Employment First Florida Staff FDDC, Presentations, Resources for Employers, Resources for Employment Service Professionals, Videos

Interview with Valerie Breen, Florida Developmental Disabilities Council

Valerie Breen, executive director of the FDDC, joined Employment First Florida on July 28, 2020 presentation to highlight the collaborative work being done to support the Employment First Florida initiative.

The initiative grew out of the council’s seven year commitment to improve employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. From 2013 until present, the council’s investment in time and dollars has resulted in many returns. Listen to Valerie’s recording to learn more.

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Employment First Florida Staff FDDC, Presentations

Interviews with the FDDC & FL DVR on July 28

On July 28, Employment First Florida interviewed staff from the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Inc. and the Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation These conversations were the second in an online series profiling the Employment First Florida Interagency Collaborative Team. The series provides people with an update on the progress being made by the agencies who signed the Employment First Florida Interagency Collaborative Agreement. Watch the recording to learn about the projects, initiatives, and experiences both organizations have had since the signing. 

Watch the presenter interviews:

Valerie Breen
Holly Hohmeister
 Jan Pearce
Brandi Boyer-Rutherford
Kathy Davis

Employment First Florida Staff Presentations

Interviews with Florida ARF & The Arc of Florida, May 18, 2020

On May 18, Employment First Florida interviewed Suzanne Sewell, presidents and CEO of the Florida Association of Rehabilitation Facilities and Kirk Hall, executive director of The ARC of Florida

Suzanne and Kirk joined us for the first session of the Profiles of the Employment First Florida Interagency Collaborative Team online series. The series provides people with an update on the progress being made by the agencies who signed the Employment First Florida Interagency Collaborative Agreement. Watch the recording to learn about the projects, initiatives, and experiences both FL ARF and the Arc have had since the original signing.

Typewriter announcement
Employment First Florida Staff Presentations

Announcement! Online Special Series: Profiles of the Employment First Florida Interagency Collaborative Team May, July, October 2020

In recognition of the renewal of the Employment First Florida Interagency Collaborative Agreement, Employment First Florida will be hosting 3 online presentations to profile the work being done by each of the signatory agencies of the agreement. Join us to learn about their efforts to improve employment services and outcomes for Floridians with disabilities.

Session 1: Tuesday, May 19, 2020 3-4pm ET
Register now for May 19

Session 2: Tuesday, July 28, 2020 3-4pm ET
Session 3: Tuesday, October 27, 2020 3-4pm ET
Registration information for these events is TBA

For more information, contact Jean at jean.winsor@umb.edu.

Employment First Florida Staff Presentations, Videos

October 2019: What does it mean to become an Employment First provider?

Provider agencies across the country are transforming to support jobs in the community for people with disabilities. This process of organizational transformation can be both exciting and challenging for provider staff and the people they serve. Jaimie Timmons and Oliver Lyons, ICI, provide joined us to help participants gain insight into the benefits of provider transformation and the work done by members of the ARC network through their membership in the Provider Transformation Network, a project of the Institute for Community Inclusion.
Watch the presentation recording.

Employment First Florida Staff Presentations, Videos

July 2019: Developing a Vision of a Good Life

On July 30, Crystal Bell, a certified trainer of  Charting the LifeCourse Framework, spoke about the Framework and the roles everyone can play in supporting employment for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It is a set of tools created by families to help individuals of all ages and their families develop a vision for a good life, think about what they need to know and do, identify how to find or develop supports, and discover what it takes to live the lives they want to live. Self-advocate Ashley Wolfe, shared her thoughts about a quality life in a short video and participated in some Q&A to audience members.
Watch the presentation recording.

Employment First Florida Staff Presentations

April 2019: How to use Employment First Florida videos

On April 30, John Kramer from the Institute for Community Inclusion presented video clips of self-advocates talking about job creation and negotiation, career advancement, and returning to work after illness or dismissal. John shared tips and suggestions on ways to use the videos to educate and communicate the message of Employment First with individuals, families, support staff, and others.
Watch the presentation recording.