Certificate in Employment Services

The Center for Continuing Education in Rehabilitation (CCER) at the University of Washington provides a two-part certificate program for direct service providers at least two times each year. The Certificate in Employment Services (CES) concentrates on practical employment strategies for people with disabilities, and provides an overview of significant disabilities, rehabilitation issues, and current trends.

CES is designed to help course participants understand and utilize best practices across employment settings. The course focuses primarily on serving people who have developmental disabilities, but the information provided can also be applied to employment services for people with mental illness, traumatic brain injuries and/or physical disabilities.

National ACRE Certification! Upon completion of the CES classes and homework, participants will be awarded a National Certificate of Achievement in Employment Services from the Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators (ACRE). The Certificate documents satisfactory completion of 40 hours of training and professional development provided by an ACRE-approved training resource, and is appropriate to use as part of a professional portfolio.

Course Requirements:

CES consists of two 3-day sessions, 8:30 to 4:30 each day. Participants must attend both sessions, complete two written field assignments, and make two in-service presentations at their agencies in order to receive a Certificate of Achievement from the Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators. (ACRE)

This series is taught once in Seattle and once in Portland each year. Other series may be scheduled and will be announced. Registration is open at least six weeks prior to each series.

Course Content Includes:
Job Analysis/Matching
Teaching Strategies
Disability Overview
Long-Term Supports
Discovery/Career Planning/Choice
Funding Streams and Social Security
Job Development/Identification
Cultural & Family Issues
Budgeting Time and Training Efforts
Managing Stress

Who Should Attend?
CES is designed for employment specialists, job coaches, production supervisors, program managers and vocational service coordinators. It is especially helpful for staff who are new to the field, who have gained new responsibilities, or who would profit from a better understanding of varied and creative ways to provide effective service.

Enrollment and Costs:
The application form will be sent to you immediately via email upon completion of the online registration process. The cost is $250, which includes training materials.

The $250 fee is non-refundable unless cancellations are received by mail, fax, or e-mail at least two weeks prior to the first session. Staff substitutions before the first session are fine.

Maximum enrollment is 30 people. People who have disabilities or who are from minority communities, and who are employed by VR-certified Community Rehabilitation Programs or IL Centers are encouraged to register for the course.

Organizational Commitment:
We request that agency Executive Directors support staff who register for CES. This includes allowing participants time to attend both training sessions, make two in-service presentations and complete two field assignments, each of which will require approximately eight hours of preparation.

Instructors:
Laurie Ford & John Dineen, CCER

Laurie is a Project Director at CCER, and has worked in employment services for people with developmental and mental health disabilities for more than 25 years. Her experience includes time as a pre-employment trainer, job developer, job coach and job coach supervisor, program manager, chief pot washer and troubleshooter.

John is a Training Specialist at CCER with a rich background in serving people with developmental disabilities, including work in a residential institution, job development and coaching, recent management experience in a CRP, and as a consultant. He enjoys working with people who are new to the rehabilitation field.

Both are skilled trainers offering a hands-on approach characterized by practicality, humor and the credibility that comes with personal experience.

Content Information
Laurie Ford lhf4@u.washington.edu
Direct Line: 425 771-7428
Toll Free: 888 377-0100

Registration Information
Tammi Olson tammio@u.washington.edu
425 774-444