College of Employment Services (CES)

Home | Contents | Previous curriculum | Next curriculum

College of Employment Services (CES)

The College of Employment Services (CES) curriculum is tailored to employment professionals who work alongside people with disabilities who are seeking competitive integrated employment opportunities. CES promotes a person-centered approach to employment services, honoring individual choices for jobs and careers. Content in this curriculum is developed and maintained in collaboration with the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) at the University of Massachusetts Boston.

Business Perspectives by Cori Di Biase (ACRE approved)

Delivering Remote Employment Services

Foundations of Customized Employment

Employment for People with Disabilities and Criminal Histories

Employment for People on the Autism Spectrum

Employment Services for People with Mental Health Disabilities

Foundations of Employment Services by Elena Varney (ACRE approved)

Funding Employment Services (ACRE approved)

Job Creation (ACRE approved)

Networking (ACRE approved)

Performance Coaching and Support, Part 1 by Lara Enein-Donovan (ACRE approved)

Performance Coaching and Support, Part 2 by Lara Enein-Donovan (ACRE approved)

Principles of Career Development by Rick Kugler (ACRE approved)

Preparing for a Seamless Move from School to Adult Life, Parts 1 & 2

Strategies for Job Development, Part 1 by Lara Enein-Donovan (ACRE approved)

Strategies for Job Development, Part 2 by Lara Enein-Donovan (ACRE approved)

Ticket to Work

Using Work Incentives To Increase Self-Sufficiency by Rick Kugler (ACRE approved)

Home | Contents | Previous curriculum | Next curriculum

Business Perspectives by Cori Di Biase (ACRE approved)

You're focused on supplying workplaces with qualified job seekers, but what about the employer perspective? This course goes in-depth into the "dual-customer" approach to career development. You'll learn about the functional use of labor-market information for the modern economy, using research to learn about employers' experiences and workforce development strategies, strategies for working with small and large employers, engaging in community and business networking, and collaborating creatively with employers and job seekers to make strong job matches.

CE Credits:

0.2

Contact Hours:

2.4

Total Lessons:

Lesson 1: Serving the Employer: Fostering Responsive, Timely and Business-Driven Customer Service (Contact Hours: 0.5)

Lesson 2: Understanding and Using Labor Market Information to Meet Workforce Needs (Contact Hours: 0.5)

Lesson 3: Shifting Perceptions: The View of Business Customers on Hiring and Retaining Workers with Disabilities (Contact Hours: 0.8)

Lesson 4: Building Strong Business (Contact Hours: 0.6)

Home | Contents | Previous curriculum | Next curriculum

Delivering Remote Employment Services

Curriculum addresses: Types of employment services appropriate for remote service delivery Methods for delivering remote services Using technology to increase effectiveness Benefits to the job seeker and the organization

Remote services are efficient and particularly effective when no other options are possible. It aids in ensuring continuation of service delivery and engagement of individuals in the employment process.

CE Credits:

N/A

Contact Hours:

0.3

Total Lessons:

Lesson 1: Delivering Remote Employment Services

Home | Contents | Previous curriculum | Next curriculum

Foundations of Customized Employment

In these seven lessons, learners will explore what it means to be a great Employment Specialist and develop all the tools they need to develop customized employment opportunities for the individuals they work with.

CE Credits:

0.5

Contact Hours:

3.5

Total Lessons:

Lesson 1: What Makes a Successful Employment Specialist (Contact Hours: 0.34)

Highlights the values that are the basis for competitive and integrated employment services and explores the differences and similarities between competitive and integrated employment, supported employment and customized employment.

Lesson 2: The Power of Discovery (Contact Hours: 0.5)

Explores the Discovery process, navigates the activities used for gathering Discovery information, and examines how vocational themes come from the Discovery process.

Lesson3: Planning for Customized Employment (Contact Hours: 0.34)

Examines the Customized Employment planning meeting, identifies how a planning team is organized, defines the role of the job seeker during the planning meeting process, and describes how the Discovery document is used.

Lesson 4: Employment Development (Contact Hours: 0.75)

Instructs on creating an outreach plan for employers, including identifying outreach targets and developing marketing presentation content on Customized Employment for both the approach to employers and individual job seekers. Explores the creation of a Customized Job Description and Customized Employment Proposal and provides guidance on supporting individuals interested in self-employment.

Lesson 5: Systematic Instruction and Job Site Training (Contact Hours: 0.75)

Explores creating a task analysis, developing a systematic instruction plan, providing instruction according to the individual’s learning style and preference, identifying strategies to help the employee meet the social expectations and realities of the workplace, and developing plans to ‘fade out’ of the job coaching role.

Lesson 6: Post-Employment Support (Contact Hours: 0.5)

Instructs how to use employment supports, including Accommodations, Universal Design, Flexible Workplace Arrangements, and Natural Supports. Explores how to support the employee through the performance review process and provides additional resources to support career development.

Home | Contents | Previous curriculum | Next curriculum

Lesson 7: A Pocket Guide to Legislation (Contact Hours: 0.2)

A Pocket-Guide to Legislation, offering a review of the most important laws and policies that employment professionals need to remember.

Home | Contents | Previous curriculum | Next curriculum

Employment for People with Disabilities
and Criminal Histories

Welcome to our course about employment services for people with disabilities and criminal histories. In these two lessons, I'll go over specific strategies that can help you support these job seekers. During the course, you'll hear me use the abbreviation PDCH. This stands for “people with disabilities and criminal histories.”

CE Credits:

0.1

Contact Hours:

1.1

Total Lessons:

Lesson 1: Working with People with Disabilities and Criminal Histories (Contact Hours: 0.5)

We'll look at some reasons why employment is important for PDCH. We'll look at common barriers PDCH face, and how work can help eliminate those barriers. I'll also talk about strategies that will increase your success with this population of job seekers.

Lesson 2: Disclosing to employers and Accessing Supports (Contact Hours: 0.6)

In this lesson, we'll look at PDCH from an employer's perspective. I'll talk about how criminal records work, and go over some incentives for employers to hire PDCH. We'll look at tools that can be helpful, such as a letter of rehabilitation. And we'll look at some resources for PDCH, both online and in their communities.

Home | Contents | Previous curriculum | Next curriculum

Employment for People on the Autism Spectrum

Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are becoming more prevalent. While people with autism and their families expect that employment will occur after high school, the data reveals the opposite. Two years after graduation, half of young people with ASD have no paid job experience, technical education or college and the results do not improve even for individuals in their twenties. For this reason, the College of Employment Services is offering a new course that provides ideas, resources, and solutions for employment services professionals. It will present the complete process of job development and exploration, building partnerships with employers and creating long-term accommodations and supports to foster job retention. The College of Employment Services’ Employment Services for Individuals on the Autism Spectrum course contains five lessons.

CE Credits:

0.3

Contact Hours:

3.4

Total Lessons:

Lesson 1: Autism Spectrum Disorders: Beyond the Stereotypes (Contact Hours: 0.6)

Lesson 2: Strategies for Career Planning (Contact Hours: 0.9)

Lesson 3: Networking(Contact Hours: 0.4)

Lesson 4: Collaborating to Build Careers (Contact Hours: 0.8)

Lesson 5: Promoting Job Retention (Contact Hours: 0.7)

Home | Contents | Previous curriculum | Next curriculum

Employment Services for People with Mental Health Disabilities

In this course we'll talk about common obstacles facing job seekers with mental health issues, and proven principles and specific skills that can help you support them. In these four lessons, we'll look at some research-supported ways to help this population succeed in the workforce.

CE Credits:

0.2

Contact Hours:

2.3

Total Lessons:

Lesson 1: Course Values and Principles (Contact Hours: 0.5)

Lesson 2: Networking, Disclosure, and Job Development (Contact Hours: 0.6)

Lesson 3: Providing Support and Promoting Retention Lesson (Contact Hours: 0.7)

Lesson 4: Co-occurring Issues and Employment (Contact Hours: 0.5)

Home | Contents | Previous curriculum | Next curriculum

Foundations of Employment Services by Elena Varney (ACRE approved)

This course explains how you can support all individuals in pursuing meaningful, rewarding work, including people with disabilities and other barriers. You'll learn about the history of employment services as a profession, the key duties of your job, and the core competencies you'll need to do your job well. In addition, this course will provide you with a solid ethical foundation on which to build your career.

CE Credits:

0.3

Contact Hours:

3.3

Total Lessons:

Lesson 1: Evolution of Employment Services (Contact Hours: 1.0)

Lesson 2: Values and Expectations of Work (Contact Hours: 0.9)

Lesson 3: The Employment-Services Professional (Contact Hours: 0.6)

Lesson 4: Partners in Employment Services (Contact Hours: 0.8)

Home | Contents | Previous curriculum | Next curriculum

Funding Employment Services (ACRE approved)

Getting funding for employment services can be challenging, but there are many sources available. In this course, you'll learn about primary funding sources, such as vocational rehabilitation and developmental disabilities agencies. You'll become familiar with alternative funding sources, and with strategies for blending and braiding funding. We'll also cover Medicaid waivers, resource ownership, and Social Security work incentives.

CE Credits:

0.1

Contact Hours:

1.0

Total Lessons:

Lesson 1: Where Funding Comes From (Contact Hours: 0.4)

Lesson 2: Social Security and Additional Funding Sources (Contact Hours: 0.6)

Home | Contents | Previous curriculum | Next curriculum

Job Creation (ACRE approved)

Some of the people on your caseload probably don't meet the minimum requirements for the available jobs in your community. To help job seekers find positions that fit their unique skill sets you'll need to work closely with employers. In this course, you'll learn how to identify unmet employer needs, match those needs with job seekers' skills, and write employment proposals. We will also discuss self-employment as an alternative to traditional job placement.

CE Credits:

0.1

Contact Hours:

1.5

Total Lessons:

Lesson 1: Using Job-Seeker Skills to Target Employers (Contact Hours: 0.5)

Lesson 2: Identifying Employers' Unmet needs (Contact Hours: 0.5)

Lesson 3: Self-Employment (Contact Hours: 0.5)

Home | Contents | Previous curriculum | Next curriculum

Networking (ACRE approved)

In a challenging economy, employment specialists and job seekers need to become expert networkers. But what's the best way to network? And what if networking feels uncomfortable? In this course, we offer tips about growing your network and those of the job seekers you work with. You'll learn about weak and strong social ties, social capital, and social media. And we'll go in depth into two powerful networking techniques: elevator pitches and informational interviewing.

CE Credits:

0.1

Contact Hours:

1.0

Total Lessons:

Lesson 1: The Hidden Job Market (Contact Hours 0.5)

Lesson 2: Elevator Pitches and Informational Interviewing (Contact Hours 0.5)

Home | Contents | Previous curriculum | Next curriculum

Performance Coaching and Support, Part 1
by Lara Enein-Donovan (ACRE approved)

This course will address how you can work with job seekers to help ensure a successful employment experience, and their employers to support new hires with disabilities and other challenges on the job. Topics include developing soft skills, creating support plans, facilitating natural supports, acquiring and maintaining skills, emergency preparedness, and fading supports from the job site as the worker gains independence.

CE Credits:

0.2

Contact Hours:

2.4

Total Lessons:

Lesson 1: The Role of the Job Coach Outside the Workplace (Contact Hours: 0.4)

Lesson 2: The Role of the Employer (Contact Hours: 0.6)

Lesson 3: The First Days of Work and the Employment Support Plan (Contact Hours: 0.5)

Lesson 4: Legal Rights at Work and Self-Advocacy (Contact Hours: 0.4)

Lesson 5: Preparing for Emergencies in the Workplace (Contact Hours: 0.5)

Home | Contents | Previous curriculum | Next curriculum

Performance Coaching and Support, Part 2
by Lara Enein-Donovan (ACRE approved)

Part 2 of this two-part course focuses on your role as a job coach in the workplace. Topics include developing and revising employment plans, facilitating natural supports, identifying and supporting learning styles, and fading your presence from the job site as the worker gains independence.

CE Credits:

0.2

Contact Hours:

2.2

Total Lessons:

Lesson 1: The Role of the Job Coach in the Workplace (Contact Hours: 0.4)

Lesson 2: Developing a Plan to Sustain Employment and Starting the Job (Contact Hours: 0.4)

Lesson 3: Supporting Employees' Learning Styles (Contact Hours: 0.3)

Lesson 4: Developing a Task Analysis (Contact Hours: 0.5)

Lesson 5: Natural Supports, Self-Maintenance, and Fading (Contact Hours: 0.6)

Home | Contents | Previous curriculum | Next curriculum

Principles of Career Development by Rick Kugler
(ACRE approved)

In this course, you'll learn the most effective ways to use individual assessments and other planning strategies. These techniques can help job seekers focus on their skills and interests and get clearer about what various careers involve. You'll find out about key strategies to help people overcome barriers to employment. This course also covers the relationship between disability benefits and employment, and how beneficiaries can make the most of work incentives.

CE Credits:

0.4

Contact Hours:

3.8

Total Lessons:

Lesson 1: Everyone Can Work (Contact Hours: 0.6)

Lesson 2: Person-Centered Career Planning (Contact Hours: 0.6)

Lesson 3: Assisting with Barriers to Career Development (Contact Hours: 0.6)

Lesson 4: Tools and Assessment Strategies for Career Discovery (Contact Hours: 0.7)

Lesson 5: Using Conventional Approaches for Career Planning (Contact Hours: 0.7)

Lesson 6: Earnings, Benefits, and Career Choice (Contact Hours: 0.6)

Home | Contents | Previous curriculum | Next curriculum

Preparing for a Seamless Move from School to Adult Life, Parts 1 & 2

Transition is complicated. For students with disabilities and their families, transition brings new people, changes in services and different terms. The information and resources offered in this course are intended to assist those involved in transition to increase their knowledge, skills and awareness leading to successful outcomes.

Part 1 Lessons

Lesson 1: Federal policies addressing transition
(contact hours: 0.7)

Lesson 2: Building expectations of youth, families, and teachers
(contact hours: 0.6)

Lesson 3: Assessing to plan for college and work|
contact hours: 0.7)

CE Credits: 0.2
Contact Hours: 2.0
Total Lessons: 3

Part 2 Lessons

Lesson 1: Coordination and collaboration for student success
(contact hours: 0.7)

Lesson 2: Work Experiences: The essence of employment preparation
(contact hours: 0.7)

Lesson 3: Think College
(contact hours: 0.7)

CE Credits: 0.2
Contact Hours: 2.0
Total Lessons: 3

Home | Contents | Previous curriculum | Next curriculum

Strategies for Job Development, Part 1 by Lara Enein-Donovan (ACRE approved)

This course will show you how to develop a plan to help people find jobs. Topics include giving advice on disclosure and matching individuals' desires and abilities with career opportunities. The course also includes guidance on the latest job-search and marketing techniques, including creating marketing materials, taking advantage of social media, and networking (both in person and online).

CE Credits:

0.3

Contact Hours:

2.6

Total Lessons:

Lesson 1: Disclosure, Resumes, and Interviewing (Contact Hours: 1.0)

Lesson 2: Matching Job-Seeker Skills to Jobs (Contact Hours: 0.5)

Lesson 3: Marketing Materials for Job Development Lesson (Contact Hours: 0.5)

Lesson 4: Using Social Media to Market Job Seekers (Contact Hours: 0.6)

Home | Contents | Previous curriculum | Next curriculum

Strategies for Job Development, Part 2 by Lara Enein-Donovan (ACRE approved)

Job seekers are your customers — but so are the employers who can hire them. This course will explain the importance of understanding and responding to employers' needs, and matching them to job seekers' skills and interests. You'll learn how to show employers that working with your agency is a win-win proposition. Topics include solving business problems, developing mutual confidence and trust with employers, supporting job seekers with online job applications, and negotiating hiring arrangements.

CE Credits:

0.3

Contact Hours:

2.8

Total Lessons:

Lesson 1: Employer as the Customer (Contact Hours: 0.8)

Lesson 2: Identifying Employer Needs (Contact Hours: 0.8)

Lesson 3: Online Applications and Personality Tests (Contact Hours: 0.6)

Lesson 4: Negotiating the Hire, Including Accommodations (Contact Hours: 0.6)

Home | Contents | Previous curriculum | Next curriculum

Ticket to Work

You've probably been hearing about the Social Security Ticket to Work program for years. But what is it, and how can it help the job seekers you support? Get an overview of this useful work incentive in this special feature.

CE Credits:

Contact Hours:

0.3

Total Lessons:

Lesson 1: Ticket to Work (Contact Hours: 0.3)

Home | Contents | Previous curriculum | Next curriculum

Using Work Incentives To Increase Self-Sufficiency by Rick Kugler (ACRE approved)

Anxiety about earnings and benefits is one of the primary barriers to employment. The truth is, many Social Security beneficiaries can effectively use work incentives to become self-sufficient. While these incentives are complex, you don't need to be an expert to help. This course will provide you with important terminology, fundamental rules and concepts, and crucial strategies for helping beneficiaries maximize work incentive use and economic self-sufficiency.

CE Credits:

0.3

Contact Hours:

3.3

Total Lessons:

Lesson 1: Why Work? An Overview of Work Incentives (Contact Hours: 0.5)

Lesson 2: Proactive Planning: Staying on Track with Work Incentives (Contact Hours: 0.7)

Lesson 3: Key Incentives for People Receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (Contact Hours: 0.6)

Lesson 4: Key Incentives for People Receiving Supplemental Security Income (Contact Hours: 0.4)

Lesson 5: There's More to Benefits: Health Care and Other Subsidies (Contact Hours: 0.6)

Lesson 6: The PASS: Helping People with Disability Benefits Create Careers (Contact Hours: 0.5)