Members Page

The New Norm: Indiana Panel Discussion

September 16, 2021

Panel Members:

Kristina M. Blankenship, Director of Business & Community Engagement at the State of Indiana

MaryEllen Jones, Associate Director of Community Employment at Stone Belt

Brianna Morse, Director of Youth Initiatives, Department of Workforce Development

Brian Norton, ATP, CEAS, Director of Assistive Technology at Easterseals Crossroads

Eve Pressnell-Moore, Director of Employment Services at Gateway Services

Indiana Employers, Mental Health, and Substance Use Disorders

June 17, 2021

Presented by Mike Thibideau, Director of Indiana Workforce Recovery, Wellness Council of Indiana, and the Indiana Chamber of Commerce

In this session, we’ll dive into brand new 2021 data showcasing Indiana employers’ attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors regarding SUD and mental health. Attendees will also explore a best practice framework for employer partnerships and examine how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected businesses in Indiana.

Family Violence Dynamics & Disabilities Webinar

March 18, 2021

Presented by Melissa Arvin, Family Violence Resource Attorney, Indiana Office of Court Services

This training discusses the different contexts of violence in relationships and the particular issues involved when the people in those relationships are also those who have disabilities. We also examined the impact family violence has on the workplace for both employees and employers. The training offered guidance on how to work with family violence survivors, focusing on those with disabilities, and talk about how we all can support survivors to live their lives free of coercion and violence in their relationships.

Providing Employment First Supports in a COVID 19 Crisis: A Panel Discussion

A candid discussion hosted by INAPSE. Several providers were invited to discuss ideas and practices:

• Service Delivery Options when you cannot be working directly alongside the participant.

• Specific stories about complicated situations being resolved using a virtual approach.

• Share ideas & resources to help staff provide services participants need when working in the field during this time or via technology. 

~ April 29, 2020

Taking Care of Yourself and Colleagues During Difficult Times

Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana's Dr. Samantha Backhaus, Clinical Neuropsychologist, provides strategies and techniques for effective self-care during crisis and stressful life events, such as a pandemic.

Learning Objectives:

• Tools to take care of yourself and others.

• How to recognize signs of stress, anxiety, depression, and mental overload.

• How to deal with an uncertain future.

~ May 12, 2020

Find Your Voice: Strategies For Optimal
Self-Advocacy and Utilizing Connections

Presenter -
Natalie Miller, Marion County Prosecutor’s Office

This presentation will provide simple strategies based on her experiences aimed to help self-advocates find an advocacy path that works for them, create and utilize personal connections, and take their activism to the next level. 

~ June 18, 2020

PERSONALIZING PRE-EMPLOYMENT TRANSITION SERVICES IN A PANDEMIC

In an uncertain world, we are using Pre Employment Transition Services to provide some certainty to students, families, and teachers. Services have been an evolution of ever-changing policy, comfort zones, and participation but we will share how we have been able to provide stability through the changes.

In this webinar, we hope to provide you with a review of the programming ideas that Stone Belt Pre-ETS instructors used to engage students.

~ August 20, 2020

BENEFITS COUNSELING:  HOW BENEFITS CAN BE AFFECTED BY WORKING AND HOW WIPA CAN HELP!

Indiana Works, the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) project, will be hosting a 90-minute training on benefits and work.  This presentation is open to ANYONE!  Whether you are a staff at a social service agency, a person receiving benefits and are interested in going to work, a friend or family member of someone who may have questions, or you just want to learn something new!

~ September 17, 2020

College vs. High School Accommodations

College Accommodations vs High School Accommodations – a Presentation to talk about the differences and how those differences play a role in future educational supports. Target Audience: Pre-ETS, Transition Service Coordinators, Special Education High School Staff, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors, DWD, and others who help shape transition services for students entering college, or Adults returning to the educational setting.

This session was presented by Sandy Widener, Director of Disability Support Services at Ivy Tech Community College – Central Indiana.

~ October 15, 2020

Supplemental Resources

Effective Employment Services for the LGBTQ+ Community

This webinar will provide the information employment providers need to know to provide affirming employment services for LGBTQ people. Topics covered include

• Basic terms, concepts, and language regarding sexual orientation and gender identity, including respectful pronoun usage

• The intersection of sexual orientation/gender identity and disability

• Supporting a client who is coming out and/or transitioning on the job

• Discrimination & harassment on the job—how often does this happen?

• Legal protections, including a major update!

• For transgender clients—documentation (changing gender marker on driver’s license, birth certificate, with social security office) & navigating health insurance

• Supporting a person navigating the social relationships at the job site

• Tips for providing affirming services, and how to avoid saying something inadvertently offensive

• Community supports and resources for LGBTQ people

• Resources for further staff education

~ November 19, 2020