Introducing: The Employment Specialist Circle

LevelUP Indiana is pleased to announce a NEW opportunity for Indiana’s employment specialists: the Employment Specialist Circle. Join us on the following Thursdays at 11:00 am ET to discuss challenges, solutions, and other topics related to day-to-day problems that employment specialists may face:

• August 21st 11:00 am ET

• September 18th 11:00 am ET

• October 16th 11:00 am ET

• November 13th 11:00 am ET

• December 11th 11:00 am ET

Register Today!

Please use the button below to register for the first session of the Employment Specialist Circle on August 21st.

We Want to Hear from YOU!

The Employment Specialist Circle is designed to support the needs of employment specialists, and your input is valuable to us! Please use the button below to fill out a brief, three-question form where you can provide input on the topics that will be covered in the Employment Specialist Circle.

About VR 101

VR 101 is a FREE, self-paced online course covering the basics of the Indiana Vocational Rehabilitation Employment Services Model and provides information for employment staff just starting their careers, or for staff looking to refresh their knowledge and skills. The course covers the Indiana VR-specific information that new employment service professionals need to know. You’ll learn things like:

• The Indiana VR Employment Services Model

• The NEW Indiana VR documentation and processes

• The role employment specialists play in VR cases

Individuals who sign up for VR 101 also get access to other supports that help with training, like mentoring and Indiana VR-specific resources.

• How to Register for VR 101

  To register you or your staff for the updated VR 101 course, please sign up by clicking the button below.

FINAL 2025 ACRE Registration

Participants enrolled in the Foundational Training will complete six lessons across a twelve-week period. Each lesson will be available for two weeks, allowing flexibility for the time and pace at which material is reviewed.

This training is geared to employment specialists in their first or second year of working in the field. The content will provide foundational knowledge on Indiana-specific resources, opportunities, and information about the employment services model.

Registration is open for the FINAL ACRE training cohort of 2025:

September 29, 2025 - December 22, 2025

Please click the button below to register today!

1:1 Peer Mentoring Services Available!

LevelUP Indiana’s Peer Mentor Network is accepting learners for 1:1 mentoring! Our mentors can support you and your staff with the completion of all Employment Services documentation forms.

The Peer Mentor Network is a great resource for Employment Services staff in need of extra support adjusting to the updated Employment Services documentation forms released in Spring 2025.

Connect with an experienced peer mentor today to enhance your own Employment Specialist career. Please use the link below to visit our website and be paired with a mentor.

Congratulations to the ACRE Graduates of the June 2025 Cohort!

These graduates completed the Foundations ACRE training that ran from April - June 2025. Job well done!

Walter Barbary
Easterseals Crossroads

Ariana Casaday
Opportunity Enterprises

Delenea Cobb
Cardinal Services

Brittany Crane
Evansville Goodwill Industries, Inc.

Kasie Dietzen
Cardinal Services

Joshua Ekema
Corvilla

Annette Fairbanks
Opportunity Enterprises

Dustin Jackson
Sky Point Social Services

SJ Kil
ADEC, Inc.

Marc Lassus
Goodwill Industries of Northeast Indiana, Inc.

Derek Marshall
Shares, Inc.

Becky Nichols
A Meaningful Life Inc.

Jastin Nolan
Positive Expressions Inc.

Mercedes Perez
DSI

Lindsey Petty
Opportunity Enterprises

Isaiah Phares
First Chance Center

Krista Smith
The Wabash Independent Living and Learning Center

Barbie Torres
New Hope Services

Nicole Underwood
Opportunity Enterprises

Amanda VanZile
Positive Expressions, Inc.

Leah Watts
Partners in Opportunities, Inc.

Sandra Widener
Abilities Services, Inc.

Supervisor Circle Meeting

Thursday, August 28th from 11am-12pm ET via Zoom

Register below to attend this year’s meetings to learn new information, share resources, and problem-solve issues you are having with your peers. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. The Supervisor Circle meets on the fourth Thursday of each month from 11 am—12pm EST.