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Welcome to the Massachusetts 
Employment First E-Newsletter
January 2019 
In this issue... 
  • Upcoming webinars 
  • Save the date
  • Stay in  Touch
Register now for upcoming webinars!
Clearing the Way to Employment: How You Can Collaborate with Transition and Special Education Staff as They Facilitate Career Development Opportunities for Students with Disabilities
Wednesday, January 16, 10:00 -11:30AM
Online
Cost: Free
 
Learn how transition specialists and special educators are finding ways to build career development opportunities, conducting informal resource mapping in their schools, utilizing school and community resources, building employment networks and establishing school and regional teams to collaborate on school and community events. This session will cover best practices working with youth and how to partner with schools to assist students in reaching their employment goals.  
 
Presenters: Maria Paiewonsky, Institute for Community Inclusion; Jerri Roach, Worcester Public Schools and Sherry Elander, Westfield Public Schools
 
 
Introduction to Community Employment
Tuesday, January 29, 10-11:30AM
Online
Cost: Free
 
Looking for training for your staff? Want them to gain a solid foundation for their work in the field? This webinar will provide an overview of community employment (past and present), discuss the social, political and economic changes leading to the expansion of opportunities for people with disabilities, both in MA and nationally, and the changing role of staff in assisting people to identify and achieve their employment goals.  
 
Presenter: Lara Enein-Donovan, ICI
   
Robots are Taking Over! Technology Assists Human Supports to Fade, Opening the Door to Independence
Tuesday, February 19, 1:00-2:30PM
Online
Cost: Free
 
Though smart speakers and robots are not the answer to all of life's challenges, there are very practical ways we all use technology to be more independent in our lives and in our work. This session will support participants to think about assistive technology when supporting people to reach independence on their employment pathway. Come explore the various types of easy-to-use mobile technology tools employment professionals are using in the field to support their customers. The good news? You are already doing a lot of the work. The next step is to build your toolbox by exploring assistive technology available now. Join the conversation around exciting, emerging technologies and hear stories of how technology is being used throughout the employment process. Attendees will receive an electronic copy of an assistive apps list.
 
Presenter: Ryan Farrow, WA (formerly of WISE)
 
 
Save the date!
The Nuts and Bolts of SSI and SSDI
March 14 and 15
May 15 and 16
UMass Medical School, Shrewsbury
Cost: Free
Registration will be available on February 1 at www.employmentfirstma.org/providertraining/
 
Statewide Employment Conference
June 11
Marlborough
ICI and the MA Department of Developmental Services are partnering to offer a statewide employment conference for providers and DDS staff. Be sure to save this date on your calendar!
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.  
Institute for Community Inclusion | 617-287-4300 voice | [email protected]  |  www.communityinclusion.org
UMass Boston
100 Morrissey Blvd.
Boston, MA 02125