Life expectancy for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities has significantly increased over the past several decades. Aging issues can impact various life activities, including work. The good news is that we can use creative and critical thinking, along with current tools and best practices to support older workers in maintaining employment and full participation in the community. This training will provide a review of Employment First principles, as well as how to effectively apply techniques to various employment scenarios for older workers.

This training will cover what policies are, why they are important, and specific policies employment programs should consider having in place to ensure consistent quality and effectiveness. We will break down several policies and how they may affect an employment program. At the end of the training, attendees will have information and knowledge to consider and why a provider agency may want to consider their own policies, what policies they may want to review, update, and additional policies to add.

Strategic networking involves setting goals and considering different techniques to expand our personal and professional networks in a meaningful way. Topics include: a) strategies and connection to quality services and best practice, b) matching personalities to methods, c) action plan and mentoring. Exercises will provide attendees with the opportunity to begin a reflective practice to consider past, present, and future networking efforts including time devoted and analysis, with the goal of increasing your social capital which is essential for robust employment services.

Provider agencies are very focused on supporting individuals with disabilities to ensure their success. But what about the staff that provide these services? Too often the needs of the staff are forgotten. This training will walk attendees through ways that they can provide systems of support to staff to ensure their success, as well as include the need for accommodations.

Employment and integration activities should be driven by individual interests, goals, and needs. In this training, you’ll learn the basics of person-centered planning, and how it serves as the basis for the employment and community integration activities pursued by an individual. We’ll also look at how person-centered planning guides exploration and discovery activities that assist individuals in determining their preferences for employment.