Colorado Office of Employment First’s Supported Employment Training Focusing on Competitive Integrated Employment

Colorado Office of Employment First’s Supported Employment Training Focusing on Competitive Integrated Employment

This is a basic supported employment services training course that leads to a Certificate of Achievement in Basic Supported Employment Services through the Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators (ACRE) that is awarded to trainees who complete all training requirements. The training includes 40 hours of content and professional development activities.

The content presented builds the knowledge and skills of trainees in the ACRE Basic Supported Employment Services Core Competencies (40 Core Competency Areas).

Course information and modality:

6-Week (40 hours) Basic Supported Employment Services Training and Certification Course
Delivered utilizing a hybrid approach that includes both live (synchronous) and non-live (asynchronous) training
Synchronous Delivery: Live instruction will occur virtually through Zoom
Asynchronous Delivery: Non-live instruction will occur within our Learning Management System (LMS), login information will be delivered through email prior to the course start date

Course Goal: To successfully demonstrate competence as it relates to the five domains of the Basic Supported Employment Services course as described below:

Competency Domains:

Domain 1: Application of Core Values & Principles to Practice (4 Hours): Rights, history, legislation, best practices, professionalism
Domain 2: Individualized Assessment and Employment / Career Planning (6 Hours): Assess strengths, skills, interests, situational assessment, career exploration, support plan, stakeholder involvement, work impact on benefits, accommodation plan, transition to work models
Domain 3: Community Research and Job Development (5 Hours): Job Acquisition (involvement of job seeker, disclosure decisions, accommodations, negotiations, job creation/carving and closing the deal)
Domain 4: Workplace and Related Supports (10 Hours): Job analysis, starting the job, implementing support plans, involvement in usual employer training, systematic instruction, natural supports, social inclusion, fading, positive behavioral supports, ongoing supports and funding, access to resources needed for long-term employment, opportunity for career advancement
Domain 5: Electives (10 Hours): Active listening and conflict resolution, justice involvement and line of sight supervision, employment specialist professional development, sharing employment successes

Total Hours 40

Instructor's Information:

Vikki Ortiz, MS, CESP, Lead Instructor, vikki.ortiz@cuanschutz.edu, Vikki is a certified Employment Support Professional with experience in providing Supported Employment services as well as managing an employment services team. Her area of expertise are communications, training, and curriculum and resource development. Vikki is a graduate of National APSE’s Emerging Leaders in Employment First professional development program. She also serves as the Vice President of the Colorado Chapter of the Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE). Her educational background is in Human Development and Family Studies with an M.S. in Family Studies. Vikki has a vision for all people with disabilities to fully realize, pursue, and accomplish their employment goals.
Brian Dean, MS, CRC, brian.dean@cuanschutz.edu- Brian has over 6 years of experience in the field of Rehabilitation Counseling through providing and coordinating services to individuals with significant disabilities including individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Brian holds a Master's Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) through the Commission on Rehabilitation Counseling Certification (CRCC). Brian is Nationally Recognized and Certified as/in: Customized Employment Service Provider, Discovery & Customized Job Development, Customized Employment Mentor, and Discovery & Customized Job Development.
Deirdre Sage, MSW, LCSW, deirdre.sage@cuanschutz.edu - Deirdre has over 15 years of experience in the field of working with individuals with Mental Health/Behavioral Health Diagnosis in providing services toward pursuing and obtaining goals in Employment. Deirdre has provided direct service to individuals and has supervised a team in providing direct support services to individuals through Community Mental Health Centers. Deirdre is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Melanie Honsbruch, CPWIC, melanie.honsbruch@cuanschutz.edu - Melanie Honsbruch has over 20 years of experience in Benefits Counseling and providing this to individuals receiving State and Federal Benefits.
Melanie has developed curriculums on Benefits Counseling and provides technical assistance and mentoring to other Benefits Counselors in the State of Colorado on working with Individuals with Disabilities who are pursuing Employment and receiving State/Local Benefits.
Tiffany Cron, PhD, tiffany.cron@cuanschutz.edu - Tiffany D. Cron, PhD. Dr. Tiffany Cron has been a PCT trainer since 2013 and has also been a PCT Coach-trainer since 2017 for those organizations that have invested to become a Person-Centered Organization. She has experience working within the field of disabilities since 2006 having experience as a direct care professional, program manager, coordinator, and director for employment services, residential services, and day program services. Tiffany brings with her over 13 years of experience teaching online and holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in general psychology with an emphasis in cognition and instruction. Former training attendees have shared that they like and admire that Tiffany is “energetic, positive, a good-trainer, knowledgeable, passionate, and personable.” This Supported Employment Training Curriculum was developed by the Colorado Office of Employment First Instructors and submitted to a Nationally Recognized Credentialing Entity in the Area of Community Rehabilitation Services and Providers Subject Matter Experts in the Field reviewed this training, and the Colorado Office of Employment First is a Member of the Association of Community Rehabilitation Educations Organization (ACRE).

This training is designed and developed based on the identified Core Competencies for providing Employment Services to all individuals with disabilities seeking competitive integrated employment.

This training is for Employment Support Professionals providing direct services to individuals with disabilities in their communities toward obtaining competitive integrated employment, if they are new to their position or have experience in the field.

There are no refunds for signing up for this training and not attending. All sales are final. Organizations may reach out directly to the trainer, Vikki Ortiz at vikki.ortiz@cuanschutz.edu to request a substitution (sending someone else to the training in place of the original attendee).