News Archive
News
Becoming an Employment First Agency
Are you a Targeted Case Management (TCM) provider interested in becoming a model agency of national best practice in person-centered & self-determined employment pathways for individuals & their supports?
The Employment First consultation provides an opportunity to assess culture & processes which facilitate change management focused on person-driven employment support coordination.
Scaling Best Practices
- Facilitated interviews, organization self-assessment, & consultation are used to evaluate current capacity
- Recommendations, technical assistance, & training to implement capacity building strategies are available at no cost
- Based on Tiered Supports Model
- Customized Strategies to Address Barriers
- Ongoing Support for Staff
Empowering Lifelong Employment: Tailored Strategies for Older Workers with IDD 2.0
Did you miss the webinar "Empowering Lifelong Employment: Tailored Strategies for Older Workers with IDD 1.0" held on August 5th? You are still welcome to join us for the 2.0 session in December!
Empowering Lifelong Employment: Tailored Strategies for Older Workers with IDD 2.0
December 2nd, 2026 from 1pm to 2:30pm CST - Register Here
This is the follow-up session to 1.0, where we will take a deeper dive into employment and retirement scenarios for older individuals with IDD. We will review key elements and concepts covered in 1.0 including ageism, ableism, and principles of Employment First. By using creative and critical thinking, along with current tools and best practices, we can gain insight into how to support older individuals to maintain full participation in the community.
Amy Gessert Appointed New Project Director for Employment First Missouri
Amy Gessert has been appointed the new Project Director for Employment First Missouri, taking over for David Hoff, who has retired. Employment First Missouri is a training and technical assistance center working to advance community employment for individuals with developmental disabilities, funded by DMH, and operated by ICI. Amy joined ICI in 2022, and has worked on employment-related training and technical assistance efforts in Minnesota and Hawaii, along with other efforts to advance employment for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Before joining ICI, Amy was an Advocacy Specialist for Missouri Protection and Advocacy Services, in leadership positions with disability service providers in Missouri, and served as Executive Director for the Greater Maryville Chamber of Commerce. You can reach Amy at [email protected].
Registration for the 2026 APSE Missouri Annual Employment Summit is Open!
The 2026 APSE Missouri Annual Employment Summit is taking place July 23–24, 2026, at the Courtyard by Marriott in Columbia, Missouri!
This year’s 2-day summit will bring together leaders, advocates, professionals, and job seekers from across the state who are committed to advancing competitive, integrated employment for people with disabilities. Over two powerful days, we’ll share best practices, innovative strategies, and inspiring success stories that are driving inclusive employment forward.
What to Expect:
- Dynamic keynote speakers
- Engaging breakout sessions
- Networking with peers and experts
- Tools and resources to strengthen your work
Whether you’re a provider, policymaker, self-advocate, family member, or employer, this summit is for you. Let’s come together to learn, connect, and keep pushing toward a future where employment is for everyone. Follow this link to register or learn more.
Employment Resource: Missouri Job Centers
Missouri Job Centers can be a great resource for assisting individuals with their employment needs, in conjunction with services being received from the Division of Developmental Disabilities and service providers. Job Center services include job search workshops, connections with employers and local sector initiatives, training and education, and access to local labor market data to better understand hiring trends. Outreach to your local Job Center, to discuss how to partner with them, and how you can support individuals in using Job Center's services.
Employment Resource: Job Accommodation Network
Have you ever been working with an individual and trying to identify accommodations that will enable them to perform job tasks for employment success? The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is a federally funded resource that has extensive resources on job accommodations, and a variety of related issues, including disclosure and the Americans with Disabilities Act. The JAN website contains a large database of accommodations as well as a wide variety of articles on accommodation related topics. JAN staff are also available to answer specific questions from people with disabilities, service providers, and employers.