In 2019, the Michigan Employment First Initiative sponsored the creation of two training resources to build the capacity of educators, employment professionals and advocates on how to better engage families around employment. During the train-the-trainer session, Mr. Roy spoke about the crucial role families’ play in the lives of youth and adults with significant disabilities. Engaging families and self-advocates has proven to improve employment outcomes for individuals with I/DD.
A Future that Includes Employment: A Workshop for Families
Target Audience: Family members and caregivers of youth with significant disabilities. Though the presentation is appropriate for families of youth of all ages, the content is designed to inform families with youth ages 12-26 about employment possibilities. This training may also be useful as a professional training resource, helping those working with families to better understand how to envision high expectations for employment success.
Materials that support this presentation include:
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AFutureThatIncludesFamiliesWorksheet_FINAL
VisionStatementTemplateVisionStatementTemplate
Lighting the Way: Helping Families See Possibilities in Competitive Employment
Target Audience: Employment professionals who work with youth and individuals with significant disabilities. It aims to help attendees better understand the experience and motivations of families so working relationships can be built and community-based employment outcomes can improve. This session is appropriate for staff of employment programs, VR counselors, educators (including transition and work experience coordinators), and other professionals that participate in the employment process.
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PowerPoint_LightingTheWayProfessionalSessionMI_FINAL_646026_7