Employment First Massachusetts

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COVID-19 Publications & Resources

Resources For Massachusetts

ICI Resources

The Institute for Community Inclusion (IC) has an ongoing series of publications and resources to help professionals, individuals, and families maintain an Employment First focus through this challenging time. Go to ICI’s special COVID-19 web page.

https://covid19.communityinclusion.org


We Believe

  • Everyone can work.
  • Everyone has the right to earn a living wage in a job of their choosing, based on their unique talents, gifts, skills, and interests.
  • Employment is a way for people to achieve their personal dreams of success, respect, control, and choice.
  • Having a job can be an important part of one’s self-identity and value in society today.
  • Everyone should be paid at least minimum wage.
Raising Expectations for Better Futures

Raising Expectations for Better Futures

New resources to engage families in employment planning.

Massachusetts Interagency Transtion Teams

Interested in knowing more about interagency transition teams in Massachusetts? check out the Massachusetts Interagency Transition Teams database, compiled by the MPTE Cross-Systems Collaboration team

MPTE

The Massachusetts Partnership for Transition to Employment (MPTE) is a five-year project to improve labor market participation for youth and young adults served by the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services (DDS).

Learn more>>
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Current Trainings

Wednesday, September 20 &
Thursday, September 21

9am-12pm ET

Strategies for Discovery and Career Planning (2 sessions)

It's more important than ever that job seekers are appropriately using their time to prepare and plan for entering or re-entering the workforce. Participants will learn how to coordinate and implement person-centered planning strategies during these challenging times. This two-session online training series will cover strategies to assess job seeker's employment goals, abilities, interests, and capacities.

Participants are expected to attend both sessions. Letters of completion will be provided after finishing both training sessions.

Webinar

Cost: FREE

Thursdays:
October 19,
October 26 &
November 2

9am-12pm ET

Job Development & Business Engagement Online Training Series (3 sessions)

Developing job opportunities and finding the right job match in an ever-changing economic environment places increasing demands on employment professionals. This three-session online training series focuses on understanding employer needs and developing quality job matches. Topics include: employer networking; marketing to employers and responding to objections; using social media and other tools to market the job seeker; identifying unmet business needs; dealing with disclosure; and job carving and creation.

Staff should attend all three sessions to get the most out of this training series. Topics will carry over to next session if needed. Letters of completion will be provided after finishing all three training sessions.

Webinar

Cost: FREE

Second Wednesday of each month

beginning September 13, 2023;
ending February 14, 2024

12pm ET

LifeCourse in Action Series

The Charting the LifeCourse framework and tools help participants envision and chart a course toward a good life. The framework and tools can be great resources for day and employment providers. The LifeCourse in Action series is a virtual educational forum where you will hear inspiring stories and learn first-hand how these tools and resources may benefit you, your family, or your organization. The series kicks off Wednesday, September 13 at 12pm with the session “Supporting Families Using Charting the LifeCourse: Connecting a National Movement to Your Family and Work”.

Webinar

Cost: FREE

Ongoing

Foundations of Community Employment

This course is a great starting point for new staff to gain a solid foundation for their work in the field and for current staff to build on the skills and knowledge they already have. Staff will get an overview of the past and present community employment, understand the social, political, and economic changes leading to the expansion of opportunities for individuals with disabilities and learn how to collaborate with team stakeholders

Please contact Lara Enein at lara.enein@umb.edu with any questions.

Online

Cost: FREE