Work Without Limits

The Employment Supports Training Series

The Employment Supports Series incorporates state-of-the-art practices in job placement including business engagement, person-centered career planning, job site and off-site supports, and customized and created jobs.

This series includes five workshops, which may be taken separately, or combined for a comprehensive perspective on innovative employment services:

Trainees may take Introduction to Employment Services only.

Trainees must take Introduction to Employment Services as a prerequisite if they intend to take any of the following workshops:

An Employment Services Certificate of Achievement from the Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators (ACRE) is available to individuals who attend all seven days of this Employment Supports Training Series, and complete additional fieldwork assignments. Contact Melanie Jordan at 617-287-4327 or melanie.jordan@umb.edu prior to enrollment if you are interested in participating in this national certificate program.

Introduction to Employment Services

This workshop provides an overview of community employment including the social, political and economic changes that led to expansion of opportunities for individuals with disabilities, and the variety of approaches that are taken to ensure success for the job seeker and the employer. This session is a prerequisite to all of the other employment supports trainings except Understanding Social Security Work Incentives.

Person-Focused Career Planning

This workshop will focus on the job seeker and the approaches used to assess the job seeker’s employment goals, abilities, interests and capacities. Participants will learn how to coordinate and implement person-centered planning, work on identifying personal and family networks, develop vocational profiles and schedule and evaluate situational assessments. You must complete Introduction to Employment Services prior to attending this training.

Job Development and Business Engagement

Developing jobs in an ever-changing economic environment places increasing demands on employment professionals. This two-day training focuses on understanding employer needs and developing quality job matches. Topics include informational interviewing, marketing, labor market analysis, responding to objections, and accommodations. Registrants should plan to attend both days. You must complete Introduction to Employment Services prior to attending this training.

Job Coaching and Support Strategies

This two-day training addresses skill development along with offsite and onsite support strategies that lead to job retention. Topics include role of the job coach, natural supports & social inclusion, systematic instruction, maintenance & fading, assistive technology and addressing behavioral issues that impact employment success. Registrants should plan to attend both days. You must complete Introduction to Employment Services prior to attending this training.

Understanding Social Security Work Incentives

Many job seekers worry about losing their benefits when going to work. This training will provide an overview of the impact of earnings on Social Security benefits. Topics include the differences between SSI and SSDI, SSA Work Incentives, how to keep medical benefits while working, how to explain benefits to job seekers, families and other stakeholders, and resources available to assist job seekers with benefit planning issues. You do not have to complete Introduction to Employment Services prior to attending this training.