This is an 
Work in Progress: Employment and Community Life
May 15, 2025 | Marlborough, Massachusetts
Don't miss your chance to learn about promising practices, strategies, and resources to support the expansion of employment opportunities and community life engagement for individuals served by the Department of Developmental Services in Massachusetts. Choose from a variety of workshop sessions, spend time networking with colleagues from across the state, and visit with informative exhibitors throughout the day. This conference is designed for employment and CBDS providers, DDS staff, educators, individuals with disabilities, family members, and other state agency partners.
Questions about the conference? Email Berenise.Albino@umb.edu.
Location:
Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel
181 Boston Post Road West Marlborough, MA 01752
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Schedule:
| Time | Event | Room |
|---|---|---|
| 8:30-9:30am | Registration/Continental Breakfast | Lobby and Royal Ballroom |
| Exhibits open | Lobby Exhibit Area | |
| 9:30-10:30am |
Welcome: Holly McCarthy Opening Remarks: Sarah Peterson
Keynote: Lisa Drennan | Royal Ballroom |
| 10:30-10:45am | Break | |
| 10:45am-12:00pm | Concurrent Workshop Session 1 | See session 1 details below |
| 12:00-1:15pm | Lunch
Speaker: Tony Sampson | Royal Ballroom |
| 1:15-1:30pm | Break | |
| 1:30-2:45pm | Concurrent Workshop Session 2 | See session 2 details below |
| 2:45-3:00pm | Break | |
| 3:00-4:00pm | Concurrent Workshop Session 3 | See session 3 details below |
Concurrent Workshop Session Details:
| Session | Room |
|---|---|
Social Security Benefits and Work: What You Need to Know Brian Forsythe, Work Without Limits Kathleen Kelly, Mass Ability Do you have questions about the impact of employment on Social Security Benefits? This training will address some of the common myths around work and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), while providing an overview of work incentives that can help people who want to go to work. Social Security Benefits and Work- What You Need to Know (slides).pdf |
Princess |
Strategies for Creating Stronger Pathways to Employment in CBDS Katie Terino, House of Possibilities Creating meaningful employment opportunities within Community-Based Day Supports (CBDS) programs requires intentional strategy, innovation, and collaboration. This interactive session will explore effective approaches to building stronger employment pathways in both urban and suburban settings. Drawing on real-world examples, participants will learn how to identify opportunities, build partnerships, and implement creative employment models. Attendees will leave with practical tools, fresh ideas, and actionable steps to enhance their own CBDS offerings and better support individuals in achieving their employment goals. |
Duchess |
Using Career Planning and Discovery to Jump Start the Job Search Jill Eastman, Institute for Community Inclusion Beth Wike, Institute for Community Inclusion Any good job search begins by reflecting on past experiences, marketable skills, and work preferences. From there, you begin to update your resume and start exploring options. The process is the same for the people you support. Your assistance in helping them find a job should start by assessing their work goals, their current abilities, and their interests. This presentation will focus on how to implement person-centered career planning, identify personal and family networks, and develop vocational profiles. We will discuss how to use discovery techniques designed to learn more about the job seeker and to start planning for the job search process. |
Westborough |
Belonging is the New Inclusion: Practical Support in Action Lisa Drennan, Merge Inclusion Consulting Inclusion and friendship matter, but helping individuals build real connections can be challenging. This session offers practical strategies to foster belonging—being welcomed, supported, known, and accepted as valued members of our greater community. Through scenarios and role-playing, learn how to facilitate conversations, encourage participation, and overcome hurdles, empowering those you support to create meaningful relationships in inclusive environments. |
Marlborough |
Effective Job Coaching from an Employer Perspective Elyse Forbush, Jewish Vocational Services You’ve learned about Job Coaching from a supervisor or trial and error, but have you ever heard from an employer’s perspective on what makes an effective job coach? If not, don’t miss this opportunity! Elyse Forbush hired 50 adults with disclosed disabilities in the Food Service Department at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital retaining half, making up 27% of her overall department. Elyse will explain how to build meaningful relationships between Job Coaches and front-line supervisors and how skill-based resumes can increase your client’s chance of securing employment. Come prepared for a frank and practical discussion on how you can sharpen your job coaching practices and promote your client’s success! Effective Job Coaching from an Employer Perspective (slides).pptx |
Southborough |
Strategies to Support and Bolster Career Coaches in the Pursuit of Competitive Integrated Employment Jeff Gentry, Jewish Vocational Services Suzanne Henderson, Consultant and Disability Advocate This session focuses on cultivating competent teams of employment professionals who are better prepared to effectively create and support a truly inclusive workforce. We know that the focus of Individual Supported Employment funding is connecting DDS funded career seekers to competitive employment. We realize that Community Based Day Programs should all offer a meaningful pathway to employment. While the “what” of employment services is crystal clear, we often do not provide clear and compelling training that shows our team “how” to implement best practices to support career seekers on their path to employment. In this session, Jeff Gentry will explore the tools he is using with his team—imperfectly but relentlessly—to train and support his coaches to provide excellent career coaching for career seekers with disabilities. Suzanne Henderson, a seasoned disability professional with expertise in adult learning, will share ideas for strengthening the impact of staff training, so that coaches could more confidently and competently implement knowledge gained through professional development—ultimately increasing successful employment outcomes for job seekers with disabilities. |
Sterling |
| Session | Room |
|---|---|
|
Crafting Connections: Mastering the Art of Networking in the Digital Age Amanda Amaral, Northeast Employment Collaborative Terry Holmgren, South Shore Collaborative on Employment Rupali, Potnis, Central MA Employment Collaborative Christine Ventulett-Buckley, Western MA Employment Collaborative Nicole Williams, Greater Boston Employment Collaborative Come learn about the Regional Employment Collaboratives and the benefits of joining your local collaborative. Participants will also leave with essential networking tools and strategies for the digital age, focusing on relationship-building, developing new techniques, crafting impactful elevator pitches, and leveraging AI and digital platforms for network expansion. Through interactive exercises and real-time feedback, attendees will refine their skills and enhance their network across both traditional and online channels. Upon conclusion, they'll be prepared to navigate networking opportunities confidently and build strong professional connections in an increasingly AI-driven landscape. |
Marlborough |
|
Pathways to College and Career: Inclusive Postsecondary Education in Massachusetts Rachel Estremera, Institute for Community Inclusion Ashley Luce, Institute for Community Inclusion Maria Paiewonsky, Institute for Community Inclusion The Massachusetts Inclusive Postsecondary Education (MAIPSE) initiative, formerly known as MAICEI, has been providing students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) access to inclusive college experiences since 2007. Established through Massachusetts legislative funding, this dual enrollment initiative was designed to expand opportunities for students with IDD beyond segregated programs, supporting their pursuit of higher education, training, and paid work experiences. This session will explore the current scope and impact of MAIPSE across the state, highlighting key program components such as person-centered planning, travel training, academic coursework, and work-based learning. Presenters will share current examples from the University of Massachusetts Boston’s Inclusive Education Initiative, illustrating how these activities align with student goals and promote meaningful postsecondary outcomes. Pathways to College and Career- Inclusive Postsecondary Education in Massachusetts (slides).pptx |
Westborough |
|
Technology First: Expanding the use of Technology for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities at Home, Work, and in the Community Brigitte Casey, Department of Developmental Services This session will provide an overview of Supportive Technology under DDS, including Assistive Technology (AT) Assessments and Remote Supports and Monitoring (RSM), as well as the evolution of Massachusetts becoming a Technology First State. We will review some examples of AT used across various life domains to improve functional outcomes for individuals to live more independent and engaging lives. Included in this session will be the use of no-tech, low-tech, and high-tech options, as well as some universal support options that can be implemented in individuals’ lives. |
Princess |
|
Transportation Solutions for Community Engagement and Employment David Hoff, Institute for Community Inclusion Lack of transportation often poses a major barrier to individuals finding employment and fully engaging in activities in the community. This session will take a look at the transportation challenge and how it can be addressed. Based on national best practices, topics will include: a) reframing the transportation issue: what’s the real issue and taking a different approach; b) understanding the full range of transportation options; c) partnering to expand transportation solutions; d) existing service strategies and applying them to transportation; e) transportation solutions at the individual and systems levels. At the end of this session, attendees will have a variety of practical ideas to apply to the transportation challenge. |
Duchess |
|
Bridging the Gap Between CBDS and Competitive integrated Employment Lhea Destromp, DDS Regional Employment Services Tina Macy, DDS Regional Employment Services Regional Employment Services (RES) is a Competitive Integrated Employment support provider within the Central West Region of DDS. We will be sharing two tools (a customized CtLC activity sheet and our RES competitive employment screening form) and hosting an interactive activity to assist providers, family members and individuals to identify intentional, successive next steps and objectives toward building the necessary skills and experiences within a person’s local community to prepare them to become independent members of the workforce. We hope to prompt questions and ideas for person-centered career planning and pathways while incorporating the 4 E’s: exploration, exposure, experience, and environment to deepen your community-based practice of skills and integration.
|
Sterling |
|
Beyond Traditional Resumes: Creative Strategies for Showcasing Job Seekers Lara Enein, Institute for Community Inclusion Have you noticed that a resume isn’t always the best tool to highlight a job seeker’s potential? In fact, traditional resumes can often leave employers with more questions and hesitations. What can an employment professional do instead? Join this session to: · learn how to creatively represent job seekers with disabilities to employers · discover how to leverage visual and video resumes to showcase positive work attributes effectively · explore customized employment strategies that not only meet business needs but empower job seekers as well. Beyond Traditional Resumes- Creative Strategies for Showcasing Job Seekers (slides).pptx |
Southborough |
| Session | Room |
|---|---|
|
Person-Centered planning in CBDS and Employment Kathryn Friel, Jewish Family & Children’s Services This session will highlight the use of person-centered planning in CBDS and Employment supports. Using various strategies to empower program participants to learn about their skills and interests, this method gives the power to the individual to understand what options they have for growth in their lives and work as well as how to make effective plans to reach personal goals. Use of Person-Centered Planning increases the individual's control of decisions that affect their lives and creates better outcomes in all support areas. Person-Centered planning in CBDS and Employment (slides).pptx |
Sterling |
|
Engaging with Businesses to Develop Great Job Matches Adam Belmore, Brockton Arc Alexis Manuel, Institute for Community Inclusion Emily Shea, Grow Associates Liz Taylor- Lindsay, Road to Responsibility Job development is never easy, and the first hurdle is getting your foot in the door. Join us for this panel discussion led by experienced employment professionals who have found some creative and interesting ways to get an employer’s attention. You will hear about the strategies they have used to build networks, learn about business needs, and create good job matches that work for the employer and the job seeker. Engaging with Businesses to Develop Great Job Matches (slides).pptx |
Southborough |
|
Mass Ability: We Are Here to Help! Rachel Reyes, Mass Ability MRC is now Mass Ability. In this session you will learn about the services offered by Mass Ability and how they can be a resource for individuals who would like to go to work. Join us to learn more about how Mass Ability and DDS can work together to support job seekers to reach their employment goals. |
Duchess |
|
Smart Solutions for Inclusion: Bridging Disability and Technology Jeanine Pavlak, NEBA Jake Hammond, NEBA This session explores the cutting edge of assistive and adaptive technologies that empower individuals with disabilities to live more independently, access education and employment, and fully participate in society. The session will include case studies, user-centered design principles, and interactive demonstrations, highlighting how collaboration between technologists, caregivers, and disability advocates can lead to more inclusive innovation. Join us to discover how these technologies are not only enhancing functionality but also reshaping attitudes and breaking barriers. Key Takeaways: · Emerging trends in assistive tech and inclusive design · Real-world applications and success stories · Strategies for co-creating technology with users with disabilities · Insights on policy, funding, and implementation |
Princess |
|
Empowering Futures for Transition Age Youth: Using Best Practice to Develop Individualized Pathways to Employment Jill Curry, Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School Ryan Claire Connors, Newton Public Schools Preparing students with disabilities for meaningful work experiences often requires intentional planning and strong collaboration between educators, families, and community partners. This interactive session will explore best practices in career development, including person-centered planning and community-based work experiences. Participants will learn how to develop individualized pathways that align with students' strengths, interests, and goals, while addressing potential barriers when exploring work opportunities. This session offers practical tools and real-world examples to create pathways to employment as well as strategies to prepare students and their families for the transition into adulthood. |
Westborough |
|
Do’s and Don’ts of Unpaid Work Experiences as Path to Successful Employment David Hoff, Institute for Community Inclusion Various experiences in the community are used as part of efforts to explore possible job and career opportunities. This can include volunteer work, internships, and unpaid work experiences. While these can be important tools for job exploration, there are very specific wage and hour laws that must be followed. This is critical not only to ensure the rights of job seekers with disabilities are respected, but to also avoid possible liability for back wages by service providers and businesses. Join us for this session where we will take a close look at these tools; discuss the difference between volunteer work, internships, and unpaid work experiences, the specific rules for each, their appropriate role, and how they can be effectively used to advance competitive integrated employment. |
Marlborough |
If you have any trouble accessing the conference materials, or you need an alternate format, please email Berenise.Albino@umb.edu.