2016 Wisconsin Employment First Conference: Celebrating Progress – Pre-Conference

BPDD in Partnership with Wisconsin APSE, People First and the Autism Society of South Central Wisconsin have joined together to create the 2016 Employment First Conference:  Celebrating Progress!  Monday, April 4th, 2016 , Wisconsin Dells.

Register Online Here

Registration Fee by Type:
Professional – $130.00
Individual with disability – $30.00
Family Member – $30.00

If you are unable to pay the conference fee, please contact: Ann Sievert at ann.sievert@wisconsin.gov or call 608-267-9897, to request a conference fee waiver.

Conference Highlights

ARI

Ari Ne’eman

Keynote speaker: Ari Ne’eman:  President and co-founder of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, an advocacy organization run by and for Autistic adults seeking to increase the representation of Autistic people across society. Ari was recently appointed by Secretary of Labor Tom Perez to serve as a member of the Department of Labor’s Advisory Committee on Increasing Competitive Integrated Employment of People with Disabilities.  

 

There will be over 24 great sessions highlighting innovative efforts to expand integrated employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.  Session topics will include:

  • Updates on important systems change impacting integrated employment: Implementation of the new managed long term care system; Workforce Innovation Opportunities Act (WIOA); and the new Home and Community based services rules.
  • Innovative Employment Practices: Statewide grass roots efforts of Employment First Partners and Ambassadors, Project Search, Individual Placement and Supports, Community rehabilitation programs building integrated employment capacity, Building “Full Lives” in the Community  by creatively braiding/blending services, Innovative Employer Hiring Practices
  • State agency updates: Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Department of Instruction, and Department of Health Services
  • “Hands on” Skill Building for Individuals with Disabilities and Families: Financial planning and asset development;  visual resumes, technology in the work place, interviewing skills, family lead employment
  • “Hands on “ Skill building for providers: Job Development and job coaching, Discovery, Assistive technology in the work place, Ethics and boundaries, Using natural supports in the workplace, tips for connecting with businesses, increasing provider capacity.

Download the Conference Session Descriptions

Additional conference highlights include:

  • Luncheon panel of Businesses talking about the benefits of hiring individuals with disabilities
  • Sara Murphy, a National consultant from) and other Wisconsin providers talking about creative ways to build “Full Lives” in the community by flexibly blending customized employment and integrated community based day services.
  • Keynote speaker: Ari Ne’eman:  President and co-founder of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, an advocacy organization run by and for Autistic adults seeking to increase the representation of Autistic people across society. Ari was recently appointed by Secretary of Labor Tom Perez to serve as a member of the Department of Labor’s Advisory Committee on Increasing Competitive Integrated Employment of People with Disabilities.  

Download the Conference Agenda-At-A-Glance

The conference will be a great learning and networking opportunity for:  people with disabilities, families, long term care providers (Family Care and IRIS), Aging and Disability Resource Centers, Employment providers, state agency staff (DVR, DHS, DPI), schools, service coordinators and employers.  CEU and CRC credits will be available!

EF Micro-Enterprise Vendor Application

The registration link to be a Micro-enterprise Vendor at the WI Employment First Conference at the Kalahari on April 4th is open. Cost is $25 per business owner, per table. This includes lunch and refreshments. If supporters need to eat at the conference, each additional meal is $25.

Register as a Micro-Enterprise Vendor

If you have questions about being a Micro-Enterprise Vendor, contact Shannon Huff at shannon@incontrolwisconsin.org. Vendor applications are due by March 25th, 2016.