The 2018 Employment First Conference was a huge success! Thank you to everyone who was there as an attendee, presenter or vendor. Don’t worry if you missed out as we are compiling the presentations to review from home. Below are the three sessions that were recorded the day of, click on the title to go directly to the recorded session. We will be posting the slides and handouts from the other sessions at the Employment First website: HERE

1) Advancing Competitive Integrated Employment in Long-Term Care 

Presenters: Curtis Cunningham and Amy Chartier, WI Department of Health Services

In this presentation, we share Wisconsin’s vision for increasing Competitive Integrated Employment Outcomes in Long-Term Care.  We will review current employment services and options for life enrichment.  We will also share the findings and recommendations from the recent State Employment Leadership Network assessment and the direction they provide for Wisconsin.

Memo Regarding Prevocational Services in Wisconsin Medicaid Long Term Care: HERE

Session Slides: HERE

2) Employment First Provider Transformation: Getting Ahead of the Curve

Presenter: Richard Davis, MSW – Policy Advisor, U.S. DOL, Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), Employment First State Leadership Mentoring Program (EFSLMP)

Provider transformation is a critical element in Employment First systems-change. For organizations interested in diversifying their services to provide expanded community-based options for individuals with significant disabilities, this session is for you!  Come learn about investments of the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) to provide community rehabilitation providers access to high-quality technical assistance, training and ongoing coaching from executives who understand the level of complexity involved and effective strategies for model conversion from facility-based work or day habilitation centers. This session is intended to provide technical assistance and informational resources to providers who are looking to accelerate their own organization’s transformation efforts, and offer strategies for how providers can engage in productive ways with state-led Employment First initiatives and implementation of various recent Federal policy regulations.

3) Trends in Employment Policies – Update from Washington DC

Presenter: Nicole Jorwic, The Arc of the United States

With continued implementation of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) at the state level and updates to the Medicaid Home and Community Based Settings Rule, things are rapidly changing. New guidance and materials are coming out at a fast pace, come and hear from The Arc’s National Federal Policy staff about what providers, and stakeholders need to know and how to stay engaged.