CRP Quarterly Bulletin 

How many psychologists does it take to change a light bulb? 

One, but the light bulb has to want to change!

The Team at SETP is ready for the change into summer in Kentucky, but we also acknowledge that business change comes with challenges. It's a constant we must embrace because it is the very thing that drives growth and opportunity. Every shift opens a new door, and with patience and care, we can navigate these changes together, moving forward. 

Keep reading if you want to know about changes in our field, tips on navigating the order of selection, fundraising ideas, continuing education, and more. 

Ask Our Experts

You Asked: What are some of your favorite ways to conduct Job Development?

We asked SETP Training Facilitator Zac Sappenfield and Technical Assistance Facilitators Melanie Lybarger and Lisa Carrico for ideas. 

Job development can take many forms, and several creative and effective ways exist to create employment opportunities. Chamber meetings can be a great place to network with local businesses and learn about their hiring needs. Social media introductions through mutual acquaintances offer a more modern approach to connecting job seekers with employers. Sometimes, going directly to businesses and introducing yourself in person can leave a lasting impression and open up opportunities. Phone calls can be a personal way to follow up on potential leads and show your commitment to making connections. Additionally, asking the consumer's family members for job leads can tap into a personal network that may know of opportunities that are not widely advertised. 

"My favorite job development activity is to meet new people and businesses in person by networking and by cold-calling. This offers the opportunity to see if the person you are meeting is passionate about what they do, and if it's someone that you would want to work with. A meeting, tour, or informational interview at a place of business gives you an opportunity to actually see what a workspace is like. I always like to hear about what people do for work, and I actively look for ways to learn about businesses when I am in public."

- Zac Sappenfield, SETP Training Facilitator

"My favorite job development strategy is to keep my eyes and ears open and take the opportunity to meet people and learn more about businesses whenever I see the chance. I speak to people in businesses (stores, libraries, doctor's offices, gas stations), and stop in unfamiliar businesses in my local area and when traveling. When I speak with people, I ask questions about their connections and experiences. I look at business information on social media and interact virtually, as well as in person. Chamber meetings, personal connections, chance meetings—all are opportunities to make that connection. I maintain those connections by following up by phone, text, or email, on social media, and during in-person visits.  The best way to connect is to be open, interested, and prepared to say hello!"

- Melanie Lybarger, SETP Technical Assistance Facilitator

"My favorite job development tool is using my networks to set up an in-person meeting with employers. I have found that regardless of the job type, there is someone that I know that can connect me with a place to start!"

- Lisa Carrico, SETP Technical Assistance Facilitator   

Fundraising

Fundraising helps to bridge the financial gap, allowing organizations to provide essential services, create new opportunities, and ensure sustainability. Beyond the direct financial benefits, fundraising fosters a sense of community, creates partnerships, and spreads awareness of the agency’s mission, helping to draw in both donors and potential employers for your consumers.

Agencies must be mindful of laws surrounding solicitation of donations, reporting requirements, and any regulations that apply to the tax-exempt status.

1. Charity Auctions

• Idea: Host a charity auction, either online or in-person, where people can bid on donated items, experiences, or services. You can auction off items such as vacation packages, local restaurant gift cards, artwork, or even "experiences" like a private coaching session.
• Why it works: Auctions are fun and interactive, and they encourage people to donate valuable items while raising funds. It is a Win-Win for the business as well, because they get publicity from your auction when they donate. 

2. Walk/Run Fundraiser

• Idea: Organize a 5k walk/run event with participants raising funds through sponsorships. You can offer rewards for the highest fundraisers, such as branded t-shirts, medals, or certificates of recognition.
• Why it works: Physical challenges encourage community participation and can raise significant funds through registration fees and sponsorships. It also helps raise awareness in the local community.

3. Raffles

• Idea: Host a raffle where participants purchase tickets for a chance to win a prize. You could offer donated items like electronics, vacation stays, or local gift cards.
• Why it works: Raffles are easy to set up and can be highly effective at drawing in participants, especially when the prizes are desirable. It also encourages community engagement and increases the likelihood of individuals giving to your cause.

4. Social Media Challenges

• Idea: Create a viral social media challenge that encourages people to donate or get involved. This could be something like a "donate your lunch" challenge, where individuals post what they would spend on lunch and donate that amount to your organization.
• Why it works: Social media challenges tap into the power of viral engagement. They can be fun, easy to share, and create a sense of community around the cause.

5. Online Benefit Concert or Talent Show

• Idea: Organize a virtual concert or talent show where local performers donate their time. Attendees can buy tickets to access the performance, or they can donate during the show.
• Why it works: Virtual events allow for a wide reach, and entertainment is a great way to bring people together for a cause. Plus, it supports local artists while raising funds.

6. Recurring Donations

• Idea: Offer an option to sign up for monthly recurring donations via a link on your website.
• Why it works: People are often busy but would like to support a cause. Allowing for a convenient way to give provides donors with a chance to give financially when they are unable to give time to an event.

7. Self Pay

• Idea: Consider the possibility of developing a fee schedule for private pay. 
• Why it works: There could be people with disabilities who have received a personal injury settlement or an inheritance, who would have the means to pay directly for services. Funds saved in an ABLE account could also be used for employment services, which would be a qualified disability expense. STABLE Kentucky is Kentucky's ABLE program. 

Do you have another idea that has worked for your agency? We would love to hear about it! Email setraining@uky.edu

OVR Processes: Developing a Job Seeker’s IPE

An IPE is an Individualized Plan for Employment that is developed by OVR in agreement with the job seeker and the employment agency. It is created to serve as a “roadmap” for the job seeker’s employment outcome goals, timeline, services to be provided, and who will be providing said services. The IPE must be written by the attending OVR counselor within 90 days of being approved for services.

The Goal stated in the IPE should guide the job seeker’s Job Development and placement, but it can also be amended with the OVR counselor if they are notified within three days of the last Job Development Note submitted.

Consumers with a signed IPE will continue to receive services during Order of Selection.

-Zac Sappenfield, SETP Training Facilitator 

TEN TIPS for Documentation and Invoicing:

Organize, Plan, and Track for Success!

1. Create Structure Intentionally — When you receive a referral, create a folder for it in your files labeled with the consumer’s initials and the type of service requested. Entering the referral information in a spreadsheet or table as well can help structure and organize your records.

2. Plan Your Time -- Create space in your days to complete your documentation, setting aside 30 minutes at the beginning or end of the workday, for example. Creating time to do this regularly will reduce the amount of time you are required to spend “catching up”.

3. Use Technology To Stay On Track — Calendar events and timers can actively alert you, sending reminders of new, incomplete, or regular tasks. Experiment with what works for you—and be patient with yourself!

4. Connect to Build Support — Case note review with your supervisor or fellow supported employment specialist helps improve your documentation by identifying missing information and clarifying your progress. Strategize with your finance person to verify and streamline invoicing and billing processes.

5. Communicate With Your Team — Maintain contact with your OVR counselors and ask for their expectations and assistance (for example, quarterly authorizations vs. monthly to reduce gaps in billing services). Your CRP representatives can address your questions and concerns as well.

6. Prioritize Your Plan — Reserve your documentation and invoicing time as an appointment. Documenting regularly can reduce stress and improve the quality of your notes.

7. Identify the Details — Details help you develop plans for each client with their specific interests, skills, and preferences in mind. Dates, times, locations, and observations support thoughtful, accurate, and informative documentation.

8. Use Preferred Formats — Capture your impressions by recording a voice note, sending yourself a text or email, or taking a few handwritten notes. Use the methods that work best for you to improve your documentation and invoicing.

9. Use Available Resources — Billing trackers, recording sheets, and documentation guides are available. Check our webpage for more resources.

10. Ask Us — The HDI SETP team is here to help! Melanie (melanie.lybarger@uky.edu) and Lisa (lisa.carrico@uky.edu) are your technical assistance facilitators—we are here to assist you!

- Melanie Lybarger, SETP Technical Assistance Facilitator 

Did you read the last quarterly bulletin?

The answer to the question below can be found in that issue. Do you think you know the answer? Email setraining@uky.edu and we will randomly select a winner for a prize that will be announced in the next bulletin.

IPS Supported Employment Conference 2025 - Working 9 to 5!

The annual IPS SE Conference took place on April 16th-17th in Florence, Kentucky, at the Hilton Cincinnati Airport Hotel, with an IPS Supervisor meeting the day before. Our conference theme was chosen by our IPS Family Advocate, Sharon Darnell, "Working 9 to 5" by Dolly Parton. Sharon chooses our conference theme every year and provides giveaways that accompany the theme. There was a Dolly cutout for everyone to take pictures, Dolly mugs, Dolly quotes, Dolly cake batter, and much more. The hotel conference room looked like Dollywood with all the giveaways! Our purpose for the conference was to provide "A Cup of Ambition" for the over one hundred people in attendance.

The annual IPS conference is a time for our IPS SE family to celebrate, hear client stories, learn from conference speakers, leave inspired and rejuvenated, and know how important they are!

Topics for the conference included: What Does It Mean to Be a Partner in the IPS Learning Community; What Does Justice Involvement Look Like; Engagement Techniques; The Importance of a Team-Based Approach; Mental Health Court Panel Discussion

The panel discussion included the Chief Justice of the Commonwealth, Judges, a Behavioral Health Liaison from the Administrative Office of the Courts, a CSW from Communicare, and a Lived Experience Expert who shared his powerful story about working with the mental health court—and how it changed his life.

This year’s Site Spotlight was NorthKey. Two clients shared their inspiring stories, demonstrating the life-changing power of work. Our closing speaker gave a heartfelt presentation titled "You Matter!"

The conference ended with awards and celebrations that recognized IPS programs that had a 50% or higher employment rate for 2024. Recognized agencies included: Communicare, Four Rivers, NorthKey, and River Valley. Recognized IPS Employment Specialists included: Kasy Goins, Communicare; Terry Perry, Communicare; Kay Jackson, Bridgehaven; Tom Dale, Bridgehaven; Alex Shock-Herweh, NorthKey; Ash Hall, NorthKey; Ma’leigha Stovall, Lifeskills; Cheryl Showalter, Lifeskills; Trey Smith, Four Rivers; and Sheresa Moore, Pennyroyal.

The IPS Employment Leadership Award went to the UK/St. Claire Medical Center. Maria Miller received the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Exemplary Service Award. The IPS Employment Specialist Achievement award went to Sheresa Moore from Pennyroyal. Amy Workman from Pathways received the Innovative Supervisor award. Lastly, Kentucky River Community Care was recognized for receiving exemplary fidelity!

The goal of IPS is to "find out who you are and do it on purpose" (Dolly Parton). And remember, as Dolly says, "If you see someone without a smile, give them yours!!

-Lori Norton, IPS Conference Coordinator

Drew Bartram’s Story Shared at the IPS Conference 

Drew suffers from PTSD, a condition that not only altered the way he perceived himself but also how he viewed the world and responded in social settings. He truly believed that all he would ever be in life was a “burnout” and didn’t know his purpose.

Drew was broken. While he tried to remember all the good things in his life, his PTSD only allowed him to remember those feelings of being lost, feeling depressed, and feeling hopeless. He was very hesitant to join the IPS program, but once he did, his life changed. Drew found himself again. He found his purpose. He started in the program as someone who only wanted to work from home and didn’t want to get out in an environment where he would interact with other people.

With the help of his Employment Specialist, Kim Johnson, he slowly changed his mind. After a year of working with Kim and trying to discover his new person, Drew began his first job at Arby’s as an associate, but quickly moved up to a management position. But he knew he was capable of more. So he sought out something better. Something that would give him meaning and purpose. Drew always knew he wanted to be in a medical environment, and that’s exactly where he wound up. After a lot of hard work and rediscovering his passions, Drew is a Pharmacy Tech at St. Claire Medical Center, and is currently studying to become certified in his field. Drew doesn’t just fill prescriptions and deliver medicine to different floors to be distributed, he even compounds chemo drugs and antibiotics!

Drew is thriving. He is succeeding. And he is becoming the person he always knew he was capable of being.

ISAW

Innovative Supports for Autistic Workers is a training and consultation project for employers who are interested in learning how to hire, support, supervise, and retain workers on the autism spectrum. We offer our training in a variety of formats, including Zoom or in-person meetings, half-day to full-day workshops, and an online course. We consult with businesses, Employment Specialists, and others to solve problems faced by autistic workers and their employers. We also work with autistic job seekers to develop good resumes and cover letters, practice interview questions and protocols, and discuss topics of interest such a disclosure and accommodations.

Our online course, Autism Informed Employers, is available free at HDI Learning. This course features over three hours of instruction and includes basic and advanced information on autism from both medical and social model perspectives, suggestions for interviewing autistic applicants, typical accommodations, and much more. There are scenarios throughout that allow learners to practice new communication and supervision skills, and a certificate is issued upon completion. Employers who complete our training are also featured on our website and social media pages.

ISAW is happy to support Employment Specialists through training and consultation services. We offer presentations that will help you to prepare clients more effectively for interviews and work. We customize training as needed so that your group or organization receives the exact information you are looking for. Contact Bev or Brittany anytime for training or consultation. There is never a charge for any of our services.

-Bev Harp, MSW, Project Director

A New Optional Tool For You!

OVR Billing Tracker: The OVR Billing Tracker was developed by the SETP team as an optional tool to assist SE providers in tracking the information, activities, billable hours, and invoicing for an SE case. Its purpose is to help keep all of the information involved in an SE case organized and viewable in one place. This spreadsheet comes with video and written instructions. Please take a moment to review the OVR Billing Tracker and see if it is a tool that can help your agency in tracking all of the information in a SE case.

You can find and download the spreadsheet on the SETP website under additional optional forms.