COVID-19 and Customized Employment
Past Webinars
Community Conversations: Informational Interviews – A Genuine Approach to Employer Engagement
Just like Discovery, employer engagement is best done one business at a time. The informational interview is the most genuine form of employer engagement. However, many CE practitioners have struggled with the concept and practice of informational interviews. The struggle revolves around these basic questions: Why do you do informational interviews? When do you do them? What do you say to schedule one? What do you do when you conduct one? What makes for a “good” informational interview? What follows?
In this conversation, we will address each of those questions and provide some clarity to the art of the informational interview that can lead to better employment outcomes. We hope you’ll join us.
Presenters: Bob Niemiec
Date: June 4, 2021
Time: 1 PM - 2 PM ET
Recording: https://www.griffinhammis.com/webinar-recordings/
Community Conversations: Why Is Assembly Not a Vocational Theme?
A short conversation on common misunderstandings about the “useful fictions" of Vocational Themes.
Vocational Themes are the conduit to the business world. To be effective, they must do 3 things:
- Expand career options;
- Authentically represent what has been learned about the employment-seeker;
- Make sense to those we approach during Discovery and Job Development.
The individuals we serve often have very limited life and work experiences, and therefore face complex barriers to employment. During this Community Conversation we’ll discuss the importance of indentifying and verifying interests, skills, preferred tasks, and ideal conditions before declaring specific Vocational Themes.”
This month’s Community Conversation will be hosted by GHA staff Russell Sickles & Corey Smith. As a special treat for us all our very own Cary Griffin has agreed to take an hour away from restoring cars and fly fishing to sit it and make us all that much smarter.
Presenters: Corey Smith, Russell Sickles, and Cary Griffin
Date: May 14, 2021
Time: 2 PM - 3 PM ET
CE Conversations: Pandemic Financial First Aid for People Who Get Government Benefits
Everyone knows that many workers face severe economic hardship caused by the pandemic. But most people don’t know much about government programs designed to ease the burden on unemployed or underemployed workers. Key federal laws – especially the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act - have created benefits or modified rules to support workers in financial distress, and it’s likely another federal relief package may have been enacted by the time this webinar is held.
This session will answer essential questions about public benefits and financial relief during the COVID-19 pandemic, including:
- If I become unemployed or underemployed during the pandemic, how can I qualify for (or re-start) benefits like SSDI, SSI, Medicare, Medicaid and SNAP (Food Stamps)?
- How will my unemployment benefits affect other government benefits I get?
- Are unemployment benefits taxable, and how can I pay the tax?
- Will my economic impact (stimulus) payment affect my SSDI, SSI, Medicare or Medicaid?
- If I lose eligibility for Medicaid during the pandemic, can I still get medical insurance?
- If I fall behind on my rent or mortgage payments, can I get help to avoid losing my home?
- How should I deal with debts I can’t afford to repay?
- What can I do to help protect my credit?
Presenter: Michael Dalto is a big, old benefits geek. He's been helping people understand and use work incentives for Social Security and other benefit programs for 30 years. He has trained and assisted thousands of people with disabilities, family members and professionals to use safety nets that help ensure people get ahead financially when they work, and that protect vital benefits. He created a state benefits planning certification in Maryland, supported VR agencies in Kentucky and Minnesota to assist people they serve to work their way off SSDI, developed curriculum for Virginia Commonwealth University’s national certification for benefits planners, helped create tiered benefits planning models in Michigan and Missouri, and a host of other projects. He has consulted with Griffin-Hammis Associates since 2018.
Date: January 8, 2021
Time: 1 PM - 2 PM EST
Recording: https://youtu.be/37hdfTDdfsc
CE Conversations: Systematic Instruction in the Time of COVID
The COVID pandemic is still with us, and raging in some communities. Despite that, people with disabilities are continuing to enter the workforce. That means that employment supports must continue to be delivered.
Systematic Instruction is a cornerstone of employment supports. Organizations that provide employment supports must learn to adapt their methods to assure that quality supports continue to be delivered to the people and businesses they support. In this conversation we will discuss the typical types of employment support, most notably systematic instruction, and explore alternative or modified approaches. Please come prepared with your questions. We’ll try to deal with as many as we can.
Presenter: Bob Niemiec is a Senior Associate with Griffin-Hammis Associates. Bob served as the Director of the Minnesota Employment Training and Technical Assistance Center (MNTAT)
and prior to joining GHA in 2009, was the Director of Employment and Community Supports for Community Involvement Programs in Minneapolis, Minnesota where he led the transformation of a traditional day program into a high-quality community employment service. Bob has provided training and consultation services in 46 states and 2 Canadian provinces as well as assisting in the planning and facilitation of Employment First events in 12 states.
Date: December 4, 2020
Time: 1 PM - 2 PM EST
Recording: https://youtu.be/iMik34Zejz8
CE Conversations: Families
This time of ‘Safer At Home’ has been particularly difficult for individuals who thrive on being social and living life’s more typical routines. Join us as we listen, learn and converse with parents as they tell us how they have adapted with their adult children to our new lifestyle. This week we are pleased to present different perspectives on how a business owner and two employees who had been working jobs at local businesses have been adjusting to life during Covid. Their parents will be sharing how the breaks in routines, getting together with friends and being at home more has impacted their lives and those of their families.
Joan Martin, Marla Merritt, and Janice Weinstein will be sharing experiences of their adult children – Brian, Andy, and Sarah – who may also join our conversation. Brian is the owner of Hardback YoYo (www.hardbackyoyo.com), Andy was the first person to secure Customized Employment in Illinois with the help of Beth Keeton and GHA 11 years ago, and Sarah is currently on leave from her customized job at Abt Electronics in Northbrook.
Presenter: Marsie Hartman has been a Senior Associate at Griffin-Hammis Associates since 2011. Her work in employment services began in 1986. During the years her work has included providing direct supports, program management and policy development. She led employment projects with the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities while a Senior Policy Analyst at Health & Disability Advocates in Chicago. She is currently an Instructor of ACRE courses and trainer in Customized Employment. In addition, partnering with the Florida DDC on their Workforce Training Initiative Collaboration addressing the workforce crisis around the need for Direct Support Professionals.
Date: October 2, 2020
Time: 1 PM - 2 PM EDT
Recording: https://youtu.be/-VXxt9khWtw
CE Conversations: Ethics of Customized Employment
Presenter: Ashlea Lantz is a Senior Consultant with Griffin-Hammis Associates. She provides training and technical assistance around Customized Employment, Supported Employment, Self-Employment, Benefits Planning, and Agency Capacity Building. She has extensive experience in working with families both personally and professionally.
Date: September 18, 2020
Time: 1 PM - 2 PM EDT
Recording: https://youtu.be/nUtfzk81WGM
CE Conversations: PASS as a Resource in Post-Pandemic Planning
This time of self-isolation has been particularly difficult for individuals who thrive on being social, fulfilling their self-employment goals and living life’s more typical routines. Join us as we listen, learn and converse with two parents as they tell us how they have adapted with their adult children to our new ‘Safer At Home’ lifestyle.
With unemployment at an all-time high, Employment Support professionals will need creative strategies & resources to support individuals with disabilities in gaining or re-gaining employment. This session will explore how Plans to Achieve Self Support (PASS) can be used to provide additional resources as pandemic restrictions loosen and strategies such as Resource Ownership, Self-Employment, Business within a Business, and other economic development strategies are considered.
Presenter: Janet Steveley is a Senior Consultant with Griffin-Hammis Associates working on the Texas Workforce Commission Certified Business Technical Assistant Consultant training program, the Missouri Customized Employment Project, the Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators National Certificate Training, and various other initiatives around customized employment and benefits planning.
Since 1997, Janet has operated Workable Solutions, LLC, a consulting firm based in Ashland, Oregon which serves as an Employment Network under Social Security’s Ticket to Work Program. She is a former special education teacher/transition specialist, and has worked on state and national technical assistance projects around employment and transition services. Janet is well versed in microenterprise development and an expert in optimizing public benefits having helped numerous individuals achieve their employment goals through Plans to Achieve Self Support (PASS).
Janet holds a Master’s degree in Special Education from Indiana University and is a Certified Partner Work Incentive Counselor (CPWIC) through Virginia Commonwealth University.
Date: July 24, 2020
Time: 1 PM - 2 PM EDT
Recording: https://youtu.be/zxSK2GHNzB8
CE Conversations: Customized Job Development Stories From the Road
Oftentimes people do a good job with discovering a Job Seeker's Personal Genius, but then go back to typical job placement strategies. Although working at the grocery store doing bagging and cleaning up works well for some folks, it is not ideal for people who need more individualized strategies. This Customized Conversation will feature GHA's Corey Smith and Russell Sickles hanging out with Shawn Dennison from Maryland. Shawn is a highly effective Customized Employment Specialist, community leader, musician, chef, mountain biker, and generally good company. Shawn is going to share some of his stories from the road about discovering personal genius, developing community action teams, maximizing social capital, engaging employers, meeting an employer's unmet needs, negotiating opportunities, and building relationships.
Presenters: Corey Smith is a Senior Associate with Griffin-Hammis Associates. He provides training and technical assistance on Customized Employment, Supported Employment, braided funding, and building social capital for people with disabilities, families, providers, high schools and funding sources. Projects include the development of CE services in both metropolitan and rural communities, also working with funders and Universities on best practices strategies. Corey brings many years of experience in direct services, administration, organizational transformation, and development, for organizations providing employment services.
Date: July 17, 2020
Time: 1 PM - 2 PM EDT
Recording: https://youtu.be/GEu_uD60eik
CE Conversations: Post-Pandemic and Social Transformation Community Employment Policies 2021-2030
This presentation is about changes necessary to ensure community integrated employment of citizens with disabilities and others with the similar challenges to be included in America’s economic success through employment. State and Federal policymakers, persons in leadership roles in service provider organizations, and others in systems change advocacy roles may find this helpful. Persons not currently in administrative, leadership, or service financing roles are welcome. Changes to Vocational Rehabilitation, Medicaid HCBS waivers, and Medicaid State Plans to ensure greater access and greater success of Customized Employment are presented.
Presenter: Stephen Hall, Ph.D. is the Director of Employment Policy and Research with Griffin-Hammis Associates. Stephen has a Ph.D. in Disability Policy and Adult Education from the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Supported Employment and Workplace Supports at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Stephen has strong relationships with state and federal government leaders, universities, and provider and advocacy organizations. He is a former Commissioner of Behavioral Health, State Director of Developmental Disabilities, and CEO of two Community Provider Organizations. Dr. Hall was a Subject Matter Expert with the Office of Disability and Employment Policy. He was a member of the National Association of Developmental Disabilities Directors, President-elect, and Chair of the Research Committee for seven years.
Date: July 10, 2020
Time: 1 PM - 2 PM EDT
Recording: https://youtu.be/iNrEPzlMNcc
CE Conversations: Why a Consultative Approach to Customized Employment Makes Sense During the Coronavirus Pandemic
The Coronavirus Pandemic has wreaked havoc on supports and services for people with disabilities. Social distancing and “stay at home” directives have affected everyone in the country. As of this writing over 40 million Americans have become unemployed since January. People with disabilities are among that 40 million. Businesses have been forced to scale back their activities as well as their workforce. Even businesses that have been deemed “essential” have seen disruptions to their workforce due to the effects of the virus. Employment supports for people with disabilities have been curtailed or become absent due to a number of factors including funding support for organizations providing services, businesses furloughing or laying off employees, employment services staff being asked to reassign to provide supports at group homes, etc. However, despite all that, many people with disabilities are continuing to work, many of whom are employed in “essential businesses.” So the question is, “how do we continue to support people in employment taking a consultative approach?”
In this conversation, we will look at the how a consultative approach to employment supports makes even more sense during the pandemic. We will look at the contrast between a consultative approach and the more conventional approaches related to job coaching. We will also discuss some of the steps organizations can take to pave the way for making a consultative approach standard operating procedure.
Presenters: Bob Niemiec is a Senior Associate with Griffin-Hammis Associates. Bob served as the Director of the Minnesota Employment Training and Technical Assistance Center (MNTAT) and prior to joining GHA in 2009, was the Director of Employment and Community Supports for Community Involvement Programs in Minneapolis, Minnesota where he led the transformation of a traditional day program into a high-quality community employment service. Bob has provided training and consultation services in 46 states and 2 Canadian provinces as well as assisting in the planning and facilitation of Employment First events in 12 states.
Stephen Hall, Ph.D. is the Director of Employment Policy and Research with Griffin-Hammis Associates. Stephen has a Ph.D. in Disability Policy and Adult Education from the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Supported Employment and Workplace Supports at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Stephen has strong relationships with state and federal government leaders, universities, and provider and advocacy organizations. He is a former Commissioner of Behavioral Health, State Director of Developmental Disabilities, and CEO of two Community Provider Organizations. Dr. Hall was a Subject Matter Expert with the Office of Disability and Employment Policy. He was a member of the National Association of Developmental Disabilities Directors, President-elect, and Chair of the Research Committee for seven years.
Date: June 19, 2020
Time: 1 PM - 2 PM EDT
Recording: https://youtu.be/dFo9AzRLkd4
CE Conversations: Families and Customized Employment During Changing Times
This time of self-isolation has been particularly difficult for individuals who thrive on being social, fulfilling their self-employment goals and living life’s more typical routines. Join us as we listen, learn and converse with two parents as they tell us how they have adapted with their adult children to our new ‘Safer At Home’ lifestyle.
Presenters: Marsie Hartman has been a Senior Associate at Griffin-Hammis Associates since 2011. Her work in employment services began in 1986. During the years her work has included has providing direct supports, program management and policy development. She led employment projects with the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities while a Senior Policy Analyst at Health & Disability Advocates in Chicago. She is currently an Instructor of ACRE courses and trainer in Customized Employment. In addition, partnering with the Florida DDC on their Workforce Training Initiative Collaboration addressing the workforce crisis around the need for Direct Support Professionals. Her love is of the empowering impact that the Social Security Administration work incentives can provide individuals earning income from work.
Wendy Partridge has been supporting people and their circles of support in various ways for the last 20 years. She is focusing more specifically on her son Quinn’s small circle at this time. His microenterprise, Quinn’s World Famous Kraut has many benefits and functions as a way to support connection and contribution even during this confusing time.
Katherine Carol lives in Denver, Colorado and is a recognized subject matter expert by the US Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy. She is a cofounder of Families at the Forefront of Technology, where she and other parents brought giants from the tech industry together with families and individuals with disabilities in shaping a more accessible and prosperous future through technology. Katherine currently serves as a co-chair for Colorado's Employment First Advisory Partnership. Most importantly, she is Mikelle's mom.
Date: June 12, 2020
Time: 1 PM - 2 PM EDT
Recording: https://youtu.be/7xUmjeeFmkY
CE Conversations: Developing and Harnessing Social Capital (Part 2)
This is the second in a two-part series, “Developing and Harnessing Social Capital”. Building on Session 1, we will draft, during this second session, steps for connecting virtually to build Social Capital based on the specific interests of an individual you are providing supports to.
Come prepared to provide enough information regarding the individual’s interests, while maintaining confidentially.
You will then be able to share the draft with the individual for discussion, additional input, approval and practice prior to facilitating the virtual connection.
Presenter: Nancy Brooks-Lane's diverse skills include training, technical assistance and side by side mentoring in best practices; organizational and system change strategic planning; and aligning policy, funding, and change. She has assisted persons with significant disabilities to obtain customized employment or start their own business and has mentored, trained and provided technical assistance to self-advocates, families, providers, citizen advocates, funders and social and political leaders in the processes of best practices and system change.
Date: June 5, 2020
Time: 1 PM - 2 PM EDT
Recording: https://youtu.be/-uV_7LDINYU
GHA Presents: Organizational Leadership During Uncertain Times - Challenges & Opportunities
Progressive Employment Concepts is a 100% Community Based Organization in Northern California. What started from humble beginnings serving 15 people with a vision of what services could/should look like has grown to become an organization on a path to becoming a truly person- centered organization striving to provide high quality Customized Employment services and individualized Person Centered Community Supports. Carole Watilo Progressive CEO will join us to share their journey from the beginning, where they are going, and how they are doing during these challenging times.
Presenters: Corey Smith is a Senior Associate with Griffin-Hammis Associates. He provides training and technical assistance on Customized Employment, Supported Employment, braided funding, and building social capital for people with disabilities, families, providers, high schools and funding sources. Projects include the development of CE services in both metropolitan and rural communities, also working with funders and Universities on best practices strategies. Corey brings many years of experience in direct services, administration, organizational transformation, and development, for organizations providing employment services.
Date: June 3, 2020
Time: 1 PM - 2:30 PM EDT
Recording: https://youtu.be/KR5iVj-wByA
CE Conversations: Resource Ownership and Self-Employment—Capitalizing on Business Opportunities During the Economic Recovery
This conversation will focus on two of Customized Employment’s Economic Development strategies: Resource Ownership and Self-Employment. Both approaches create work by addressing market challenges, solving-problems, meeting business/customer needs, and/or offering new products or services. Both also involve processes whereby employment-seekers acquire and exploit materials, equipment, or skills—productive assets used to generate income. The Capital in Capitalism.”
Presenter: Russell Sickles is a Senior Associate with GHA based in West Virginia. Russell is well versed in Supported Employment and Customized Employment. He introduced Customized Employment strategies into the West Virginia DD and VR systems. Russell has almost 20 years of experience in direct services within Supported Employment, Customized Employment, and Supported Living contexts. During 10 years of these years, he acted concurrently as a program director.
Date: May 29, 2020
Time: 1 PM - 2 PM EDT
Recording: https://youtu.be/fx2er9UkD3s
GHA Presents: Introduction to the Job Development Fidelity Scale (JDFS)
The Job Development Fidelity Scale (JDFS) for Customized Employment will be introduced with an analysis of the differences between Traditional Job Development practices and Customized Job Development. In this session, Dr. Stephen Hall will provide details of the JDFS fidelity tenets.
Presenter: Stephen Hall Ph.D. is the Director of Employment Policy and Research with Griffin-Hammis Associates. Stephen has a Ph.D. in Disability Policy and Adult Education from the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Supported Employment and Workplace Supports at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Stephen has strong relationships with state and federal government leaders, universities, and provider and advocacy organizations. He is a former Commissioner of Behavioral Health, State Director of Developmental Disabilities, and CEO of two Community Provider Organizations. Dr. Hall was a Subject Matter Expert with the Office of Disability and Employment Policy. He was a member of the National Association of Developmental Disabilities Directors, President-elect, and Chair of the Research Committee for seven years.
Date: May 26, 2020
Time: 1 PM - 2 PM EDT
Recording: https://youtu.be/odmwcVRQcyE
CE Conversations: Job Development During a Pandemic Recovery
Join us for a conversation about using Customized Job Development strategies to connect with community businesses and create safe, sustainable, and mutually beneficial employment opportunities amid varying levels of COVID-19 restrictions and precautions. The world has changed, but employment remains the name of the game- and new opportunities for collaboration and job creation are continually emerging as community businesses shift and reposition themselves within the landscape of COVID-19.
Presenters: Since 1996, Beth Keeton has provided employment training and technical assistance at the state, national, and international level. She developed the first national certification training curriculum for customized self-employment, collaborated with the Workforce Innovation Technical Assistance Center (WINTAC) and other national colleagues to develop the Core Features of Quality Supported Employment Services and the Essential Elements of Customized Employment, supported the Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators to develop the core competencies of Customized Employment, and served as a national Subject Matter Expert for the WIOA-mandated Congressional Advisory Committee. A self-professed “data geek”, Beth has led the charge to bring evidenced-based practices to the provision of Customized Employment services, championing the creation and use of the Discovery and Job Development Fidelity Scales.
Russell Sickles is a Senior Associate with GHA based in West Virginia. Russell is well versed in Supported Employment and Customized Employment. He introduced Customized Employment strategies into the West Virginia DD and VR systems. Russell has almost 20 years of experience in direct services within Supported Employment, Customized Employment, and Supported Living contexts. During 10 years of these years, he acted concurrently as a program director.
Date: May 22, 2020
Time: 1 PM - 2 PM EDT
Recording: https://youtu.be/coE4Ae6N0Ao
GHA Presents: Introduction to the Discovery Fidelity Scale (DFS)
The Discovery Fidelity Scale (DFS) has been widely accepted and utilized by States who want to ensure their time and financial investment in Community Integrated Employment, in particular Customized Employment, is completed with fidelity to best Customized Employment Practices. Dr. Stephen Hall will share recent DFS experiences with States, Focus Groups, and Employment-related research.
Presenter: Stephen Hall Ph.D. is the Director of Employment Policy and Research with Griffin-Hammis Associates. Stephen has a Ph.D. in Disability Policy and Adult Education from the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Supported Employment and Workplace Supports at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Stephen has strong relationships with state and federal government leaders, universities, and provider and advocacy organizations. He is a former Commissioner of Behavioral Health, State Director of Developmental Disabilities, and CEO of two Community Provider Organizations. Dr. Hall was a Subject Matter Expert with the Office of Disability and Employment Policy. He was a member of the National Association of Developmental Disabilities Directors, President-elect, and Chair of the Research Committee for seven years.
Date: May 19, 2020
Time: 1 PM - 2 PM EDT
Recording: https://youtu.be/zEYDX1aWoqQ
GHA Presents: Supporting Small Business Owners During the COVID-19 Restrictions
Employment Professional supporting small business owners during the COVID-19 crisis may be in new territory! This session will focus on ways we can support small business owners regardless if their business has been interrupted or continues on either a full or partial level. Resources for income support and opportunities for growing business during the Stay at Home restrictions will be explored.
Presenters: Janet Steveley is a Senior Associate with GHA working on the LEAD Center Customized Employment Initiative, the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities, and various other projects around customized employment and benefits planning. Since 1997, Janet has operated Workable Solutions, LLC, a consulting firm based in Ashland, Oregon which serves as an Employment Network under Social Security's Ticket to Work Program. She is a former special education teacher/transition specialist and has worked on state and national technical assistance projects around employment and transition services. Janet is well versed in microenterprise development and an expert in optimizing public benefits and has helped numerous individuals achieve their employment goals through Plans to Achieve Self Support (PASS).
Michael Dalto has delivered training on disability benefits from Social Security and related work incentives for 30 years. He created a state benefits planning certification in Maryland and trained and supported 60 benefits planners using over 50 original training sessions. He has consulted with universities, state vocational rehabilitation, workforce, behavioral health and developmental disability agencies throughout the country. He currently consults with Griffin-Hammis Associates.
Date: May 18, 2020
Time: 1 PM - 2 PM EDT
Recording: https://youtu.be/CJb1iVRhmdM
GHA Presents: Transition
During this webinar, we will discuss ways in which goals of transition from school to community can be actively addressed during this time of ‘Safer At Home.’ Topics to be widely included will be: applying for and utilizing Social Security Administration cash and health benefits; skills, tasks and interests which might be identified; and the importance of identifying well-defined Transition and IEP goals. Please join us for this time of moving forward!
Presenter: Marsie Hartman has been a Senior Associate at Griffin-Hammis Associates since 2011. Her work in employment services began in 1986. During the years her work has included has providing direct supports, program management and policy development. She led employment projects with the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities while a Senior Policy Analyst at Health & Disability Advocates in Chicago. She is currently an Instructor of ACRE courses and trainer in Customized Employment. In addition, partnering with the Florida DDC on their Workforce Training Initiative Collaboration addressing the workforce crisis around the need for Direct Support Professionals. Her love is of the empowering impact that the Social Security Administration work incentives can provide individuals earning income from work.
Date: May 13, 2020
Time: 1 PM - 2 PM EDT
Recording: https://youtu.be/kpFwvYSZ9dw
GHA Presents: I Can See Myself Working and You Can Too: Getting to Know Job Seekers Remotely!
This session will explore ways to continue the Discovery Process, getting to know people and discovering talents. Learn ways to engage with job seekers in fun and productive ways while working remotely, using handheld technology to investigate and catalog work competencies. Discover how to provide structure to find more job strengths and preferences, and work with the person and their team to see employment options and success!
Presenter: Marsha Threlkeld is a consultant, trainer, and presenter working in School-to-Work, Employment First, Person Centered Career Planning, and Assistive and Information Technology. Marsha has worked on behalf of School-to-Work for the last 25 years and designed and implemented School-to-Work Projects in several states. She enjoys working with stakeholder groups to promote use of technology for independence, communication, and inclusion in the workplace and runs Technology Learning Cohorts and Smart Environment Projects for providers, educators, self-advocates, and families. Marsha has worked with states to facilitate cross systems meetings to generate feedback, implement new policies, and provide systems change information to government. Marsha has a certification in Assistive Technology Applications from California State University Northridge. She worked with the Washington Initiative for Supported Employment (WISE) for 18 years before beginning her own consultancy business: Pivotal Consulting & Training LLC in 2015.
Date: May 12, 2020
Time: 1 PM - 2 PM EDT
Recording: https://youtu.be/StWT_aT-HeY
CE Conversations: Customized Employment in a Virtual World
Join us for a conversation on the virtual adaptations created by Customized Employment Stakeholders in response to COVID-19 physical distancing requirements.
Presenters: Since 1996, Beth Keeton has provided employment training and technical assistance at the state, national, and international level. She developed the first national certification training curriculum for customized self-employment, collaborated with the Workforce Innovation Technical Assistance Center (WINTAC) and other national colleagues to develop the Core Features of Quality Supported Employment Services and the Essential Elements of Customized Employment, supported the Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators to develop the core competencies of Customized Employment, and served as a national Subject Matter Expert for the WIOA-mandated Congressional Advisory Committee. A self-professed “data geek”, Beth has led the charge to bring evidenced-based practices to the provision of Customized Employment services, championing the creation and use of the Discovery and Job Development Fidelity Scales.
Russell Sickles is a Senior Associate with GHA based in West Virginia. Russell is well versed in Supported Employment and Customized Employment. He introduced Customized Employment strategies into the West Virginia DD and VR systems. Russell has almost 20 years of experience in direct services within Supported Employment, Customized Employment, and Supported Living contexts. During 10 years of these years, he acted concurrently as a program director.
Date: May 8, 2020
Time: 1 PM - 2 PM EDT
Recording: https://youtu.be/csL4imQWSsQ
GHA Presents: Post-Pandemic Employment Policies
In this webinar Dr. Stephen Hall discusses recommended policy changes in Community Integrated Employment (CIE) for persons with disabilities in the years 2021-2030, the Post Pandemic Era. This session will include recommendations of necessary HCBS employment waiver services amendments, employment-related waiver services financing, and other policy & financing system changes to ensure successful Community Integrated Employment and Customized Employment for the next decade.
Presenter: Stephen Hall Ph.D. is the Director of Employment Policy and Research with Griffin-Hammis Associates. Stephen has a Ph.D. in Disability Policy and Adult Education from the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Supported Employment and Workplace Supports at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Stephen has strong relationships with state and federal government leaders, universities, and provider and advocacy organizations. He is a former Commissioner of Behavioral Health, State Director of Developmental Disabilities, and CEO of two Community Provider Organizations. Dr. Hall was a Subject Matter Expert with the Office of Disability and Employment Policy. He was a member of the National Association of Developmental Disabilities Directors, President-elect, and Chair of the Research Committee for seven years.
Date: May 5, 2020
Time: 1 PM - 2:30 PM EDT
Recording: https://youtu.be/3vGc-uBQ2fw
CE Conversations: Supporting Small Business Owners During the COVID-19 Restrictions
Join us for this brainstorming session on how we can support those who are self-employed during the current COVID-19 restrictions. We’ll discuss strategies for keeping small business owners afloat and using this time productively to build their businesses for future success!
Presenters: Janet Steveley is a Senior Consultant with Griffin-Hammis Associates working on the Texas Workforce Commission Certified Business Technical Assistant Consultant training program, the Missouri Customized Employment Project, the Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators National Certificate Training, and various other initiatives around customized employment and benefits planning.
Since 1997, Janet has operated Workable Solutions, LLC, a consulting firm based in Ashland, Oregon which serves as an Employment Network under Social Security’s Ticket to Work Program. She is a former special education teacher/transition specialist, and has worked on state and national technical assistance projects around employment and transition services. Janet is well versed in microenterprise development and an expert in optimizing public benefits having helped numerous individuals achieve their employment goals through Plans to Achieve Self Support (PASS).
Janet holds a Master’s degree in Special Education from Indiana University and is a Certified Partner Work Incentive Counselor (CPWIC) through Virginia Commonwealth University.
Michael Dalto has delivered training on disability benefits from Social Security and related work incentives for 30 years. He created a state benefits planning certification in Maryland and trained and supported 60 benefits planners using over 50 original training sessions. He has consulted with universities, state vocational rehabilitation, workforce, behavioral health and developmental disability agencies throughout the country. He currently consults with Griffin-Hammis Associates.
Date: May 1, 2020
Time: 1 PM - 2 PM EDT
Recording: https://youtu.be/9H40n6Tewd8
GHA Presents: Informational Interviews - How to Connect with Businesses
Informational Interviews are critical to the methodology of Customized Employment. During Discovery, Informational Interviews are arranged with individuals who work in the area or career interest of the job-seeker. Individuals who are willing to talk about their career or jobs can be beneficial to job seekers as they engage in community experiences to clarify their interests, skills, Identify preferences etc. A second use of Informational Interviews is during job development. Connecting with small business owners to learn about their business, needs, innovation/expansion goals etc. is the first step to being able to match well the job seeker with a small business.
Over the past couple of years, it has become increasingly common in the Business World to complete Informational Interviews through virtual platforms. In this period of physical distancing it is required. We will focus on all of the “how tos” of Informational Interviewing as one of the most effective methods in Customized Employment. As a result of the impact of COVID19 on small business owners, many are devising new business concepts and models. We can actively engage in this business evolution if we gather information, think creatively and create opportunities.
Presenter: Nancy Brooks-Lane's diverse skills include training, technical assistance and side by side mentoring in best practices; organizational and system change strategic planning; and aligning policy, funding, and change. She has assisted persons with significant disabilities to obtain customized employment or start their own business and has mentored, trained and provided technical assistance to self-advocates, families, providers, citizen advocates, funders and social and political leaders in the processes of best practices and system change.
Date: April 30, 2020
Time: 1 PM - 2:30 PM EDT
Recording: https://youtu.be/u5iUvlJGKp0
GHA Presents: Unemployment Insurance, Economic Impact Payments and the COVID-19 Emergency
The newly-passed Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act made substantial changes to Unemployment Insurance, greatly expanding eligibility, payment amounts and duration. The Act also provides economic impact payments for most adult Americans. This webinar provides an overview of Unemployment Insurance, the changes made by the CARES Act, the basics of the economic impact payments, and how these benefits interact with Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability and other public benefits.
Webinar Objectives:
- Learn the basics of Unemployment Insurance (UI)
- Explain the interactions among UI and SSI, Medicaid, Social Security Disability and Medicare
- Identify UI rule changes that have resulted from the CARES Act – expanded eligibility, increased benefit amounts and longer duration
- Provide an overview of economic impact payments – who is eligible and how to get payments
- Understand the interaction between economic impact payments and other public benefits
Presenter: Michael Dalto has delivered training on disability benefits from Social Security and related work incentives for 30 years. He created a state benefits planning certification in Maryland and trained and supported 60 benefits planners using over 50 original training sessions. He has consulted with universities, state vocational rehabilitation, workforce, behavioral health and developmental disability agencies throughout the country. He currently consults with Griffin-Hammis Associates.
Date: April 23, 27, 29, 2020 (This is a single, two-hour webinar offered on three different days.)
Time: 1 PM - 3 PM EDT
Recording: https://youtu.be/JxP9hINJ_jE (4/23/2020)
https://youtu.be/2X5LRJvMT5Q (4/27/2020)
https://youtu.be/LlT1SERQo2E (4/29/2020)
CE Conversations: Developing and Harnessing Social Capital in a Time of Physical Distancing
Join GHA's Nancy Brooks-Lane for a conversation about developing Social Capital during the COVID-19 pandemic. Facilitating the development and enhancement of Social Capital is one of the most effective and efficient ways to support individuals to achieve a quality life. Additionally, establishing and growing Social Capital and community connections aligns with new state and federal policy mandates, including the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Final Rule. Social Capital development has been happening virtually for years. We will discuss innovations regarding how we can use this practice in this great work we get to do with individuals who happen to have disabilities.
Presenter: Nancy Brooks-Lane’s diverse skills include training, technical assistance and side by side mentoring in best practices; organizational and system change strategic planning; and aligning policy, funding, and change. She has assisted persons with significant disabilities to obtain customized employment or start their own business and has mentored, trained and provided technical assistance to self-advocates, families, providers, citizen advocates, funders and social and political leaders in the processes of best practices and system change.
Date: April 24, 2020
Time: 1 PM - 2 PM EDT
GHA Presents: Customized Employment in the Time of COVID-19
Join GHA's Beth Keeton and Russell Sickles for a conversation about continuing Customized Employment progress amid the travel restrictions, stay-at-home orders, and physical distancing requirements associated with the COVID-19 outbreak.
Date: April 17, 2020
Time: 1 PM - 2 PM EDT
Recording: https://youtu.be/wiK5TqYQ7Yk