Employment First Massachusetts

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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.
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

Raising Expectations for Better Futures

Raising Expectations for Better Futures

New resources to engage families in employment planning.

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).

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Current Trainings

Rebuilding the Foundation: A CBDS Webinar Series

This 5-part webinar series will increase participants’ understanding of the fundamentals of Community-Based Day Supports (CBDS), including best practices in providing CBDS. Series topics include:

  1. Session 1: CBDS Fundamentals
  2. Session 2: Integrating Person Centered Thinking and Planning into CBDS
  3. Session 3: Community Mapping and Building Partnerships
  4. Session 4: CBDS as a Pathway to Employment
  5. Session 5: Volunteer, Internships, and Unpaid Work Experiences

Participants will hear from providers sharing experiences and insight into providing CBDS. Participants will also learn of resources and tools available to support building provider capacity.

Nov 30, 2023
9:30-10:30 AM ET

Session 1: CBDS Fundamentals

This webinar is the starting point for learning the fundamentals of Community-Based Day Supports (CBDS). Participants will get an overview of community-based day supports, including the DDS definition of CBDS, guiding principles and core values, the role of staff, and best practices in building CBDS.

Webinar

Cost: FREE

Dec 14, 2023
9:30-10:30 AM ET

Session 2: Integrating Person-Centered Thinking and Planning into CBDS

This webinar will dive deeper into person-centered planning and thinking as the cornerstone of CBDS. We will share person-centered planning tools and resources to support providers building a CBDS toolbox.

Webinar

Cost: FREE

Jan 11, 2024
9:30-10:30 AM ET

Session 3: Community Mapping and Building Partnerships

Community is key in providing CBDS. In this webinar, we will unpack the community mapping process, identifying tools and resources to support staff. We will also focus on building relationships with community partners to support the provision of individualized services.

Webinar

Cost: FREE

Feb 1, 2024
9:30-10:30 AM ET

Session 4: CBDS as a Pathway to Employment

Community engagement activities provide excellent opportunities for individuals to explore, discover, and participate in the world of work. In this webinar, we will identify how CBDS strengthens the employment process.

Webinar

Cost: FREE

Feb 22, 2024
9:30-10:30 AM ET

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