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Welcome to the Massachusetts
Employment First E-Newsletter
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Upcoming Webinars and Events
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Online Training:
Earnings and Benefits: Using Social Security Work Incentives
When: November 1-30
Cost: $20 per person
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
- resources available to assist job seekers with benefit planning issues
This workshop will be available online from November 1 through November 30. It should take about six hours to complete. Participation is self-paced and flexible.
Included are a variety of formats: readings, presentations, discussion forums, videos, professional development activities, and assignments. An instructor will be available on a regular basis throughout the month to answer questions and give feedback.
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In-Person Training:
Promoting Self-Determination in the Transition to Adult Life
When:
Friday, November 3
Registration and Networking: 8:15-9am
Training: 9am-3pm
Where:
Sturbridge Host Hotel
Cost: FREE
The Massachusetts Partnership for Transition to Employment and Dr. Michael
Wehmeyer
present this training on how
making choices and decisions based on our preferences and interests, monitoring and regulating our actions, and being goal-oriented and self-directed contribute to positive outcomes for students and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities as they transition from school to adult life.
Trainers will discuss the impact of self-determination on outcomes for people with disabilities and
share a self-determined career development model. Trainers will also cover ways that schools, state agencies,
and providers can collaborate to promote self-determination through a person-driven transition process.
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Webinar:
The Art of Facilitating Natural Supports and Social Inclusion
When:
Tuesday, November 14 from 9:30-11:00am ET
Cost: FREE
Effective job coaching strives to maximize employee independence and to promote stability at work. Job performance is only part of what leads to employment success. Equally essential is that the new employee fits in and is included in a meaningful way as a member of that workplace culture.
So, what are natural supports, really? And exactly what can you do you to help make social inclusion happen? This session will discuss concrete strategies to engage coworkers and supervisors while taking full advantage of workplace activities to enhance social inclusion.
Once you register, you will receive an automated email confirming your registrations. Reminders will be sent closer to the event date with the webinar URL link.
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October is Disability Employment Awareness Month! You can get involved by connecting with your
Regional Employment Collaborative
to improve employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities in Massachusetts.
What is an Employment Collaborative?
Massachusetts has six regional employment collaboratives comprised of employment service providers. Employer Liaisons in each collaborative engage a variety of local and cross-regional employers to
determine their needs and help them match potential job opportunities with qualified applicants with disabilities. Employment collaborative members in each region join a job developers network to coordinate their efforts and share job leads.
How can I get connected to the employment collaborative in my region?
To connect with your local employment collaborative, contact the project coordinator or employer liaison in your region:
Central Mass Employment Collaborative (CMEC)
David Beccia, Project Coordinator
(781) 686-8144,
dbeccia@riversidecc.org
Southern Central Mass from Worcester to Rhode Island border; east to west from Medway to Brimfield
Greater Boston Employment Collaborative (GBEC)
Rotem Marshall-White, Project Coordinator/Employer Liaison
(781) 234-5186,
rmarshallwhite@riversidecc.org
Metro Boston area within the Rte. 128 loop
North Suburban Employment Collaborative (NSEC)
Kristianne Widman, Project Coordinator/Employer Liaison
(617) 352-2040,
kwidman@riversidecc.org
North Shore, Metro North, and Central Middlesex Areas - from Cape Ann to Concord
Greater Merrimack Valley Employment Collaborative (GMVEC)
Heather Mantell, Project Coordinator/Employer Liaison
(617) 512-3983,
hmantell@riversidecc.org
Lowell/Lawrence/Haverhill region
South Shore Collaborative on Employment (SSCE)
Dave Urban, Employer Liaison
(617) 287-4366,
david.urban@umb.edu
South Shore - from Milton to Plymouth
Western Massachusetts Employment Collaborative (WMEC)
Pam Mendes, Employer Liaison
(617) 360-1646,
pmendes@riversidecc.org
Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden counties
For general information, contact Stephanie L. Marks, MEd, Director of Employment Collaboratives for Riverside Community Care, at (781) 686-8146 or
smarks@riversidecc.org
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In June,
Dennis Cleary from the
Nisonger
Center at Ohio State University and Kristen Piccolo from the Pathways to Careers Program, at WORK, Inc. in Dorchester, MA presented
Making the Best Impression: Using Visual Resumes for Success.
They shared examples of visual resumes, explained how to develop and produce these resumes, and explained how these tools can be used directly with employers.
As employment professionals, we seek job development approaches that will present our job seekers in the most positive light to prospective business contacts. For many candidates, using alternatives to the traditional resume can be just the technique you are looking for to make a difference and help them shine!
View the archived webinar. |
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Technical Assistance Services Available
Through a partnership with DDS, ICI is available to give technical assistance to provider organizations seeking to build their capacity in the areas of employment and community-based day supports. Technical assistance is customized to the needs of the provider, and is offered either by ICI staff or consultants.
For more information or to request technical assistance, contact Cindy Thomas at
cindy.thomas@umb.edu
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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 ici@umb.edu to your contacts to make sure that each issue makes it to your inbox.
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