Training Opportunities & Information Updates
From the Kentucky Supported Employment Training Project
March 18, 2026
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Information Updates
SETP News
The SETP Professional Learning Community (PLC) is currently accepting applications for 2026-2027. We will hold one cohort for Employment Specialists and one for Managers. This is a chance to be paired with a mentor to follow a year-long plan for professional growth and development, plus be connected with others across the state. Applications are open through June 8th. We will kick off our Book Club 2026 on May 5th. Learn more about the book and how it can benefit your work. We have updated training dates for the SE Core Training Series and upcoming Roundtable Discussions. Our webpage with resources on the impact of wages on benefits has been updated. Have individual questions or want in-person training in your area? Let us know!
Training Opportunities
4th Thursday ADA Talks: ADA Title I-Employment Protections
Date/Time: March 26, 10:00 – 11:00 am ET
Location: Zoom; registration is free but required
Presented by: University of Kentucky Human Development Institute (UK-HDI) and the Southeast ADA Center
Description: Get an overview of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title I and what the ADA requires of an employer. Discover how to address reasonable accommodations and examples of hiring initiatives to include people with disabilities.
SETP Book Club 2026
This spring, SETP is reading Sitting Pretty: The View from My Ordinary, Resilient Disabled Body by Rebekah Taussig. Join us in our efforts to form a deeper understanding of disability and inclusion to enhance supported employment practices and ensure effective representation of individuals to employers. The book club will meet weekly, Tuesdays at noon ET, May 5th – June 30th. Learn more and plan to read, learn and discuss together!
Autism Informed Employer Quick Video Series & Discussion
This Autism Informed Employer quick video series is presented by the Kentucky Employment First Council and Innovative Supports for Autistic Workers (ISAW). Quarterly conversations build upon the short videos shared monthly to learn more and engage in discussion with other employers and employment support providers on topics around increasing employment opportunities among Autistic Kentuckians. Episodes 1 – 3 are posted and cover information on hiring and the interview process. Check out the short videos, share with employers, and join the quarterly discussion.
Next Discussion: March 26th, 12:00 – 1:00 ET
Rooted & Rising
Rooted & Rising focuses on understanding the needs and gaps of mental health services for people with developmental disabilities in Appalachian counties in Kentucky. The series will offer 8 topics, both in person and virtually, open to anyone interested in learning more about mental health and overcoming challenges faced by people with developmental disabilities.
March 19th, virtual, 6:00 – 7:00 pm ET: Trauma and its Impact on Mental Health in People with Developmental Disabilities
April 29th, virtual, 6:00 – 7:00 pm ET: Employment and its Impact on Mental Health
Registration, plus additional topics and information, can be found on their website. Rooted & Rising is a project of UK – HDI.
Kentucky Disability Benefits 101: 5th Thursday Coffee/Tea Break
Date: 5th Thursdays in 2026: April 30, July 30, October 29
Time: 3:15 – 3:45 presentation and 3:45 – 4:15 open Q&A (ET)
Location: Zoom; registration is free but required
Presented by: SETP; Speakers include Carolyn Wheeler, SETP/UK – HDI, and Jeff White, DDID
Description: At the end of the 30 minutes, you will be able to use the Kentucky Disability Benefits 101 website to show the positive financial impact of employment while still maintaining a person’s eligibility for Medicaid or Medicare.
Audience: Job seekers, employment specialists, OVR staff, and family members
Additional information on the 5th Thursday Series
How a Paycheck Can Work with a Government Check
Date/Time: April 8th; 12:30-1:00 ET
Location: Zoom; registration is free but required
Presented by: SETP; Speakers include Carolyn Wheeler, SETP/UK – HDI, and Jeff White, DDID
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!
Audience: Students, family members, school staff, & employment specialists
Additional information on this event
SE Roundtable Discussions
The SETP hosts an ongoing series of roundtable discussions intended for those who have attended the Core Training Series in the previous year, but they are open to anyone interested. This allows new (and experienced) Employment Specialists to continue learning and gain practical strategies to assist with their everyday work. This is a valuable opportunity to connect with colleagues and share your experiences, questions, and insights.
Learn more about the Roundtables and find upcoming dates. These are held throughout the year, so if the topic you wanted has passed more will be posted!
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 SE: The Nuts & Bolts of the Work in HDI’s learning management system
SETP 105: Employment and Retention (E&R) Online Course
Location: 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 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.
How to Get Help Finding a Job flyer is available to share with people looking to go to work and not sure where to start.
Transition Resource Sheet for Students with Disabilities and Families.
A web-based version is also available.
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
Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
How to Describe Supported Employment Services
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 (ADA)
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 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
