Welcome to the Massachusetts Employment First E-Newsletter

Massachusetts is an Employment First state, meaning that we're committed to finding integrated jobs for people with developmental disabilities. And many employment professionals in MA want to know more about connecting people to meaningful work in the community.

If that's true for you, we can help.

Check out our new website, EmploymentFirstMA.org! This site supports the implementation of the Blueprint for Success: Employing Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities in Massachusetts.

If your organization provides direct services, and you need tools and resources to develop and support good job matches, we can provide you with the information you need to help your job seekers be successful.

Would you benefit from resources for creative and effective person-centered planning to help with career exploration?

Are you familiar with the 10 key employer questions that job developers should ask to better understand unmet business needs?

Are you up to speed about the wide range of accommodations and assistive technology out there to meet individual needs?

Did you know that an individual receiving Supplemental Security Income can earn up to $39,730 per year--without losing MassHealth Basic coverage?

You'll find all that info and more on EmploymentFirstMA.org.

The site is practical and hands-on. You'll access targeted fact sheets, web links, and useful forms that address the comprehensive span of the employment process, from assessment and planning, to marketing and job placement, to job coaching and accommodations.

You'll also see resources related to long-term supports, employment law, benefits, and public policy. Program managers can explore the site to find transformation tips and learn about organizational change.

These are exciting and challenging times. Innovative efforts across the state are leading to positive changes, and noteworthy experiences.

Have you placed a job seeker from your work center into their ideal community job?

Have you created, carved, or customized a position lately?

Has your agency realigned programming or structure to enable more community-based services?

Your experiences in these areas can inspire your fellow providers. We'd like to hear your stories and potentially post them on our site. We can take great photos and produce videos that will help to share these stories. 

Training Opportunities 

Need training for you or your staff? Visit EmploymentFirstMA.org, and click on "Current Trainings" to learn more and to register.

Registration is now open for the following events:

Comprehensive Employment Supports Training Series

This six-day training series covers innovative practices in career planning, job development, job coaching, and support. Participants are expected to attend all days of training. This is also a chance to earn an ACRE certificate--read more at the registration link.

Marlborough, MA

Oct. 15; Nov. 5, 12, 13, 19, 20

Taking Networking to a New Level: Using Social Media for Job Development

This FREE introductory webinar will teach you how to use Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter to build employment connections, post resumes, and help job seekers access job opportunities.

Online

Nov. 3, 10 - 11:30 am Eastern

Managing Employment Services for Success

This two-day training provides community employment service managers and supervisors with the knowledge and skills needed to lead successful programs.

Marlborough, MA

December 3 - 4

Earnings and Benefits: Using Social Security Work Incentives (online)

This instructor-led online training will be available online from December 1 through December 19. It will provide an overview of the impact of earnings on Social Security benefits.

Upcoming Events

Limited Slots Remaining for 10/29 Transition Matters Conference

A great opportunity for adult service providers to connect with school professionals and families.

http://www.youth-move.org/conference

Raise the Bar Hire: 2014 Conference and Career Fair

Full day of learning, sharing, and engaging with industry leaders on October 30 and a half-day career fair on October 31, sponsored by Work Without Limits.

Stay in Touch!

If you didn't receive this e-newsletter directly and you'd like to subscribe, please go to: http://employmentfirstma.org/signup. Remember to add [email protected] to your contacts to make sure that each issue makes it to your inbox.