Resources

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2011
Concurrent Session #1  10:30-11:45 a.m.

Enhancing Retention and Graduation of College Students with Disabilities
Dr. James Herbert, Penn State University
This session will review the latest research and practices in post-secondary education and transition.  The number of individuals with disabilities attending colleges and universities is rising.  This is no surprise given that individuals with disabilities who obtain a college degree are 63% more likely to find employment than those that do not have a degree.  Dr. James Herbert and his colleagues studied the impact of disability support services, the lower rates of completing degrees for individuals with disabilities to that of their peers, as well as predictors for performance at state schools.  Join Dr. Herbert as he discusses this fascinating research on investigated outcomes of individuals with disabilities in post-secondary education.

Motivational Interviewing: Promising Practices for Rehabilitation Professionals (Part 1 of 2)
Carrie Barone, The George Washington University TACE Center
Building on Carl Roger’s Person-Centered Theory and Miller & Rollnick’s motivational interviewing constructs, this session will introduce the key techniques that are specific to rehabilitation counseling promising practices.  A brief history of person-centered therapy and motivational interviewing practices will be followed by a video demonstration of advanced counseling skills using key motivational interviewing techniques OARS (i.e., open questions, affirming, reflective listening and summarizing). Participants will identify and discuss the OARS skills, as well as how they will be able to practice and use these skills with their current caseload.

Mid-Atlantic Green Jobs: Industries, Occupations and Growth
Michael Stevenson, MARC Project Director, Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing & Regulation
Join Mark Stevenson as he provides an overview of the MARC Green Consortium, designed to conduct innovative LMI activities that support the expansion of a regional green economy.  There will be a green jobs survey and analysis and related research on green jobs and training infrastructure.  In addition, web-based labor exchange portals will be discussed.

Examining the Accessibility of Online Job Application Processes by Blind Users
Jonathan Lazar, Towson University, Department of Computer & Information Sciences
Nearly all employers currently require potential hires to apply for jobs using web-based employment applications.  Many of the online application processes are believed to be inaccessible, and there is limited research documenting how blind users have actually used online employment applications, and the technical challenges faced due to inaccessibility of these applications.  This session will review a project funded by the Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University Law School, documenting efforts of 15 blind users using screen readers in attempting to apply for jobs.  Come learn of the research, methodologies, results and challenges.  In addition, suggestions will be provided on how to train blind users in workarounds for the most common accessibility problems in online employment applications.

Acquired Brain Injury: Concussion through Coma
Anastasia B. Edmonston, MS CRC, Traumatic Brain Injury Projects Director, MD Mental Hygiene Administration
A May 2011 report by the Veterans Affairs Inspector General found that for over 4,000 TBI-related disability claims, 20% were processed incorrectly.  The Centers for Disease Control estimates at least 1.7 million Americans sustain a traumatic brain injury each year.  For many who survive brain injury, the related difficulties can persist for many years, limiting education, vocational and social success.  Sifting through medical information to determine disability, medical needs, eligibility and identifying the functional losses of brain injury can be a challenge.  This presentation will provide a review of common functional deficits associated with brain injury and give tips on what to look for in the medical record when putting together a picture of an individual’s status and needs post injury. 

Improving your Job Development Game: Playing it Like an Expert
Ellen Fabian, Ph.D., University of Maryland; Laverne Buchanan, Ed.D., & Monica Simonsen, Ph.D., Transcen
Get ready to earn prizes by identifying best practices in job acquisition in an interactive game-show-themed session.  Learn the results of our recent research of seasoned job developers’ beliefs and attitudes towards employers and their most effective job development strategies from over 300 employment specialists.  Participants will compare their own strategies to those of seasoned specialists and walk away with new strategies to implement with their customers and a training tool to use for professional development in their own agencies and offices.

Concurrent Session #2  1:45-3:00 p.m.

Supports for Individuals with ASD
James Ferrell & Lee Armstrong, Maryland Division of Rehabilitation Services 
Join James Ferrell, DORS Staff Specialist for Autism Services, and Lee Armstrong of DORS Pathways Program as they examine best practices and supports for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).  Included will be a look at what approaches are currently being used at the Workforce & Technology Center and ideas and ways these approaches can be replicated.  In addition, Lee Armstrong will talk about ASD and Asperger's Syndrome and how to prepare your students for the transition from high school to community college.  Discussion will include the differences between high school and community college as well as student expectations and supports available on campus, with an in-depth look at Disability Support Services (DSS), its role and student responsibilities.

Motivational Interviewing: Promising Practices for Rehabilitation Professionals (Part 2 of 2)
Carrie Barone, The George Washington University TACE Center
Building on Carl Roger’s Person-Centered Theory and Miller & Rollnick’s motivational interviewing constructs, this session will introduce the key techniques that are specific to rehabilitation counseling promising practices.  A brief history of person-centered therapy and motivational interviewing practices will be followed by a video demonstration of advanced counseling skills using key motivational interviewing techniques OARS (i.e., open questions, affirming, reflective listening and summarizing). Participants will identify and discuss the OARS skills, as well as how they will be able to practice and use these skills with their current caseload.

Delighting your Business Customer
Bruce Wahlgreen, President, Workforce Excellence Group
No longer focused only on job “placement,” the Business Services Representative of the 21st century can make available an arsenal of tools, expertise and resources to the business customer.  But how do you best engage business customers so that they’ll be open to hearing about your solutions to their human resource challenges?  In this interactive workshop you will learn the four things businesses want from us, how to speak their language so they’ll listen to you, why “questions are the answer,”  and a six-step process to create long-term relationships with business customers.

Everything You Need to Know about Navigating the Mental Health System
Steve Reeder, Mental Hygiene Administration
This presentation will orient participants as well as provide a refresher to those seasoned in the profession as to the operational design and function of the public mental health system to include service access and availability, eligibility determination, medical necessity criteria and service preauthorization.  Learn how to navigate the PMHS on behalf of consumers with mental illness.  Discover strategies and techniques for problem-solving and trouble-shooting issues when complications arise in systems navigation.  Participants are encouraged to bring relevant questions and case examples for open discussion and technical assistance, as time permits.    

Benefits Counseling and Work Incentives
Michael Dalto, Work Incentives Project Director, Maryland Department of Disabilities, & Beth Lash, Maryland Division of Rehabilitation Services
The fear of losing public cash and medical benefits is perhaps the greatest obstacle to employment for people with the most significant disabilities.  Benefits counseling encourages many beneficiaries to work.  Medicaid Infrastructure Grants will be ending this year.  This session will highlight the fee-for-service benefits counseling as a way to increase the availability of the service and improve work outcomes for consumers with the most significant disabilities. 

Networking
Ellen Engle, CEO, Elevate USA, Inc.
Learn how to build your network and use it effectively to reach anyone in the world with just seven phone calls.  How would you like to talk to Warren Buffett?  Bill Gates?  Oprah Winfrey?  If you have a great business idea or proposal that needs to get to the right person, or you just want to expand your client list, your network is the key.  The best way to get a job is building your relationships and network.  Discover the secrets of getting in touch with anyone and see Ellen demonstrate its power.

Concurrent Session #3  3:30-4:45 p.m.

Getting Out of the Office and into the Field: Tips and Tricks for Making Time for Business
Kathy Schwabeland, Maryland Division of Rehabilitation Services
This training focuses on providing service providers with new ideas for moving rehabilitation process from the office to the real world of the community.  Ideas, techniques and resources will be provided on conducting informal assessments, job readiness and career exploration in the community.  This presentation will also explore how community-based work can expand and promote the hiring of individuals with disabilities.  Now get out of the office and into the field!

Serving Latinos with Disabilities in Maryland: A Reality and a Responsibility
David Moreno, The ARC of Maryland
The Hispanic population in our state is growing at an extraordinary rate, which indicates the importance of developing outreach programs that can respond to the needs of this population now and in the future.  Come and learn how to start and develop a Hispanic outreach program within your organization.  We will discuss common challenges and creative solutions, hear inspiring success stories and expand our vision for a more diverse and culturally competent organization.

Innovative Strategies: Job Acquisition for Individuals with Disabilities
Erica Rhoades & Michael Whitehill, McCrone, Inc.
A GIS-based work-finder tool can be used as the basis for job acquisition for individuals with disabilities and many other purposes through the state and different state agencies.  The web-based interactive tool is a user-friendly way to search for all potential job sites within predetermined area.  The tool uses the candidate’s address along with job type, radius for driving and walking distances.  The output from the tool can map the individual’s job acquisition future.  Join Erica Rhoades and Michael Whitehill of McCrone, Inc. as they discuss the ways this tool can be used to effectively start the job acquisition process. 

Assessment to  Support Transition from School to What Comes Next
Pam LeConte, The George Washington University, & Lisa Blakeny, Vocation Validation
This session will identify components of transition that must be assessed in order to help prepare youth for adult living.  Discussion will include the differences and commonalities between  vocational, career and transition assessment processes.  Examples of career and transition pathways, transition assessment toolkits that are accessible from the National Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center, and examples of assessment activities for youth with disabilities will be provided.  In order for these youth to achieve success and desired goals in adult life, alternatives to adult assessment approaches must become part of vocational evaluators’ and rehabilitation counselors’ repertoire.   

An Innovative Approach to Blindness Training
Ruth Sager, Senior Services Coordinator, Blind Industries & Services of Maryland
BISM presents an innovative approach to training and education through instructional DVDs designed to reach blind and low vision consumers in underserved locations and rural areas, and those without access to professional staff and services.  Families, teachers, counselors, professionals in the field of vision loss, senior service providers and others will find these resources most useful.

Time Management
Ellen Engle,  CEO, Elevate USA Inc.
Deal with multiple demanding priorities and essential tasks on tight deadlines.  We all have more than one priority or project at work – sometimes with the same deadlines.  In the modern business world, the ability to juggle multiple tasks and priorities is absolutely essential.  But at times all the work can get overwhelming. Learn how to be constantly diligent and focus on high impact items over just being “busy.”

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011
Concurrent Session #4  10:45-12:00 p.m.

Video Relay Services: Going High Tech in the Workplace
Hank Passi, Maryland Division of Rehabilitation Services
Technology is advancing every day and with these advancements comes opportunity.  Join DORS Staff Specialist for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Hank Passi and vendors of Video Relay Services (VRS) as they discuss and demonstrate the technology behind the product and services of VRS and how it is leveling the playing field for individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing.

Motivational Theatre: Using Simple Acting Techniques to Enhance Professional Interactions
Robert Chauncey, Executive Director of The Hugh Gregory Gallagher Motivational Theatre, will facilitate with playwright Ryan Schube and the cast of “The 'R' Word”  
Join this dynamic hands-on session with the Hugh Gregory Gallagher Motivational Theatre troupe.  After a discussion about creating “The R Word,” the group will lead participants through simple acting exercises and show how these techniques can be used to improve personal and professional interactions.  

Self Care
Carrie Barone, The George Washington University TACE Center
During this session, participants will have the opportunity to consider and explore some of the variables that enhance resiliency in a professional setting.  Topics will include professional self care, social networks (both contemporary high tech and “old school”), network/community development, and the physiological and psychological impacts of these variables upon today’s rehabilitation professional. 

Clinical Supervision Training of State VR Supervisors: Assessing the Impact
Dr. James T. Herbert, Ph.D. CRC LPC, Professor of Counselor Education, Penn State University
Dr. Herbert will discuss the first study to develop, implement and evaluate a training program specifically designed for practicing State Vocational Rehabilitation supervisors to improve clinical supervision practices.  He will demonstrate how they are examining the effectiveness of a training program to increase supervisory knowledge, self-efficacy, supervisory working alliance and helpful supervisory behavior.  While both supervisors and counselors perceive competence in administrative supervision, clinical supervision is perceived to be an area of deficiency.  Administrative supervision relates to the documentation of vocational rehabilitation efficiency and effectiveness of services provided (e.g., amount of time required between referral status and development of an individualized written rehabilitation plan) whereas clinical supervision is intended to improve counselor skills that lead to successful VR outcomes (e.g., examining counselor attitudes and beliefs about working with persons with a specific disability).

The Virtual One-Stop
Carolyn Mitchell, Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing & Regulation
Finding a quality job in economically challenging times can be a very difficult task.  Providing job seekers access to as many potential job opportunities as possible is important.  Equally important is allowing them to target opportunities that are the most suitable.  Maryland Workforce Exchange – Virtual One-Stop Career Tools allow individuals to analyze their unique skills and interests, as well as what is important to them in a job.  For those that find they have a significant skills gap, the system will point to available training programs and funding sources.  Additionally, the system will allow the job seeker to review the labor market in any local area, occupation or industry.

Making “Employment First” Happen through Collaboration
Dr. Debra Martin Luecking, TransCen Inc.; Sharon Plump, Maryland Division of Rehabilitation Services; Cristin Cellito, The Arc Carroll County
Participants will learn how an organization takes on the challenge to offer employment as the first service for all individuals who chose them as their service provider.  The Arc Carroll County is working closely with its local DORS and DDA staff to deliver customized employment services to individuals who want to work but have had little to no exposure to community-based employment.  Presenters will describe how they are collaborating as a team to deliver self-discovery, job development, work-based experiences, individualized inclusive employment and workplace supports services one job seeker at a time.