Training Opportunities & Information Updates

From the Kentucky Supported Employment Training Project
March 31^st, 2025

Information Updates

The SETP is available to you

Please let us know if you or your agency have questions or could use some individual training around supported employment services. You can find contact information for all SETP staff here. You can also reply to this email with questions.

Training Opportunities

SETP is Starting a Book Club!

Demystifying Disability – by Emily Ladau will be our first pick; begins 2^nd week of April
Let’s deepen our understanding of disability and inclusivity, gaining valuable insights that will enhance our work in supported employment by fostering meaningful connections with the individuals we support and how we represent people to employers. The book club will meet virtually once a week for 6 weeks; Tuesday & Thursday meeting options are available to fit your schedule. Continuing education hours are available.
Learn more about the SETP Book Club and Register

Assistive Technology and Universal Design to Promote Competitive Integrated Employment

April 1^st, 12:00 – 1:00 pm ET
Presented by UK-HDI and RETAIN Kentucky
During this webinar, presenters Christina Espinosa and Dr. Kathy Sheppard-Jones will:

Define assistive technology and universal design
Examine the intersection of disability, universal design, and workplace participation
Describe ways in which workers with disabilities can employ these devices and strategies toward successful employment while maximizing organizational potential

Register for the webinar
Explore additional recorded webinars by RETAIN Kentucky

Supported Employment: The Nuts & Bolts of the Work

First Thursday of the Month: February – June 2025, 10:00 – 11:30 am ET
Presented by the Supported Employment Training Project
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 and Discovery are online - check out the recordings
Job Development – April 3
On the Job: SE Services & Extended Supports – May 1
Big Picture: Values and Disability Rights as part of our work – June 5

Register for the Nuts & Bolts of the Work series. Sessions are being recorded and made available as SETP 202 in our online learning system. You will need to log in to your account or create a new account to view.

Engaging in Respectful Dialogue About Communication Access Part 1 of Operationalizing Access: Training Series on Communication Access Plans in Behavioral Health Settings

April 24^th, 2:00 – 3:30 pm ET
Presented by Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental, and Intellectual Disabilities Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services
Do you know how to ask about a person's hearing loss and what they need for effective communication in a behavioral health setting? Do you feel awkward even thinking about it? During this session, a panel including Deaf Adult Peer Support Specialists, KY Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing staff, and a member of the Advisory Committee on the Need for Services for Individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing will share their experiences. Participants will learn about the kind of access people wish they had along with some positive and not so positive past experiences.

Find more information about the Series
Learn more & Register for Part 1

Medicaid Waivers

UK-HDI Seminar Series
April 11^th, 1:00 – 3:00 pm ET
Interested in an overview on Medicaid Waivers? Medicaid waiver programs provide services that promote community living for people with disabilities. This includes support and assistance with daily activities such as basic self-care, navigating the community, and managing their home, finances, or medical care. The Department for Medicaid Services (DMS) will provide an overview of Kentucky’s 1915 (c) Home-and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Medicaid waivers and the services they provide for people with disabilities. The process from applying for waivers, to service delivery options, and Medicaid waiver resources available to guide the process will also be discussed.

Objectives:

Outline an overview of Medicaid waivers and the services provided.
Develop an understanding of the process of applying for Medicaid waivers to service delivery options for Medicaid waivers.
Discuss Medicaid waiver resources available to guide the process.

Register for the seminar series

Everyone Is a Job Developer – Active Citizenship to Build the Inclusion Economy

April 22^nd, 12:00 – 1:00 pm ET
Presented by RETAIN Lunch & Learn Seminar Series
Join our seminar series and discover how to champion disability inclusion in your future career! Learn from industry experts, gain valuable insights, and enhance your skills to become an inclusive employer. Perfect for students ready to lead the change! During this webinar, the presenters will:

Discuss the role and participation of people with disabilities in the Covid-era economy
Examine return to work and stay-at-work strategies that build an inclusive workforce.
Describe ways in which workers with disabilities can help employers address the national labor shortage.

Register for the seminar series

Kentucky Disability Benefits 101 Lunch & Learn

5^th Friday of the month in 2025: 12:30 – 1:00 pm ET (next one is May 30)
Q&A to follow from 1:00 – 1:30 pm ET
An ongoing chance to learn how to use Kentucky DB 101 to show the positive financial impact of employment while still maintaining a person’s eligibility for Medicaid or Medicare.
Find out more and register for any & all of the Lunch & Learns in 2025

Supported Employment (SE) Core Training Series

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.
Register for the Supported Employment Core Training Series

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:

Share this infographic about Employment First
Employment First Episode on the State of HDI Podcast (under 10 min listen)
Employment First video with overview and resources on employment supports (11 min)
Learn more about Kentucky’s Employment First Council

How to Get Help Finding a Job

How to Get Help Finding a Job. Share this 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 Benefits Fact Sheets and additional resources (scroll to bottom 2 headings)

Job Accommodation Network (JAN)

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 (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.
Employment Files YouTube video series.

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.

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

University of Kentucky Human Development Institute