Supported Employment Online Course

Individual rate: $425 per person
Group rate: $1750 for 5 registrants, $350 for each additional registrant

The VCU Supported Employment Online Course is a 40-hour comprehensive training designed to equip participants with best practices for delivering employment services to individuals with disabilities through competitive integrated employment (CIE).

• Approved by the Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators (ACRE), the curriculum aligns with national standards for high-quality, competency-based training.
• Delivered in six asynchronous modules, the course includes recorded lectures, readings, practical activities, and online discussions-no live sessions required.
• Features leading expert presenters, including Dr. Paul Wehman, Dr. Katherine Inge, Cary Griffin, Vicki Brooke, Grant Revell, and Jennifer McDonough.
• Course instructors mentor small groups of participants, providing individualized feedback and instruction to support skill development and successful course completion.

Module 1: Introduction to Supported Employment

Introduces the history and philosophy of Employment First, emphasizing the quality indicators of competitive integrated employment as the preferred outcome for people with disabilities.

Module 2: Customer Profile and Career Planning

Learn strategies for collecting comprehensive information about job seekers' strengths, preferences, interests, and support needs. Person-centered planning guides career exploration and employment goals to match individuals with meaningful employment.

Module 3: Marketing and Job Development

Focuses on using effective techniques for marketing job seekers to employers, building strong business relationships, and identifying potential job opportunities. Strategies include conducting job analysis, informational interviews or workplace tours, and supporting individuals through the application and interview process, including working interviews.

Module 4: Job Site Supports and Retention

An in-depth look at tools and strategies for supporting individuals in the workplace. This includes systematic instruction, task analysis, leveraging natural supports, social integration, promoting independence, fading, and job retention.

Module 5: Customized Employment Overview

Explores the principles and process of customized employment, including discovery, job negotiation, and individualized job development strategies that align with the unique strengths and needs of the job seeker.

Module 6: Social Security and Other Topics

Addresses the impact of employment on Social Security benefits and introduces additional key topics such as assistive technology, cultural competence, and ethical considerations in employment services.

Once all requirements are completed, the participant can earn:

• 4 Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
• 40 Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRCs) credits
• ACRE National Certificate in Employment Services (Basic)

• Course content: Katie Thompson, kbthompson@vcu.edu
• Technical support: Lucian Friel, friell@vcu.edu