August 2025

August Spotlight

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It’s almost that time of year. Summer is flying by, and the school year is almost here.


Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) provide students with disabilities an early opportunity to explore careers and prepare for adult life. Beginning at age 14, students with disabilities can connect with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS) to access Pre-ETS. DVRS collaborates closely with students, their families, schools, and community partners to enhance transition planning and equip students with the knowledge and experiences needed to make informed decisions about their future.


The primary goal of Pre-ETS is to help students identify their career interests, which can later be further explored. All Pre-ETS activities fall under five core components of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA):

  1. Job Exploration Counseling
  2. Work-Based Learning Experiences
  3. Counseling on Post-Secondary Education or Training Opportunities
  4. Workplace Readiness Training
  5. Instruction in Self-Advocacy


Courses offered through Pre-ETS cover a broad range of essential topics, including vocational planning, understanding employee benefits, conflict resolution, time management and organization, assistive technology, and more. These services play a crucial role in preparing students with disabilities for success in both post-secondary education and the workforce.


Students with disabilities, aged 14-21, can access Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) to help boost their employability skills through the local DVRS office.

We Would Love to Hear Your Story!

Do you have an employer you would like to spotlight? Are you proud of the employment journey of one of your individuals and want to share? With permission submitted from the employer/individual, we are thrilled to promote what Employment First can accomplish!


If you are interested in expressing your journey, please consider sharing what APSE means to you! Please answer some questions below and submit them with the button below. We can't wait to hear about all of your great experiences! Please send a headshot and basic information about you and your workplace.


  • What has been your experience with APSE?
  • What do you enjoy the most about NJAPSE?
  • How have you grown during your time with APSE?
  • What success stories have you had with APSE?
  • What benefits does APSE contribute to you and the community? 


We look forward to hearing from you!

News and Resources

Tell us about the wonderful successes within your Supported Employment organization and the community by honoring the very people who have helped make that success possible!


NJAPSE would like to honor their great work during our upcoming in person event, “Facing the Future,” to be held October 10th, 2025 at the Hyatt Regency in New Brunswick, NJ. If you know a supported employee, employment specialist, transition educator, or an employer that did an outstanding job in 2025, please tell us their story below (minimum 250 - max 500 words).


Award Nominations

Nominations due by: August 22nd, 2025

Submissions close at: 5PM

Facing the Future 2025 Conference and Exhibitor Registration is Open!


Facing the Future 2025

Uncharted Waters: Navigation Strategies for Competitive Integrated Employment


Friday, October 10, 2025 l 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Hyatt Regency New Brunswick


Sponsored by The Boggs Center on Disability and Human Development and NJ APSE, the Facing the Future annual conference highlights best practices in supporting people with disabilities in career planning, supported and customized employment, and transition from school to work. 


The 2025 conference features 12 workshops on transition, support strategies, job coaching, and job development, and a keynote presentation by Duncan Winburn.


Continuing Education Credits are offered for Social Work, Rehabilitation Counseling, Education, and APSE Certified Employment Support Professional (CESP).

Conference Registration


Register by August 8 and save! Final registration deadline: September 5, 2025

Exhibitor Registration

Exhibit at the Facing the Future conference to showcase your agency, products, and services to our audience of disability employment professionals and educators!


Register using the Exhibitor Form by August 22, 2025.

Register early! Exhibitor space is limited and fills up quickly!

CALLING ALL HEROES!


Join us as we celebrate the everyday heroes—Direct Support Professionals—whose dedication, compassion, and hard work make a lasting difference in the lives of individuals in the IDD community. Their commitment inspires us all, and we are proud to recognize their incredible impact!


When: September 19, 2025

Location: Zoom

Time: 10:00am


Deadlines:

Heroes nomination endsSeptember 3, 2025

Advertising opportunities ends: September 10, 2025


Heroes nomination Packet

Nominate your Hero now - click the link and let the spotlight shine!

Heroes nominations are limited to NJACP members.

To purchase an advertisement or sponsorship visit the event portal

New Project SEARCH Location in Somerset County


Accepting Applications now through August 30, 2025

Upcoming Events

Hiring Events and Job Fairs

Looking for in-person and remote events in New Jersey to network and assist consumers in applying for positions?


The Department of Labor has many listings available on its website!

Click the button below to see events happening in your counties!

National APSE Events and Learning

Check out the calendar www.apse.org/online-learning

CESP Conversations - Meets monthly on the 3rd Wednesday from 3:00pm - 4:00pm - FREE APSE Members / $30 Non-Members


Pre-ETS Community - Meets monthly on the 3rd Thursday from 1:00pm - 2:00pm - FREE APSE Members / $30 Non-Members


State Policy "Coffee Talk" - Meets monthly on the last Tuesday from 2:00pm - 3:00pm - FREE APSE Members / $30 Non-Members


There is live captioning and ASL interpretation available during all live webinars. You'll receive confirmation emails of attendance after live events and recordings for continuing education (CE) credit; all sessions are pre-approved for CESP CE Credit. Registration closes one day before events.

Get Involved in NJAPSE

Are You an Enthusiastic and Dedicated Leader?


Join an NJAPSE Committee:

We are always looking for new talent such as yourself to get involved with NJAPSE! One of the best ways to get involved and learn more about APSE is to join one of our three committees.


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