|
CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS
|
9:15 am – 10:30 am Workshops |
| Status |
Time |
Workshop |
| Open |
9:15 am – 10:30 am |
#1 – Quality Indicators For Programs Serving Students With Disabilities 18-21 Years Old
Bill Freeman, MEd, State Coordinator of Secondary Transition, and JoAnn Johnson, MA, Transition Specialist, New Jersey Department of Education, Office of Special Education
The New Jersey Department of Education, Office of Special Education, has released the “Quality Indicators for Programs Serving Students with Disabilities 18-21 Years Old.” This new framework provides guidance for ensuring high-quality programs that support students as they prepare for success in adult life. This session will provide an overview of the quality indicators, highlight best practices for implementation, and discuss how they align with the IDEA (2004). This session will equip you with essential knowledge to enhance programming and improve outcomes for students preparing for a successful adult life. Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of how to apply these indicators to improve services and support for students aged 18-21. |
| Open |
9:15 am – 10:30 am |
#2 – Navigating New Currents: Uncovering The Tangible Benefits Of Research-Provider Partnerships In Supported Employment
Kimberley Deng, EdD, Research Project Coordinator, Heldrich Center for Workforce Development, Rutgers University; Valentina Arango-Correa, EdD, Training and Consultation Specialist; and Robert Kimmel, EdD, BCBA, CESP, Training and Consultation Specialist, The Boggs Center on Disability and Human Development, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
This presentation will explore the essential interdependence between research institutions and supported employment providers. It will illuminate how provider agencies are crucial for conducting relevant and impactful research, while also detailing the significant advantages these agencies gain through active participation. Discover how involvement in research can unlock opportunities for grant funding, influence the development of best practices, contribute to positive policy evolution, and enhance workforce development. Learn how these collaborations can also elevate public relations, increase name recognition, and foster stronger community partnerships, ultimately strengthening the entire supported employment landscape. |
| Open |
9:15 am – 10:30 am |
#3 – "Hoofin' It" - The "Old-Fashioned" Ways That Still Work, But Everyone Forgot
Dominique Hyder, MA, Director of Business Development, Avenues to Independent Living, Inc.
"Hoofin' It" is the phrase I coined many years ago in a soft skills lesson I created for my high school BD students about how to job search. I have since updated the lesson for career counseling purposes and most recently have evolved it to use as a job development training technique for Employment Specialists and Trainers. I will share strategies that I have developed over a 20-year career providing employment services and career education. In this time, I found that the best job development/seeking strategies involve human-to-human contact. Participants will be provided with strategies to use as well as my lessons to share these seemingly antiquated skills with some modern twists with their consumers and students. |
| Open |
9:15 am – 10:30 am |
#4 – More Than Soft Skills: Reframing Interpersonal Skills For Neurodivergent Job Seekers
Danielle Jeudy, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA, Clinical Supervisor, and Jennifer Ajbuszyc-Sanchez, MS, Assistant Director of Day Services, Our House, Inc.
Competitive integrated employment (CIE) often relies on an individual’s ability to meet unwritten interpersonal expectations. Traditional “soft skills” training can reinforce deficit-based models that pressure neurodivergent individuals to mask or conform. This workshop invites participants to rethink interpersonal skill development through a neuro-affirming lens. Drawing from applied behavior analysis, trauma-informed care, and day program practices, the session explores strategies that promote authentic
communication, co-regulation, and self-advocacy. Attendees will examine implicit social biases and gain practical tools to build strengths-based, inclusive employment readiness supports. Ideal for behavior analysts, job developers, and program staff, this session centers dignity, autonomy, and workplace equity. |
10:45 am – 12:00 pm Workshops |
| Status |
Time |
Workshop |
| Open |
10:45 am – 12:00 pm |
#5 – A How-to Guide For Navigating Employment After High School
Adam Kubler, BA, New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities, and Amy Watts, BS, Program and Community Liaison, Progressive Center for Independent Living
Educators are the gateway to students’ future employment success. Join us for an informational presentation with a game show style discussion as we travel down the path of how to guide students and their families through the transition from school to employment. We will review options for life after high school and the available resources to make it all happen. |
| Open |
10:45 am – 12:00 pm |
#6 – Empowering Employment: How Assistive Technology Breaks Barriers To Competitive Integrated Jobs
Vanessa Lombardo, MEd, ATP, Project Director, AT Center at The College of New Jersey
This presentation explores the role of assistive technology (AT) in creating inclusive workplaces for individuals with disabilities. Participants will learn to identify various AT tools, such as screen readers, ergonomic devices, and voice recognition software, and understand how they enable individuals to thrive in competitive integrated employment (CIE). Through case studies and interactive activities, the session highlights the practical application of AT in overcoming barriers to productivity, fostering inclusivity, and evaluating the effectiveness of AT in workplace settings. |
| Open |
10:45 am – 12:30 pm |
#7 – Built To Last: The Enduring Values Of Supported Employment
Bethany Chase, DSW, Training and Consultation Specialist, and Jessica Short, BA, Senior Training and Consultation Specialist, The Boggs Center on Disability and Human Development, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
While the language of Supported Employment has evolved over the years, the foundation of our work has remained steady. We’ve always centered merit-based hiring and the right to meaningful, competitive employment for all. We’ve adapted to new systems, funding models, and political climates—not by compromising our mission, but by finding new ways to work towards it. In today’s shifting environment, that adaptability is more important than ever. This session offers a clear, grounded framework for promoting supported employment in ways that rise above the noise. Participants will explore practical messaging strategies, reflect on the enduring relevance of our core values, and leave with renewed confidence in supported employment as a sustainable, nonpartisan solution that strengthens the workforce for everyone. |
| Open |
10:45 am – 12:00 pm |
#8 – Develop A Career Pathway: Using A Digital Toolkit To Support Individuals With Disabilities To Succeed In Career & Technical Education
Ni Gao, PhD, Professor and Director, Integrated Employment Institute, Rutgers School of Health Professions
Career and Technical Education (CTE) presents a viable and effective pathway for individuals with disabilities to obtain employment and improve quality of life. CTE programs, which are typically shorter and more affordable than traditional academic degrees. CTE focuses on developing hands-on, job-specific skills in high-demand fields. CTE graduates often find jobs with competitive wages, upward mobility, and opportunities for long-term career development. Despite the benefits of CTE, many individuals with disabilities remain unaware of these opportunities or lack the necessary support to succeed in CTE. Expanding access to these opportunities through resources like this CTE digital toolkit will address the barriers. This workshop will demonstrate how helping professionals can use the toolkit to support individuals in exploring and succeeding in CTE. |
1:15 pm – 2:30 pm Workshops |
| Status |
Time |
Workshop |
| Open |
1:15 pm – 2:30 pm |
#9 – Community-Based Instruction (CBI) And Work-Based Learning (WBL) In Action: Creating Inclusive Employment Opportunities For Students With Disabilities
Heather Moller, MA, Work-Based Learning Coordinator, Atlantic County Special Services School District, and Jocelyn Muse-Taylor, MEd, Training and Consultation Specialist, The Boggs Center on Disability and Human Development, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Participants will learn how to effectively use Community-Based Instruction (CBI) and Work-Based Learning (WBL) techniques to develop and sustain meaningful community partnerships. This workshop will explore best practices for creating and expanding work-based learning sites for individuals with disabilities. We will emphasize the importance of a thoughtful approach to building community partnerships and highlight the significance of a collaborative team, which includes students, teachers, job coaches, parents, case managers, administrators, and community stakeholders. |
| Open |
1:15 pm – 2:30 pm |
#10 – Navigating Work And SSA Benefits
Amira Hassan, MSW, LSW, NJWINS Project Manager, and Andrea Jimenez, BA, Community Work Incentives Coordinator, The Family Resource Network
Are you supporting individuals who receive SSDI or SSI and are currently employed or exploring employment opportunities? This session will help employment professionals deepen their understanding of how work impacts disability benefits and health coverage, and how to support informed decision-making around employment goals. By the end of the session, professionals will be equipped with practical strategies to connect individuals with Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) services and empower them to pursue their employment goals with greater confidence and clarity. |
| Open |
1:15 pm – 2:30 pm |
#11 – Beyond GPT: Leveraging AI To Transform Disability Employment Services
Heather Janci, BA, Executive Consultant, Provider Strategy, SETWorks
Artificial intelligence (AI) presents unprecedented opportunities to enhance competitive integrated employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities. In this interactive workshop, participants will explore how AI solutions effectively address key challenges such as staff retention, personalized support planning, and administrative efficiency. Real-world examples will demonstrate AI’s impact, including intelligent systems to support job coaches and all staff as well as automation for simplifying compliance and training processes. Participants will leave equipped with ethical frameworks and practical tools to immediately integrate AI-driven strategies within their organizations. Join us to harness the transformative power of AI to strengthen your services and amplify employment success. |
| Open |
1:15 pm – 2:30 pm |
#12 – Pathways To Possibilities: DVRS, Pre-ETS, And Inclusive Higher Education At TCNJ
Toni Scott, MSW, CRL, Program Planning and Development Specialist, New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, and Amy Schuler, Assistant Director, Career and Community Studies Program at The College of New Jersey
This workshop highlights the need for equitable access to education and employment opportunities for students with disabilities. The presentation explores how Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS) and Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) support these students, emphasizing collaboration with The College of New Jersey (TCNJ). Attendees will learn about the Inclusive Higher Education Comprehensive Transition Program and Pre-College Summer Program, designed to align educational pathways with vocational goals and competitive integrated employment. By showcasing proven strategies and fostering dialogue, this session aims to empower students in achieving their full potential, addressing 2 challenges, and building a supportive community network for successful transitions. |
