Using Virtual Supports in Employment Services
Date: May 12, 2020
Time: 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 pm EST
Using Virtual Supports in Employment Services
Presenters:
Wendy Parent-Johnson, PhD, CRC, CESP, The University of Arizona
Julie Christensen, LMSW, PhD, Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE)
Judy Warth, BBA, CESP, University of Iowa
Duane Shumate, MEd, Missouri Division of Developmental Disabilities
The use of technology provides opportunities to address many of the challenges of staff shortages, limited resources, and geography often experienced with supported and customized employment services. A multi-state collaborative came together to develop, implement and evaluate the effectiveness of real time training and technical assistance to support workers, employers, and job coaches. Virtual supports included the use of cell phones, iPads, and GoPro cameras to provide training and support for job coaches, behavioral interventions on the job, and long-term job coaching services and supports. Emphasis was placed on assessing the impact of virtual supports delivered in real time on outcomes, services, and staff competencies. Additionally, cost effectiveness focused on identifying sustainable and effective methods of using technology in service delivery was evaluated. This type of service delivery is even more relevant today during the COVID-19 pandemic, as evolving to a virtual supports platform is essential to meet the needs of supported workers, the businesses who employ them, the job coaches providing assistance, and the providers who are struggling with traditional service reimbursement models. Come join us as we share strategies and outcomes, lessons learned, and implications for policy and practice during today’s current challenges and beyond.
This is an AAIDD webinar.