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VCU-RRTC
Business Connections in the News
Kyle and Trey work for Dominion Energy as HR process assistants. After one year on the job, they share their story.
"I can and I will," has been Trey"s mantra throughout his life. In a CBS interview, he explains how he applies this to his work with Dominion.
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VCU-RRTC-EP
Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Employer Practices for Individuals with Disabilities
The RRTC-EP investigates the most successful business practices which companies utilize to hire and retain workers with disabilities. The project includes four studies, the largest takes place in partnership with Bon Secours Virginia Health System, a long term leader in diversity and hiring of persons with disabilities.
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VCU-DRRP
Disability and Rehabilitation Research Project on Customized Employment
The VCU-DRRP helps young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder, to achieve competitive employment based on the individual's choices, interests and skills. The project's overall objective is to test the effectiveness of customized employment as an intervention to facilitate employment for youth with disabilities.
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VCU-ACE
VCU Autism Center for Excellence
VCU-ACE is a university-based technical assistance, professional development, and educational research center for Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Commonwealth of Virginia. VCU-ACE improves services and supports for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by promoting the implementation of research-based practices in schools and the community through training, technical assistance, research, and collaboration.
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VCU-CTI
Center on Transition Innovations
The Center on Transition Innovations (CTI) at Virginia Commonwealth University is a centralized statewide portal for information, resources, demonstration, and research for educators and other stakeholders in the transition of youth with disabilities. CTI provides evidence-based resources and information along with emerging practices in the field. The results of research studies and demonstration projects conducted here in Virginia help us shape the ongoing work of CTI.
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WIPA-NTDC
Work Incentives Planning & Assistance National Training and Data Center
The Virginia Commonwealth University National Training and Data Center (NTDC) provides comprehensive training and technical assistance to Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) projects, the Ticket to Work Help Line, and community partners to ensure accurate and timely support for beneficiaries on the road to employment and financial independence.
Upcoming Webcast - June 18
Tips for Employers: Working with Employees with ASD Part 2 - This webcast is geared towards employers who are interested in working with employees with autism. Part 2 of the webcast focuses on the process of onboarding an employee with autism through Supported Employment, as well as the value of partnering with the Employment Specialist to support hiring, on the job training, and retention.
Upcoming Webcast - June 26
What Is Possible When Systems Truly Collaborate? - Join Richard Kriner and Nancy Brooks-Lane for a spirited conversation about the Commonwealth of Virginia's statewide efforts to increase the employment outcomes for youth and adults with the most significant disabilities. Over the past year, the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (VA DARS) and the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) braided funding and resources for a statewide competency-based Discovery and Customized Employment initiative. This included providing training, technical assistance, and mentorship to agency staff resulting in ACRE certification for participants. The goals included educating stakeholders, especially families and businesses about the efficacy of customized employment. The webcast will include case study examples of individuals with disabilities as they achieve their employment goals through customized employment.
Fact Sheet
Customized Employment Topics: Social Capital - Relationships form as people interact with each other at home, work, and in the community. Relationships help create a quality life and are critical to a person’s well-being. There is data indicating that positive relationships contribute to longevity and happiness. Physically being in the community; however, does not mean being of the community, or said another way, belonging to a community. Belonging takes more than a physical presence. A community is defined as the places where people have the opportunity to interact and form connections; where trust in and respect for each other can build; and where the norm is to help each other. These characteristics of relationships connect individuals and result in Social Capital.
Betsy's Case Study
Disability and Rehabilitation Research Project on Customized Employment - Informational interviews may help the job seeker and the employment specialist learn more about how the person’s interests and skills may meet the needs of business. This case study describes how informational interviews were used during discovery for “Betsy”.
Business Connections Spotlight
Crystal Hence has all the skills a good job coach should have. She is the sole job coach for Project SEARCH at St. Francis Medical Center, where she works with an average of six students at a time. She is persistent in her job leads and not shy about approaching employers.
Program Helps Workers with Autism Thrive on The Job
Every time Trey Smith sits down in his cubicle at work, five words greet him. "I CAN AND I WILL." A nod to the determination that has guided the 20-year old since he was little. That has been his mantra throughout life. His parents John and Altrice Smith said the words best describe their son.
In their own words: Kyle J. and Trey S.
Kyle J. and Trey S. began working for Dominion Energy in the fall of last year as process assistants in Human Resources. Both Kyle and Trey both have high functioning autism and were excited to land jobs with the company. Less than a year later, while Autism Awareness Month is in full-swing, they shared their experiences with Lisa Carnahan, a senior communications specialist in Human Resources.
Families, advocates and providers hold dialogue on autism at RTD's Public Square
Addressing questions about autism and people who are diagnosed with the developmental disorder, attendees of the Richmond Times-Dispatch’s 76th Public Square on Wednesday said there needs to be more social inclusion, robust advocacy and planning for the future. Nearly 150 people attended the forum at the newspaper’s downtown offices, including experts, people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, their families, doctors, and direct service providers.
Online Course: Supported Employment
Supported Employment Online Course ACRE Certified - July 1 - Sept 23, 2019 This course provides an extensive overview of supported employment and how to facilitate competitive jobs for individuals with significant disabilities. Topics include: federal policy; customer profile; job development; working with employers; job-site strategies; support plans; and alternative funding.
RRTC EP - Employment Services
Business Connections at VCU is a supported employment service provider for individuals in the Metro Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Warsaw areas, assisting individuals with disabilities with finding employment and providing ongoing support to clients who obtain employment. Established in 1983, the Virginia Commonwealth University RRTC provides resources for professionals, individuals with disabilities, and their representatives. Our team of nationally and internationally renowned researchers is committed to developing and advancing evidence-based practices to increase the hiring and retention for individuals with disabilities.