2017 Wisconsin Employment First Conference

Embracing Change: Together We Make it Happen

April 5th

Registration Now Open!

The Wisconsin Board for Developmental Disabilities, Wisconsin APSE and People First Host the Fourth Annual Employment First Conference

Last year, over 350 people attended the WI Employment First Conference “Celebrating Progress!” The conference focused on major achievements made with integrated employment and honored advocates, families, service providers, state agencies, and schools who have worked tirelessly to increase integrated employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.  Click here to see highlights from last year’s conference! 

Last year’s Keynote speaker, Ari Neiman, President and co-founder of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network made a very powerful statement; he said “Key policy changes happening at both the state and national level are having a huge impact in advancing the cause of increasing integrated employment throughout the country.” He provided a “call to action” by saying “Now more than ever before in the disability rights movement the momentum is on our side.”

Change comes with both opportunities and challenges. This year’s conference will bring individuals with disabilities, family members, providers and teachers together to learn and share creative ways to address the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities.

Let’s make integrated employment a reality for all individuals with disabilities in Wisconsin. Together We Make It Happen!

Conference Session topics:  

  • Building service provider capacity
  • Provider transformation –movement towards more community integrated employment
  • Engaging students and families FULLY in the transition planning process:  An endeavor worth the effort
  • Combining flexible, individualized integrated employment and community day services to support people to have full lives
  • Coaching the coaches: How to teach employment specialists the skills to be effective trainers
  • Strategies for supporting individuals with disabilities and their families in a changing system
  • Implementation of WIOA and how is it impacting individuals with disabilities, families and providers
  • Tackling the tough issues in rural communities
  • New Partnerships between Schools and CRPs: Supporting Student Employment Together
  • Financial Planning/Asset Development
  • Apps for employment—successful employment at your fingertips
  • Benefits counseling—Path to Self Sufficiency
  • Self-Employment –How to successfully be your own boss
  • Pre-Employment Transition Services through Vocational Rehabilitation
  • Federal and State Policy Changes Impacting Employment First
  • Update on Implementation of Home and Community Based Services Rules

 

If you have any questions contact Ann Sievert at ann.sievert@wisconsin.gov or call 608-267-9897.