Putting employment first in your organization – it’s an agency-wide journey. The webinars below discuss how agency culture and practices can be transformed to create an emphasis on employment goals for individuals.
Three-Part Series: Agency Transformation
1.1 Managing Disability Employment Programs
Discover effective strategies for supervising, training, and mentoring staff in disability employment services. Led by Sue Killam and self-advocate Will Johnson, this session highlights core competencies, mentoring practices, and Will’s inspiring career journey through the PAY Check program. Learn how to build inclusive workplaces and improve employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
1.2 Best Practice in Community Integrated Employment (CIE): Supported Employment, Individual Placement and Supports and Customized Employment
This session, led by Susan Killam, explores evidence-based strategies for supporting individuals with disabilities in achieving competitive, integrated employment. Topics include Supported Employment (SE), Customized Employment (CE), Individual Placement & Support (IPS), and career pathway models. Learn how to structure services, manage caseloads, and implement proven approaches that promote inclusion and long-term success in the workforce.
1.3 Training Supervising and Mentoring Employment Services Staff
Increased employment successes can be achieved with interventions by well-trained staff. This webinar looked at the skills needed to provide good employment services; orienting new staff; providing ongoing training, mentoring and supervision; creating effective staffing structures; and developing a supportive culture that supports ongoing learning.
2. Agency Transformation: Putting Employment First in Your Organization
Agency culture and practices can be transformed to create an emphasis on employment goals for individuals. This is an agency-wide journey. What are some of the challenges and benchmarks along this path?
Additional Resources Linked Below:
Customized Employment via Discovery Sample PPT
Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services (DDS) Community Based Day Supports (CBDS) Report
3. Employment First Transformation: Lessons Learned from Other States
How have other states increased employment for individuals with disabilities? Washington State has successfully assisted 83% of its citizens with disabilities to attain their employment goals; Oregon has assisted 57%. What techniques did Washington and Oregon as well as other states use to accomplish this?
Additional Resources Linked Below:
Employment Discussion Guide: Realizing the Potential of Employment First (Office of Developmental Disability Services, Oregon Department of Human Services)