VCU RRTC

HireAbility Vermont has spent the last year working to revamp the self-employment program in effort to build capacity within the organization and provide more supports to staff and participants. In this webcast, the team will discuss how they got started, key steps they took in the process, where they are now, the goals they have for the future, and lessons learned along the way. 

Bios:

Jamie Blondin is a Program Manager for HireAbility Vermont's Self-Employment program and a former vocational counselor with the organization. She has an undergraduate degree in public health and psychology and holds a master's degree in community education, specializing in individualized learning, program planning, and service-learning. Jamie is also a small business owner, having owned and operated a restaurant and wholesale specialty food business, a registered daycare, and a consulting business focused on business and personal development. In her current role with HireAbility, Jamie created a new process and guidance for self-employment cases, supports and coordinates training for vocational counselors, and is developing continuing education practices. Passionate about helping people realize their potential, Jamie is committed to developing effective strategies to help others achieve their goals and live out their dreams.

Hib Doe is a Field Services Manager at HireAbility Vermont. His primary role is to provide supervisory support for all six of our state’s regional managers. He worked for several years as a VR Counselor in a small office on the Canadian border and was always interested in assisting participants in achieving self-employment outcomes. He has been very involved with developing and implementing Vermont’s Self Employment Program, which holds great promise to improve our services to individuals with disabilities who desire to be self-employed. He is very excited to be part of this project because it is so important that we continue to advance the abilities of individuals in ways that work best for them. Hib has a master’s degree in counseling and has enjoyed working on many successful projects for HireAbility Vermont in the past 25 years.

Ciara Ladroma, the facilitator, has served the employment and entrepreneurial industries for the last 12 years with a focus on serving people with disabilities, women, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. She has supported small business owners nationwide to create, launch, and grow their businesses. Ciara began her career in Supported Employment as an Employment Specialist and has since carried these unique skills and traits to all areas of her career. Previously serving as a Career Coach at Des Moines Area Community College and as the Director of the Iowa Women’s Business Center, Ciara has found ways to elevate communities by guiding people’s success through business ownership and career navigation. As an entrepreneur herself, she is able to take her own experiences and challenges to help others navigate their entrepreneurial hurdles. Ciara provides technical assistance and training on best practices regarding employment service delivery with a focus on Customized Employment and Self-Employment.