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! ACRE Certificate Virtual Training Flyer - December 2020 - December sessions are now available! 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)	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
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.
Complete the Supported Employment Training & Certification Pre-Approval Form
- Form Instructions
Attach current provider W-9 form
Attach 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

Get Help

Supported Employment Informational Webinar Recording - August 2019

Resources

Guidelines & Core Competencies

The already approved trainings or certifications listed above are approved because:

nationally recognized training or certification includes standards that are set and approved by relevant industry groups and/or governing bodies nationwide;
training curricula includes detailed documentation of all competencies covered for required skills and knowledge;
certification is accredited by a nationally recognized entity.

Core Competencies

Person-centered process	The process that identifies the strengths, preferences, needs (clinical and support), and desired outcomes of the individual and individually identified goals and preferences related to relationships, community participation, employment, income and savings, healthcare and wellness, and education. The Person-centered approach incudes working with a team where the individual chooses the people involved on the team and receives necessary information and support to ensure he or she is able to direct the process to the maximum extent possible; effective communication; and appropriate assessment.
Individualized career assessment and planning	This process is used to determine the individual’s strengths, needs, and interests to support career exploration and leads to effective career planning, including the consideration of necessary accommodations and benefits planning
Individualized job development	Identifying and creating individualized competitive integrated employment opportunities for individuals with significant disabilities which meet the needs of both the employer and the individual. This competency includes negotiation of necessary disability accommodations.
Individualized job coaching	Providing necessary workplace supports to clients with significant disabilities to ensure success in competitive integrated employment and resulting in a reduction in the need for paid workplace supports over time.
Job development	Effectively engaging employers for the purpose of community job development for clients with significant disabilities, which meets the needs of both the employer and the client.

Legislation

SB 18-145-Implement Employment First Recommendations

Senate Bill 18-145 is to advance competitive integrated employment for people with disabilities by funding training and certification for Supported Employment Professionals

The bill requires training and/or certification of all providers of supported employment services for persons with disabilities.

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

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.

SB 16-077-Establishment of Employment First for Persons with Disabilities

Senate Bill 16-077 established:

the increase of:
- the number of people entering the workforce and contributing to Colorado’s tax base
- self-worth and dignity of people who are gainfully employed and working alongside people without disabilities
- opportunities to do meaningful and gainful work, lessoning dependence on Medicaid and other public assistance
- opportunities for post-secondary education, including college and vocational training
- effectiveness of service systems currently serving people with disabilities to who are seeking meaningful employment

the collaboration between state departments called Employment First Advisory Partnership (EFAP) including representatives of:
- Department of Education
- Department of Health Care Policy and Financing
- Department of Higher Education
- Department of Human Services
- Department of Labor and Employment
- People with disabilities seeking supported employment
- Families of people with disabilities
- Advocates for people with intellectual disabilities
- Supported Employment Service Providers
- Others focused on cross-disability interest

Helpful Links

HCPF_Supported.Employment@state.co.us

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