Wisconsin Employment First 2015 Conference
The second annual Employment First Conference: Because Community Equals Opportunity was a huge success! A BIG thank you to everyone who attended the conference. There were close to 350 people who participated in the event, including people with disabilities, family members, employment providers, long term care providers and businesses. In addition, there were 15 micro-enterprise owners selling their products, including dog treats, handmade blankets, painting, jewelry and pottery.
The conference began with a pre-conference Employer Panel Dinner: Businesses Making Community = Opportunity on Wednesday evening with over 60 people in attendance. Five employers, including Festival Foods, the Kalahari Resort and Noodles and Company, talked about why hiring people with disabilities is good for business.
The conference day kicked off bright and early on Thursday with Laura Owens presentation: “Waiting for the World to Change” providing a strong message that we can and must take action now to make Employment First a reality. Mark Winker, a business owner whose mission in life is to “ensure equitable employment for individuals with disabilities”, skyped in to talk about disability employment through the eyes of an employer.
The rest of the day was packed with 24 learning sessions on topics such as: Visual Resume’s, Braiding Day and Employment Services to Build Meaningful Lives, Community Rehabilitation Programs Building Employment Capacity, and Innovative Employer Hiring Practices. Participants also had the opportunity to participate in a three session training series from Dale Verstegen on Implementing Discovery, Assessment and Job Development in Your Community.
Check out all the amazing conference Power Points, videos, and other resources!
Conference Materials by Session
Keynote: Waiting for the World to Change (video available soon)
Power Point
Session 1: Innovative Employer Hiring Practices (video available soon)
Session 2: Visual Resumes 2.0: Showcasing YOU in a Fun and Creative Way!
Power Point
Session 3: DVR and the Dual Customer Special Forces
Power Point
Session 4: Wisconsin PROMISE Overview
Resource – PROMISE Update
Session 5: Braiding Day and Employment Services to Build Meaningful Lives
Power Point
Resource – Developing a Positive Personal Profile
Resource – Positive Personal Profile – Worksheet
Resource – Positive Personal Profile – Worksheet-2
Resource – WorkLink
Session 6: Embracing Employment First: CRPs Building Integrated Employment Capacity
Power Point – Transitioning to a Community Perspective with Employment Opportunities
Power Point – Embracing EF-CRPs – Building IE Capacity
Power Point – Goodwill Industries of SEW
Resource – LCS Overview
Power Point – Changing the Focus – Transition to a Community Perspective
Session 7: Assistive Technology Tools for Supported Employment
Power Point
Session 8: Let’s Talk About Employment First
Power Point
Resource – Let’s Talk About Employment First-EF Ambassador Roles
Resource – EF Policy Brief for Ambassadors
Resource – The Case for Jobs for Ambassadors
Session 9: Braiding Day and Employment Services to Build Meaningful Lives
Power Point
Resource – Developing a Positive Personal Profile
Resource – Positive Personal Profile – Worksheet
Resource – Positive Personal Profile – Worksheet-2
Resource – WorkLink
Session 10: There’s a LOT that Self Advocates and Families can do to get Good Jobs!
Power Point
Session 11: CMS Homes and Community-Based Settings Rule: Should We Expect Change?
Power Point
Resource – Ruderman Issue Brief
Session 12: Ethics and Boundaries: When enough is too much and too much is not enough (Part 1)
Session 13: Partnering for Employment !
Power Point
Session 14: Individual Placement and Support (IPS)
Power Point
Session 15: Back to Work – How Social Security Work Incentives Can Help
Power Point
Resource – Social Security Helpful Links
Session 16: Think College: A Path to Employment
Power Point
Session 17: Customized Employment: It Really Works!
(Video available soon)
Power Point – Customized Employment-It Really Works!
Power Point – Customized Job Development – Success Stories
Session 18: Steps to Employment through Self-Determination
Power Point
Session 19: DVR’s Innovative Employment Partnerships and Practices
Power Point
Session 20: Ethical Decision Making: Listening to our Hearts While Using our Heads
Session 21: Employment: It’s All About Local Outreach and Connections
Power Point
Session 22: Transition Business Model called Project SEARCH®
(Power Point available soon)
Session 23: High Impact Tools to Get Youth Jobs in their Community
Power Point
Session 24: Reporting from the Capitol – The Latest on Integrated Employment Policy
(Power Point available soon)
Stay tuned for information and announcements about the 2016 Wisconsin Employment First Conference!
For questions about the conference, please contact Ann Sievert, WI BPDD State Plan Project Manager, at (608) 267-9897 or ann.sievert@wisconsin.gov