Overview The Journey to Employment training equips service provider agencies with the knowledge and tools to create Customized Employment (CE) solutions. Agencies will strengthen their ability to support disconnected youth and adults with disabilities in finding meaningful jobs that match their skills, interests, and abilities. Benefits for Service Providers Agencies Employment Specialists will gain CE skills to support competitive integrated employment (CIE) for job seekers, including: • Best practices in person-centered planning • Job development techniques • Employer engagement strategies What Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) Means • Jobs in the community alongside employees with and without disabilities • Wages equal to those of coworkers • Work that aligns with a person’s skills, interests, and goals Training Details • Person-Centered Employment Planning – Identifying skills, interests, and career goals for job seekers • Customized Job Development – Matching job seekers to roles that fit their strengths and the business's needs • Engaging Local Employers – Building relationships with businesses, presenting the value of hiring individuals with disabilities, and providing workplace support • Workplace Accommodations & Supports – Understanding reasonable accommodations, job coaching techniques, assistive technology, and universal design for learning (UDL) • Navigating Employment Policies & Funding – Guidance on laws, regulations, and financial resources that support employment initiatives Partnering with the Journey to Employment program empowers agencies to create meaningful, customized employment opportunities that lead to long-term CIE success.
