1. APSE Annual Conference June 22, 2016
Work is Possible How a historical collaboration brought Employment First to individuals and families
APSE Annual Conference
June 22, 2016

2. Idea Action Employment
Lori and Ryan’s Story
Idea Action Employment

4. A Historic Collaboration!
Background of Family Involvement Committee
A chance invitation (Sean came to a meeting)
A decision for action

5. What Families Were Experiencing
High expectations but little support
Low expectations – needed information
Craving stability in employment situation
Unaware of Employment First

6. Challenges Facing Families
Poor support for employment planning (HS)
Services seemingly working at odds
Youth may have high support needs
Rural resources /lack of options
No coordinated parent training on employment for those with significant disabilities

7. If You Build It…… Started with 3 (MN APSE, ARC MN, and PACER)
Invited others, but were purposeful
Full collaboration includes MN APSE, ARC MN, PACER, AUSM, Autism Works, ARC GTC, MN-DLC, NAMI MN, OIO MN, Disability Law Center, County services

8. Challenges We Faced Where would it live? How do we collaborate?
How do we reach parents?
Who had the capacity for logistics?
How do we fund it?

9. What We Wanted to Accomplish
Collaborate around common cause
Provide families with accurate information
Address myths and misinformation
Highlight success and show Work Is Possible

10. “Work Is Possible” – The Sessions
Pilot
Evolution
Study Guide and Video

11. The sessions: Structure
History of Olmstead
Employment First and the implications at the local level
Employment First: Myths and Facts
Parent/Youth Success Stories (In person)
Expert Panel
Optional Disability Benefits Estimator Sessions

12. Ok, Your Turn
How aware are families in your area about Employment First?
Are there parent outreach efforts around Employment First currently in your state?
What partners would you connect with to coordinate your own sessions?

13. The Sessions: What we Learned
County service involvement crucial
In person success stories powerful
Byproduct- connecting parents immediately
Parents afraid EF means taking away options
Not everyone buys into Employment First
Donated time gets difficult for partners
Families immensely grateful for the information

14. Strategies for Family Engagement
Ideas an APSE board could consider
Find a champion
Create standing committee
Consider statewide survey to support need
Partner with your state’s Parent Training and Information center (
Start with pilot and move on from there

15. Questions?

16. Chris Davies cdavies@kaposia.com Sean Roy sroy@pacer.org
Contact Info
Chris Davies Sean Roy