Supported Employment - Training & Certification

Do you provide Supported Employment services through the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) and/or Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Medicaid Waivers?

IF YES! Don’t miss out on this opportunity to get paid for your professional development and satisfy new requirements for Employment First in Colorado! Act now!!

Options for Professional Development:

Name of Training	Intended Audience	Course Info	Training Available
Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators (ACRE) - Offered by Community Integrated Services (CIS)	This is a good match for DVR vendors and HCBS Medicaid Waiver Services Providers.	This training is conducted by peers in the nation who offer strategies, tools, and up to date information in Employment Services. This training satisfies new requirements for providers of employment services. ACRE training: Is Nationally recognized, therefore at completion, you will be added to a National registry and have documented credential that will be honored even if you move to another state. Is a resume builder! Offers a time to network and learn from colleagues across the state and Nation	Training information will be posted as it becomes available. Check back often! New sessions are set for February and March 2021 To register contact: Zach Catarelli, Training Coordinator zachary.catarelli@cisworks.org For more information and access to nationwide training, visit - Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators (ACRE) website
Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators (ACRE) - Offered by Colorado Wise Online Academy	This is a good match for DVR vendors and HCBS Medicaid Waiver Services Providers.	This series will cover the ACRE basic core training areas for Employment Specialists, including: Introduction to Supported Employment, Discovery and Person-Centered Planning - Webinar Series & Online Coursework Job Development and Marketing - Webinar Series & Online Coursework Systematic Instruction: Teaching, Learning and Retaining Jobs - Webinar Series & Online Coursework Social Security Benefits and Work Incentives - On Demand Module & Quizzes Students will earn certificates for each of the courses and an ACRE Basic Supported Employment Certificate upon completion of the full series.	Training information will be posted as it becomes available. *Check back often!* For details visit Colorado Wise Online Academy Available class options and course descriptions
Certified Employment Support Professional (CESP)	The Certified Employment Support Professional credential recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a sufficient level of knowledge and skill to provide support to people with significant disabilities to get and keep jobs that are a good match.	The CESP Certification is: Nationally recognized, therefore at completion, you will be added to a National registry and have documented credential that will be honored across the Nation. A resume builder! Join the community of more than 3,100 certified support professionals across the nation!	Training information will be posted as it becomes available. *Check back often!* For more information and access to nationwide training, visit - Certified Employment Support Professional (CESP) website
Individual Placement & Support (IPS) - Offered by National IPS Center	IPS is a good match for Employment Specialists who work for Mental Health Centers who have contracts with DVR and with Medicaid Regional Accountable Entities.	This training is conducted by professionals in Colorado and with the National IPS Center who offer strategies, tools, and up to date information in IPS tools, strategies and services. IPS training: Is nationally recognized, at completion you will have a documented credential that will be honored even if you move to another state. Is a resume builder! Offers a time to network and learn from colleagues across the state and across the globe in learning communities	Training information will be posted as it becomes available. *Check back often!* For more information and access to nationwide training, visit - Individual Placement and Supports (IPS) website
Individual Placement & Support (IPS) - Offered by the Colorado Office of Employment First			Colorado Office of Employment First - Invidiual Placement and Support Contact for IPS training - Deirdre.Sage@state.co.us
Customized Employment	Targeted audience		If you are interested in discovery and customized employment training, contact: Brian.Dean@state.co.us or HCPF_Supported.Employment@state.co.us

Testimonials

In-Person ACRE Training with CIS

Here's what Colorado Employment Support Professionals are saying about ACRE Training with CIS:

“The training was interactive and everyone was engaged and willing to share their experiences. The stories and examples shared during class really brought things home. I feel that I have been given more tools to make me a better Employment Specialist.”
“All of the trainers that presented were very knowledgeable. I will be able to better assist the individuals we serve in understanding and establishing community integrated employment.”
“I learned so much about the complexities of supporting people in their jobs. Loved the course, very valuable.”
“The information presented was thorough and the trainers made sure that we understood the material. I look forward to applying what I learned to help the people I serve.”
“ACRE training was informative and inspiring. I learned a lot about Employment First, and especially enjoyed connecting and sharing ideas with other support professionals.”
“Trainers made the course engaging and were very knowledgeable. This training will help further progress our new supported employment department.”

Online ACRE Training with WISE

SSA On Demand: “The modules are really well done and I like the short time frames which enable the user to absorb the material in bits and pieces to get to the whole. I was in an IEP meeting and a parent asked me about SSI and I was able to answer the question in more detail than I would have before taking the modules! ;o)”
“I loved the enthusiasm of the presenters! It made sometimes seemingly redundant information, interesting and relevant.”
“I look forward to using my new skills!”

Colorado Employment First - IPS Training

“The IPS training was extremely beneficial and informative! My team and I were able to learn about the IPS model from skilled providers and we feel more confident in our ability to provide IPS services that meet fidelity. Our clients are clearly benefiting from the IPS model and this success was due, in no small part, to the training provided by COEF.”
“At first, I was not excited about the idea of this training. I worried about the time commitment and wondered how much an online class could teach me. Deirdre proved me wrong. She found a way to keep the class fully engaged during every lesson. It is clear she cares about IPS and everyone involved with this work. The guests had relevant in depth knowledge and provided guidance during their presentations and after the course ended. I have taken many ZOOM trainings over the last few months and this was the most informative one.”

Get Reimbursed for Your Professional Development

Who can be reimbursed?

Service providers who are actively providing Individualized Supported Employment services through Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) or Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Medicaid Waivers can be reimbursed for training and/or certification. To be eligible for reimbursement, you need to be set up to bill for Supported Employment services through Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Health First Colorado, and/or HCBS Waivers.

How much is reimbursed?

Reimbursements will cover the cost of the training and certification, application fees, and staff time.

Training will be reimbursed up to $1,200.00
Certification will be reimbursed up to $300.00

How many people per agency can be reimbursed?

We have completed the first quarter of implementation of provider reimbursement for training/certification costs associated with Senate Bill 18-145. As we continue to work with and get feedback from service provider agencies, we have determined we can accept applications for reimbursement for more than one person per agency.

Submit the pre-approval form for each staff person who would like to request reimbursement of training and/or certification costs. Multiple requests may be approved based on availability of funding.

We will monitor and reassess quarterly to maintain statewide equity and access to reimbursements for Nationally Recognized Training and/or certifications.

Questions? Contact HCPF_Supported.Employment@state.co.us

What is the first step to get reimbursement?

Pre-Approval Process

You must apply for pre-approval for training/certification prior to attending by completing the following form(s):
- Pre-Approval Form for reimbursement of Nationally Recognized TRAINING
- Pre-Approval Form for reimbursement of Nationally Recognized CERTIFICATION Exam
  Note: if you need assistance completing these new Google Forms for this process, please contact HCPF_Supported.Employment@state.co.us

Submit current provider W-9 form
Submit supporting documents if seeking pre-approval for training not listed - include detailed documentation that all competencies are covered for required skills and knowledge
Email pre-approval form to: HCPF_Supported.Employment@state.co.us
You will receive an approval letter with a date the approval will expire or a denial letter within 30 days of the submitting the pre-approval form
If approved, you must email evidence of completion of the training and/or certification and an invoice to the Department within 30 calendar days of completion. If your training/certification occurs in May or June, you must submit your completion documents by June 30 to be reimbursed within the state fiscal year.

Reimbursement Process

After you have attended your pre-approved training/certification, you must submit evidence of completion and an invoice within 30 calendar days. If your training/certification occurs in May or June, you must submit your completion documents by June 30 to be reimbursed within the state fiscal year.
If you need an extension to complete the training or to submit completion documents, you must get approval of the extension BEFORE the 30-day timeframe is exhausted. If you miss the expiration date and do not have an extension, you will not be reimbursed.
Once we have evidence of successful completion and an invoice, you will receive reimbursement within 30 days.

What is the timeline?

Don’t miss out on this opportunity! Act Now! Each year the legislature will re-evaluate the budget available to reimburse you for a training and/or certification

5-Year Transition Period Begins	Transition Period Ends	On-Going	New Employees
Reimbursement may be available for Supported Employment Professionals who need to obtain a nationally recognized training certificate and/or nationally recognized certification	All Supported Employment Professionals must have a nationally recognized training certificate or nationally recognized certification	All Supported Employment Professionals must have a nationally recognized training certificate or nationally recognized certification	Have up to 2 years to acquire training certificate or certification. They must be supervised by someone with either a training certificate or a certification

HCPF_Supported.Employment@state.co.us

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Colorado: State & National Resources

Supported Employment - Training & Certification

Get Reimbursed for Your Professional Development

Pre-Approval Process

Reimbursement Process