Monthly Supervisor Circle

Supervisor Circle Guest Speaker

Thursday, January 25th from 10-11 AM ET via Zoom

Join the January Supervisor Circle featuring guest speaker, Steve Upchurch, Training Director for Indiana Vocational Rehabilitation to learn and discuss Career Pathways.

Steve Upchurch has served as the Training Director for Indiana Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) since November 2016. Prior to his current role, he served in both counselor and supervisory roles. Steve earned a Master of Arts degree in Education and Human Development from George Washington University and is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. He serves on the board of Indiana APSE – the Association of People Supporting Employment First, is a member of the Advisory Council for the Center for Innovative Training in VR and is a part of the CSAVR DEI&A Professional Network. Steve lives in Indianapolis, Indiana with his wife, son, and their two dogs, and enjoys public speaking and travel.

Lunch & Learn

Cognitive Distortions: Unhelpful Thinking Patterns and Their Effects on Employment Part 1 

January 19th, 2024 

Cognitive distortions are irrational or unhelpful thinking patterns. Everyone has unhelpful thinking patterns. However, with some mental health conditions they can be especially prevalent and affect a person’s daily life – such as black-and-white thinking and borderline personality disorder. In this webinar, we will discuss five of the most common cognitive distortions including overgeneralizing, catastrophizing, and personalization. These unhelpful thinking patterns can affect how we work towards our goals, the quality of our relationships, and our quality of life. Join us for this webinar to hear about: 

• What cognitive distortions and mental health conditions commonly overlap 

• Examples of how negative thinking patterns can develop and affect people with disabilities 

• Developing a growth mindset and practices to use at work 

Our December Lunch & Learn recording is now available, you can watch the webinar and our previous Lunch & Learns on our website by clicking the button below!

Latest Video: Sensory Processing: Creating an Environment to Thrive  

Do you know what autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and post-traumatic stress disorder have in common? The answer is: sensory processing differences. These are just a few disabilities that commonly affect sensory processing. People process and react to sensory stimulation differently. Some people are more sensitive to sensory stimulation while others are under responsive. This can result in behaviors that are either sensory seeking or avoidant. However, just like with other human needs, a person’s sensory needs and how they process stimulation can change. Factors such as stress, the environment, and co-occurring disabilities affect how sensory information is received. In this webinar, we will discuss:  

• What disabilities commonly affect sensory processing 

• How sensory processing is affected by other factors too 

• Recommended practices and environmental considerations for the workspace 

Lunch & Learn Schedule

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 

Resource of the Week

Presentations from the Employment Summit

Presentations from the Summit have been added to the Indiana VR Training website, click the corresponding button below to view.