Employment First

Episode 44: Compass Project – Employment / DSA / Transportation Changes May 20, 2022

This episode, we are discussing the Compass Project which is a developmental disabilities or ODDS System Change designed to make the system more person centered. Specifically, today we're going to talk about a few changes that are happening for the employment and day support of activities or DSA part of the system change. This will focus primarily on eXPRS and plan of care changes and this podcast will hopefully be most helpful for case management entities. This podcast and conversation is going to focus primarily on eXPRS and plan of care changes and hopefully will be most helpful for case management entity team members looking for a high level overview of what is coming. Joining me today is Gene Rada and Stephanie Ronkel, both talented subject matter experts for the Employment First and special projects team at ODDS.

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Links:

The Compass Project

https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/Compass-Project/Pages/index.aspx

Episode 43: Training Update Mar 08, 2022

This episode, we are discussing trainings offered for employment professionals by the Office of Developmental Disabilities Services. Joining me is Gene Rada, training coordinator and policy analyst with the Office of Developmental Disabilities Services.

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Links:

Department Approved Trainings for CEC's

https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/SENIORS-DISABILITIES/DD/Documents/Department-Approved%20Employment%20Service%20Provider%20Training%20Courses.pdf

Employment Policy for Individuals with I/DD

https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/EMPLOYMENT/EMPLOYMENT-FIRST/Pages/policy.aspx

Training and Technical Assistance

https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/EMPLOYMENT/EMPLOYMENT-FIRST/Pages/training.aspx

Episode 42: Supported Decision Making Feb 08, 2022

Welcome to the Oregon Employment First podcast. Please join our host Angela Yeager as she discusses supported decision making, which is an alternative to guardianship that allows people with disabilities to make choices about their lives with support from people that they trust. This episode Angela is joined by Allison Enriquez, a policy analyst with the Office of Developmental Disability Services, and Sally Simich, education specialist for secondary transition at the Oregon Department of Education.

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Visit the ODHS Supported Decision-Making website:

https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/Supported-Decision-Making/Pages/index.aspx

Episode 41: ODDS Benefits Counseling Dec 21, 2021

Welcome to the Oregon Employment First podcast. Please join our host Angela Yeager as she discusses the service called Benefits Counseling, which is offered by the Office of Developmental Disability Services and the Work Incentives Network or WIN. Angela's guests this episode are Alison Enriquez, a policy analyst with the Office of Developmental Disability Services and Sheila Barker with the provider agency Edwards Center.

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ODDS Approved Benefits Counselors:

https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/EMPLOYMENT/EMPLOYMENT-FIRST/Policy/ODDS-Approved-Benefits-Counselors.pdf

ODDS I/DD Policy Page:

https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/EMPLOYMENT/EMPLOYMENT-FIRST/Pages/policy.aspx

National Disability Employment Awareness Month Sep 28, 2021

Hello, and welcome to the Oregon Employment First podcast. I am Angela Yeager, communications officer with Employment First and the Office of Developmental Disability Services. Today, we are discussing National Disability Employment Awareness Month, which happens in October every year. I am joined by statewide Employment First coordinator, Acacia Maguire Anderson, as well as Kim Alejo for workforce and business coordinator with Vocational Rehabilitation and Morgan Rincon, business relations coordinator with the Oregon Commission for the Blind.

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Register for webinars: https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItde6urD4vGbXslY1ZlYjTJ4flQ5hXaEg

Website with information: https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/EMPLOYMENT/EMPLOYMENT-FIRST/Pages/training.aspx

How to Tell Your Employment First Success Story Aug 10, 2021

Rachel and her employment team discuss her job success at Cadence Academy Preschool in Portland.

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Rural Job Development Jul 13, 2021

Hi and welcome to the Oregon Employment First podcast. I’m Angela Yeager, communications officer with Employment First. This episode our guest is Diane Ashley, a Vocational Rehabilitation counselor in Eastern Oregon. Diane is discussing trainings she has developed for job development in rural areas.

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iLearn to Workday Transition Jun 08, 2021

Hi and welcome to the Oregon Employment First podcast. I’m Angela Yeager, communications officer with Employment First. This episode we are discussing the transition from iLearn Oregon to Workday Learning, happening June 16, 2021.

Joining me on the show today is Steve Hastings, Organization and Employee Development Unit Manager with the Oregon Department of Human Services, Kristine Duffy, Quality Improvement Analyst, and Gene Rada, Training Coordinator and Policy Analyst with the Office of Developmental Disabilities Services.

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Links:

https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/SENIORS-DISABILITIES/DD/PROVIDERS-PARTNERS/Pages/iLearn-to-Workday.aspx

https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/BUSINESS-SERVICES/Pages/iLearn2Workday.aspx

Discovery Training and Tools May 11, 2021

Hi and welcome to the Oregon Employment First podcast. I’m Angela Yeager, communications officer with Employment First. This episode we are discussing new training, tools and resources available for the service called Discovery. Discovery is an employment service funded by the Office of Developmental Disabilities Services. Joining me on the show today is Julie Huber, policy analyst with the Office of Developmental Disabilities Services.

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Links:

https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/EMPLOYMENT/EMPLOYMENT-FIRST/Pages/policy.aspx

Employment Online Training Modules Apr 13, 2021

On this episode host Angela Yeager, communications officer for the Office of Developmental Disabilities Services and Employment First, is joined by Gene Rada, training coordinator and policy analyst with the Office of Developmental Disabilities Services.

This episode we are discussing 32 new on-demand trainings developed by the Office of Developmental Disabilities Services.

Download full script by clicking here.

Links:

https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/EMPLOYMENT/EMPLOYMENT-FIRST/Pages/policy.aspx

https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/SENIORS-DISABILITIES/DD/Documents/Department-Approved%20Employment%20Service%20Provider%20Training%20Courses.pdf

https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/EMPLOYMENT/EMPLOYMENT-FIRST/Policy/Employment-Professional-Qualifications-Training-Worker-Guide.pdf

COVID-19 Vaccines for People with I/DD and their Support Staff Mar 11, 2021

On this episode host Angela Yeager, communications officer for the Office of Developmental Disabilities Services and Employment First, is joined by Becky Simpson, CEO with Pathway Enterprises out of Medford, Oregon and Peter Hice, who received services from Pathway Enterprises.

This episode, we are talking to people with intellectual and disabilities who have received a vaccine for COVID-19 and providers who support them.

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COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout Feb 17, 2021

On this episode host Angela Yeager, communications officer for the Office of Developmental Disabilities Services and Employment First., is joined by Chelas Kronenberg, Case Management Services and Supports Manager for the Office of Developmental Disabilities Services.

They will be discussing the COVID-19 vaccine rollout for Oregonians with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their family members and support staff.

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Resources:

https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/SENIORS-DISABILITIES/DD/Pages/ODDS-COVID-19-Information.aspx

Impact Oregon Website Launches Jan 12, 2021

On this episode host Acacia McGuire Anderson, Statewide Employment First Coordinator, is joined byAngela Yeager, communications officer for the Office of Developmental Disabilities Services and Employment First. They will be discussing a new website that the Office of Developmental Disabilities Services launched, called Impact Oregon, found at ImpactOregon.careers.

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Resources: https://impactoregon.careers/

Employment Services during COVID-19 Dec 08, 2020

On this episode host Angela Yeager is joined by two guests from the Office of Developmental Disabilities Services’ Employment First initiative. Acacia McGuire Anderson is the Statewide Employment First Coordinator and Allison Enriquez is an employment policy analyst. They will be discussing how employment policies have shifted during COVID-19 to support providers and also keep people safe.

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Resources:

https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/SENIORS-DISABILITIES/DD/Pages/ODDS-COVID-19-Information.aspx

Questions? Email: employmenttraining.review@dhsoha.state.or.us

How to Enroll as a Personal Support Worker Job Coach Nov 10, 2020

On this episode host Angela Yeager is joined by two guests from the Office of Developmental Disabilities Services’ Employment First initiative. Gene Rada is a program analyst in charge of the coordination of employment training. Tim Acker is a project manager in charge of many employment initiatives, including interactive tools to help enroll new providers.

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Resources:

PSW Job Coach Enrollment Tool

Questions? Email: employmenttraining.review@dhsoha.state.or.us

Supporting Remote Work During COVID-19 Sep 08, 2020

On this episode host Angela Yeager along with guest Mer Stevens, director of supported employment with Community Access Services, will discuss some creative ways that employment specialists can support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to work during COVID-19.

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Student Summit 2019 Aug 11, 2020

On this episode host Angela Yeager will discuss the Student Summit held in October 2019. The Student Summit brought together transition students from across Oregon to explore and engage in pre-employment skills and future planning. Joining Angela on the podcast today will be Michael Salatori, Director of Supported Education at Molalla River School District; Kriss Rita, who is a transition network facilitator, and Marilyn Morris, a youth transition program coordinator. We also have students Eddie, Cameron, and Destiny, who participated in the Student Summit.

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Taran’s Employment First Success Story Jul 14, 2020

On this episode host Angela Yeager will focus on Taran and his employment success with Palm Harbor Homes in Albany. Taran is a good example of someone who started with a carved job and is now working 40 hours per week. Joining Angela on todays podcast is Taran, employee at Palm Harbor Homes, his supervisor, Freddie; Darcy with Home Life; and Vocational Rehabilitation counselor, Kelly.

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ODDS COVID-19 Mar 23, 2020

Host, Acacia Maguire Anderson is joined by Lilia Teninty, Director of the Office of Developmental Disability Services and Michelle Patton who's an emergency services coordinator with Occupational Health, Safety and Emergency Services. They will be discussing COVID-19.

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Statewide Referral and Release: How it Works Mar 03, 2020

Host, Angela Yeager is joined by Allison Enriquez, policy analyst with the Office of Developmental Disabilities Services, and Melissa Glover, Coordinator of Student Services for Salem-Keizer Public Schools. They will be discussing the Statewide Release of Information and how it can be used to coordinate services or share information between Oregon’s social service agencies.

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LifeCourse Framework Feb 18, 2020

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Host, Angela Yeager is joined by Ryley Newport, Communications Director with the Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities, and Nick Casa, a self advocate who has worked for organizations including Full Access and ARC of Lane County. They will be discussing LifeCourse, the tool to help individuals and families of all abilities and all ages develop a vision for a good life, think about what they need to know and do, identify how to find or develop supports and discovery what it takes to live the lives that they want.

Data and Outcomes Feb 04, 2020

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Host, Angela Yeager is joined by Acacia Maguire Anderson, statewide Employment First coordinator, and Andre Harboe, research and data analyst with Employment First. They will be discussing data and outcomes for employment of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in Oregon.

Road to Work Jan 21, 2020

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Host, Angela Yeager is joined by Tim Acker, project manager, with Employment First, and creator of the Road Map, and Phil Matthews, a vocational rehabilitation counselor with the South Salem VR Branch. They will be discussing the new Employment First Road Map, called Road to Work and how this web tool can be used.

Oregon ABLE Savings Jan 07, 2020

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Host, Angela Yeager is joined by Kaellen Hessel, an advocacy and outreach manger with Oregon ABLE, to discuss the Oregon ABLE Savings Plan and how Oregon ABLE makes it possible for people with disabilities to save money without risking their benefits.

Oregon Transition’s Everyone Can Work! Dec 03, 2019

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The Oregon Transition Podcast explores Employment First in Oregon this episode. In Oregon, we believe anyone can work with the right supports. Students, professionals and others will explore what it means to say “everyone can work.”

Accommodations in the workplace Nov 19, 2019

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Attorneys from Disability Rights Oregon discuss reasonable accommodations in the workplace and how workers are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act. They discuss what accommodation an employee with a disability can expect, and how an employee can request an accommodation.

Benefits Counseling Nov 05, 2019

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VR I/DD Counselor Oct 15, 2019

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Mark Foster, Vocational Rehabilitation I/DD Counselor, joins host Angela Yeager to discuss Vocational Rehabilitation counselors who specialize in services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Behavior Support Services in the Workplace Oct 01, 2019

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Stephanie Hunter, behavioral support professional with the Opportunity Foundation of Central Oregon, joins host Angela Yeager to discuss her job, and how a positive behavior support plan can help a person succeed in the workplace.

State as Model Employer Sep 17, 2019

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Acacia McGuire Anderson, Statewide Employment First Coordinator, and Clayton Jamison, office specialist with the State of Oregon join host Angela Yeager.

A family’s employment journey Sep 03, 2019

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A Self-Advocate’s Employment Journey Aug 20, 2019

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Guests: Gabrielle Guedon, Executive Director of the Oregon Self-Advocacy Coalition, and Julie Huber, policy analyst with the Office of Developmental Disabilities Services

Retention Policy Jul 16, 2019

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