2023 Employment Summit

The Employment Summit provides the opportunity for employment professionals with any experience level, people with disabilities and their families, and others interested in improving employment outcomes to:

• Identify and navigate unique employment barriers

• Deploy proven strategies for quality placements

• Spark creativity using assistive technology and natural supports

• Unpack the relationship between poverty, employment, and benefits

This is a chance to network with your colleagues, learn from industry professionals, and hear from people with disabilities about their lived experiences.

Summit Cost: $75 per person

Registration fee includes continental breakfasts & networking luncheon.
Register 3 people from your organization and get 10% off!

Summit Dates and Time:

December 6, 2023 (9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. ET)

December 7, 2023 (9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. ET)

Summit Location: 502 East Event Centre
502 E. Carmel Drive
Carmel, IN 46032

Employment Summit Highlight

Katie Wolf Whaley, MSW, is a Principal Investigator and Project Director at the University of Kentucky’s Human Development Institute. In her work, she coordinates training and technical assistance on employment strategies for people with disabilities to service providers, job seekers, family members, and businesses. She works, in collaboration with partners across the state and nation, to build effective systems of support to increase opportunities for people to gain and maintain competitive integrated employment. Katie serves by Gubernatorial appointment as Chairperson of Kentucky’s Employment First Council, serves as the President of the Kentucky Chapter of APSE (Association of People Supporting Employment First), and has served on the national board of APSE.

Using Discovery to Ensure Person - Centered Services

Presenter: Katie Wolf Whaley

We all want to provide person-centered services but how do we this in the real world? This session will engage us to think about what “discovery” means in practical ways. We will actively strategize ways to get to know people and connect who they are with potential types of work.

Building a Collaborative Relationship With VRC

Presenters: Denise Smith, Steve Upchurch, and Martina Tovar

This panel presentation will provide session participants with practical strategies for building strong, collaborative relationships with VR through regular, effective communication. Through active partnership, VR and Employment Services providers can provide coordinated services and supports to help our mutual customers achieve their employment goals. This session will be interactive and allow for questions and feedback from participants.

Creative Business Development

Presenters: Natalie Weisenbach, Kristy Russell, and Matt Edwards 

Business development is often a challenge for many providers but crucial for job placement success. Finding creative ways to reach businesses can make the difference in building lasting relationships in your local community. Bosma Employment Services will present on ways we have been successful in reaching a larger audience and building stronger community partners, including bimonthly virtual sessions, monthly podcasts, and an annual Reverse Job Fair.

Lunch & Learn

Triggers and Employment: Considerations and Strategies to Support Individuals 

You have probably heard the words “trigger” and “triggered” before, but what does it really mean? In general, triggers can be anything that causes symptoms to start, return, or worsen. In this Lunch and Learn, we will discuss how triggers can look for a range of diagnoses, in addition to post-traumatic stress disorder. Participants will also hear about:

• How existing triggers can affect employment 

• How trauma and triggers can develop in the workplace 

• How to support someone experiencing post-traumatic stress before and when they have a job 

Lunch & Learn Schedule

Sensory Processing: Creating an Environment to Thrive 

December 15th, 2023

Cognitive Distortions:

Unhelpful Thinking Patterns and Their Effects on Employment Part 1 

January 19th, 2024

Cognitive Distortions:

Unhelpful Thinking Patterns and Their Effects on Employment Part 2 

February 16th, 2024

Dissociation: How It Can Look and Be Managed 

March 15th, 2024

Addiction's Impact on Employment and Coping Skills 

April 19th, 2024

Mental Health, Employment, and Executive Dysfunction Part 1:

Memory, Flexibility, and Control 

May 17th, 2024

Mental Health, Employment, and Executive Dysfunction Part 2:

Planning, Reasoning, and Problem Solving 

June 21st, 2024