&A to follow from 1:00 - 1:30 pm ET
Presented by: Carolyn Wheeler and Jeff White
Description: An ongoing chance to learn how to use the Kentucky DB101 website to show the positive financial impact of employment while still maintaining a person’s eligibility for Medicaid or Medicare.
ADA and Fostering an Inclusive Work Culture for Employees with Psychiatric Disabilities: 4th Thursday ADA Talks 2025
Date: May 22
Time: 10:00 – 11:00 am ET
Presented by: Pam Williamson, Assistant Director – Southeast ADA Center
Description: According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), approximately 23% of American adults experience some form of mental illness (or psychiatric disability) on a yearly basis. And across the population, almost 6% of American adults live with a serious mental health condition such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or long-term recurring major depression. For many individuals with psychiatric disabilities, work is key to their health and contributes to a sense of purpose and wellbeing. Thus, it is important that employers understand how to foster a mental health-friendly work culture.
During this presentation, the presenter will use her own story to discuss how to disclose a disability, the pros and cons of disclosing a disability, how to request reasonable accommodations on the job, and steps we can take to create an inclusive work culture.
Need Additional Training Hours?
Scroll to the bottom of our Training page to find recorded options for training hours. Employment Specialists will need to submit 15 hours of continuing education, along with your agency’s contract renewal at July 1. Recorded options include previously recorded webinars on “Working with d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing Consumers” and “Enhancing Employer Engagement” plus more.
Supported Employment (SE) Core Training Series
Date: Ongoing / Next series is July 14, 16, 18 and June 11
Presented by: SETP
Description: 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. Note: We have added optional Roundtable discussions to the series. These provide additional time for Core Training attendees to meet in smaller groups, ask questions, and have conversations about the phases of SE service and support.
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:
How to Get Help Finding a Job
Share this How to Get Help Finding a Job flyer with people looking to go to work and not sure where to start.
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 lines up, using it as a tool in employee reviews, and more.
Impact of Wages on Benefits
- Disability Benefits 101 – Kentucky
- SETP’s SSI/SSDI Fact Sheets and Additional Social Security Resources (scroll to bottom two headings)
Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
How to Describe Supported Employment Services
Plain Language
Think College and the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) developed a plain language flyer explaining the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014 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.
Short Videos about OVR, Supported Employment, and Pre-ETS
Are you looking for ways to share information about OVR, Supported Employment, and Pre-ETS with 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 resources from HDI’s Transportation Initiative.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (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).
With our expanded team, we look forward to offering more events and to having the ability to meet one-on-one with agencies and Employment Specialists. Let us know how we can help and support you in this work.
Thank you for all you do to move Employment First forward and help people find successful employment.
Katie
