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Employment First: Training and Technical Assistance

Training and technical assistance resources


Innovation grant

The Oregon Legislature awarded a Policy Option Package in the 2015-17 session for the Oregon  Department of Human Services (ODHS) to fund innovative Employment First projects to increase capacity throughout the state. 

The purpose of these grants is to expand efforts to increase competitive integrated employment opportunities for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD).

List of grantees

Summer work experience

The Office of Developmental Disabilities Services, Vocational Rehabilitation and Oregon Department of Education issue Requests for Application (RFA) for Summer Work Experience Programs throughout the state aimed at giving youth with disabilities experience with summer work. The goal is to develop a work experience program that increases job opportunities for young people with disabilities. 

Applications are closed for 2024.

Local Employment First teams

As part of the Employment First initiative, local leadership teams around the state started gathering in 2011. The strategy behind local teams started with the recognition that in order to implement Employment First successfully, efforts at the community level needed to be organized and supported. There are now more than 30 local Employment First teams in Oregon.

Local Employment First Team contacts

Supported Employment Curriculum

ODDS partnered with Clackamas Community College to develop a 64-hour training curriculum called Introduction to Supported Employment (ISE). This curriculum qualifies as continuing education credits for ODDS employment providers. The curriculum includes eight modules which are eight hours each and can be presented as a complete course or individually:

  1. Setting the Stage for Person-Centered Supported Employment
  2. Health and Safety
  3. Introduction to Employment Success and Job Coaching
  4. Job Coaching: Planning for Employment Success
  5. Job Coaching: Communication, Teaching and Coaching Techniques
  6. Job Coaching: Challenges and Changes
  7. Job Coaching: Documentation
  8. Introduction to Job Development and Next Steps

Approved trainers

Webinars

In 2016-17, Employment First funded Community of Practice (CoP) webinars, a subject-based discussion series of topics. Each topic is featured in a two-hour session, which was recorded, and in an online ongoing discussion forum to allow access to the information and continue the conversation.

Virtual training opportunities

We are offering online virtual employment trainings throughout the upcoming year. These trainings are presented by ODDS regional liaisons. Each session is offered twice on the same day. Pick the time that works for you.

You can join through zoom. The same link works for all trainings. Information will also be available on the Employment First Training and Technical Assistance webpage. 

Sharing support documents for employment and Day Support Activities (DSA)
September 1, 2026, 10 a.m. to noon or 2 to 4 p.m.
This session covers the support documents that are shared when a person is working, using employment services, or DSA services. 

ODDS job development, including during VR statewide order of selection waitlist
December 1, 2026, 10 a.m. to noon or 2 to 4 p.m.
Learn how to use ODDS-funded job development services while a person waits for Vocational Rehabilitation services during Order of Selection

Job coaching, competitive integrated employment, and the ODDS provider assessment process
February 2, 2027, 10 a.m. to noon or 2 to 4 p.m.
Learn what is expected of job coaches, what counts as competitive integrated employment, and how the ODDS provider assessment process works.

Building financial futures: ABLE accounts, benefits counseling, and other tools
April 6, 2027, 10 a.m. to noon or 2 to 4 p.m.
Learn about ABLE accounts, benefits counseling, and other tools that help people with disabilities build savings, stability, and independence.

​​​Collaboration and braiding employment services: ODDS, VR, OCB, Education, and other employment service entities
June 1, 2027, 10 a.m. to noon or 2 to 4 p.m.
An overview of what each system funds and how services can be sequenced when a job seeker draws on more than one funding stream. ​