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Welcome to the Massachusetts Employment First E-Newsletter

May 2016
In This Issue
Practical approaches to career planning
Individual career plans that are person-centered and person-directed lay the foundation for great employment outcomes.  A number of different approaches have been used for person-centered planning, including MAPS, Essential Lifestyle Planning and PATHS.

Positive Personal Profiles are another approach that focuses more specifically on employment. This tool can be used to identify relevant attributes as we assist individuals in achieving their employment goals. 
 
The Positive Personal Profile collects information from a wide range of sources, including individuals and families, as well as situational assessments and observations.  It's not just a form to fill out, but a tool that helps us organize everything we know about an individual in a manner that is strength-based and can help individuals and their teams identify the optimal conditions for successful employment.
 
Here are the key components of the Positive Personal Profile:
      • Dreams and goals
      • Talents, skills and knowledge
      • Values
      • Environmental preferences
      • Life and work experiences
      • Specific challenges
      • Creative possibilities and ideas
      • Interests
      • Learning styles
      • Positive personality traits
      • Dislikes
      • Creative solutions and accommodations
With the profile in hand, the employment specialist can work with the job seeker and other team members to identify businesses where the job seeker can make a valuable contribution.  This may include both traditional job openings and negotiated positions that use the skills and talents of the job seeker while meeting a business need.
 
The Employmentfirstma.org website has a number of useful resources on career planning, including the Personal Profile Packet developed by the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI). Check it out!
Webinar archive continues to grow
Can't make a webinar?  Check out our growing archive!
 
The most recent addition is "Words of Wisdom:  Achieving Successful Jobs for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder."  Katina Demetriou of Autism Delaware shares some examples of how her organization is working with businesses and using Positive Personal Profiles to develop great job matches. 
 
Upcoming trainings
Melanie and Lara training

In partnership with DDS, the ICI is offering training to support you and your agency as you increase employment opportunities for those you serve.
 
Don't hesitate--workshops and webinars fill up quickly!  Go to Employmentfirstma.org to select and register for upcoming trainings. 
 
Managing Employment Services for Success is a two-day session that will be held on June 15 and 16.  This training will help you develop the skills to successfully lead a community-based employment program.  Sign up now as limited slots remain.
 
Employment Support Professional Training
This summer ICI is offering four separate workshops (totaling six days of training) covering best practices in individual community employment, including career planning, job development, and job coaching and support.
 
These workshops may be taken individually or combined for a comprehensive employment training experience. The Foundations of Community Employment training is a prerequisite for the other workshops.  Note that these workshops cover the same content as the Comprehensive Employment Supports six-day series that ICI offers. 

Training begins in June so register now!

The ICI is also offering the Comprehensive Employment Supports six-day series in the fall. Check the website for dates and location. This training will begin on September 26. 
 
And don't miss our upcoming online training:
 
Earnings and Benefits: Using Social Security Work Incentives
June 1-30
 
Upcoming Conferences
Save the Date!  DDS, in collaboration with ICI, will be hosting a statewide employment conference on November 30 in Marlborough.  Watch for more details on what promises to be an exciting and informative event.
 
Raise the Bar Hire! 2016 Conference and Career Fair will be held on October 25 and 26 at the Four Points Sheraton in Norwood. 

Cincinnati, OH
June 21-23
 
Alexandria, VA
June 28-30

Stay in Touch!

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Institute for Community Inclusion | UMass Boston | 100 Morrissey Blvd. | Boston | MA | 02125